28 Best Shopping in Helena, Bozeman, and Southwest Montana, Montana

Since 1951, many of the nation's best ceramic artists have come to work in residency at the Archie Bray Foundation. Wander near the five antiquated, 8-foot-high, dome-shape brick kilns on a self-guided walking tour and visit the gift shop, which sells work produced by foundation artists. Call first in case it's by appointment only that day; the gallery is closed on weekends.

Top-of-the-line ski and snowboard equipment and outerwear are sold at Big Sky Sports.

Located in an 1889 train depot, the Carbon County Arts Guild & Depot Gallery showcases paintings and sculptures by Western artists.

The Coleman Gallery and Studio features works by photographer Merv Coleman. Natural scenery and wildlife are his specialties.

The two levels of Country Bookshelf house a large Montana and Western section, including many autographed works, as well as more general offerings. They'll ship all over the world.

In addition to selling outdoor clothing, boots, and bicycles, Dan Bailey's rents cross-country skis, backcountry skis, and mountain bikes. The friendly staff is happy to help mountain bikers, hikers, and skiers with trail maps, directions, and repairs.

At Dave Hodges Fine Art, you'll find bronze sculptures of horses, wildlife, and cowboys by this internationally known artist. Western-theme paintings and Navajo weavings also are displayed.

Gallatin River Gallery, the first contemporary gallery in Big Sky, sells one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and photography from international, national, and local artists. Call for an appointment.

Internationally recognized painter Kevin Red Star, whose works draw on his Crow heritage, displays his oils, acrylics, lithographs, and etchings at Kevin Red Star Gallery. Red Star's works are in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Institute of American Indian Art, and the Pierre Cardin Collection in Paris.

A refreshing stop in the historic center of town, the independent Montana Book and Toy Company lines its shelves with regional and hard-to-find books, toys, games, and gifts.

Pick up a paper bag and fill it from the bushel baskets overflowing with what once was called "penny candy" at the Montana Candy Emporium.

Since 1993, this gallery has been where Montana's finest artists go to see and be seen. Stop by to browse a private collection or purchase an original souvenir.

For an old-fashioned sweet treat, pull up a stool at the Parrot Confectionery, a soda fountain and candy store built in the 1920s that sells everything from chocolate malts with homemade ice cream to hand-dipped chocolates and a regional favorite, cherry phosphates.

Opened in 1864, Rank's Mercantile is Montana's oldest continuously operating store. Period clothing, books, toys, gifts, and groceries are for sale here.

This center promotes local, regional, and national ceramic artists. Exhibits change monthly.

The floorboards creak as you walk through Sax and Fryer, an old-time bookstore specializing in Western literature, especially books by Montana authors. It's the oldest store in Livingston.

In business since 1946 Schnee's sports two rooms filled with fishing gear and Western gear including its signature Pac boots made in Schnee's Bozeman boot factory.

One of Montana's largest bookstores, Second Edition Books, buys, sells, and trades books on many different subjects but specializes in hard-to-find regional tomes.

Sylvan Peak Enterprises carries a large selection of top-quality mountain-country dry goods, hiking gear, locally-made fleece jackets, hats, and kids' togs. In the winter, they rent cross country skis and offer info on local Nordic trail conditions.

Find everything you need for outdoor recreation at The Base Camp, a longtime outfitter that rents camping gear, stand-up paddleboards, and cross-country ski equipment. They also offer clothing, books, maps, and are considered footwear specialists.

While visiting the historic district, stop at the Uptown Butte Farmers' Market for fresh garden produce, fruit, flowers, baked goods, and local crafts. It's open Saturday in summer from 8 to 1.

This is the place to look for contemporary Western and wildlife art, including numerous works on the fly-fishing theme, from paintings and bronzes to hand-carved flies.