Gregg Treinish’s Bozeman

Nat Geo Emerging Explorer and Bozeman, Montana, local Gregg Treinish lives for adventure. The founder of Adventures and Scientists for Conservation, an organization that engages outdoor enthusiasts as citizen scientists, recently returned from months spent in the field with fellow Explorers Steve Boyes and Jer Thorp to study Botswana’s Okavango Delta. But no matter where Gregg roams, he’s always happy to be home. Here’s his insider’s guide to Big Sky country.

Follow Gregg’s story on the Nat Geo website and on Twitter @AdventurScience.

Bozeman Is My City

When someone comes to visit me, the first place I take them is into the Bridger Mountain Range.

July is the best time to visit my city because the wildflowers are out, the temperature is perfect, and mountain biking season is in full swing!

You can see my city best from the M Trail or by climbing to the top of Story Hills.

Locals know to skip work and check out Bridger Bowl on a powder day instead.

Tart is the place to buy authentic, local souvenirs.

In the past, notable people like actors Michael Keaton, Jeff Bridges, and Glenn Close have called my city home.

My city’s best museum is the Children’s Museum of Bozeman because it has exciting, interactive exhibits for both kids and adults.

If there’s one thing you should know about getting around my city, it’s that you can get anywhere on a bike.

The best place to spend time outdoors in my city is anywhere, all day and all year long! Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation staffers often take their summer lunch breaks at Creekside Park, or take runs on Peet’s Hill or Langhor Park.

My city really knows how to celebrate community because there are multiple inclusive events throughout the year like farmers markets, Christmas strolls, Music on Main, and more.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they have a lab named Bridger.

For a fancy night out, I go to Blackbird Cafe on Main Street.

Just outside my city, you can visit Yellowstone National Park, a little over an hour’s drive south of Bozeman.

My city is known for being a ski town, but it’s really a mountain bike town.

The best outdoor market in my city is the Bogert Farmers’ Market, held every Tuesday evening in the summer.

Nova Cafe is my favorite place to grab breakfast, and Tarantino’s Pizzeria is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read the Bozone calendar.

My city’s biggest sports event is the 20-mile Bridger Ridge Run. Watch it in the Bridger Mountains.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I head to the Eagles Lounge.

To escape the crowds, I retreat to a Forest Service cabin in Gallatin National Forest. This summer I spent a week at the Garnet Mountain cabin in Gallatin Canyon, which has incredible 360-degree views.

The dish that represents my city best is a bison burger, and Hopzone is my city’s signature beer. Sample them at Montana Ale Works and the Bozone Brewery, respectively.

The Ellen Theatre is my favorite building in town because of its beautiful intricacies and historical significance. The Ellen was built by a Bozeman founding father’s sons and designed by renowned architect Fred Wilson, opening in 1919.

The most random thing about my city is the spinning statues. There is a spinning steel statue nicknamed “The Noodle” on the Montana State University campus, and a life-size spinning horse above Bangtail Bike & XC Skis downtown.

The Filling Station is the best place to see live music, but if you’re in the mood to dance, check out the Eagles Lounge.

In the spring you should bike in Yellowstone after the roads are plowed, but before they’re opened to cars.

In the summer you should mountain bike. The trail in Leverich Canyon is an after-work classic, and Grassy Meadow is a great one for a long day. The best place to rent a bike is Summit Bike & Ski.

In the fall you should spend a day at the Boiling River, a hot spring in northern Yellowstone that’s just south of Gardiner.

In the winter you should ski or snowboard at Bridger Bowl or Big Sky Resort.

If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), you won’t want to miss the Sweet Pea Festival.

The best book about my city is Dorothy M. Johnson’s The Bloody Bozeman.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “Homeward Bound,” by Simon and Garfunkel.

In 140 characters or less, the world should heart my city because it is a quality community with honest people who truly care for one another.