Orofino Guidebook
Food scene
Locals love: The Earl Grey Chocolate Cake, Daily Bread Feature and pizza dough to go!
28 personas locales recomiendan
Park Avenue Bakery
44 S Park AveLocals love: The Earl Grey Chocolate Cake, Daily Bread Feature and pizza dough to go!
Locals recommend: A gorgeous bottle of Italian red, Mini Lamb Brochettes, Bisara, traditional turkish coffee with Baklava.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Mediterranean Grill
42 S Park AveLocals recommend: A gorgeous bottle of Italian red, Mini Lamb Brochettes, Bisara, traditional turkish coffee with Baklava.
On Broadway
106 E Broadway St, Helena, MT
On Broadway is all the rage in Helena. Locals flock here for dinner and drinks which makes for a busy, lively atmosphere in a really unique historic setting. Upon the beautiful brick walls are giant, gorgeous paintings of serene, dreamlike Montana scenes. There is often low-key live music in the front cocktail lounge area which makes waiting for a table no problem at all. The soft, low lighting creates an intimate dining experience and the service is friendly and accommodating. On Broadway is known for their craft cocktails, fresh, made from scratch pasta dishes and their generous seafood and steak offerings. Great place for a night out with friends or a sweet little date.
Pro-tip: On Broadway does not accept reservations, arrive early in the evening if you don’t want to wait for a table!
53 personas locales recomiendan
On Broadway
106 E Broadway StOn Broadway
106 E Broadway St, Helena, MT
On Broadway is all the rage in Helena. Locals flock here for dinner and drinks which makes for a busy, lively atmosphere in a really unique historic setting. Upon the beautiful brick walls are giant, gorgeous paintings of serene, dreamlike Montana scenes. There is often low-key live music in the front cocktail lounge area which makes waiting for a table no problem at all. The soft, low lighting creates an intimate dining experience and the service is friendly and accommodating. On Broadway is known for their craft cocktails, fresh, made from scratch pasta dishes and their generous seafood and steak offerings. Great place for a night out with friends or a sweet little date.
Pro-tip: On Broadway does not accept reservations, arrive early in the evening if you don’t want to wait for a table!
Oh, Lucca’s. You are, by far, the special occasion destination in all of Helena. Why? The service is top-notch . The entire room is bathed in a warm, amber light. There is a candle on each table. Linen napkins and proper silverware settings. Riedel glassware. An awesome wine list. Full bar. Amazing food. Lucca’s most often seats by reservation only, although there are times when the lucky few manage to slip in. This means, you may have to plan in advance a little, but, once you do get a table, it is yours.
Orofino Favorite: Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Pork Chop with Apple and Rosemary, Tiramisu.
28 personas locales recomiendan
Lucca's
56 N Last Chance GulchOh, Lucca’s. You are, by far, the special occasion destination in all of Helena. Why? The service is top-notch . The entire room is bathed in a warm, amber light. There is a candle on each table. Linen napkins and proper silverware settings. Riedel glassware. An awesome wine list. Full bar. Amazing food. Lucca’s most often seats by reservation only, although there are times when the lucky few manage to slip in. This means, you may have to plan in advance a little, but, once you do get a table, it is yours.
Orofino Favorite: Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Pork Chop with Apple and Rosemary, Tiramisu.
Big Dipper Ice Cream is a BIG deal in Helena. The small town ice-cream shop specializes in unique flavors like cardamom, chai, huckleberry, and prickly pear sorbet, to name a few. They also offer homemade waffle cones (highly recommended) which emit a powerful heavenly scent in and around the shop. If you opt for a Starship Sundae, the brownies are baked by a local shop down the street. During the warmer months, the line is long but so worth the wait. And, you will often see folks and families chatting and catching up while they wait in line. It’s less of a drag and more of a social event. Welcome to the Helena lifestyle.
40 personas locales recomiendan
Big Dipper Ice Cream
58 N Last Chance GulchBig Dipper Ice Cream is a BIG deal in Helena. The small town ice-cream shop specializes in unique flavors like cardamom, chai, huckleberry, and prickly pear sorbet, to name a few. They also offer homemade waffle cones (highly recommended) which emit a powerful heavenly scent in and around the shop. If you opt for a Starship Sundae, the brownies are baked by a local shop down the street. During the warmer months, the line is long but so worth the wait. And, you will often see folks and families chatting and catching up while they wait in line. It’s less of a drag and more of a social event. Welcome to the Helena lifestyle.
Shopping
FourOsix is a lifestyle shop that promotes art, music, style, forward thinking and Montana living. It is a retail store that operates with a strong focus on community and social responsibility.
