It's been called lonely, sleepy, and in the middle of nowhere. And we'll admit, at first glance, the little town of Shelby Montana may seem pretty dull... but spend a little time here and you'll see that there's much more to Shelby than you might think! In fact, if you enjoy golf, learning about local history, exploring a historic downtown area, and eating tasty food with friendly locals, we highly recommend spending a relaxing weekend here (or two). I love exploring small, unexpected towns and this is a great one to start with.

The little city of Shelby is located in Toole County, about 35 miles south of the Canadian border.

Shelby was named after Peter P. Shelby, a general manager of the Montana Central Railroad. The city lies on the trans-continental east-west main line of the Great Northern Santa Fe Railroad, which runs between Minneapolis and Seattle.

One fantastic way to explore the area is on foot, which you can do by utilizing the Roadrunner Trail.

Choose either the two-mile or the five-mile option and enjoy the views of the Rocky Mountains and Sweetgrass Hills.

While there are plenty of things to do in Shelby, MT, the town's largest attraction could be considered the Marias Valley Golf & Country Club, an 18-hole championship golf course right on the Marias River.

Not only does this rank among the top public courses in Montana, it's also one of the most challenging. It's certainly one of the best things to do in Shelby.

The pace of play is rarely an issue here. There are four sets of tees that will challenge golfers of all skill levels.

When you've finished your round, feel free to kick back with a snack and a cold one at the on-site restaurant.

For such a small city, Shelby has quite a few parks.

As a bonus, Champions Park also happens to be a historic site.

Shelby was the site of the 1923 World Championship Dempsey-Gibbons boxing match, one of its claims to fame.

The park's displays detail not only the match itself but also all of the pivotal events that led up to it. It's a very interesting series of events that most Montanans aren't even aware of.

The younger residents of Shelby appreciate the Carousel Rest Area, a place to slow down for a while and have some fun.

The beautiful carousel and other activities here are all thanks to Harry Benjamin, who knew the state of Montana had limited funds for public rest areas within the communities, so he decided to create a public gathering spot himself. Whether you're just passing by or the Carousel is your only destination, you'll have a great time.

Admittedly, Shelby doesn't have many restaurants, which is to be expected in a town of only 3,000 people, but they do have a few great spots.

When hunger strikes, just head to the Alibi Lounge.

The Alibi Lounge has been a local favorite for decades -- everyone loves the family-friendly sports bar.

The next time you're passing through Shelby on your way to Glacier National Park, stop and stay awhile.

You just might be charmed by this sweet little city.

This overlooked town is so much more than it seems... there's a reason it often makes our lists of the most charming small towns in Montana! Have you ever visited Shelby Montana? If so, we'd love to hear your tips and tricks for making a visit extra special. Let us know in the comments! For more information on our restaurant recommendation, check out the Alibi Lounge Facebook page.

After visiting Shelby MT, consider checking out Montana's other small towns. Each one is beautiful and totally unique. A great way to enjoy a new town is by turning a visit into a long weekend. And, our favorite way to do that is by enjoying a local vacation rental.