Congrats! You've made it to Whitefish, Montana. You can't wait to lace up your hiking boots, hop on your mountain bike, enjoy a Scenic Lift Ride or check out the Zip Line Tours at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Without a doubt you plan to visit Glacier National Park, drive the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road and maybe even hike to a remote alpine lake. But no visit to this area is complete without spending time in Whitefish, home to many shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, art galleries and entertainment venues. There are so many things to do in Whitefish, Montana!
Here's a helpful guide to plan your days in and around town.
1. Know how to get around Whitefish!
The first thing you should know is that the S.N.O.W. Bus (Shuttle Network of Whitefish) offers free rides between the resort and downtown Whitefish every day of the summer! Whether you're staying in our on-mountain lodging or somewhere in town, the S.N.O.W. Bus lets you beat traffic and skip the hassle of parking on busy days, so you can spend more time having fun at each of your destinations. Taxis, hotel shuttles and rideshare services Uber and Lyft are available in Whitefish, too.
2. Start your day the right way!
Breakfast (or brunch) is the most important meal of the day, and Whitefish has many fantastic places to fuel up for whatever adventures lie ahead.
For classic diner fare and much more, you can't go wrong with the Buffalo Café, Loula's Café or Swift Creek Café. Fleur Bake Shop is the place to go for artisanal bread and pastries freshly baked in house. Coffee connoisseurs must visit Folklore Coffee, Montana Coffee Traders and Wild Coffee Co. Other great options include Amazing Crepes, Cutthroat Bagel Co., Huck's Place and the deli counter at Markus Community Market!
3. Take a hike and learn about nature!
After breakfast, get outside for some fresh air and light activity. You don't have to drive far or trek into the backcountry to experience some of the natural beauty this region has to offer!
At Whitefish Mountain Resort, you can hike and pick huckleberries along the Danny On Memorial Trail, which spans nearly 4 miles from the village area to the summit of Big Mountain. Along the way, you'll pass through evergreen woods and wildflower-studded meadows while enjoying spectacular views of the Flathead Valley, the Northern Rockies and Glacier National Park. If you only want to hike one way, get a ticket for a Scenic Lift Ride up or down the mountain!
At the top of the mountain, be sure to visit the U.S. Forest Service's Summit Nature Center located on the bottom floor of the Summit House. It's filled with hands-on wildlife exhibits so visitors of all ages can learn about the plants and animals of Northwest Montana!
There's also the Whitefish Trail, a network of multiuse trails spanning nearly 50 miles around the city. The most popular section covers Lion Mountain, a short drive west of downtown. You can even hike or bike from the resort directly into town via the Big Mountain and Reservoir trailheads. Remember to look out for wildlife and other trail users!
4. Explore summer activities on Big Mountain!
If you've made it this far, you're probably aware that Whitefish Mountain Resort isn't just an amazing place to ski and snowboard in the winter — it's also a bustling summer playground with activities for all ages and skill levels!
The mountain offers a choose-your-own-adventure experience for everyone in your family or friend group, with activities ranging from relaxing Scenic Lift Rides to high-adrenaline downhill mountain biking on more than 20 miles of lift-accessed trails!
We like to call it our "adventure scale," featuring something special for every guest and every mood. A day spent at Whitefish Mountain Resort will leave you feeling thrilled, energized, nourished, full of awe — or all of the above!
Here you can fly high on Montana's longest lift-served Zip Line Tour, featuring six lines that carry you up to 300 feet above the forest floor!
Or you can climb, swing, jump and zip from tree to tree in the Aerial Adventure Park! This obstacle course features cable bridges, rope ladders, zip lines and even a trapeze — a dream playground for the kids and kids at heart!
Or you can twist and turn down the Alpine Slides! Picture a water slide, but instead of water, you coast down the hill on a rolling cart while controlling your speed with a hand brake!
Little ones will love Spider Monkey Mountain, a two-story climbing tower with a giant inflatable slide down from the top! But be warned: They'll want to climb it over and over again!
And there are great places to eat and drink on the mountain, including the Summit House, with its spectacular views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley, and the Base Lodge, where you can relax on the patio, sip a beer, cocktail or freshly brewed latte, and play cornhole and other lawn games.
Don't just take pretty pictures of the mountain from downtown Whitefish. Come on up and see what it's all about!
5. Swim, paddle and sunbathe at Whitefish Lake!
Who doesn't love spending time on the water? Whitefish Lake is a local gem, easily accessible from City Beach. Lounge in the sun with a good book or a picnic spread, take a dip in the buoyed swimming area, or rent a kayak, tube or paddleboard from Whitefish Outfitters & Tours.
Pro tip: From the beach, paddle a few hundred yards west and you'll see the outlet to the Whitefish River, where you can begin a leisurely mile-long float to Riverside Park. There's a parking lot along Baker Avenue where you can stage a car for the return trip, or you can turn around and paddle back to the beach.
If you want to enjoy some waterfront views while sipping a cocktail, head to the Tiki Bar at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Don't forget the sunscreen!
6. Hit the links!
Golfers, rejoice! You can book a tee time at the world-class Whitefish Lake Golf Club to enjoy 18 holes of golf and picturesque Rocky Mountain scenery. The North and South courses feature tree-lined fairways, bentgrass greens, beautiful bunkers and exceptional views of Whitefish and Lost Loon lakes.
7. Experience the local art scene!
Whitefish is home to nearly a dozen art galleries displaying many locally crafted masterpieces! Pay them a visit any time, or take a stroll through town during the Whitefish Arts Festival on Whitefish Gallery Nights — the first Thursday of each month during the summer and fall — for a dose of creativity as well as complimentary refreshments. On weekends you're sure to find live music at one of the local bars or restaurants, or you can watch a live play or musical at one of the stage theaters in town — the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and the O'Shaugnessy Cultural Arts Center.
8. Tuck into a perfect dinner!
As we've mentioned already, Whitefish has many great places to eat. Downtown you'll find a wide variety of dinner options, from tasty pub burgers to fine dining and everything in between — Japanese, Mexican, Cajun, Italian, Mediterranean and more. No matter what you're in the mood for, you're sure to find a satisfying and memorable meal. And remember, restaurants here get busy during the summer months, so call ahead or check their websites in case you need a reservation!
9. Sip craft beer and spirits made in Montana!
Whitefish bars and restaurants serve a wide variety of beers made in Montana. We also have two breweries right here in town! Blackstar Brewpub serves up beers by Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. and Bonsai Brewing Project offers distinctive small-batch brews you'll only find in Whitefish. If you prefer craft cocktails, pay a visit to Spotted Bear Spirits for a selection of unique liqueurs and other offerings from their distillery. Toast to a day well spent in Whitefish, Montana!