Whitefish, Montana | 2020 Travel Guide 4 SEASON GUIDE PLAN THE ULTIMATE WHITEFISH VACATION SEASONS ................................4 ACTIVITIES ............................ 12 SHOPPING ............................. 20 WELCOME WELLNESS ............................ 24 ARTS & CULTURE ................... 28 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ............ 33 TO STAY ..................................... 34 EAT & DRINK ......................... 42 BANKS ................................. 50 NORTH FLATHEAD VALLEY MAP 51 WHITEFISH, GET HERE .............................. 52 MONTANA WHITEFISH MAP...................... 54 Dear Traveler, Welcome to Whitefish! Our small mountain town is a special place I am proud to call home. Our vibe here is one of a big heart and friendly nature — a town that will surprise even seasoned travelers with our cultural options and cuisine, surrounded by millions of acres WHITEFISH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU of public land. Exhilarating experiences by day and relaxing hospitality by night await you. VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 505 East 2nd Street, Whitefish, Montana 59937 We welcome people from around the world and hope you will enjoy exploring our beautiful 877-862-3548 (Toll Free) 406-862-3395 (Local) backyard and meeting our friendly people. We appreciate travelers who will help us sustain [email protected] the special character of Whitefish — our environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the P.O. Box 4232, Whitefish, Montana 59937 well-being of our residents. 406-862-3390 (Admin Office) What does this mean for you? Please patronize our locally-owned businesses, showcased © 2020 Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau. here in this travel guide. Look for handmade local gifts in our Central Avenue shops. Hire This publication was developed by Whitefish Conven- tion and Visitors Bureau. Each property and service a local guide to show you the best of Whitefish and Glacier National Park. Look for public described in this publication are independently owned transportation options like our local S.N.O.W. Bus. Find that small, out-of-the way business and operated and are members of the Whitefish where you’ll get to know the owner. Join us for a local celebration like Winter Carnival. Rent Convention and Visitors Bureau, a non-profit member a bicycle and wander our local pathways. Think local. And above all, please tread lightly. organization. Please help support our members! Your comments and feedback are welcome. Please email us at [email protected]. Unauthorized When you return from your adventures, tell your friends! But maybe keep that local secret reproduction or use of this publication in whole or part spot you discovered a little bit secret and join us in keeping Whitefish special for your next is not permitted. Printed in U.S.A. for domestic and visit and for those of us who call it home. international distribution. Cover Photo: Grant Gunderson We do hope you come back again and again. The door is always open in Whitefish. Photo: Chuck Haney We can’t wait to show you around. Nasukoin Mountain Trail in the Whitefish Range of the Flathead National Forest Mayor John M. Muhlfeld explorewhitefish local resident for 25 years whitefishmt FALL IS PRIME TIME in Whitefish—sunny and warm with trails waiting to be explored and rivers and lakes to paddle on with hardly another soul in sight. The western larch turn a brilliant gold and snow dusts the high peaks, providing a breathtaking view for hiking, biking and paddling around Whitefish and in Glacier National Park. Indulge culinary senses when local farms celebrate the harvest with farm-to-table dinners. AUTUMN A PERFECT DAY With an out of town friend visiting Whitefish for the first time, I aim to show off the perfect fall day in Whitefish. First things first… breakfast at the Swift Creek Café for one of their famous scrambles. Fueled up, we head out to the Bar W Guest Ranch and saddle up for a two hour trail ride – a leisurely amble through dappled sunlight Photo © Marc O’Brien, The Whitefish Trail reflecting on golden larch and aspen. We decide to do a bit of ADVENTURES shopping before lunch, so we hit Central Avenue for some unique Made-in-Montana gifts to take home as souvenirs. A grab-n-go lunch from the Wich Haus makes for a perfect picnic at City Beach – the afternoon sun sparkling off of Whitefish Lake. Needing to burn some calories, it’s off to the Swift Creek Trailhead of The Whitefish Trail at the head of Whitefish Lake – from there a 2.5 mile hike takes us to Smith Lake where we spy a family of turtles sunning themselves on a fallen log. Before dinner, a stop at the Sky Bar at Casey’s Pub is in order to take in the fall colors, crisp air and a signature cocktail. We walk to Tupelo Grille where the sounds of jazz accompany our meal, capped off with the best Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée west of the Mississippi. A perfect fall day it was. ~ Sarah S., Office Manager at Explore Whitefish Photo © Noah Couser, The Rooftop SkyBar at Casey’s Saddle up for a leisurely amble through dappled sunlight reflecting on golden larch and aspen. Photo © Brian Schott Photo © Brian Schott EXPLORE WHITEFISH | 5 THE PEAKS OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK are the backdrop for winter adventure. Home to world class skiing and snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish also offers cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowcat skiing. Snuggle up for a horse drawn sleigh ride, or pretend to be an Iditarod musher on a dog sledding expedition. Off-snow adventures abound with fitness studios, ice skating, great shopping and dining. WINTER Photo © Noah Couser, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake WONDERS Photo © Montana Office of Tourism & Business Development, