The Top Things to Do in Whitefish, Montana and the Surrounding Area

It’s hard to believe that a place with a population of under 10,000 people can be such an immense tourist draw. Then you arrive here, and you see the top things to do in Whitefish, and it’s all of a sudden very easy to believe. Whether it’s outdoor adventure you’re after, or simply a vibrant, historic downtown core, Whitefish has you covered.

After exploring Missoula, and taking a few deep breaths at the Double Arrow Lodge, I headed onwards to the Whitefish - a city that feels made with for those who want to get a genuine feel for the wonders of Western Montana.

There’s a bustling downtown core that feels fit for a place with a much larger population but, in a sense, it’s a place that’s built with the understanding that people want to visit, and when that’s the case, shops, hotels, restaurants and the like tend to follow.

That being said, the people that I had the pleasure of meeting along the way tended to all be locals as opposed to tourists, and they walked me through how the place has changed over the years, and how they’re trying to make sure they never lose what has always made this place tick.

As visitors, we can help by focusing on supporting longtime local establishments, and ensuring that when we do visit “Montana’s outdoor recreation playground,” we’re showing as much respect for the city and its surroundings as anyone who calls this place home might.

A Little More About Whitefish, MT

This area has always been rich in resources and wildlife, and thus Native American tribes (most notably the the Kootenai, the Bitterroot Salishthe, and the Pend d’Oreille) are reported to have called this area home for well almost 15,000 years before any Europeans arrived.

Traders and trappers began coming through the area, but it wasn’t until 1883 that someone built a cabin on the shore of Whitefish Lake and, in effect, founded modern day Whitefish.

Logging began to take off over the next decade, and then the Great Northern Railway arrived in 1904. This railway, as you might imagine, sparked significant development and movement in Whitefish. Goods could now be moved out, and people could now arrive to see what all the fuss was about.

In the 1930s, it was the idea of skiing that drew people in. Once the first ski resort was up and running, its reputation began to grow, and hitting the slopes is still a big part of the winter draw today. However, regardless of the season, there’s no shortage of things to do in Whitefish, and that’s precisely what I’ll show you down below.

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What to Do in Whitefish During Your Visit

Appreciate Whitefish Lake

Whitefish Lake, MT — Not *quite* ready for swimming, but beautiful nonetheless.

It’d be a shame to head all the way to Whitefish, and not make a little time for Whitefish Lake. That being said, that’d be hard to do, as the city and the lake are interconnected in a myriad of ways.

In the warmer months, Whitefish Lake is known for its water sports, and particularly swimming, paddling, waterskiing and wakeboarding. You’ll find rental companies all over town if any of those activities interest you.

City Beach is a great starting point since they’ve got a roped off swimming area, but also picnic tables and gazebos which make it a gathering point for locals and visitors alike. Whatever the season, you’ll find some epic views rom here. Parents will likely want to know that there’s typically a lifeguard on duty at the beach as well.

If beaches aren’t your thing, you can take in the sights and sounds of Whitefish Lake from Whitefish Lake State Park. Many water lovers use this as a place to launch their boat, but there are also camping grounds, areas for fishing, swimming areas and more. It’s only 10 acres in size, and it tends to be a little quieter and more secluded than the likes of Whitefish City Beach.

On the northeast edge of the lake, you’ll find Les Mason Park, which is also now officially a state park. Just follow the small trail (and there’s also a universally accesible paved trail) through the woods to the beach. Note that the City Beach is sand, and this is gravel, but no less beautiful since the views in Whitefish tend to be rather enveloping, regardless of where you are.

Check Out the Whitefish depot

The Great Northern Railway built the Whitefish Depot in the late 1920s. The architect, Thomas D’arcy McMahon, designed the station in the “Tudor Revival” style that was popular at the time with alpine resort hotels.

It fell into disrepair in the early 1980s, and the Stumptown Historical Society pushed hard for restoration as opposed to demolition. We all ought to be awfully grateful of that. “Stumptown,” by the way, is a nickname for Whitefish based on their logging history.

