Don’t be a bummer, have fun this summer

Congratulations dear readers, you’ve (almost) made it through the spring semester! As we come to the end of yet another school year, the Exponent is ready to give you all the best tips and tricks for having an awesome summer here in Bozeman.

Contrary to popular belief, our editorial team actually lead separate lives outside of the office (who would’ve thought?) and therefore are just as entitled to dispensing free advice that nobody asked for about the best things to do in Bozeman as anyone else. Just kidding— we’re only sharing what we love.

So without further introduction, here are some things we’ve loved during our summers as students at MSU — and we think there’s a chance you might enjoy them, too.

Title: Walking with the arts

By: Cady Allen

Connecting with the community can be a very rewarding experience and Bozeman has no lack of community to connect with. One part of this community is the local art scene. On the second Friday of each month, starting in June and ending in Sept., Downtown Bozeman will be hosting summer art walks.

The art walks will feature participating businesses that will display the work of local artists. The artists will also have the chance to be there in person and exhibit their work. Based on years past, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. Physical art won’t be the only thing on display, local musicians will also be playing downtown during these days — which is sure to add a unique and inviting ambiance to the event.

These art walks will be a great chance for Bozemanites to not only support local artists but also engage with other members of the community. According to the Downtown Bozeman website the current dates for the art walks are: June 14, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept.13.

Title: Painting the pain away

By: Sawyer White

During the pandemic, many of us started to adopt hobbies for the sake of surviving isolation and enriching a lot of suddenly acquired free time. As an art student, it’s no surprise that I chose painting to fill those ill-begotten hours. Since then, summer has been the best time to get back into it.

If you need a new hobby, I’ll share some tips to make painting enjoyable and fiscally responsible. First, you’ll want to pick a medium and then go from there. Oil painting is an expensive one to jump into, and the techniques can be intense for a newbie. Digital painting (ie: Procreate $12.99) is a good choice since so many of us have an iPad or tablet. If you want to use acrylics, watercolor, etcetera, I’d recommend asking your artsy-fartsy friends if they have extra materials to share with you. Artists usually hoard materials from past projects, and are happy to share and teach our friends with a Bob Ross-esque party. Most importantly, remember you don’t have to be a master artist to create something meaningful. Sit outside in the sun and create a lil’ sumpin sumpin. Happy painting!

Title: Breakfast on the town 

By: Evan Hansen

Summer in Bozeman can get hectic trying to balance work and taking time for all of the amazing activities. But, one of the simple joys in life is enjoying a meal with those you care about. Taking the time to get up early in the morning to visit one of Bozeman’s spectacular breakfast joints is a must.

Storm Castle Cafe sits just south of campus near its equally infamous counterparts, Grannys Doughnuts and Spectators Bar and Grill. The cafe’s unique style of home-cooking, comfort food and classic American breakfast makes it one of the top spots. They make a fantastic omelet and the savory Monte Cristo deserves its own article.

Taking a trip downtown, both Jam! and Stuffed Crepes are Bozeman favorites. While they tend to stay on the pricier side, both provide fantastic breakfast options. Jam! serves a variety of fantastic benedict options and the samoa crepe from Stuffed is mouthwatering.

Finally, it’s hard to beat the American classic that is IHOP. Personally, I am still waiting for a Waffle House in Bozeman but IHOP offers some fantastic classic options. The famous pancakes pair nicely with any of their other options.

Title: Bozeman’s best comedy: Tourists

By: Emma Fry

Step aside, Lewis and Clark —  a new expedition is in town. Bozeman is packed with fantastic hiking, cows, coffee shops and, best of all, tourists. So grab a little drinky poo and a front-row seat on Main Street.

No tourist-watching experience would be complete without a healthy dose of cultural confusion. Watch as visitors attempt to order "a venti, half-caff, soy almond latte with extra foam" at The Western, only to be met with a raised eyebrow and an annoyed shake of the head.

Personally, I find the outfit choices to be my favorite part. Seemingly, many individuals come to town believing that Rip Wheeler will sweep them off to the ranch. I don’t know about you, but I think sparkling new boots, backward cowboy hats and pressed jeans scream, "Ready to pick up horse poop".

Yellowstone National Park is another perfect venue to gaze upon tourists in their natural habitat. Be ready to answer questions about when the rangers let the animals out and where the nearest Starbucks is.