8 personas locales recomiendan
fourOsix
320 N Last Chance GulchFourOsix is a lifestyle shop that promotes art, music, style, forward thinking and Montana living. It is a retail store that operates with a strong focus on community and social responsibility.
Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys
25 S Last Chance Gulch StThe Parrot Confectionery has been around since 1922. It is definitely a Helena gem that sits right on the walking mall. The Parrot will transport you back in time in the very best way. They offer specialty hand-dipped chocolates and other candies that sparkle through a large glass case. Each customer has the chance to pick their favorites, put a quarter or two in the jukebox, grab a booth or a seat at the soda fountain counter and enjoy the classic, simple bliss of this extraordinary spot. They also serve chili, popcorn, and all sorts of old-fashioned ice cream and soda treats. The Parrot sells boxed chocolates which make great gifts and this is, of course, one of the dreamiest places for kids to visit while downtown.
20 personas locales recomiendan
Parrot Confectionery Store
42 N Last Chance GulchThe Parrot Confectionery has been around since 1922. It is definitely a Helena gem that sits right on the walking mall. The Parrot will transport you back in time in the very best way. They offer specialty hand-dipped chocolates and other candies that sparkle through a large glass case. Each customer has the chance to pick their favorites, put a quarter or two in the jukebox, grab a booth or a seat at the soda fountain counter and enjoy the classic, simple bliss of this extraordinary spot. They also serve chili, popcorn, and all sorts of old-fashioned ice cream and soda treats. The Parrot sells boxed chocolates which make great gifts and this is, of course, one of the dreamiest places for kids to visit while downtown.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Helena and Last Chance Gulch (know as "The Gulch" to the locals) are alive with activity year round. This area of Helena features a pedestrian walking mall which gives residents and visitors alike a unique way to experience the history and the shopping in the area.
North Last Chance Gulch
North Last Chance GulchDowntown Helena and Last Chance Gulch (know as "The Gulch" to the locals) are alive with activity year round. This area of Helena features a pedestrian walking mall which gives residents and visitors alike a unique way to experience the history and the shopping in the area.
Located at the base of Mount Helena, Reeder's Alley is situated in the southwest corner of downtown Helena. The Alley was built in the 1870s and is the oldest intact piece of early Helena. Today, Reeder's Alley is home to some great local eateries like Cotton Top Pastries and Saigon Alley.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Reeder's Alley
101 S Park AveLocated at the base of Mount Helena, Reeder's Alley is situated in the southwest corner of downtown Helena. The Alley was built in the 1870s and is the oldest intact piece of early Helena. Today, Reeder's Alley is home to some great local eateries like Cotton Top Pastries and Saigon Alley.
Drink scene
In addition to the impressive selection of Reds, Whites, Bubbly’s, Beers and some gorgeous in-between bottles, The Hawthorn also offers a generous list of by the glass pours, a perfectly paired list of light fare ranging from Thai peanuts and jimmy crack corn to chicken liver pate, and cheese or charcuterie boards. Often, there are many “flights” to choose from which is always a fun and interactive way to taste beer and wine and they’ve even come up with a list of “cocktails” that put a new spin on old favorites. Excellent non-alcoholic alternative available as well, of course.
32 personas locales recomiendan
The Hawthorn Bottle Shop and Tasting Room
46 N Last Chance GulchIn addition to the impressive selection of Reds, Whites, Bubbly’s, Beers and some gorgeous in-between bottles, The Hawthorn also offers a generous list of by the glass pours, a perfectly paired list of light fare ranging from Thai peanuts and jimmy crack corn to chicken liver pate, and cheese or charcuterie boards. Often, there are many “flights” to choose from which is always a fun and interactive way to taste beer and wine and they’ve even come up with a list of “cocktails” that put a new spin on old favorites. Excellent non-alcoholic alternative available as well, of course.
Blackfoot River Brewing has a patio that stands above downtown Helena where you can enjoy a lineup of craft beer made with only the finest ingredients. Blackfoot's taproom is the place to go to enjoy good friends a good atmosphere and even better beer.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Blackfoot River Brewing Co
66 S Park AveBlackfoot River Brewing has a patio that stands above downtown Helena where you can enjoy a lineup of craft beer made with only the finest ingredients. Blackfoot's taproom is the place to go to enjoy good friends a good atmosphere and even better beer.
