4 | City of Missoula
The names of these explorers have since been
attached to everything from streets and trails
to real estate offices and elementary schools,
but today, the community is more likely to
foster exploration from those seeking educa-
tional opportunities. The nearby University
of Montana (the state’s oldest institution of
higher learning) offers award-winning aca-
demics as well as up-close encounters with
Grizzlies that are only ravenous when it
comes to their want to win and are far less
wild than some of their fans. In addition to
its recognition as one of America’s Best Col-
lege Towns, it also brews over with benefits
as one of America’s best in beer cities. The
mastery of Kettlehouse Brewing Company,
Big Sky Brewery and Bayern Brewing (the
Rocky’s Mountains only German Brewery)
each add to Missoula’s acclaim among beer
lovers. Yet by and large, Missoula has also
been recognized as simply one of America’s
best places to live and its median family in-
come is among the highest in the state. Re-
gardless of the quality of life that affords,
the advantages here are incalculable when
it comes to opportunities to enjoy the great
outdoors. From America’s best mountain
biking to trail hiking and river kayaking,
