Humans have occupied the area that is present-day Billings since the prehistoric age, and there are Pictograph Caves south of downtown as evidence. During the 1700s, the Crow Indians occupied this area, and the Crow Nation now lives a few miles south of Billings. In 1806, William Clark of the Lewis and Clark passed through the Billings area and carved his name and date onto a rock in the area as physical evidence of his expedition. The area was first known as Clark’s Fork Bottom and was used as a hub for hauling freight to Judith and Musselshell Basins. In 1877, settlers from the Gallatin Area formed Coulson, the first town in Yellowstone Valley. The town was rough but with various businesses, including sawmills, dance halls, and saloons, but there was no single church. More development came to the town due to the arrival of the railroad to the area. Since there was a lot of money in Coulson, the residents decided to form a new town known as Billings. Billings' growth was so rapid that it affected Coulson, which faded away and eventually disappeared in the 1930s. The city is named after Frederick H. Billings, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Billings' growth continued into the 20th and 21st centuries, both in population and economy.

One of the things you can do while living in Billings, Montana, is visiting the Yellowstone Art Museum in downtown Billings. The museum features artwork from the northern Rocky Mountain and Northern Plain regions. It has over 7,000 permanent exhibits and also features rotating exhibits. If you know art, you can visit the museum and do a self-guided tour, or you can get a tour guide who can explain the history of some of the exhibits. The museum also features educational programs for adults and children; if you are interested, you can take art classes from the museum and improve your skills.

If you love outdoor activities, you can visit several parks and recreational centers in the city. Billings has several parks with various facilities and areas for hiking, biking, picnicking, jogging, fishing, and camping, among other activities. Lake Elmo State Park has a 1.2-mile trail around the lake that is perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. The park also has a 200-acre off-leash dog park where you can let your dog run free. If you want to go hiking or biking, Riverfront Park has one of the best hiking trails in the city. In Billings, other parks you can visit include Zimmerman Park, Swords Park, Phipps Park, Pictograph Cave State Park, and Yellowstone National Park, among many others.

After buying a house in Billings, Montana, one of the things you have to do is learn about the city's history. One way to do so is to visit the Moss Mansion Historic House. One of the oldest families to have settled in Billings owned the Moss Mansion Historic House. You can learn the history of the city, how it was constructed, and its rapid growth to become the largest city in Montana. You can also go to the Zoo Montana and see some local wildlife. If you want to purchase fresh produce for your kitchen, you can attend the Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market every Saturday.