Every small town has its little quirks. You know the ones: the little hole in the wall restaurants and the secret hangout spots no tourist will ever find. Well, West Yellowstone, Montana, is no exception. West Yellowstone is a little town just half a mile outside the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. And while the majority of its summer population is made up of tourists, it still has a few little treasures that the locals love to indulge in.
1. The Taco Bus
This unique Mexican restaurant is actually named "Taqueria Last Palmitas," but everyone just calls it the Taco Bus. When it first opened a few years ago, some of the locals weren't too pleased about the new business. They were hesitant about bringing in something with that kind of atmosphere. After all, who'd want to eat on a school bus? However, it's proven to be just as successful as every other restaurant in town. TripAdvisor gives it 4.5/5 stars, and many of the reviews rave about how delicious the authentic Mexican food is. My co-workers and I will often stop here during our lunch breaks, and we've never regretted it.
2. Playmill Theater
While West Yellowstone has both a small movie theater and a new IMAX theater, it also features a little theater off of Canyon Street that has been open for nearly 50 years. They feature family-friendly plays by an incredible cast and crew. They are currently showing Mary Poppins, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Singin' In The Rain. They also host a summer camp in July for kids ages 14-18 who want to learn more about the art of theater.
3. Eagle's Store
This family-owned store has been open since 1908, and the current building has been in place since 1935. With the new building came an old-fashioned soda fountain, which remains in the store today (yes, this is the one I currently work at.) While the soda fountain does not still mix sodas like it did back in the day, it keeps the tradition alive by continuing to make ice cream sodas, among many other popular ice cream dishes and beverages. The fountain still has many older appliances, such as a Kelvinator refrigerator and Hamilton Beach milkshake mixers. Locals and tourists alike will stop in for a milkshake or an old-fashioned ice cream soda.
4. Earthquake Lake
Earthquake Lake, often called Quake Lake, is more of a historic site rather than an actual business. As far as I know, before 1959, this lake didn't even exist. In 1959, an earthquake of a 7.43-7.5 magnitude struck southwestern Montana. About 80 million tons of landslide came crashing down where the lake is now, killing 19 people. As the story goes, there was not even an effort made to recover the bodies from under the rubble. It simply wouldn't have been effective. On top of that rubble formed Earthquake Lake, due to the flow of Madison River now being blocked by the aftermath of the landslide. To this day, 19 bodies remain underneath the lake. But I hear it's a great fishing spot.
5. Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
This one is more of a touristy spot, but it's worth mentioning because it can be so beneficial to those who are staying for a short time. Most of the tourists in West Yellowstone are visiting so they can stay close to the park, and this not-for-profit discovery center can be a valuable educational tool for those going into the park for a few days. They have live bear and wolf exhibits, during which a guide is teaching about the animals and their history. They also host instruction on bear spray, hiking and what to do if you encounter a bear in the wild. This is a great place to both see a wild animal safely and to learn how to react if you encounter one in the park. Going to this center is like a right of passage for those staying in West Yellowstone, and the locals will recommend it to the tourists.
