Delicious Food, Boat tours and History, Helena Montana has it all! 🚤🗻🤤 | Newstates in the States

We were blown away by everything that the capital city of Montana has to offer!
This week, Katelyn planned all the activities to kick off Howard's birthday week and here are our 6 things to do in Helena, Montana. Continuing our free camping streak, we were boondocking at a free campground about 45 minutes outside the city and drove in for a full day of exploration.
0:00 Intro
1:41 Nosh Cafe
3:05 Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours
6:29 Montana State Capitol Building
7:56 General Mercantile
8:46 Reeder's Alley
9:42 Saigon Alley
#freecamping #rvlife
"Katelyn's Day of Fun" began in Last Chance Gulch, Helena's downtown area, where we grabbed a delicious breakfast at Nosh Cafe. The food was amazing and the service was great.
From there we hopped back in the car and drove about 20 minutes to Gates of the Mountains for stop number two. This two hour boat tour through history is an incredible way to learn about the area while taking in the amazing sites of the towering limestone cliffs. At only $16 per person, Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour is a steal! Our Captain was incredibly knowledgeable and shared stories from the Lewis and Clark expedition as well the tragic story of the Mann Gulch Fire. This fire claimed the lives of 13 firefighters and ultimately changed the way the National Forest Services responds to and fights wildfires.
After our historic sightseeing tour, we headed back downtown for a bit more history stopping at the Montana State Capitol building. This beautifully designed state capitol features incredible art work houses both the House and Senate Chambers, which can be viewed from the balcony above. They no longer offer guided tours, but you can grab a map for a little self-exploration.
Stop number four lead us to the General Mercantile, a funky coffee shop combined with an eclectic gift store. It's been around since the 70's and is a great place to refuel with some delicious coffee.
Stop number 5 was another historic stop, Reeder's Alley. This area is the oldest piece of intact history from the gold mining days of Helena. The alley with its impressive brick structures offers a glimpse into early mining life here. It's the oldest street in Montana and the brick structures even withstood the massive earthquake of 1935.
We finished off our whirlwind tour of downtown Helena with a surprise stop for delicious vietnamese at Saigon Alley. Located at the top of Reeder's Alley, we almost missed it had we not heard the clanging of dishes coming down the alley. They recently opened (still no sign outside on the alley side!) and formerly operated as a food truck. The bahn mi, red curry and green curry popcorn were all delicious! We highly recommend venturing off the beaten path to grab a bite here.
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Goose Bay near Helena, MT
GPS Coordinates: 46.545595, -111.571641
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We're Howard and Katelyn Newstate, full-time travelers exploring around the world since 2018. Whether jet setting or in our 2019 Winnebago Navion 24D, each week we take you along with us to discover the people, food and culture of the areas we explore.

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe now to come along on our journey and discover more amazing places to explore! 🚨 Remember to click the bell for notifications when we post new adventures! 🚨 kzbin.info

[@bruhboi1539]

Glad to see that the city got less spooky after 2016.

[@lisaevans5840]

You guys do such a great job of giving a history of the places you visit.

[@NewstateNomads]

Thank you Lisa!! Howard loves history and I love sharing what we learn! I think it's the former news reporter in me. 😆 So glad you enjoy our style of story telling. ❤ -Katelyn

[@jodiedsa]

Agreed!!!

[@ricardomartinez4341]

Hi guys I went through Helena, Montana many years ago Driving to Montreal, Canada, from Los Angeles, Ca. .First went north then East Keep those great videos coming Be safe

[@ricardomartinez4341]

@@kylelifestyle3103 My day was fare in spite of the Pandamic Cleaned most of ohe house How was your day? Hope is not snowing where you live

[@amaraholmes853]

It's sad to say but that little bit of haze is a breath of fresh air compared to a typical fire season in Montana.

[@zetterburger]

Great production and history. Thanks.

[@barbaradowney4207]

So look forward to your weekly videos. You always make us smile and feel like you're our besties! Thank you!

[@NewstateNomads]

Hi Barbara! That makes us so happy to hear! ♥️☺️ Thanks so much for tuning in every week! -Katelyn

[@moretoknowshow1887]

I’m such a history nerd, love seeing places like this. Thank you for bringing us along!!

[@peacefulwife5199]

FIRST....🎉🎉🎈🎈Happy Birthday Howard......🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁🎁 Helena, Montana is getting 24 inches of ice & snow tonight....wintertime has arrived.

[@NewstateNomads]

YAY! ❤🙂 Brrrr...yes we saw that! That's A LOT OF SNOW! 😮 So glad we had mild temperatures when we were visiting. Thanks so much for always supporting us!! -Katelyn

[@peacefulwife5199]

@@NewstateNomads ❤🙏

[@shannonalward217]

Happy Birthday, Howard! Great video as always. That boat tour looked amazing!