Owned by two heartful Helena Natives, every batch of grain-based spirits are made using only Montana-grown grains in a facility that was once the Montana Distillery and Bottling Warehouse. The names of the spirits are locally-inspired. Every cocktail is crafted using local herbs and incorporates locally-grown produce whenever possible as well as house-made syrups and shrubs.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Gulch Distillers
790 Front StOwned by two heartful Helena Natives, every batch of grain-based spirits are made using only Montana-grown grains in a facility that was once the Montana Distillery and Bottling Warehouse. The names of the spirits are locally-inspired. Every cocktail is crafted using local herbs and incorporates locally-grown produce whenever possible as well as house-made syrups and shrubs.
Here’s the deal with Ten Mile: they are right smack downtown. On the walking mall. In a prominent historic building. There is a lot of open space, a play area for kiddos, a board where folks can buy someone a beer and write their name up there for the next time they come in. They have pretzels and locally made potato chips, really good beer, thoughtfully displayed local artwork, and tons of community events. They have kombucha on tap as a non-alcoholic alternative.
29 personas locales recomiendan
Ten Mile Creek Brewery
48 N Last Chance GulchHere’s the deal with Ten Mile: they are right smack downtown. On the walking mall. In a prominent historic building. There is a lot of open space, a play area for kiddos, a board where folks can buy someone a beer and write their name up there for the next time they come in. They have pretzels and locally made potato chips, really good beer, thoughtfully displayed local artwork, and tons of community events. They have kombucha on tap as a non-alcoholic alternative.
Montago Coffee Co. first invited the Helena community into their coffee camper in August of 2019. Today you can find them in the newly renovated Independent Building on Cruse Ave. For owners Rachael Weidlich and Steven Ladefoged, the dream had been years in the making and the business, as a whole, is a true expression of who they are as people. Every decision made has been done to honor the collective of knowledge, experience, and passion that the couple cultivated through years of work, travel, and their longing to create a work life that aligned with what they cared most about: coffee and community.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Montago Coffee Co
317 Cruse AvenueMontago Coffee Co. first invited the Helena community into their coffee camper in August of 2019. Today you can find them in the newly renovated Independent Building on Cruse Ave. For owners Rachael Weidlich and Steven Ladefoged, the dream had been years in the making and the business, as a whole, is a true expression of who they are as people. Every decision made has been done to honor the collective of knowledge, experience, and passion that the couple cultivated through years of work, travel, and their longing to create a work life that aligned with what they cared most about: coffee and community.
“The Merc” as locals call it, makes the meanest cup of coffee in town. Each cup is made pour-over style, and the espresso is the real old fashioned kind. This is a special place you have to experience for yourself. And, if you’re looking for a great gift or thoughtful card, you’ll likely find just the right thing here, really. It’s tough to leave this place without a smile on your face.
Orofino Favorite: Cup of strong, hot, black coffee, Royal Chai or Short House Special.
23 personas locales recomiendan
General Mercantile
413 N Last Chance Gulch“The Merc” as locals call it, makes the meanest cup of coffee in town. Each cup is made pour-over style, and the espresso is the real old fashioned kind. This is a special place you have to experience for yourself. And, if you’re looking for a great gift or thoughtful card, you’ll likely find just the right thing here, really. It’s tough to leave this place without a smile on your face.
Orofino Favorite: Cup of strong, hot, black coffee, Royal Chai or Short House Special.
Sightseeing
The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts is a public, nonprofit, educational institution founded in 1951 by brickmaker Archie Bray, who intended it to be "a place to make available for all who are seriously interested in any of the branches of the ceramic arts, a fine place to work." Its primary mission is to provide an environment that stimulates creative work in ceramics.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bray is located three miles from downtown Helena, Montana, on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company. Set against the wooded foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the 26-acre former brickyard is internationally recognized as a gathering place for emerging and established ceramic artists. The nearby mountains and brick factory ruins provide a backdrop for the creative environment; more important is the dynamic arts community created by the resident artists that come to the Bray to work, share experiences, and explore new ideas.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Archie Bray Foundation
2915 Country Club AveThe Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts is a public, nonprofit, educational institution founded in 1951 by brickmaker Archie Bray, who intended it to be "a place to make available for all who are seriously interested in any of the branches of the ceramic arts, a fine place to work." Its primary mission is to provide an environment that stimulates creative work in ceramics.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bray is located three miles from downtown Helena, Montana, on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company. Set against the wooded foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the 26-acre former brickyard is internationally recognized as a gathering place for emerging and established ceramic artists. The nearby mountains and brick factory ruins provide a backdrop for the creative environment; more important is the dynamic arts community created by the resident artists that come to the Bray to work, share experiences, and explore new ideas.
Holter Museum of Art
12 E Lawrence St