Things You Can Try in a Small Town If That Small Town Is Missoula
Singer Jason Aldean has stepped in it. In the past 72 hours, he’s seen the music video for his song “Try That In a Small Town” pulled from CMT because his lyrics invoke racist and violent themes. Aldean’s music video, which was filmed in a courthouse in Tennessee known for race riots and lynchings, doubles down on those messages.
In the song, the country crooner lists crimes that, according to him, must only happen in large cities. Stuff like sucker punching someone on the street or carjacking an old lady. Some of Aldean’s most perplexing lyrics (which he didn’t write himself) are “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face” and if Aldean thinks that only happens in a large city, he’s clearly never been to the Lonesome Dove Saloon in Stevensville after 1 a.m. Or watched an episode of Yellowstone.
Ironically, Aldean is from Macon, Georgia (population 150,000) which as small towns go isn’t very small. We’re not sure where the line of demarkation is between small or large, town or city, but we do know that if Macon counts as a small town, so does Missoula (population 70k).
Here’s a list of things you can try in the Garden City. If we were to sing a song about it, it’d be a whole lot more wholesome:
1: Popping fireworks on the Fourth of July, unless you actually live in Missoula city limits, in which case, you can check out our list of alternative fireworks options.
2: Heading to one of Missoula’s 91 parks or open lands and more than 40 miles of shared-use paths and trails. Check out this list of Hidden Gem Playgrounds to get started.
3: Raising money for a good cause. At an astounding 219, Missoula has the fourth most nonprofit organizations in the nation per capita.
4: Trying cannabis (as long as you’re at least 21). No really, the state made recreational marijuana legal as of 2022 and it’s become a fast growing industry.
5: Stopping at a deer crossing. In this small town we let the wildlife have the right of way.
6: Taking a walk to get ice cream. With two Big Dipper locations, Sweet Peaks in downtown, Coldstone Creamery on North Reserve, and 3 Dairy Queen locations, there’s an ice cream spot within walking distance all over town.
7: Going for a swim at the pool. Check out our article as you plan your trip to Splash Montana.
8: Picking huckleberries in the mountains.
9: Driving the speed limit. It’s going to take you 10-15 minutes to get across town no matter what.
10: Watching for the Northern Lights on a cloudless night.
11: Signing up for a meal train for a family in need. In Missoula, we know how to take care of each other without threats of violence.
12: Buying raffle tickets for a basketball fundraiser.
13: Eating Vikings and Lemondairy at the Western Montana Fair. This year’s Fair is Aug. 9-13!
14: Participating in a protest for justice.
15: Going for a drive down an old dirt road. We’ve got plenty!
16: Supporting local retailers by shopping downtown. Grab a gift card here.
17: Parallel parking on Front Street. We said you can try it. We didn’t say you’ll be successful.
18. Completing the Missoula Marathon. Or the Half Marathon, we don’t judge.
19: Going to one of Missoula’s many farmers markets.
20: Seeing a concert at Kettlehouse Amphitheater. Set against cliffs overlooking the Blackfoot River, Kettlehouse draws some big names like Lyle Lovett, Counting Crows, Pixies, Train, Billy Idol, Lumineers. But don’t sleep on it if you want to see a band. We’re still mourning the Bon Iver show that sold out before we could get tickets.
We don’t think Jason Aldean has ever performed here. Maybe he should. He could learn a thing or two about what it actually means to support each other in a small town.
What are some things you like about living in Missoula?