Big Sky, Montana Ranked 8th Best "Momcation" Getaway in the US

This time of year, searches for what to get mom for Mother's Day are through the roof, as millions of husbands and kids of all ages ask the internet for help. Gifts are great, but what many moms want is a couple of days with no kids, no responsibilities, extra sleep, and perhaps some pampering and great food. A Momcation, if you will.

Momcations are a thing, and Big Sky, Montana, has landed in the Top 10 Momcation Destinations in a recent report from the car rental company, SIXT. This puts Montana on the map with other popular spa/resort places like Sedona, AZ (#1), Napa Valley, CA (#4), Jackson Hole, WY (#5), and Lake Tahoe, CA (#7).

Credit: Rachel Helgeson, Townsquare Media

Do Montana moms want to go on a Big Sky Momcation?

Locals and tourists alike enjoy Big Sky, MT, with its fantastic dining, shopping, spas, golf, and outdoor adventure in abundance. There is a lot to love, but I wonder how many Montana moms would put Big Sky in their top 10 dream Momcation locations?

My parents live in the Gallatin Valley, so I'm fairly certain my mom has zero interest in a Momcation at Big Sky. My wife and the mother of my children, also put Big Sky low on her ideal Momcation getaway. Quote, "For that kind of money, I'd rather go to Vegas."

Spring in Big Sky can look like this. Photo by Nicole Millsap, TSM

What do the Mom(s) in your life like to do?

May is a bit of a shoulder season in Big Sky. Depending on what the Montana Mom in your life likes to do, this could be a good thing. Skiing is done, and golf begins May 16th at Big Sky Resort; full summer operations kick off June 14th.

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The area is a little less crowded and more relaxed in early May, too. Rafters and throngs of Yellowstone National Park tourists are still about a month away. For Montana moms looking for a quieter, more soak-tub, less-adventure trip, this can be a great time of year for a Momcation at Big Sky, with potentially better room rates than June-September. The rental car company wrote,

Known for its breathtaking mountain views and wide-open spaces, Big Sky is a dream escape for moms craving adventure mixed with tranquility. With a low noise level of 50 decibels and over 1.4 million TikTok views, it’s a serene yet stunning getaway.

SIXT added that Big Sky offers Momcationers miles of scenic hiking trails, boutique lodges and wellness spas, horseback riding and more.

Five of the Biggest Waterfowl in Montana

I fake my bird knowledge.

When we happen to spot a tall bird wandering in a marshy area, I'll say to my spouse, "Look! There's a loon!" but it could very well be a crane.

Like most Montanans, I can recognize bald eagles, wild turkeys, robins, Canadian geese, a few types of ducks, etc., but most of the time when we see a big, unusual-looking bird on our adventures, I'm lost.

90% of the time, I'm probably incorrect. If you're like me, perhaps this article will help you identify five of the biggest waterfowl you'll see in Montana.

Gallery Credit: Michael Foth