And so, in the 1990s, a new waiting room was built along with offices, all while preserving those half-timbered walls. Improvements to the station continue to this day, but it’s original style remains intact.

For more information on the station, including hours and accessibility, head here.

Set Foot on the Whitefish Trail

It would be a mistake to come all the way out here and not spend time on the Whitefish Trail. It’s a short drive from the downtown core, but upon arrival, you immediately feel worlds away from it all.

I threw on my hiking boots to tackle this trail in the colder months, but I also saw plenty of people just out walking their dog, or getting a bit of fresh air. All that to say, it’s not terribly technical or difficult.

I tackled the Lion Mountain Trailhead (accessed via Lion Mtn. Loop Road a little outside of town), and it wasn’t too hard (or time consuming) to follow this trail up to some scenic, sweeping views of the surrounding area. The trails, thankfully, are very well marked and maintained.

If you want a variety of routes, or are planning a day of hiking, further down Highway 93 North, you can also access the Skyles Connection, the Twin Bridges Trailhead, and the Beaver Lakes Trailhead.

Go Gallery Hopping

Whitefish, Montana has a burgeoning art scene, it would seem. It was hard to walk anywhere without seeing a gallery that I might want to pop my head into.

If visiting galleries is your thing, then you might want to visit Going to the Sun Gallery, FoR Fine Art, Cawdrey Gallery, Dick Idol Signature Gallery, Underscore Art or the Hollman Miller Gallery.

Go Out for A Meal

There are plenty of options for a nice meal in Whitefish, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some of my favourites:

Loula’s Cafe: This spot felt like a home away from home, like you’re being taken care of by family. They’ve got a popular array of breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, incredible house-made chicken tenders, and pie that you need to save room for. If it’s packed, walk across the street to the low-key family run cafe, Swift Creek Cafe.
Ciao Mambo: An art filled restaurant where you’ll fill up on classic Italian dishes and, of course, with a very healthy looking wine list.
Jersey Boys Pizzeria: If you’re looking or something quick and delicious, Jersey Boys has a unique approach to pizza (especially when it comes to their rather eccentric toppings), and delectable subs. This place is a gem.
Buffalo Cafe: A family run joint that’s known for their craft burgers. That being said, you might want to give their Montana elk tacos a try!
Tupelo Grille: A top-tier spot serving cajun-style cuisine.

If you’re headed out on the town, and want a restaurant meets bar type situation, then look towards The Great Northern Bar & Grill, Bulldog Saloon, Craggy Range Bar & Grill, The Remington Bar, or Montana Tap House.

Explore Whitefish’s Downtown

If you’re visiting Whitefish, you should allot some time simply to wander around the downtown core. There are gift shops like Crystal Winters and Meriwether, places to check out some clothing such as Chill Clothing Company, The Village Shop, The Nest Boutique and The Toggery Montana, some pottery available at Whitefish Pottery, and even places to grab a bottle of something to warm you up at Spotted Bear Spirits.

Conversely, if it happens to be on the warmer side that day, then don’t miss Sweet Peaks Ice Cream!

The reality is that the most fun thing to do here is to put aside some time to walk in and out shops, meet some of the warm folks running these places, and you’ll naturally end up walking away with something worth having - even if that’s a triple scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but do make time for it. It’s not a large downtown core, but it’s packed with great spots.

Embrace the ARts

When a city has galleries, there are tend to be some theatres.

The Whitefish Performing Arts Center is a good place to start to see if there’s anything on while you’re there. It’s a 75 year auditorium located in the downtown core that seats about 450 and recently underwent a 5 million+ renovation effort.

If you want to know how important this place is to the community, here’s the list of companies that have utilized their stage in recent memory: Alpine Theatre Project (ATP), Whitefish Arts Council (WAC), Glacier Symphony and Chorale (GSC), Singer and Simpson Productions, FreshLife Church (FLC), Home School Theatre Club (HSTC), Dance Elements, Noble Dance, On The Stage With Mike Eldred, North Valley Music School, Montana Repertory Theatre performances sponsored by the Whitefish Theatre Company and more.