Title: Read around town

By: Marquart Doty

If you ask me, summer is all about looking good and reading outside. Pick up a book at Vargo’s, Country Bookshelf or the library, put your favorite outfit on and challenge yourself to a full day of reading in public. For a truly ideal reading day — and to ensure the maximum amount of people see you looking cute and intellectual — grab breakfast at Wild Crumb or Vienne and sit outside.

Then, walk up Peet’s Hill and read at the top. Maybe head back down to Main Street for a coffee when you get bored. When it’s time for happy hour, grab a drink or a cheese board at Plonk and, of course, sit outside. Close out the day with a cozy read at Bozeman Beach. And if you haven’t finished your book by then, or you still haven’t been seen by enough people, pack a quick picnic and go read by the community garden at Story Mill Park or grab some dinner from the food trucks on North Seventh.

By the end of the day, everyone in town is guaranteed to know you’re a certified literature snob — and you’ll feel great having spent the day reading.

Title: Catch a baseball game in Billings

By: Gus Yeager

While this might not be in Bozeman, trust me, it’s a gem. Head over to Billings to catch a Mustangs game this summer. The Mustangs are a member of the Pioneer League, an independent baseball league operating in the western U.S. Despite not being affiliated with Major League Baseball — i.e. this is not a minor league team — the talent on display is still impressive, and the atmosphere at the ballpark is subdued and relaxing. Taking in a game in Billings is a fantastic way to spend a summer evening.

Title: Day trip to Butte, America

By: Emma Field

This may not be directly in the Gallatin Valley, but the city of Butte is definitely worth a visit. About an hour and a half drive from Bozeman, Butte is the largest historic district in the U.S. that offers a wide variety of attractions, especially during the summer seasons. Book a historic trolley-ride tour to experience an exciting, comprehensive history of the “copper” city.

Aside from the trolley tour, you can discover a rich sense of Butte history at the Berkeley Pit, The Copper King Mansion, The Lady of the Rockies and the World Museum of Mining. All four of these attractions offer a unique and interesting perspective of the largest historic district in the nation.

Along with the historical landmarks and attractions in Butte, the one-of-a-kind dining options of Butte also put the city on the map. For breakfast, you can never go wrong with the Hanging 5 Diner, Hummingbird café or the Oasis. For lunch or dinner, I would recommend the Uptown Café, Lydia’s Supper Club or Cassagranda’s Steakhouse.

Whether you visit for a weekend or a whole week, Butte never runs out of reasons to visit the small city in Montana that happens to boast the title of largest historic district in the country.

Title: Exploring new (old) music

By: Amanda Fulton

Summer is a great time to expand your musical horizons by listening to classic artists. For your convenience, I even divided my suggestions by specific vibe. You’re welcome.

For summer drives on old dirt roads, I recommend Bruce Springsteen. He helped establish the contemporary themes of heartland rock in the ‘80s, discussing small-town decline, disillusionment and rising above limited opportunities. From him, I have to suggest the songs “Badlands” and “Born to Run.”

For a chill hammocking session, I suggest James Taylor. He’s considered folk rock, and therefore merits a mention in the relaxing-vibes arena of auditory inclinations. His music is often sad and contemplative, but brought to life by his smooth instrumentals. I recommend his songs “Fire and Rain” and “Sweet Baby James.”

Finally, I couldn’t end this without talking about Tom Petty. Petty is perfect for any warm summer’s evening outside by a campfire. With his unique blend of Southern influence, heartland vibes, garage-rock twang and a glimmer of stoned folk-rock, Petty has an undeniable impact on the Americana genre of classic country. I’m suggesting three songs for him just because of how awesome he is: “Time to Move On,” “Learning to Fly” and “Call Me the Breeze.”

Title: Catching a summer movie in person

By: Ellie Ayers

Everyone seems to forget that fun can be had inside during the summer as well and no one does it better than the movie theaters. Movies have recently moved to streaming services and everyone has brought them into their homes. This makes it super easy to casually watch everything but also makes the experience less elevated. Taking a trip to the movie theater this summer is a fun and easy way to fill up your day with good snacks and good (or bad) films.

To further entice you, here are just a few of the upcoming movies that I am excited to see this summer: Inside Out 2 (June 14), The Bikeriders (June 21), Horizon: An American Saga (June 28), Twisters (July 19) and Trap (Aug. 9).