last chance gulch

This is a very trendy and fun walking mall. There are lots of cute and interesting shops, great restaurants, candy shop-the Parrot and the Dipper Ice Cream shop is very delicious! I recommend you give this a try while in Helena-stay at the Great Northern!

It's a real sad shame that such a great stretch of real estate which should be the central crown jewel of Montana's Capitol...has lost so many businesses over the years. The turn-over and inability to keep businesses open/thriving on the Walking Mall is the direct failure of the BID's corrupt, inept, unqualified motley crew to attract and help make leases affordable or good signage to direct tourists to Mall walking traffic. Plenty of conversations have arisen to 'open' or re-open the closed section for easier visibility from a vehicle. Overall, its underutilized, too hidden, and a preventable business flaw. The City of Helena needs to actually hire REAL business professionals, instead of a duo of corrupt shills that lead to the death of one person (parking lot fall) and another who fractured his legs, plus DUI, computer seizures, illegal bullying/stalking actions against HPC employees, and serving underage girls alcohol (Jim McHugh). When the BID kept retaining Jim after being arrested and directly serving teenage girls drinks, they showed a clear disinterest in preventing the Walking Mall and other downtown attractions to flail under an unqualified band 'roadie' and lapse into a vegetative state. So, if you walk the Mall and notice few businesses, frequent overturn, or empty street level office spaces and wonder why it's so 'meh,' stop in at the Chamber of Commerce and ask 'em why. ;)

Could spend all day shopping and browsing the stores and eateries on the gulch! My favorite hang out place is the "Walking Mall" on the gulch. Must visit The Parrot Candy store!!

It was advertised as a lovely walking street with lots of shops - only about 1/2 of them were open on a Sat morning - and quite a few vacant. The buildings on the walking street were interesting old buildings though - stopped at a very friendly coffee shop though.

We visited this stretch of the city both on foot and as part of the Last Chance Gulch train ride. It has some nice details and some restaurants and shops, but I agree with a previous poster - it could use a few more. There's just not quite enough here to make it a true tourist destination, and I was disappointed that there were no real souvenir shops. It's worth checking out if you have a chance, but I wouldn't make it a priority.

Go to the Old downtown area called the walking mall. It has lots of neat little shops, ice cream. candy store, etc. We ate at the mediterranean 1 street over. Also the Best dinners in Helena were at "On Broadway" in that same part of town on Broadway st.

This is a pleasant enough walk on a sunny day and there are one or two attractive old buildings but there are very few interesting shops and even fewer eateries or cafes. Disappointing overall.

We shopped in and ate at the Windbag Saloon in Last Chance Gulch. All of the shops and sculptures are worth a look. This is a great place to go while you are in Helena. Lots of Montana and Helena history took place here. Lots of places to sit and enjoy the outdoors and people watch.

We stayed downtown , great old buildings. This abit to learn getting around with all Avenues and no streets Each buildings had there own charm Great place to walk around , we felt very safe

This would be a fabulous gentle urban street walk if there were more specialty stores on this street. The intent and vision is certainly appreciated.

This is a very nice, spacious pedestrian mall with lots of interesting architecture. Definitely worth a stroll.

This area has both maintained its historical interest and offers many treats for the traveller- including great ice cream!

Great place to take a walk, find an interesting restaurant and watch passersby. Some nice shops too!

Cool area to walk around, but not a lot of shops or restaurants to meander in and out of. Seemed to have a lot of offices and service-type businesses. Did enjoy a delicious dinner at Lucca's, lunch at Bert & Ernie's, and shopping at Birds & Beasley. Plus a visit at Martin's Wine Shop proved to be a great stop - for wine and conversation with Martin.

Last Chance Gulch is so classic Helena....and still today its just like it was 20 years ago, but with a bit more businesses moving in to accommodate the community needs....taverns, pups, brewers, eateries, etc.....still a great place....parking is a bit challening at certain times of the night.....