Helena Shopping and Districts

(Helena, Montana - MT, USA)

The tiny state capital that is Helena does not offer much in the way of shopping opportunities, and so if you are coming here with plans to shop until you drop, you may well be a little disappointed.

For most, there is an adequate selection of shops spread around central Helena, providing all of the basics and a little more besides. Located between Prospect Avenue and 11th Avenue, the Capital Hill Mall is rather a shadow of its former self, although there is still a sizeable branch of JC Penny's here, along with a Hallmark store and the state's aptly named souvenir store named Made in Montana.

Next-door to the Capital Hill Mall, a large Safeway supermarket is on hand for those in Helena planning to do some grocery shopping. Several coffee shops and eateries are close by should you need a break, such as Starbucks, the Dive Bakery (next to Pier One) and Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza.

Where to Shop

With its fairly compact city center, downtown Helena is a particularly pleasant place to take a stroll. This part of the city center enjoyed a significant urban renewal project in the 1980s, which created a lengthy shopping district around the historical Last Chance Gulch Street.

An artificial stream runs along this attractive walking mall, representing the springs that once flowed along the Gulch and are now underground. A number of specialty stores reside along the Last Chance Gulch Street, selling everything from antiques and home furnishings, to homemade luxury chocolates and ice cream.

For grocery shopping in Helena, there is a very decent Walmart supermarket on Prospect Avenue, on the eastern side of the city. Further stores lie on the northerly outskirts of Helena, along North Montana Avenue, where you will find familiar chains such as Famous Footwear, Hastings Books, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft, Macy's, Ross Dress for Less, Shopko and Target. This out-of-town shopping center stands alongside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and comes with plenty of adjacent parking spaces.

There are also some shops around Helena's airport, the largest of which is the Costco warehouse discount store on East Custer Avenue, just off Interstate I-15.