Located 20 miles northwest of Bozeman, MT, this small agricultural town is full of character, culture and charisma. With a population of only 1,400 people, Manhattan definitely retains that western Montana charm.
Manhattan was founded in the 1800s by several families from the Netherlands who moved to the US to grow barley. The town got its name from a group of New York investors who built and ran the Manhattan Malting Company. The barley industry of Manhattan flourished for 23 years until prohibition hit. But by the late 1800s, Manhattan had already established itself as a thriving community and continued to grow.
Today, the main industries of Manhattan include seed potatoes, dairy, wheat, and cattle. Manhattan also offers specialty foods, woodcarvings, and artisan crafts. Its quaint mountain town atmosphere also attracts many tourists.
Visitors from all over the country enjoy downtown Manhattan's museums, art galleries, restaurants, and shops. The authentic rustic atmosphere makes even the most ordinary tasks such as mailing a postcard or eating ice cream seem exotic.
Among the many the outdoor sports that Manhattan offers, blue ribbon trout fishing is of the most popular. Even the most skilled anglers are drawn to the spectacular terrain and access to rivers and streams. Hundreds of miles of hiking and biking are also available in the surrounding national forests.
Manhattan's central location provides easy access to many popular area attractions. Within just a short drive you can reach the headwaters of the Missouri, Madison Buffalo Jump, Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort, Bridger Bowl, Lewis and Clark Caverns, and acres of national forests.
The community of Manhattan is also a lively one that hosts and array of festivals and public events. The biggest festival of the year is the Potato Festival and Car Show. Hosted in late-summer, the Potato Festival includes over 100 vendors and booths from all over the northwestern US. It is one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the state. Locals as well as visitors enjoy the food, music, parade, and dance that the Potato Festival brings.
Sitting at 4,243 feet, Manhattan enjoys moderate temperatures. The average temperature in the winter is about 25 degrees, while the summers are cool in the mid-60s. Manhattan doesn't get much precipitation and boasts a lot of sunny skies.
(Information from www.bozemannet.com)
To find out more about Manhattan, Montana visit the Manhattan Chamber website at http://www.manhattanmontana.com/
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