Where to Stay in Missoula (Best Places & Areas)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Missoula | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQs

Missoula is one of my favorite cities in Montana and a place I always enjoy revisiting when I need a quick getaway. If you’re on the road, I suggest stopping in Westview Park where you’ll find my top-recommended stay, C’mon Inn. This charming regional chain fuses old-time atmosphere and modern comforts like few others. 

However, if it’s your first time in “Zoo Town,” consider booking a night in downtown Missoula where shops, restaurants, and entertainment are all within walking distance. Keep reading for the pros and cons of every ideal area around town, and see my quick summary of highly-rated hotels. 

Best Places to Stay in Missoula

If you’re short on time, these are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – C’mon Inn – Missoula
• 📍 Best Location – The Wren
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – StoneCreek Lodge
• 👪 Best for Families – Sleep Inn
• 💻 Best for Business – Staybridge Suites
• 🔔 Best Boutique – The Gibson Mansion Bed & Breakfast
• 🏠 Best Vacation Rental – Modern Missoula Bungalow
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Comfort Inn Missoula (University)

Click here to see all top Missoula hotels or here for apartments.

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area in Missoula: 

3 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Missoula

The city of Missoula spreads outward from the downtown area along the Clark Fork River. Westview Park is the more industrial side of town and also the location of Missoula’s airport. Southern Missoula encompasses several neighborhoods, including Lewis and Clark and the Southgate Triangle.

Downtown Missoula

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Missoula Hotels: The Wren • City Center Motel • Comfort Inn Missoula (University)

The downtown area is perfect for a first visit to Missoula. The Old West meets modern times here with antique shops, trendy art stores, historical museums, and more all standing side by side. Missoula is a college town, so there’s no shortage of hip restaurants and bars, either. You’ll find everything from Montana’s famous steaks to vegan options.

Caras Park is a great place for a picnic or a leisurely riverside walk. The whole downtown area is highly walkable, so you can easily leave your car parked at your hotel (this will save you some time and money, too).

I especially recommend staying at The Wren because of its central location and bright, outdoorsy theme. The on-site coffee shop is a great place to plan your day. 

Comfort Inn Missoula (University) is an ideal choice for budget travelers, offering simple rooms at some of the best prices in town. There’s a Comfort Inn in Westview Park which is also good, but the downtown one has the better location.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Missoula:

• Plenty of great restaurants and bars
• Wide variety of stores, ranging from souvenirs to antiques and more
• Highly walkable, nothing is too far away

Cons of Staying in Downtown Missoula:

• More crowded in the summer months
• Potential for noise and parties
• Prices tend to be higher, especially in the peak summer season

Westview Park

👉 Best Area For Accessibility | ✨ Best Westview Park Hotels: C’mon Inn • StoneCreek Lodge • Staybridge Suites 

Westview Park occupies the northwestern corner of town. It has the best access to Highway 90, so it’s a great option if you’re traveling through Montana on a road trip — which I highly recommend! 

Much of the neighborhood is more industrial and commercial, so while it lacks the charm of downtown Missoula, it still has plenty of hotels and restaurants to choose from.

C’mon Inn, my top recommendation for Missoula, sits just north of Exit 101 on Highway 90. It combines an outdoorsy lodge theme with modern comforts, offering a swimming pool, five hot tubs, an arcade room, and more. The property serves a full breakfast but is also right next to a Cracker Barrel if you’re hankering for some down-home grub.

Staybridge Suites is another popular place to stay in this part of Missoula. The rooms are spacious, the airport is only 2.5 miles away, and the staff are helpful and professional.

Pros of Staying in Westview Park:

• Easy highway access
• A good variety of hotels, restaurants, and bars

Cons of Staying in Westview Park:

• Not many attractions
• Need a car to get around

Southern Missoula

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Southern Missoula Hotels: Sleep Inn • The Gibson Mansion B&B • Blue Mountain B&B

Most of the city of Missoula lies south of downtown, across the Clark Fork River. Some of its most popular amusement parks (such as Splash Montana) are in this area, along with several smaller city parks. These attractions and nearby conveniences make southern Missoula a great pick for those visiting with children — and you can find family rooms at Sleep Inn. 

This area is also home to the historic Gibson Mansion B&B. It brings a touch of Victorian-era elegance to the rugged Montana countryside. The property maintains a meticulously manicured garden which is the perfect place to pass a lazy afternoon or evening.

Pros of Staying in Southern Missoula:

• Quieter and more laidback than downtown
• Lots of parks and stores for family needs

Cons of Staying in Southern Missoula:

• Fewer properties to choose from
• Need a car to get around

Tips for Staying in Missoula

Visit in the Off-Season

Prices for hotels in the Big Sky Country are often sky-high themselves. The shoulder seasons often have better prices, making Montana one of the best places to visit in September and May. Off-season months like October are even lower in cost. You’ll exchange some warmth for better prices, but you’ll also see fall colors adorn the majestic landscapes.

Air Quality Issues

Montana’s summers tend to be hot and dry, which can lead to hazy conditions. Brush fires may add to the haze and potentially present breathing problems for some visitors. Most of the time, the air quality isn’t a problem. It’s still disappointing to see the otherwise epic views shrouded by the haze, though.

Parking

Missoula is a smaller city, but there is no free parking on the streets of the downtown area. Most parking spots are paid and businesses reserve the few spots they have for patrons. The prices are not expensive, but different areas have different rates. The City of Missoula has a handy guide to the various parking zones in town.

Public Transportation

If you’re staying outside the downtown area, another alternative is to take the bus around town. Missoula’s bus system is convenient and will save you the hassle of hunting down the perfect parking spot — which is especially tricky in summer!

Explore the Area

If you don’t mind a little more of a drive, there are some awesome places to stay a little further afield from Missoula. I booked a stay at the Lochsa Lodge about an hour southwest of Missoula. The property offers cozy, rustic cabins amidst rolling forested hills. There’s also a fantastic restaurant and gift shop, as well as a small gas station and convenience store.

📚 Related Reading: I Think the “Middle of Nowhere” Is the Best Part of Road Trips

Fishing Licenses

Missoula is famous for fishing. Out-of-state visitors over the age of 12 will need to apply for licenses in order to fish in Montana. The state government has a webpage with all the necessary information on how and where to get the necessary permits.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Missoula for first-timers?

Downtown is the best place to stay in Missoula on a first-time visit. It has the most attractions, the best variety of hotels, and all kinds of restaurants, bars, and cafes.

What are safe areas to stay in Missoula?

For a small city, Missoula has somewhat of a reputation for its higher crime rate. However, this is largely confined to neighborhoods that tourists would have no reason to visit. 

It’s best to exercise a little extra caution after dark in downtown Missoula. Southern Missoula’s neighborhoods and Westview Park are generally quieter, but you should always exercise common-sense safety precautions. 

What are the best parts of Missoula to stay with kids?

The southern part of Missoula is a great choice for families with kids. It has a suburban atmosphere, city parks, amusement parks, and all the stores a family could need.

What are the best parts of Missoula for a long stay?

Southern Missoula is the best choice for a longer stay because of its higher number of home-like accommodations.

***

Thanks for reading my guide! If you’re looking for your next stop on your Montana road trip, check out my article on where to stay near Glacier National Park.