"Sweet Treats from Bernice's Bakery Bernice's Bakery rewards even the most demanding of sweet seekers with tarts, torts, heavenly pies, crusty ryes, moist wine cakes, and decadently stuffed croissants. Especially enticing are the brightly frosted cupcakes in such flavors as Pancakes and Bacon and Chocolate Cherry Coke. With different flavor combinations of cupcakes offered all the time, there is always something to satisfy any craving."

"Spinning 'round Missoula Meet Norm, Bogie, Koko and Lil' Buck; a few of the wooden ponies tethered to Missoula's treasured Carousel. Each pony is as unique as its story; Norm is a handsome white pony who represents a local fraternity's commitment to community service. Lil' Buck, on the other hand, is a saucy, spotted pony who loves to buck. Although no two ponies are the same, all ponies are very significant and special to their respective adoptive families. As a whole, the Carousel was a labor of love and a true community effort; countless hours of volunteer work went into every saddle, pony mane, tail and motor of this city treasure. So while you're in Missoula, be sure to saddle up with Snapples or spin around with Sweet Sue. Just watch out for Lil' Buck."

"One of the most luxurious Western guest ranches, opened in 2005, the Resort at Paws Up, in Greenough, sprawls over 37,000 acres of classic Montana landscape: elk-filled meadows, rocky peaks, and ponderosa pines in the Blackfoot Valley, with the river of the same name running through it all. The most sought-after accommodations are the “glamping” tents on the banks of the Blackfoot or along Elk Creek that are available May through October and organized into five separate camps, taking just six guests each. The camps combine a Western lifestyle with an African safari formula: canvas suites with private baths, a communal dining pavilion with fireplace and fire pit, private camp chef, and butlers to help organize guest activities. Families and friends who prefer four walls between themselves and nature stay in enormous wood-and-stone villas with heated hardwood floors, fireplaces, leather furniture, huge flat-screen TVs, and panoramic windows; some of these homes come with outdoor hot tubs and tented bedrooms for kids. All guests have the opportunity to hike, rappel, canoe, play paintball, take cooking classes, and more, but the main action is on-site fly-fishing and horseback riding for all levels on 100 miles of private trails or in a 23,000-square-foot equestrian arena; adults and kids 12 and up can help move small herds of Black Angus cattle on sample stock drives. If parents want private adventure time, kid wranglers entertain young’uns. In the evening, communal entertainment takes place in a renovated barn that serves as stock sales venue, dance floor, and movie theater. Despite the busy activity menu and flow of golf carts transporting guests to and fro, the ranch is large enough, and accommodation so widely spaced that guests can survey the landscape and not see anyone."

"Missoula's Finest Pie Experience The best pizza in Missoula, and possibly Montana , can be found in the brick ovens of Bob Marshall's Biga Pizza. Seasonal, local ingredients, artisan cheeses and meats meld together atop a perfectly crispy, homemade sourdough crust creating one deliciously round delight. Create your own pizza masterpiece with their extensive list of ingredients or try a Biga Pizza custom creation, such as the Sweet Potato, Bacon and Maple Chipotle pizza. A crown jewel of Missoula, Bob Marshall's Biga Pizza creates delicious round masterpieces not to be missed!"

"For Elk Encounters The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has been hard at work sharing their knowledge of elk, how to hunt responsibly and the importance of conserving elk habitats in the area. The foundation hosts a variety of informative classes but if you're short on time, the Visitor Center is a one-stop-shop for all things elk. The RMEF has created a visitor center full of interesting and interactive exhibits devoted to the majestic antlered animal. Listen to elk bugles, become an animal tracking expert and watch a few interesting conservation films; everything is fun and informative. Afterward, stretch your legs and enjoy the wooded walking trails around the center."

"The Little Theater with a Wild Reputation Missoula, Montana , a city surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain trails, is home to the very first and now the longest running wildlife film festival in the country. The next festival will run from April 18 to 25, 2015, and all works are shown on one of the three screens at the Roxy Theater. The storied history of Missoula's Roxy Theater includes a catastrophic fire that nearly ruined the place in 1994. But with the help of numerous funders and lots of local support, the Wildlife Film Festival rebuilt the ruins and helped revitalize the neighborhood. Now the area around the Roxy, known as the "Hip Strip," boasts cool bars, great restaurants, and funky shops where you can pick up everything from Missoula-made beer to high-end fabrics from around the world. Janet Rose, the Executive Director of the film festival, grew up New York City where she attended the United Nations International School and the prestigious Bronx School of Science, but she landed in Missoula with a vision. Her creation is one of the many arts programs that make this quirky Montana town a special place to explore. The Roxy is located at 718 S. Higgins Ave. The "Hip Strip" runs up Higgins Avenue from the Roxy to the bridge that takes drivers, bikers, and walkers over the majestic Clark Fork River."

"Stand up and Surf - Montana Style Created in memory of a Missoula native who loved kayaking the world's rivers, Brennan's Wave is located in the middle of the Clark Fork River just off the shores of the city's downtown. If you want to ride the man-made wave, summer crowds will gather along the banks to see you tempt the rapids and hearty winter souls will brave the uber-cold temps with you for Stand Up Surfing. I learned to kayak from one of Missoula's best instructors. His name is Land (perfect name for a guy who spends most of his waking hours on the water) and he runs Tarkio Kayak Adventures. Land and his team of intrepid teachers take groups of adventurers on week-long trips through Montana and Idaho, and they have a fabulous kayaking expedition through Bhutan. If you only have time for a short course, individual experts will spend a day showing you the ropes on either the Clark Fork or the Bitterroot River. My day with Land made me feel like an expert, and even when I flipped and fumbled my kayak, he patiently taught me to take my time and enjoy the beauty of nature. Call Land at: 406-543-4583 or 503-260-7116, or check out the company at http://teamtarkio.com If you are up for some mid-river adventure and the Tarkio crew is busy, contact the folks at Zoo Town Surfers at http://www.zootownsurfers.com The Zoo Town crowd takes to the waves in any temperature. As Norman MaClean wrote, Missoula is a town where the "river runs through it". Here's your chance to test the waters for yourself."

"Where the Grizzlies Gather If you happen to be in Missoula, Montana on the day of the local university's home football game, you will see a sea of maroon floating towards campus. My suggestion? Get yourself a t-shirt and a ticket, join one of the countless, bacchanalian tailgating parties, and make some noise. The highlight of the season happens when the rival Montana State Bobcats roll into town. When the Griz and the Cats go claw to claw, the energy is explosive and festivities last all night."