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Things To Do in Lewistown, Montana

Lewistown's modest Main Street mixes a strong brewery and food scene—think Central Feed Co./Big Spring Brewing Co.—with quick access to Crystal Lake, the Ice Caves loop and spring-fed trout streams. The quirky Chew Choo dinner train draws divided reviews, and locals point out the nearby cold‑water trout hatchery—check current lodging and fishing advisories.

What Locals Recommend

Based on Reddit discussions, travel forums, and local blogs.

Locals and travelers praise Lewistown for its downtown brewery/food scene and nearby outdoor attractions (Ice Caves loop, Crystal Lake, spring-fed trout fishing and scenic drives). Unique experiences like the Chew Choo dinner train are popular but have mixed recent reviews, and visitors commonly advise checking up-to-date lodging reviews and fishing advisories before consuming caught fish.

Central Feed Grilling Co. / Big Spring Brewing

Overall sentiment: positive

Locals and visitors recommend this downtown combo as an easy, reliable meal and local-beer stop; housed in a renovated feed-store building and praised for its tap beers using local barley and spring water.

"stop at Central Feed Co./Big Spring Brewing Co."
"Stay at the Calvert eat at the Brewery. Perfect for an overnight."

Sources: reddit.com · bigspringbrewingmt.com · tripadvisor.com

Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train

Overall sentiment: mixed

A uniquely local dinner-train experience (scenic ride + themed/seasonal runs) that many enjoy, but recent TripAdvisor reviews mention crowd behavior, heat and service issues — read current reviews and ask about family-friendly seating before booking.

"No staff member ever made an effort to curb the excessive behavior."
"The air conditioning was not working and it was VERY hot."

Sources: tripadvisor.com · centralmontana.com

Big Spring Creek & Big Spring Trout Hatchery

Overall sentiment: mixed

Spring-fed, very clear trout stream and large cold-water hatchery praised by anglers and families for fishing and picnic areas; historically there have been PCB contamination concerns, so check current Montana FWP advisories before consuming fish.

"the biggest cold water trout hatchery in the state."

Sources: travelmontananow.com · perfectflystore.com · treasurestatelifestyles.com

Ice Caves Trail / Crystal Lake & Crystal Cascades

Overall sentiment: positive

Popular, scenic Big Snowy Mountains hikes with year-round ice in the Ice Cave, lakes, waterfalls and ridge-top vistas; moderately strenuous loop with elevation gain — bring traction for icy sections and check trail conditions for late snow.

"If there’s a better trail in central Montana than the 12-mile Ice Cave Loop south of Lewistown, somebody please tell me about it!"

Sources: bigskywalker.com · centralmontana.com · discoveringmontana.com

Beargulch (Bear Gulch Pictographs)

Overall sentiment: mixed

Notable rock-art/cultural site with well-preserved pictographs and canyon scenery; access is sometimes limited because it is on private land — check current visiting rules, reservations and required release forms.

Sources: travelmontananow.com

Central Montana Historical Museum

Overall sentiment: positive

Small-town museum with solid local-history exhibits; reviewers say it's worthwhile if you have the time while in Lewistown.

"Worth a visit if you're in town and have time to kill."

Sources: tripadvisor.com

Lewistown Art Center

Overall sentiment: positive

Local cultural hub featuring galleries, classes and events — highlighted in local listings as the town's art center.

Sources: lewistownartcenter.net

Brooks Market & Deli (pie)

Overall sentiment: positive

Local market/deli famed for pies — often singled out by guides and locals as a must-try treat.

"Try a pie at Brooks Market & Deli … added to Central Montana’s ‘Pie Trail.’"

Sources: travelmontananow.com

Rising Trout Café

Overall sentiment: positive

Frequently listed among top local dining spots and recommended for a casual meal.

Sources: tripadvisor.com

Harry's Place

Overall sentiment: positive

Named among local dining options in travel guides and lists of places to try in town.

Sources: travelmontananow.com

Calvert Inn

Overall sentiment: positive

Recommended on Reddit as a pleasant lodging option and often suggested in combination with downtown dining and brewery stops.

"Calvert is pretty nice!"

Sources: reddit.com

B & B Motel

Overall sentiment: negative

Receives mixed-to-negative mentions on forums and TripAdvisor — users advise checking recent reviews before booking.

"avoid the B&B motel."

Sources: reddit.com · tripadvisor.com

Yogo Inn

Overall sentiment: negative

Reported on Reddit as declining in condition by some guests; check current reviews and photos before booking.

"It keeps getting run down and some of the rooms still smell like cigarette smoke."

Sources: reddit.com

Charles M. Russell Trail / US-87 scenic drives

Overall sentiment: positive

Recommended scenic driving and motorcycle loops through the region (US-87/Charles M. Russell Trail) for landscapes and day drives.

Sources: travelmontananow.com


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