Accessibility

The Montana Heritage Center is located at 225 North Roberts Street in Helena, across from the Capitol Building.

Free parking is available in nearby lots and on surrounding streets on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible parking is located in the north lot, near the building overhang, and in the east lot, near the Sovereign Nations Arbor.

Guests who park in the north lot will need to enter the building through the north lobby and either take an elevator to the main floor and walk down a hallway, or take a large flight of stairs before reaching the main lobby. Guests looking for the shortest distance between parking and the main lobby should park in the east lot. Passenger dropoff and pickup is also available near the east lot.

Parking may be limited during special events and the Montana Legislative Session — call ahead if you have questions.

The Heritage Center has three public entrances. The east and west entrances open directly onto the main floor. The north entrance connects to the main floor via stairs or an elevator. Guests who prefer to avoid stairs are encouraged to use the east or west entrance.

Guests can be dropped off at the east entrance, near the intersection of 6th Street and Sanders, where a turn-around area is available under the Sovereign Nations Arbor.

Most guests spend several hours exploring the full museum, though many return over multiple visits to take it all in. If you're short on time, hour-long guided tours are available and hit the highlights.

There are some benches and seating options available throughout the Heritage Center for guests who need to rest. Visitors who may want to sit down more frequently are invited to borrow a portable cane/chair.

• Benches are available in the Central Commons.
• Seating is available in Norm's Cafe and on the nearby outdoor patio.
• Couches and chairs are available in the Historic Lobby.
• Limited benches and exhibit seating are available throughout the Homeland Gallery.
• Viewing chairs are available in the Charles M. Russell Gallery.
• Chairs and benches are available in the Changing Gallery.

Below are the approximate distances guests can expect to walk while visiting the Montana Heritage Center.

• North Parking Lot to Central Commons Lobby (using stairs): 250 steps, 625 feet, .11 mile
• North Parking Lot to Central Commons Lobby (using elevator): 200 steps, 500 feet, .10 mile
• Walkthrough of the Homeland Gallery: 500 steps, 1,250 feet, .25 mile
• Walkthrough of the Charlie Russell Gallery: 250 steps, 625 feet, .11 mile
• Walkthrough of the Changing Gallery: 250 steps, 625 feet, .11 mile

This gallery includes several interactive and sensory elements guests can choose whether to engage with:

• Audio story kiosks with handheld earpieces
• Videos, some on a continuous loop and others selectable on demand
• Touchable items marked with green "please touch carefully" signs, including reproduction bones, animal pelts, diaries, and a vintage car
• A mineshaft elevator simulation with a large video screen, a countdown, and the sound of a dynamite explosion — a sensory warning sign is posted at the entrance, and guests may walk around this area instead
• The scent of sage in the Tribal Nations Lodge — guests who prefer to avoid this can walk around the area

On the first Tuesday of every month from 3–5pm, we offer low-sensory hours:

• 3–4pm: The Russell Gallery and Changing Gallery are open as usual. These are low-sensory galleries.
• 4–5pm: Ambient noise and looping video are turned off in the Homeland Gallery
• Throughout: Gift shop music is turned off, and the Mountain Bluebird Room is set up as a decompression space