In some states, it’s nearly impossible to tell which town qualifies as the “odd man out.” In Montana, it’s crystal clear: Our black sheep is Missoula, and love it or hate it, it definitely has its charms. But spend enough time there and you’ll grow to adore it… or at least be able to enjoy a visit.

There are theories, but no one knows for sure exactly how Missoula got its name. That alone is a little odd.

Micah Sheldon / Flickr Missoula was founded in 1860 as Hellgate Trading Post, renamed Missoula Mills in 1866, and later shortened to Missoula.

This is the place you come to do those out-of-the-box activities you won’t find anywhere else in Montana, like standup paddleboard yoga on the Clark Fork River.

Visit Missoula Facebook Doesn’t that look fun?

Music lovers, rejoice: There are some great concerts here, sometimes by some A-list performers.

Visit Missoula Facebook Singer Jewel liked the city so much, she performed a song called The Missoula Song. We can’t say we blame her.

Much like with Austin and Portland, “Keep Missoula Weird” is a common expression.

Visit Missoula Facebook With an abundance of University of Montana students arriving every year, that will never be a problem.

Someone with a little too much time on his hands even invented a theory that Missoula doesn’t exist.

Visit Missoula Facebook A Californian (go figure) whose job title is “part-time chem trail researcher and amateur ionizing radiation hobbyist” uses something called the Bielefeld effect to back up his theory. He asks three questions: Do you know anyone from Missoula? Have you ever been to Missoula? Do you know someone who has been to Missoula? Of course, the vast majority of Montanans will answer yes to all three of them, so his theory has some flaws.

From the Farmers Markets to the art walks and summertime events, Missoula is an all-around fun place to be.

Keith Ewing / Flickr And not every city in Montana has bragging rights about songs being written about them AND conspiracy theories that they don’t exist.

Missoula isn’t for everyone (so really, there’s no need to tell us). That being said, some people who visit end up loving it so much that they move there.

Micah Sheldon / Flickr

Missoula was founded in 1860 as Hellgate Trading Post, renamed Missoula Mills in 1866, and later shortened to Missoula.

Visit Missoula Facebook

Doesn’t that look fun?

Singer Jewel liked the city so much, she performed a song called The Missoula Song. We can’t say we blame her.

With an abundance of University of Montana students arriving every year, that will never be a problem.

A Californian (go figure) whose job title is “part-time chem trail researcher and amateur ionizing radiation hobbyist” uses something called the Bielefeld effect to back up his theory. He asks three questions: Do you know anyone from Missoula? Have you ever been to Missoula? Do you know someone who has been to Missoula? Of course, the vast majority of Montanans will answer yes to all three of them, so his theory has some flaws.

Keith Ewing / Flickr

And not every city in Montana has bragging rights about songs being written about them AND conspiracy theories that they don’t exist.

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