Nature, art, and food are among the best things to do in Whitefish, Montana. Here are the spots I loved for dining, shopping, sleeping, and more.  One of my favourite things to do in Whitefish, Montana, is to explore the shops downtown. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons A gateway to Western Montana’s Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a friendly, close-knit community used to welcoming visitors and outfitting them for all their Park adventures. However, it’s also very much a destination in and of itself. I had the opportunity to visit Whitefish. I fell in love with this cozy town, its expansive list of activities, its wide selection of cute, casual cafes, and its outstanding variety of fun, funky shops. If you have the chance to visit, you should. Here are the best things to do in Whitefish, Montana, so you can start planning your dream trip.  Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort
It’s impossible to talk about Whitefish without talking about skiing. The Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort was ranked #3 in North America by Ski Magazine. This beautiful location is also popular in the summer, as guests can ride a gondola up the mountain to enjoy the spectacular views and then hike back down leisurely. Whitefish Winter Carnival This joyous annual event - usually the second week of February - can turn anyone into a winter lover. The Whitefish Winter Carnival includes a parade, a “penguin plunge,” snow sculptures, and ample community festivities. Whitefish Lake Golf Course The only 36-hole golf complex in Montana, Whitefish Lake Golf Course, offers fantastic views of both the lake and Big Mountain. Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddle Boarding With so many gorgeous lakes, it comes as no surprise that Whitefish is an ideal destination for canoeing, kayaking, and standup paddle boarding. Numerous outfitters offer lessons, equipment rentals, and tours. They include:
Stumptown Art Studio A non-profit organization, Stumptown Art Studio offers pottery painting and glass fusing for kids and adults. It’s the perfect activity on a cloudy day! Through the Windows on Whitefish project, you’ll likely notice some of their artistic touches in and around town. Llama Trekking Llama trekking is easily one of the most fun activities I’ve ever participated in. Led by the team at Swan Mountain (about 1.75 hours outside Whitefish), their llama excursions range from short-day activities to full overnight adventures. The llamas - who love the exercise - happily walk beside you and carry the day’s supplies in their special packs. They’re gentle, cheerful creatures who help take your mind off all the exercise! Cycling Whether you’re after a multi-day adventure or just a relaxing afternoon, the team at the Whitefish Bike Retreat can help set you up with all the gear and guidance you need for a cycling trip. They also offer trailside lodgings and camping for cyclists, outdoor adventurers, and budget-focused travellers. Best Restaurants in Whitefish Huckleberries are the star on most Montana restaurant menus, and Whitefish is no exception. They are equally popular in sweet and savoury dishes, finding their way into sauces, marinades, salad dressings, baked goods, and more. You won’t regret trying them! Downtown Farmers Market Every Tuesday from late May through September (5:00 PM to 7:30 PM), the Downtown Farmers Market welcomes farm vendors, craftspeople, food trucks, and live musicians. Some crowd favourites include Dixon Melons, Sweet Meadow Farm cut flowers, Montana Coffee Traders, and Amazing Crepes. Swift Creek Cafe My favourite lunch spot in Whitefish, my go-to order at the Swift Creek Cafe, is the turkey club sandwich with simple greens and avocado. This little spot is also popular at breakfast, with options like lemon ricotta pancakes with lemon elderflower curd and corned beef hash with ancho Hollandaise. Tupelo Grille A popular Whitefish fine-dining spot since 1995, Tupelo Grille can best be described as a New Orleans-Montana fusion hot spot. Fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade share menu space with elk meatloaf sliders. If available, I highly recommend you save some room for their boozy bread pudding for dessert. Loula’s A ‘from scratch’ diner set in a historic Mason temple building, Loula’s offers breakfast and lunch in a sunny spot filled with art. This is where you go when craving a breakfast burrito or stack of French toast with a side of bacon before hitting the slopes. Their homemade pies are hugely popular. Central Avenue Bakery Deli This low-key little shop offers homemade bagels, soup and sandwiches, packaged cheese, cured meats, and other road-trip-friendly snacks - plus coffee from Fieldheads Coffee Roasting in nearby Big Fork. Sweet Peaks Ice Cream This beloved local handcrafted ice cream shop sells a variety of seasonal flavours and year-round offerings (like Madagascar vanilla, salty caramel, and - yes! - huckleberry). During my visit, I opted for an old-fashioned root beer float. It was the perfect choice! (Note: They offer chicken ice cream for dogs!) Where to Shop In Whitefish Shopping in Whitefish is a browser’s dream. The heart of downtown is filled with beautiful little specialty spots, and, in my experience, proprietors are more than happy to chat and give their own personal recommendations on what to see and do around town. Some of my most memorable stops include the following. Polka Dot Sheep Fine Yarn Formerly known as the Knit ‘n’ Needle Yarn Shop, this is a gorgeous little jewel of a shop with Instagram-worthy displays of beautiful wool. I don’t even knit, and I still bought some! Whitefish Quilts As you might imagine, Whitefish Quilts is chock-full of quilting materials and other craft supplies. They also have a wide selection of huckleberry-flavoured candies, drinks, and condiments. Voyager Booksellers and Copperleaf Chocolat With a used bookstore at the front and a chocolate shop at the back, Voyager Booksellers and Copperleaf Chocolat may have been my favourite stop in all Whitefish. On the book side, they have a solid selection of titles for outdoor adventure, nature, Westerns, and local guides and authors. On the chocolate side, you can find lots of huckleberry (look for the huckleberry lemon cheesecake truffle dipped in dark chocolate). However, my favourite was the seafoam: organic blackstrap molasses cooked until crunchy and then dipped in milk or dark chocolate. Tailwaggers This cute pet shop specializes in healthy pet food and treats and is an ideal spot to grab a small surprise for a furry friend. If you happen to be travelling with your dog, note that they also offer a self-serve “dog wash” station! Spotted Bear Spirits Spotted Bear, a community-minded craft distillery, produces vodka, coffee liquor, and gin. Their beautiful tasting room is one of the liveliest spots in town, and they make incredible cocktails. The Barracuda, a frothy blend of serrano-infused Agave, pineapple, lime, and cucumber, is my favourite. Best Places to Stay In Whitefish For a community of around 6,000 people, Whitefish has an extensive list of accommodation options, from lodges and resorts to downtown brand-name hotels and independent motels to private vacation rentals ranging from low-key Air BnB options to upscale luxury options. It even has treehouses! These are two of the places I recommend again and again. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake As Montana’s only AAA Four Diamond-rated resort, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake offers travellers a long list of amenities. From valet parking and charging stations for electric cars to heated pools, hot tubs, and a private beach area, the Lodge is Whitefish’s most luxurious accommodations. But despite all this, it still retains an air of old-fashioned hospitality. It reminded me of one of the grand old lodges you’d find in a National Park, with its lobby adorned with timber and stone and its program sheet filled with such snug activities as Montana movie nights and S’mores on the terrace. I loved the rooms in the Main Lodge in particular, with the studio suites (approximately 600 square feet) offering guests a lot of space and homey comforts. Snow Bear Chalets Snow Bear offers luxury vacation rental slopeside treehouses and chalets that let you ski in/ski out at Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort. Guests can expect plenty of luxury, including private hot tubs, gourmet kitchens, and beautiful fireplaces. They’re also exceptionally cozy, and the snug touches include heated bathroom floors and baskets by the front door. Hence, every family member has a cubby, turrets with ceilings painted like the midnight sky, and even a copy of The Little Book of Hygge sits in the living room. Pro Tip The Whitefish Trail, a community-driven, multi-partner project to develop a recreational trail system around Whitefish Lake, provides 42 miles of surface trails and 12 trailheads. Spending some time here - hiking, mountain biking, running, or horseback riding - will make you feel like a real local and far removed from the mainstream tourist track. If you enjoyed this post, you'll also like: Made in Montana: The Montana Distillery Experience Llama-Trekking Montana: A Most Memorable Microadventure These Cliffs Are Home To One Of The World's Rarest Roses Comments are closed.
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