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks so much, Shannon! 🎉 -Howard

[@mercedesbenzie490]

Lovely content as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@NewstateNomads]

Aww thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂❤ -Katelyn

[@bearsden3505]

Enjoying your videos in Montana! Happy Birthday Howard!

[@nalintina8376]

I recommend Big Dipper, Fire Tower, and Mackenzie River Pizza Co for restaurants!

[@maxbailey3087]

Visited Helena last summer and it was spectacular. Great times, great hikes and the boat ride was awesome

[@NewstateNomads]

Max, glad to hear you had such a great time in Helena, too! The boat ride in particular was such a treat. Hope you'll continue on the journey with us! 👍 -Howard

[@NinetyOneAdventures]

Helena is our stop before Glacier this fall. Thanks for the info! It helped alot in our planning!

[@NewstateNomads]

So glad to hear it was helpful! We loved Helena. 👍 -Howard

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

What a fun 40th birthday surprise for Howard, Katelyn. That took quite a bit of sneaky research and planning. Well done you. I thoroughly enjoyed coming along and learning from you. As always you provide such relevant information without overkill. Enough to catch my interest and not too much to find me wandering off. The scenery on that boat trip was so incredibly beautiful. Wow. Anyway, I ramble too much. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Stay safe, keep smiling and be happy. 👍 🎥 ❤️ 🌷 🙋‍♀️ 🍷🍷🥳🥳

[@selectshelley]

That breakfast look Great!! Beautiful capitol building. Your tour was terrific. Thanks for taking us along. Who knew there is so much to see in Helena.

[@NewstateNomads]

We love being surprised by a place, Shelley! Helena was a wonderful stop, and so glad you joined us! -Howard

[@nalintina8376]

There’s a lot more downtown !!

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Great video. Montana looks great they say it’s an outdoor paradise. ✌🏼

[@NewstateNomads]

These people are right, Montana is incredible! Can't wait to hear what you think of next week's video at Glacier. 👍 -Howard

[@sadiemcnabb4444]

Come back in the winter sometime for a completely new experience in the same place. =) And no smoke.

[@garyaberle603]

Happy Birthday! 🎈🎂🎈🎉

[@garyaberle603]

@@kylelifestyle3103 do I know you?

[@lynngraves4326]

Great job guys I learned a lot of history 😍

[@NewstateNomads]

Hi Lynn! Thanks so much, so glad you did! It's such an interesting area! -Katelyn

[@jim-uu2db]

I recently turned 70 so 40 is a piece of cake.

[@alyssasmith4810]

Also... if you are looking for good beers in Montana you must try the razoo, I have not personally tried cause obviously I’m under age but it is definitely a Montana signature

[@chuckhoover5269]

Fun day! I want you to plan my b-day! (Number 73!! What!!! 😯)

[@marlenehensley1220]

Helena is a great place in our beautiful state,I'm very proud to live in Montana

[@NewstateNomads]

Hi Marlene! Montana is beautiful and we certainly loved our time in Helena! We'll be sharing a bit more of Montana in our next few videos 😍 thanks so much for watching! -Katelyn

[@antonioortiz4966]

Hello my friends! Happy birthday 🎂🎊🎁🎉 🍻Howard ! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Saludos amigos como van sus planes de regreso a Mexico 🇲🇽 Katelyn ! I always enjoy yours videos! 👍😃

[@blessed2rvgmail379]

Another great video! Look forward to it every week! ❤️. Love the history you give of the places you visit. Have you been to the Texas Capitol building in Austin? If not, hope you put it on your list for your trip back West. 🤞. It's a beautiful building made of local granite. ⭐

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks so much!! 🤗❤ Yes! We visited that building on New Year's Eve almost two years ago. I think it's our favorite of the capitol buildings. So beautiful!!

[@werejustapassinthru574]

Awesome

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks for watching! -Howard

[@JarheadAndGingersJourney]

So much to do there!

[@NewstateNomads]

There really is! So glad we made the stop and checked it out. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@douglarsen4801]

New sub! Great channel you guys!

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks Doug!! So glad you found us! ☺️

[@b1mfua33]

I love all of the history lessons,I have yet to venture outside of Canada.Since I have a real fear of flying,I want to do what the both of you are doing. Thank you for this wonderful video,I really loved the boat tour,absolutely beautiful!! The eagles were stunning!! And Howard,don’t worry,you do not,and I stress this ,look your age. Keep well until next time.

[@NewstateNomads]

Hahahaha, thanks for the birthday wishes! I was definitely having fun with this birthday. Its a milestone for sure, but I know I have many, many years to go! -Howard

[@robloxmanface1]

Haha glad you like it here!

[@NewstateNomads]

We had a great time! 🙂

[@ericvaneck4296]

Must be a couple months ago when you were up in Montana because no snow and the leaves are still green. The food look good too.

