What to See in Bozeman After Making First Contact

Far from the post-apocalyptic shantytown of the eighth Star Trek film, Bozeman, Montana, is a one of the fastest growing towns in the United States. Nestled in the natural beauty of Montana’s mountains and filled with young families, starry-eyed college students, and ski bums, it’s a wonderful example of what humanity has to offer. If you want to go and visit this soon-to-be historic location or show around a Vulcan friend or two, here are the most logical locations to try.

The first stop on any Bozeman tour should be the Museum of the Rockies. A Smithsonian-affiliate, the museum hosts exhibits from around the world, displays state and federal fossils, and is a wonderful source of regional history. Be sure not to miss a show at the planetarium to show our Vulcan friends what humanity thought of the stars before we could reach them.

Who needs a Holodeck when there are real slopes to hit? Whether it’s skiing or snowboarding in the winter, or hiking and birdwatching in the summer, the slopes of Bridger Bowl are a great place to observe and partake in the adventurous spirit that humanity will take to the stars.

When the snow melts, find your way to Glen Lake Rotary Park to relax in the sand. Locally referred to as Bozeman Beach, this swimming hole is a great place to sunbathe or play some volleyball if you need some shore leave after a long day of exploring.

In the 24th Century, a statue of Zefram Cochrane points to the stars. But in this century, Bozeman has Spirit the Bobcat at Montana State University. MSU students have pushed science a little closer to the final frontier, even competing and placing in NASA-hosted contests with their ice mining rovers.

They don’t call it “Big Sky Country” for nothing. A little out of town, Hyalite Reservoir is a logical spot for outdoor fun. Far from city lights, it is also a great place to see the night sky and try to spot a starship or two.

If you are a science officer looking for specimens, take one of the 35 beautiful trails near town. You can even hike up to where the letter 'M' sits high above the valley as a symbol of pride for our Montana State University. It is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of town without the need for a shuttlecraft.

From downtown’s “Bar-muda” Triangle to our renovated grain silo breweries, the lively nightlife of Bozeman has something for everyone and would be the envy of Dr. Cochrane and his ragtag crew.

Before warp, there was steam; The Northern Pacific Railroad reached Bozeman in the 1880s, founding several nearby towns along the way. Consider grabbing a Vulcan ale at the Montana Ale Works in a renovated train car!

Montana is home to the northern entrance of America’s first National Park, Yellowstone. One of the most beautiful places in all the world, take your Vulcan representative to study the nature of North America up close and personal, just don’t feed the bears.

With so much to do and see, you don’t have to wait for first contact to enjoy a day in Montana. But if you’re a Vulcan happening to be passing through the Milky Way on this First Contact Day, just say, “One to beam down to Bozeman,” and let us be the first to say, "Welcome to Bozeman and live long and prosper!"

Molly Kisthart (she/her) is the proud alum of Montana State University. In her spare time she enjoys watching and reading science fiction, hiking the National Parks, and discussing the finer points of the Prime Directive.

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