Why Big Sky Was Named the No. 1 Travel Destination for 2026
Big News in Big Sky! We’ve been named the No. 1 Travel Destination for 2026 by Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. Travelers from around the world are turning their attention to our Montana town for its natural beauty and epic adventures. Are world-class skiing and rugged trails calling your name? Or perhaps, you’re ready to try game, like elk and venison, for the first time? Keep reading to find out why Big Sky should be at the top of your 2026 travel list with The Wilson Hotel is your homebase for it all.
Why Should You Visit?
Just an hour from Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush, thick pines and unmatched views of sky-high, snow-capped mountains. You might know Big Sky for our legendary skiing and snowboarding, but the town has grown into a true four-season destination. Winter brings chilly days practicing pirouettes at the Marty Pavelich Ice Rink and cozy evenings warming up by the fire. In the summer, our mountains are perfect for all-level hikes and horseback riding through nature.
Town Center (where The Wilson is located) serves as Big Sky’s year-round social hub, where you’ll find both casual and fine dining, clothing, and gift shops, made even better by breathtaking landscape views.
How to Spend Your Visit
Big Sky offers adventure in every season. In winter, visitors can experience Skijoring (a mashup of skiing and horseback riding), or take a heated snowcoach tour through Yellowstone National Park where they can glimpse steaming geyser basins, frozen waterfalls, and wide-open valleys where bison, elk, and other wildlife roam against a backdrop of pristine snow.
The holidays bring added magic with unique local traditions, like the Big Sky Christmas Stroll and the Avalanche Dog Demo, where you can meet the important four-legged heroes keeping winter athletes safe.
When the weather warms, hiking trails lead to alpine lakes, waterfalls, and sweeping summit views. White-water rafting on the Gallatin River is a local favorite, offering thrilling rapids and a chance to spot migrating shorebirds and Bighorn sheep along the canyon walls.
Guests can also take in the region’s newest attraction, the Kircliff Summit Observatory, a glass-enclosed lookout perched at the top of Lone Peak with panoramic views stretching from Yellowstone to the Tetons. The new Explorer Gondola will make the experience fully ADA-accessible, so you can ascend to the summit in comfort with heated seats and floor-to-ceiling windows.
For a taste of local culture, put on your boots and join weekly swing dancing nights for an authentic Honky Tonk experience. Then, head to lively community gatherings like trivia night on Wednesdays at Big Sky Waypoint, a local community hub known for curated film screenings and weekly summer Farmer’s Markets. Want to indulge your artistic side? Visit the Big Sky Center for the Arts to join in on a stained glass open studio or their regular kids programming. All week long, you’ll find live music filling Town Center, from mountain blues to rock and roll.
Get a Taste of Big Sky at These Restaurants
Big Sky’s dining scene has become well known for its celebration of wild game. However, recently, as more visitors fall in love with Big Sky, you can find restaurants that take dining a step further. You can find options for sushi, wood-fired pizza, fine dining, and fast-casual, all within Town Center.
As you prepare your palate for an evening of flavor, start at The Wilson’s Lobby Bar, a modern space offering craft cocktails and fireside seating.
Just next door, Block 3 Kitchen & Bar showcases bold regional flavors with hand-cut Montana Wagyu, fresh seafood, and game. For a livelier atmosphere, Tips Up Big Sky pairs comfort food with live music, arcade games, and a casual après-ski vibe.
Your Mountain Stay
The Wilson Hotel is perfectly positioned in Big Sky Town Center, and you can’t beat the location, but the comfort of our rooms is just as much of a draw.
Our suite-style accommodations feature full kitchens, plush bedding, and spacious layouts designed for relaxation and convenience. When you step inside The Wilson, our warm, inviting interiors immediately evoke that mountain escape feeling that many of our guests are after, but you don’t have to drive long distances to run to the store or grab a bite to eat. With our Advance Purchase offer, guests can secure special savings when booking ahead, ensuring their place in Big Sky’s most sought-after destination.
Being named the top travel destination for 2026 shines a well-deserved spotlight on Big Sky, and there’s never been a better time to plan your visit. Find your perfect version of a mountain escape, whether that includes high-thrill adventures or relaxing sleigh rides.