5 Best Things About Living In Havre
Havre is one of the hidden jewels in all of Montana with a population of just around 10,000 and is located in the eastern part of the state. Havre was incorporated in the final years of the 19th century, and since the late 1950s has remained just around the same size in terms of population. Havre has a lot of history, and while there might not be a lot of people that live in the city, there are plenty of reasons to live there.
Here are the five best things about living in Havre that will make you either want to stay for good or move from out of your current town to see what Havre is all about.
1. The Mountain Scenery
You’ll notice the surrounding scenery right away when in Havre, showing that it’s truly Big Sky Country in Montana. Havre is just north of the Bears Paw Mountains, with a quick 10-mile trip to see them. Of course, you can see the mountains from the city, including the peak of Baldy Mountain which is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.
No matter what season, the scenery is beautiful in Havre. In the summer, you can hike around Beaver Creek Park and in the winter check out the snow-capped mountains from the comfort of your own home. Havre is especially scenic in Autumn when the leaves are changing colors, making the town a landscape of a wide range of colors.
2. The Small-Town Feel
Anyone that’s lived in a big city knows just how rushed everything can feel. From unexpected traffic to skyscrapers and the constant honking, city life can get to a person’s psyche. That’s not the case in Havre where things are laidback and everyone moves at a nice slow pace and just enjoys life as it comes.
That doesn’t mean that Havre has nothing to do, though. The downtown area of Havre has plenty to offer, meaning that you get the best of both worlds. Nothing’s too far away, but Havre isn’t so busy that you feel stressed out just from driving to work. Plus the air quality is much better than in the city, so don’t be afraid to take a deep breath and enjoy life.
3. The Food and Drinks
No matter what your tastes are, Havre has plenty of dining options that will make any local or visitor happy. Nalivka’s Original Pizza Kitchen comes to mind, and it’s consistently given perfect ratings by out-of-towners all the way from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles. There’s also great Mexican food at restaurants like Guadalajara and classic American fare at Wolfer’s Diner.
If you’re looking to grab a drink, there are plenty of watering holes to whet your whistle. This includes Murphy’s Pub, Palace Bar, and the Oxford Sports Bar. For any craving that you have, Havre has got exactly what you need.
4. The Archaeological Site
Even if you’ve lived in Havre your entire life, it’s still a great time to visit the Wahkpa Chu’gn site, which is also called the Too Close for Comfort Site. The archaeological site right off of the Milk River was settled centuries ago by different Native American groups and was then re-discovered in the 1960s by archaeologist John Brumley.
The site has been excavated multiple times and is now open to the public, and has had some memorable moments over the years. It costs about $10 to $15 depending on your age to go through the site, and tours are available for large groups. If it’s your first time or the 100th time, it’s still a blast.
5. The Havre Underground
Back in the early days of Havre, many of the local businesses operated underground. While these businesses are no longer operating, the underground still serves as a mall of sorts to help remember the past when cowboys were gambling and drinking without worrying about the law coming to get them.
Now open to the public, the Havre Underground is about $10 for children and $20 for adults to visit, becoming a local favorite. Some of the spots in the underground have been repurposed to be stores for selling souvenirs and general goods.