You should also check out Whitefish Theatre Company. They’re a non-profit, community based performing arts organization that have been at it for over 40 years. They perform at the 325 or so seat I.A. O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Stay Somewhere Interesting

In an effort to provide the best possible article possible, I actually stayed at two different establishments, each with their own vibe.

First, I stayed at The Firebrand Hotel, right in the downtown core. It’s a happening place with a busy restaurant and bar that’s a place to be on most weekend nights. It’s modern and sophisticated with nice rooms and a pretty epic rooftop complete with a hot tub. You can learn more here.

I also opted for something a little different, a little more rustic, when I stayed at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. It’s a place that’s “inspired by the grand lodges of the past, with all the conveniences of the present.” You’re surrounded by mountains on all sides, and you’ve got views of Whitefish Lake off the back of the lodge.

It’s a short drive from downtown Whitefish, but it feels removed from it all. My room was also spacious, and came with a fireplace and balcony, and could have easily housed a small family. They offer happy hours and snacks, can help you plan activities regardless of season, and have a beautiful property to put around and explore.

Find out more here.

What Else Should You Consider While Visiting Whitefish?

If you’re there between late May and late September, I’d recommend visiting the Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market (located on the north end of Central Avenue). It runs on Tuesdays between 5-7:30pm, and there’s often plenty of live music and prepared food to go along with the fresh produce.
If you’re a golfer, and you’re there in the warmer months, you’ll want to have Whitefish Lake Golf Club on your radar. This is a course with a history that dates back to the 1920s, and they’ve grown and expanded ever since. They now have a north and south course to choose from. You can look at available tee times here.

What’s Near Whitefish That’s Worth Noting

If you’re in Whitefish, part of relishing being here is understanding what’s all around you. I was there in the winter, so I tried to consider what unique experiences I could focus on. That being said, it’s an all season destination and they’ll be no shortage of things to do, especially in the outdoors, anytime you’re here.

Dog sledding with Dog Sled Adventures outside Whitefish, MT

Go Dog Sledding at Dog Sled Adventures: Jeff Ulsamer has been running Dog Sled Adventures since 1979, and it all started with saving dogs from the pound that Jeff knew were made for the outdoors, and deserved the chance to run amuck. That focus continues to this day, and dog sledding here was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in recent memory. You ride through the forest with 8-12 pups for about an hour to an hour and a half, and it’s incredible. Check out this Reel I made if you want to see it in action.
Visit Nearby National Parks: For starters, Flathead National Forest is located only about a 20 or so minute drive southeast of Whitefish. It’s home to over 2000 miles of trails complete with running rivers and rugged wilderness. The big draw is, of course, Glacier National Park, located about a 30 minute drive northeast. One big policy of Western Montana tourism is the idea of “recreating responsibly,” and Glacier National Park has, at times, been overrun with visitors, so please keep this at the forefront of your mind if you do choose to visit.
If it’s exploring other towns your after, consider visiting Kalispell, the largest town in the Flathead Valley, located only 15 miles south of Whitefish. Note the 19th century architecture running up and down Main Street.
Hungry Horse Dam is about a 30 minute drive away and comes complete with their own visitor center. Quietly, it’s one of the biggest dams in the country!
Go Snowmobiling with Swan Mountain Snowmobiling: I did the Canyon Creek Quickie Tour, and it was sensational. It was about 2-3 hours on the sled and we covered some serious ground with unforgettable views along the way. If you’re there in the winter time, I would absolutely consider going on a ride with them. Check out this Reel if you want to see it in action.

Nothing like being on snowmobile out here!

Whether you stay in the downtown core or at a nearby lodge, stick around the central happenings or venture to the nearby ski hills, hiking trails, and national parks, Whitefish is a place I’m confident you’re going to create a whole treasure trove of wonderful new memories.

I want to humbly thank the Glacier Country Montana for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.

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