Anaconda Day Trip

Anaconda, about half an hour west of Butte along the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway, was built to smelt the ore that Butte mined. The town's great landmark is the Anaconda Smelter Stack, a brick chimney of nearly 600 feet that dominates the skyline and can be seen from Smelter Stack State Park. The stack survived the closure of the smelter and became a symbol of the region's industrial past, and the park around it offers interpretive displays and a place to stand beneath the structure. In town, the Washoe Theatre is a gem. Built as a movie palace and decorated in a rich Art Deco style, it has been restored and still shows films and hosts events. The Old Works Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, was built on a federal Superfund site, using slag and cleanup features as part of the design, and it is a curiosity even for non-golfers. Downtown has a handful of historic buildings, cafes and the rhythm of a small Montana town.

Plan a half day, or a full day if you add golf or Georgetown Lake. The drive from Butte is scenic, and you can stop at viewpoints along the way. Check the Washoe Theatre's schedule if you want to see a film or tour, and call ahead for access to the interior. Smelter Stack State Park is free to see from outside, with viewing areas and interpretive signs.

Anaconda complements Butte well, because it shows the other half of the story: Butte dug the ore, and Anaconda processed it. The company that ran both, which controlled much of Montana's economy for decades, is the subject of many displays and local stories. The contrast between a city of miners and a city of smelter workers is one of the region's lessons.

Dining options include pubs, cafes and steakhouses, and the town makes a pleasant lunch stop. If you plan to golf, reserve a tee time in advance, especially in summer. For accessibility, the downtown buildings vary, and the theater has a mix of historic and updated features.

Combine the trip with Fairmont Hot Springs for a soak on the way back, or continue toward Georgetown Lake for lake views. The Pintler highway is a beautiful drive in autumn when leaves turn, and in winter conditions can be icy, so check the road report.

For a longer outing, add the Anaconda Visitor Center and the historic downtown streets. Look for the Hearst Free Library, the old county courthouse and murals that tell the story of the smelter town. The streets are wide and quiet, a contrast with Butte's tight Uptown, and a stroll takes only an hour or so. Lunch spots are friendly and priced for locals.

If you have time, drive part of the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway, which loops through forests, lakes and small mountain towns. It is a beautiful drive in early autumn and a favorite with motorcyclists in summer. Allow extra time for photo stops, and check for road closures in winter.

Children usually enjoy the sheer size of the stack and the wide-open park around it. Bring a camera with a wide lens, since the structure fills the frame from close range, and plan lunch in town before you head back.