Montana is home to wide-open spaces and the big sky above. In a tiny town just outside Glacier National Park, discover why people travel from all over the world to experience the outdoor adventures that await. Here’s a quick list of some of the best things to see in Whitefish.
Glacier National Park
No matter the time of year you visit, this national treasure is not to be missed. The fall months mark the beginning of the main road closing; however, visitors can still drink in the amazing views from the open sections of the park. Apgar Village is a gorgeous spot to dip a toe in a glacier lake and take some amazing pictures. In the summer months, cruise all the way through the park on the infamous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers stunning mountain views and changing mountain foliage at every turn. The park itself has over 700 miles of trails to explore, so strap on your hiking boots and explore the glaciers up close and personal. Whether you enjoy hiking or mountain biking on the mountain trails in the summer months, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing the trails in colder months or even ice climbing, you’ll find it all here in this gorgeous national park.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Who knew there’s a real live outdoor amusement park right here in Whitefish, MT? In the winter months, enjoy skiing for days on the white powdery slopes of The Big Mountain. In the summer, the mountain transforms before your very eyes, revealing a scenic gondola ride, tubing obstacles, alpine slides, and Montana’s longest zip line tour. As if soaring high above the tree lines isn’t exciting enough, guests can try their luck on the cable bridges and rope ladders found within the Aerial Adventure Park. Have you ever swung from a trapeze at the summit of a mountain? Now is your chance and definitely a thing to see in Whitefish
Whitefish City Beach
At Whitefish Lake, Whitefish City Beach is 7 miles of sandy beach with docks, gazebos, and picnic tables. During the warm summer months, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard for a day of fun on the water. Bring your own jet ski, canoe or boat too or just swim in the crisp cool waters of this glacier lake.
Downtown Whitefish
A quaint setting in a small town, downtown Whitefish is the perfect location for adopting a slower pace. Grab a gourmet coffee and pastry from one of the multiple shops and explore the centuries old infrastructure that comprises so many of the shops and train station. Iconic western-looking architecture with Wild West accents gives off a cool western vibe, makes just walking around town an experience. Browse through the antique stores, custom boutiques, art galleries, and souvenir shops and absorb the culture of this sweet little town. Be sure to take a look at the Historic Whitefish Depot (one of the few Amtrak stops in the state) and the free museum inside.
Brewery & Distillery Tours
Like many other spots around the country, the Whitefish area has a growing craft beer and distillery industry. Two local distilleries to try are Spotted Bear Spirits for house-made vodka, gin, and a coffee liqueur, and Whistling Andy where you can taste their whiskeys, gins, the Spirit of Sperry (a huckleberry flavored vodka) and more.
Enjoy tours at the local breweries on your own, where you can move at your own pace. A few area breweries for your list include Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse, Bias Brewing, Sacred Waters Brewing Company, Kalispell Brewing Company, Sunrift Beer Company, Blackslope Brewing, Bonsai Brewing Project, koocanusa brewery, and H.A. Brewing. Or book a guided brewery tour and let someone else do the driving. Spend four hours learning about craft breweries and tasting some of the local breweries wares when you take the Big Sky Brews Cruise. Or hop on the Montana Brew Bus for a tour one of their brewery tours, distillery tours or winery tours.
Local Theater
Local theater has always played a big part in the old west. Here’s your chance to continue the tradition. The Whitefish Theatre Company has been offering a wide variety of productions for over 42 years and is an example of community theater at its best. The Alpine Theatre Project was founded in 2004, with productions are staged by professionals who work on Broadway, but also happen to be local residents. Past productions have included Peter Pan, The Who’s Tommy, Big Fish, and Chicago.
Things to See in Whitefish – Flathead Valley
A drive through the Flathead Valley is a perfect way to experience the towering mountain ranges of Montana from below. Just 45 minutes south of Whitefish you’ll arrive at Flathead Lake. You can’t miss it, as it’s the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Missouri River. Charter a fishing excursion or rent kayaks or jet skis from Basecamp Bigfork for a memorable day on the lake, complete with mountain views, giant skies, and fantastic people watching as people shuffle their way through the tiny downtown area of Bigfork. Contact us!