Bozeman’s Cozy Corners
While Bozeman may be bustling with activity these days, it’s important to take a step back and enjoy those peaceful moments the Valley has to offer. Whether you’re in search of a restful day alone, or a comfortable outing with friends and family, the area is full of hidden gems and cozy corners where you can enjoy an intimate winter outing. Between the numerous coffee shops, bookstores, bars and restaurants, there are plenty of opportunities to find a homey vibe while out and about.
Always comfortable and inviting are the many bookstores in Bozeman. Luckily for locals, the few downtown bookstores remain front and center on Main Street, a staple in this city. Walking off the busy street and into Vargo’s Jazz City and Books feels as if you are entering a new place entirely. The warm, cozy vibe and soft music floating through the space encourages guests to slow down and take their time while choosing their next read. Another Main Street favorite, Country Bookshelf offers plenty of options to sit back and dive into your new book. One of my favorite places to browse, they provide a mystery section, where you never know what you’re going to get. With brown-bagged books and only a brief description written by staff, it’s a gamble what your next read will be, but the mystery adds to the excitement and cozy quality of this bookstore. Not far off Main St at 511 W. Mendenhall] you’ll find Isle of Books, one of Montana’s largest independent used bookstores, boasting over 75,000 books. Their Bozeman location offers a vast collection of fiction and nonfiction, including vintage and antiquarian titles, as well as children’s and young adult sections and several comfortable nooks to read them in.
Along your way from one bookstore to the next are the many downtown coffee shops. Options such as Wild Joe’s Coffee Shop, Zocalo, or Rockford Coffee offer soft lighting and plenty of indoor seating—great places to do some work or tuck away into your recent read. Off Main are endless other coffee spots made for comfort. Treeline, The Daily, and Beacon Coffee are all favorites, with large windows to look out at the cold winter weather while enjoying a delicious coffee and getting lost in thought.
For the best of both worlds, Barnes and Noble is the cozy place to be. While the mall itself always seems to be jam-packed with people, the recent construction has separated Barnes and Noble from the natural noise of a mall setting. Now, walking into this bookstore is a calm and quiet experience. This store, which sells much more than books, makes it hard to leave, not to mention the coffee shop inside. The smell of cappuccino and brand new books lures you in and entices you to stay. With a little bit of something for everyone, Barnes and Noble is cozy enough to bring out some comfort in anybody.
If you’re in for a snug experience that includes mixed drinks or beer, a few bars and restaurants in town have just what you’re looking for. Tucked into the back corner of the Tune Up Bar awaits an intimate setting where drinks can be had and games can be played with friends. Even with live music, this spot is inviting and intimate for those close-knit nights. Just an elevator ride up from Tune Up sits the Sky Shed; with fireplaces throughout the space, every spot offers an unmatched opportunity for comfort. On warmer days, Sky Shed even has outdoor deck bubbles for super-intimate vibes. Sipping a cocktail and watching the snow fall all around while cozied up is an experience like no other. On the other hand, Mountains Walking has an equally inviting atmosphere, with cozy booths for deep conversations, delicious drinks, and an enticing menu. If warm fireplace vibes are your thing, check out Sidewinders’ bar area, The Club, Brigade, or Map Brewing. Here, you can experience the soft crackling sounds of a warm fire while enjoying a cold drink.
For a spa day, luxury options like Ceremony, Capelli’s, Canyon River Spa, and a new offering, Eternal Dream Day Spa, await. These spas transport guests to a mellow Bozeman unlike any other. A combination of luxury and comfort, these quiet settings are great for enjoying a relaxing day to yourself. If you’re looking for a facial, a massage, acupuncture, or even just purchasing your own spa day supplies to use at home, these options have it all. Stop in to one and spend a day forgetting about the outdoor weather, and focusing on your own relaxation and rejuvenation.
The Bozeman Public Library and Montana State University’s Renne Library also offer silent areas in which to cozy up and enjoy the winter weather. If noiseless is what you need, these are the best places to be. Here, you can read new books without the price, or work on your most recent project in silence. The MSU Library offers floors with different noise levels, and the higher you go, the quieter it gets. The coffee shop on the main floor also provides snacks, and it’s easy to spend an entire day getting lost in your own world on campus.
Those in search of a day of warm indoor shopping can meander through the Market at Ferguson Farm. With a cat cafe, coffee, burgers, sushi, and more, guests can browse about or just sit in the center and enjoy the view as they sip on coffee from the cart. The Garden Barn offers indoor activity supplies, such as cross-stitching or gardening materials you can bring home and enjoy. Tanglewood and Merry Piglets await for an after-shopping drink or a meal.
In the midst of a long, harsh winter, many Montanans find themselves in search of a temporary escape. While the winter snow may be beautiful, the colder temperatures are not. Oftentimes, a day of cozy adventures can defrost us, even in the chilliest of weather. If you’re in need of a day of rest, check out any of these spots. There are options for everyone, depending on what a cozy day means to you.