Whitefish, Montana Trip Planner

Fun Things to Do

Whitefish visitors can enjoy a number of attractions without leaving the city limits. Indoor activities provide a welcome break in an adventure-packed schedule or an entertaining option when the weather just won't cooperate.

Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Museum

Located in the restored Great Northern railroad depot, this Whitefish museum allows you to learn more about the area's logging and railroad history.

Downtown Farmer's Market

Held from May through September, Whitefish's weekly open-air market features local produce, flowers, crafts, food booths, and live entertainment.

Live Theater

The O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center is the Whitefish venue for productions from the Whitefish Theatre Company and the Alpine Theatre Project. The facility is also used for art shows, local fairs, dance, workshops, concerts, and film.

The Wave Whitefish Community Aquatic & Health Center

The Wave is a full-service fitness and recreation facility as modern and well-equipped as you'll find in any city, anywhere. In addition to exercise classes, fitness equipment, and a gymnasium, The Wave offers racquetball, handball, and squash courts, a juice and coffee bar, a child care center, a pro shop, a salon, and massage and physical therapy services. The Wave's aquatics center includes a water park area for the kids, a lap pool, a warm water pool, and a Jacuzzi. You can purchase visitor passes at the front desk.

Special Events

The community of Whitefish and the nearby mountain resort host a variety of fun events throughout the year, including:

• Whitefish Winter Carnival 
• Festival Amadeus 
• Huckleberry Days 
• Brewfest 
• Feast Whitefish 
• The Great Northwest Oktoberfest

Summer Recreation in Whitefish

Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain aren't the only places where Whitefish visitors can play. Many outdoor activities can be enjoyed just a short walk or drive from downtown Whitefish.

Bicycling

The streets and roads in and around Whitefish are friendly to casual and serious cyclers alike. The town's Fish Trails, an excellent system of bike and pedestrian paths, meander along Whitefish River, by several city parks, and around the town. You can rent bikes and equipment at Glacier Cyclery, in downtown Whitefish. They'll also provide you with information about other trails and routes in the region.

Golfing

Whitefish visitors can choose from nine different championship golf courses, including: 

• Whitefish Lake Golf Club's two 18-hole courses
• Meadow Lake Golf Course (Columbia Falls)
• Glacier View Golf Course (West Glacier)
• Big Mountain Golf Club (Kalispell)

Fly Fishing

Local lakes and rivers are home to whitefish, lake trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and arctic grayling. Equipment, instruction, and guided fishing trips are available at Whitefish's Lakestream Flyshop.

Visitors can also enjoy swimming, boating, water skiing, and kayaking on Whitefish Lake.

Summer

Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain is a popular destination for all kinds of warm-weather recreation. The resort's "Glacier Chaser" gondola and chairlift operates during their summer season, providing a 15-minute scenic ride to the 7000-foot summit. At the top, the Summit House has a restaurant, shop, restrooms, and Nature Center. While you're up there, you'll enjoy fabulous views of Glacier National Park peaks, Whitefish Lake, and the Flathead Valley.

Hiking

Big Mountain hiking trails run from the village to the top of the mountain; shorter loop trails can be accessed from Summit House. The Danny On National Recreation Trail provides a different, wildflower-sprinkled route to Big Mountain's summit.

Mountain Biking 

The Big Mountain trail system includes over 20 routes for mountain bikers. Mountain bike rentals are available at Snow Ghost Outfitters in the Village.

Horseback Trailrides

Outfitter "Bar W Ranch" provides trail rides suitable for those with minimal experience on horseback.

Walk in the Treetops

Spend time high up at treetop level along a boardwalk suspended between the forest giants. The footbridges link from tree to tree, spanning 800 feet in total length. With a high point of 70 feet above the forest floor, you'll enjoy once-in-a-lifetime views. The tour begins with a safety orientation, followed by a short nature hike to the boardwalk.

More summer activities available at Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain:

• Two different zip line tours
• Aerial Adventure Park
• Alpine Slide

Winter

The Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana, is a premier destination for snow sports enthusiasts. The free SNOW Bus loops between the town of Whitefish and Big Mountain Village. Equipment rentals, lessons, and guides are available at the Resort, along with ski in/ski out lodging, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Whitefish visitors will enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and dog sledding.

Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding

Whitefish Mountain Resort is known for its short lift lines, deep snow, and relatively mild weather. Skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the mountain's diverse terrain, which includes groomed cruisers, open bowls, glades, steeps, and beginner areas.

Cross-Country Skiing

There are several different cross-country ski trails in and around Whitefish.

Glacier National Park Day Trip

Everyone should visit Glacier National Park, one of the nation's great scenic wonders, at least once in their life. Whitefish, Montana, located just a short drive from the park's west entrance, is the perfect base for a Glacier National Park visit. After spending your day touring, hiking, rafting, or fishing, you can return to Whitefish and the comfort of a hot shower, a comfy bed, and a gourmet meal.

One Day in Glacier National Park

If you only have one day to visit Glacier National Park, a driving tour over the Going-to-the-Sun road is a great way to enjoy the park's glaciers, lakes, peaks, and valleys. The steep mountain road connects the towns of West Glacier and St. Mary, passing over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. You'll be able to savor the phenomenal scenery in Glacier National Park from different viewpoints along the route. You'll also be able to access:

• Picnic sites
• Hiking and nature trails
• Apgar Visitor Center
• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Logan Pass Visitor Center
• Saint Mary Visitor Center

Shuttle Bus Tours

If you'd like to leave the driving to the experts, two different companies offer guided shuttle bus tours through the park. These tour companies know the best places to stop to enjoy park scenery.

• Sun Tours - Sit back in the comfort of a modern, air-conditioned shuttle as Native guides share Blackfeet culture and history.
• Red Bus Tours - Enjoy your tour over the Going-to-the-Sun road in an open-aired, vintage red bus.

Shopping

Jewelry, pottery, candies, handcrafts, and outdoor gear; this small mountain town provides you with some uniquely-Montana shopping opportunities. Some examples include the Purple Pomegranate featuring the work of local artists and artisans where you'll be able to choose from unique home décor, jewelry, fashion accessories, and kitchen items.  Outdoor sports enthusiasts will enjoy shopping at Stumptown Snowboards. This shop specializes in outdoor recreation clothing and gear for both summer and winter activities. They also provide ski equipment rental and service.

Dining

Whitefish is home to a surprising variety of superb restaurants. If haute cuisine and award-winning wine lists are your things, you'll find a number of options. Hearty breakfasts, fresh salads and sandwiches, ethnic food, and pub grub are among your other choices. These restaurants are some of the best in Whitefish:

Whitefish Lake Restaurant

Located at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, this rustically elegant restaurant offers steak and seafood dishes, a full bar and wine list, and banquet facilities.

Cafe Kandahar

Located in Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain, Café Kandahar provides divine food and exquisite service, all in an unpretentious atmosphere.

Buffalo Café

This Whitefish breakfast hangout serves up hearty egg dishes, gravy-smothered biscuits, and plate-sized pancakes.

Tupelo Grille

This downtown Whitefish restaurant serves steak, seafood, and pasta prepared in Cajun and Southern styles.

Hotels & Lodging

The friendliness and hospitality so common around Whitefish are especially evident at their hotels and lodging.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake

Deluxe lakeside accommodations with a full-service restaurant, private beach, spa, and boat rentals.

Hidden Moose Lodge

This charming, rustic B&B lodge is nestled in a lovely forested setting.

Kandahar at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Guests will enjoy elegant rooms and access to all of Big Mountain's shops, amenities, and year-round recreation.

Good Medicine Lodge

Cozy rooms, awesome breakfasts, welcoming common areas, and friendly hosts make Good Medicine Lodge a great choice for couples and small families.

How to Get There

Whitefish is located in Montana's Flathead Valley, in the northeast part of the Big Sky State.

By Car

Whitefish is 14 miles north of Kalispell; it can be reached via Highway 93.

By Train

Amtrak's Empire Builder route, which runs daily between Seattle to Chicago, conveniently stops in downtown Whitefish.

By Air

Glacier Park International Airport, located in Kalispell, is served by daily commercial flights. Private charters and sightseeing tours are also available.

Local Ground Transportation

The following companies provide local and airport transportation.

• Airport Shuttle Service 
• Flathead-Glacier Transport Co. 
• Kalispell Taxi
• Wild Horse Limousine

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, TripSavvy believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.