Great Falls, Montana is called "The Electric City," as it contains five hydroelectric dams. Great Falls also has many great outdoor spaces as well as many interesting indoor spaces to explore. Gibson Park, First People's Buffalo Jump State Park, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Interpretive Center, C.M. Russell Museum Complex and the Malmstrom Air Force Base and Air Park offer just some of the excellent things to do in Great Falls.
The Malmstrom Air Force Base and Air Park has exhibits that relate to the history of the base. The Air Park includes aircraft with Missile Launch Consoles as well as uniforms and model aircraft exhibits. The aircraft include the Voodoo, KC-97G, Shooting Star, B-251 and the Mitchell Bomber. Admission is free, but it's recommended to phone before visiting to check for the hours of operation.
The C.M. Russell Museum Complex features the sketches and paintings of the artist, Charles Marion Russell. C.M. Russell created thousands of pieces of art that relates to the West. The Museum Complex takes up a whole city block and includes Russell's home and studio as well as a museum area and gift shop. Russell's personal objects and Native American Art are also on display at the Complex.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Interpretive Center are located in Giant Springs Heritage Park in Great Falls. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are thought to be the first white explorers to see this area. The site features historic walks and educational shows as well as displays related to Lewis and Clark's exploration of Great Falls.
First People's Buffalo Jump State Park was once called Ulm Pishkun State Park. Pishkun is a Blackfoot word that means "deep blood kettle." The area is several thousand years old and native peoples killed bison here by forcing them over the cliffs. The Park has an education center that explains the “buffalo jump” history.
Gibson Park is Great Fall's biggest park. The Park's Gibson Pond is known for its swans, ducks and other birds as well as the popular walkway that circles the Pond. Gibson Park has treed gardens and a children's playground and is a popular green space in Great Falls for residents and visitors alike.
