Travel Guide: Philipsburg, Montana – an old but lively West-mining town
The draw of Philipsburg, MT, an old West-mining town that is still very much alive, isn’t just the historic painted street that makes you feel trapped in time but also the surrounding scenery that keeps outdoor enthusiasts charged. Nearby you will find more than 75 lakes and reservoirs full of opportunities for water recreation in summer, and come winter those endless mountain stretches skiers come searching for. It also makes a great pit stop if you’re heading between Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming and Glacier National Park in northern Montana, Philipsburg’s location halfway between the two, makes it perfect for an overnight sleep.
The main street is small at three blocks but doesn’t lack in diversity. Even before coffee, I couldn’t wait to check out the Sweet Palace, a candy store where you will find hundreds of varieties. But the best stuff is what’s made in house, like the 50 kinds of fudge, 72 flavors of taffy and 20 varieties of caramel. Inside you will find baby pink walls, wooden décor and bright white tin ceilings, giving this shop an old time but updated and elegant feel. After grabbing coffee at the eclectic Boheme Coffee Shop (also a great shop for a homemade sandwich) and browsing different shops selling everything from antiques to outdoor gear, it was time to mine for sapphires at Sapphire Gallery, which has been mined in the Rock Creek area since 1892.
At Sapphire Gallery, you can buy a grab of gravel guaranteed to have a sapphire inside for 25 bucks. They are dumped on a tray that is submerged and gently swooshed in water, allowing the heavier sapphire stones to make their way to the bottom. The trays are flipped face down and dumped on a table, which allows easy access to the sapphires, which are now on top. Right away, I could spot a few, which are clear in color with a bluish hue, and then a few more after digging around with tweezers. The gravel is washed again to reveal a few more that I place in a bag and take to the main part of the shop where a jeweler looks them over for quality.
In all, I ended up with just over 8Kt that could be used to make everything from a ring to bracelet or necklace. I decide to hold off but opt to have the sapphires heat treated (cost for this is based on weight) and sent my way after they are done.
The heat treatment improves the clarity of the gem and brings out the colors, which can be everything from a cornflower blue to orange and mint green.
Afterwards, check out Philipsburg Brewing Company for a local brew or a flight for those that want the full experience. Here you can find everything from Saisons, IPA’s, a Hefeweizen and Czech Style Pilsner. My favorite though was the Raspberry Wheat, made with Oregon Raspberries, making the beer a little tart but still refreshing.
Where to Stay:
A stay at the Broadway Hotel is reason enough to visit Philipsburg. The hotel is on the second floor of the historic J.K. Merrell Building, a spot that was once a general store back in the mining hey day. Today, current owners have renovated the building into a charming hotel with 9 rooms that are all decorated to a different theme ranging from Route 66 to mining and even ranching to play homage to a current industry in the town. Two of my favorites though are the Britannia Suite is named for the birthplace of one of the owner, Sue, who has filled the space with classy antiques and the Discovery Room, which even has a sauna inside. There is also a common area where you can find plenty of seating, books, games and movie to take back to your room for a relaxing night. Come morning, a continental breakfast is served in the kitchen.
Travel Tip:
For the most direct commercial air route for out of state visitors, you will be flying in and out Missoula, just an hours drive from Philipsburg. Consider spending some time downtown to explore this lively college town home to all kinds of shops and restaurants housed in historic buildings. Also make sure to pay a visit to the unique Missoula Smoke Jumpers Visitor Center, the largest smokejumper based in the country. There are 400 smoke jumpers in the country and 65 are based in Missoula. Complimentary tours take off throughout the day and showcase areas like the manufacturing room where smokejumpers, who are proficient in sewing, repair and make all their gear and med kits. We also see inside the tower, where parachutes dry out and the loft, where they are repaired, and the locker room where smoke jumpers always have a bag ready to go and can be dressed and ready in their Kevlar suits with an airplane waiting on the runway out the door.
