For Immediate Release
For editorial information, contact: Autumn Reagor, 406-454-8500. Visuals available upon request.
Downtown Helena and The Great Northern Carousel provide unique and wholesome Montana family vacation activities
Recalling the days many American towns centered their community spirit around an old-fashioned carousel, the Great Northern Town Center in Helena brings back that time-honored tradition.
From buffalo, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears to rabbits, fish, horses and even a dinosaur, the Great Northern Carousel has become one of Helena’s favorite entertainment attractions.
The facility is open 365 days a year and houses a 40’ diameter, hand-carved carousel complete with bright flashing lights and grand-sounding organ music. It consists of 37 hand-carved animals, one chariot and a spinning tub. Custom stained glass running boards depict Helena area landmarks and many Montana-native animals. A stained concrete floor pattern is interspersed with sandblasted animal and people tracks.
Helena artist, Mary Harris made the glass scenery panels, which include murals of the Capitol, the fire tower, the civic center, elk and grizzly bear. The west facing windows of the building are original stained glass from the Old Broadwater Hotel of Helena and are over one hundred years old.
In addition to the Carousel, visitors can indulge in their favorite ice cream at the Painted Pony Express Ice Cream Parlor. Guests could also remember their visit by purchasing a gift from the Carousel Gift Shop.
In the same vicinity of the Great Northern Carousel, families and travelers can partake in some of the other wonderful family-oriented activities that Helena’s downtown has to offer, including a stay at the new Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel.
Everyone will soon be able to visit the CommunityWorks! Exploration and Discovery Museum and experience the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Sidewalk, certain to enhance the appeal and vitality of the area as a destination point for locals and tourists. The CommunityWorks’ Exploration Center will offer visitors a delightful hands-on Montana education and experience, while the Lewis and Clark sidewalk will represent the journey of Lewis and Clark on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, featuring artists’ renditions of the many landmarks they encountered on their expedition.
During the summer months, visitors can take in the sites of the Queen City’s downtown area by taking a leisurely ride on the Last Chance Tour Train, a trolley that roams through the streets of downtown Helena. Or participate in one of the many Alive @ 5 festivals that take place every Wednesday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting in May and continuing through September, where local venders, bands and participants take to the streets and join in on a unique downtown “block party.”
For more information about visiting the Great Northern Town Center and experiencing the Carousel in downtown Helena, call 406-454-8500 or visit http://www.gntowncenter.com.
