There is so much to do in Whitefish, Montana, during your big trip! It doesn’t matter what time of year you come here; there is always something for you to do or see. We love that Whitefish is picturesque any month, featuring white snow-capped peaks in the winter, blooming flowers in the springtime, changing leaves in the fall, and bright blue lakes in the summer. However, if we had to choose just one time to head here, we would love to come here during the summer months! Not only can you go hiking, biking, swimming, and exploring all the breweries and restaurants, but you can attend annual events that don’t occur at other times of the year. Let’s check out the best summer activities for you and your group and a few must-attend Whitefish summer events during your stay here. We promise you will have the vacation of a lifetime!
Head to Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is less than 30 miles from the center of Whitefish, making it the ideal day trip if you are interested in checking out incredible vistas, pushing yourself on lung-busting peak hikes, or going for an easy nature walk through the lush green pine forest. The possibilities are endless!
We recommend taking the Going to the Sun Road from Whitefish to Glacier National Park to see the breathtaking views before you even enter the park. This World Heritage Site is a hiker’s dream, featuring some of the best paths and trails throughout the woods and up the mountainside. Choose a path through one of the 700 miles of trail to see mountain goats, moose, pine trees, shining lakes, and snow-capped peaks.
Along with hiking, you can go whitewater rafting, fishing, and biking in the picturesque national park. We recommend doing a rafting day trip, fly fishing with a professional, and taking a guided bike tour on the paved roads.
Brewery Tour
The second activity that you need to include on your itinerary for your visit to Whitefish is a brewery, winery, or distillery tour. There is no shortage of breweries when you visit Whitefish and the nearby towns, as everyone loves beer, right? We think so! Take a brewery tour and distiller to try the local spirits and the ice-cold IPAs after a long hike in the national park. There is no better way to cool off and relax – plus, you deserve it!
We recommend going to Bonsai Brewing Project for your first pint. Bonsai is a brewery, grill, taproom, and public house with outdoor seating located on Wisconsin Avenue in Whitefish. This bustling brewery features tons of outdoor seating, good vibes, local music, and friendly people in a nature-centric setting.
After Bonsai, head to Montana Tap House to keep the party going. This restaurant and tap house has over 58 current handles on draft, so we guarantee you will always find something that you love. For those who want something a bit lighter, try the Fresh Bongwater American Pale Ale from Kettle House Brewing Company. Do you want something stronger? We love the Stone Patio Magic Triple Imperial IPA made in Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA.
If you don’t want to plan the brewery tour on your own, then use the Big Sky Brews Cruise, which takes you between all of the best spots for beer!
Whitefish Songwriter Festival
One of the must-attend Whitefish, Montana summer events is the Whitefish Songwriter Festival, held on the weekend of September 14-16 in the downtown area. Every day at 3 pm, you can listen to hit songwriters from across the country share their ideas, inspiration, creative ideas, and tales with you. Over two dozen songwriters will fill up the local pubs, breweries, restaurants, theaters, and cafes to chat with the crowd. These are some of the best artists in the industry, so you will have a real treat listening to them! You can even listen to them perform some of their hit songs and talk to them after the show.
Flathead Reggae Festival
The Flathead Reggae Festival at Montana Tap House is a fun way to end a wholesome day of yoga by Come Alive Healing Adventures! Stay for a few drinks afterward for just $25 to enjoy a wholesome practice of yoga from 1-2, local musicians until 3 pm, Borderline Lucid reggae fusion songs until 5 pm, and then numerous DJs who really provide the reggae and funk atmosphere!
Wednesday Night Series
The Wednesday Night Series at Haskill Creek Farms runs from June 14th to August 23rd this summer, featuring food trucks with tasty snacks, live music from local musicians, and ice-cold beer and refreshing glasses of wine that will surely put you in a good mood! This family-friendly event is fun to attend multiple times this summer to meet other people and chat with locals.
Looking for a place to stay close to the best Whitefish summer events? Check out our summer rentals!
