Just back from: Big Sky, Montana

When I visit a place, it's always about the energy I feel when I'm there. For me, some destinations resonate so deep in my soul that I know I'll return to them again and again. Montana is one such place. During COVID, my husband and I spent a month in Big Sky. With its wide-open spaces and truly big skies, Montana offered a sense of peace and space that was truly comforting, especially during such a difficult time in the world.

I still think about our days hiking, fly fishing, exploring Yellowstone and the charming Western town of Bozeman—and the evenings spent on our patio beneath a moonlit sky, with stars so bright and plentiful I was awestruck.

When it came time to choose a destination for three generations of our family this summer, returning to Montana felt right. I'm so glad we did. It offered exactly the balance we hoped for: enough adventure to keep everyone engaged, and enough room to slow down and simply be together.

My husband and I arrived ahead of the group, spending a night in Bozeman before stocking up and heading to Big Sky. Once everyone arrived, we began with a private-chef dinner at the house—a lovely, relaxed way to ease into the week.

The days that followed had something for every age: a visit to an alpaca farm, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, and a ride up the Lone Peak Tram to 11,166 feet, where the views seemed to stretch forever. We shared barbecue along the Gallatin River at Riverhouse, a beautifully atmospheric creekside dinner at Field Kitchen, and a picnic with music on the lawn at 320 Guest Ranch—where my husband even made a cameo on harmonica.

Montana has a way of making a family trip feel both expansive and intimate. Everyone found their own version of the week, but the moments we remember most are the ones we shared.