[@NewstateNomads]

Hey Eric! We were there a little over a month ago and the weather was still quite mild! We timed it just right before the frigid temps set in. 😮👍 The food was delicious! Such a great place to explore. ❤-Katelyn

[@kristyhendricks6023]

Born and raised in Helena Montana! Best place ever ❤️

[@NewstateNomads]

We loved our time there, Kristy! Not too shabby of a place to call home. Thanks so much for watching, hope you'll continue on the journey with us! 👍

[@starguy2718]

Go Bengals!

[@lazyles875]

❤ yay me!

[@rebekkad.2092]

You forgot to mention Jeanette Rankin when you were at the capitol. She has the distinction of being the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1916. She was a pacifist and was the only member of Congress to vote against declaring war against Japan.

[@NewstateNomads]

That's a fantastic point, Rebekka, thanks! We probably missed it, but didn't see a reference at the capital while walking around. Wish they still had guided tours! Thanks so much for watching. -Howard

[@rebekkad.2092]

@@NewstateNomads There's a statue of her on the second floor. Easy to miss.

[@alyssasmith4810]

Woah, I live there

[@tarac5137]

The boat tour looked really neat! Thanks for all the info, I know virtually nothing about Montana. The US sure is a nation of immigrants when you find a Vietnamese place in an “historic strip mall” in Helena, MT. So bummed we just finished the frozen mango stash from our tree this week. 🥭😭 Increasing birthdays are a gift, glad Howard is celebrating in style. 🍩

[@NewstateNomads]

Celebrating with great food and even better company is all I could ever wish for. Thanks, Tara! -Howard

[@NewstateNomads]

Neither of us had been to Montana, so it was all an excellent surprise. Helena was just the beginning, can't wait to share what else we found exploring!

[@RomeoRomeo-yw2my]

❤❤❤

[@alainbergeron4520]

I just happened to find out about you guys! Well believe me it won't be the last time! You are simply fantastic, I sure enjoyed your enthusiasm! In Helena there's a great cathedral. It is a smaller version of the Koln cathedral in Germany. Keep up the good work 👏 👍

[@NewstateNomads]

So glad you found us, Alain! Yes, I think we visited the cathedral you mentioned, it was beautiful, and we might include it in another video down the road. Have you seen our video from San Miguel de Allende in Mexico? kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5XJnHRpnrp5r68 We of course visited the famous church there, interesting history on that one, too! Thanks again for watching, and glad you're on the journey with us. 👍 -Howard

[@alainbergeron4520]

@@NewstateNomads thanks San Miguel de Allende is on my list. I will watch your video on this gem of a city

[@alainbergeron4520]

@@kylelifestyle3103 i m fine. Keep up the good work! I hope you'll be returning to Mexico soon.

[@NewstateNomads]

Alain, not sure who Kylie is, but it's not one of us! 😂

[@alainbergeron4520]

@@NewstateNomads thanks for the clarifications. Me too sure who's Kellie.?

[@edrumsas5420]

Great video. How both of you don’t weigh over 300 pounds is a wonder with all the eating and the big portions.(lol) Must be all the walking.

[@NewstateNomads]

Thanks Ed! Haha, our families say the same thing. 😂 Yes lots of hiking and walking to counteract the delicious food!

[@ImmaculateM1Garand]

You guys flat missed out if you didn’t go to No Sweat Cafe!

[@gwenmoody8323]

Hi from Oklahoma

[@NewstateNomads]

Hi Gwen! 🙂

[@tomsmith7]

Hi can you show helena montana west side please the city center

[@NewstateNomads]

Hi Tom! We were in Montana back in the Fall (we're currently in Florida) but next time we visit we'll keep that in mind. Thanks for watching! -Katelyn

[@tomsmith7]

@@NewstateNomads hi thank you very much for your kind respond yes like to se the west side of Montana helena the town center

[@daphneespinoza9072]

I have to give a shot out to Howard because he looks fantastic for 40!! You definable seem happier as the time goes on. Love ya both

[@NewstateNomads]

Awh Shucks! Thanks so much, Daphne! I guess I'm feeling fabulous at 40. ❤ -Howard

[@ediewall6360]

“ I have no idea what these are for” . That is because of your age. They are obviously phone booths. The phones have been removed.

[@Khatoon170]

Last part of my research mount ascension city park Montana state capitol tall dome lady of liberty preached Greek architecture reeder alley 1860s restaurant office spaces cathedral of Saint Helena damaged in year 1935 earthquake gate of mountain wilderness area. Centennial park exploration works including great northern carousel holter museum of art classes and workshops for all age levels spring meadow state park Montana historic society Montana museum Lewis Clark caravan state park complex geology history of area exploring cave system Finally original governor mansion built 1988 as private residence three story queen Ann mansion began hosting governor relatives in year 1913 house included nine different families over nearly 50 years now operated by Montana historical society guided tours on month of May and September iam so sorry if it’s little long you have such interesting nature great history stay safe blessed best wishes

[@boogiestreet594]

1:28 she one of those people who dont look in your eyes while talkin like you're supposed and looks all over your face non stop making you paranoid

[@josephdedominicis887]

Its a dump.