Sidney

Sidney is a town in Montana. In 2020, 6,300 people lived there.

Understand

The area is near large oil reserves and has experienced several boom and bust cycles. These bring in an influx of people to the town, some staying for a short period of time. The town has surges in oil exploration activity. The entire region has had substantial increase in population. This has brought a tremendous increase in the economy, the population and crime.

Sidney is home to a sugar beet refinery. In the fall the refining creates a lingering odor over the entire town. It's not exactly unpleasant, just odd smelling.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport (SDY), 540 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 406 433-2415. With service to Billings  

By car

Sidney is at the intersection of Highways 200 and 16. It can also be accessed by Hwy 23.

Get around

There is a standard downtown area with businesses in a walkable area. Several businesses, restaurants, and most hotels, are outside this area.

• Richland Car and Truck Rental, 540 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 406-478-4930. 

See

• 1 Ft. Union Trading Post/Ft. Buford, 15550 Highway 1804, Williston, ND (22 miles north of Sidney), ☏ +1 701 572-9083, andy_banta@nps.gov. Summer: 8AM-6:30PM; Winter: 9AM-5:30PM. historic fort located near the meeting of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, best known as the place Sitting Bull surrendered. Museum, standing buildings, picnic area. $5 adult, $2.50 child. (updated Jul 2023)

• 2 MonDak Heritage Center & Art Gallery, 120 3rd Avenue SE, ☏ +1 406 433-3500, mdhc@richland.org. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 1-4PM. Amazingly large "town" in basement. Recreated bank, blacksmith, barber, houses, and several more. All thoroughly staged with actual implements. Free. (updated Feb 2023)

Do

• 1 Hunter Dehner Memorial Skatepark, 2nd Ave SE. Open during daylight. Several back and forth with quarter pipes and banks, mini-ramp. Free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 2 Richland Park Disc Golf, County Rd 128. Open during daylight. Flat 9 hole course near river. Good for beginners. Picnic area and playground. Free. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

• 1 Meadowlark Brewing, 117 South Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 433-2337. 11AM-9PM, closed Su, M. Local craft brewery with upscale menu. Stop and enjoy a beer even if you aren't eating. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 South 40, 207 2nd Avenue NW, ☏ +1 406 433-4999. M-Sa 10:30AM-9PM, Su 10AM-9:30PM. Nice salad bar, plus chops. (updated Feb 2023)

Drink

• 1 Cheerio Lounge, 101 East Main St, ☏ +1 406 433-9984. 
• 2 Winner's Pub, 804 South Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 433-4636. Daily 8AM-2AM. (updated Feb 2023)

Sleep

Many workers stay in hotels and campgrounds. Reservations are critical.

• 1 Lone Tree Motor Inn, 900 South Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 433-4520. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2023)

Connect

• McDonald's, 1550 S Central Ave. free Wi-fi 
• Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, 909 S. Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 433-1916, schamber@midrivers.com. 

Go next

• Seven Sisters (12 miles south) is a wildlife management area. Day use fishing and boating. Agate hunting.

Routes through Sidney

Regina ← Plentywood ← Jct W E ←	N  S	→ Glendive → END
Great Falls ← Lewistown ← Jct S ←	W  E	→ becomes → Cartwright → Watford City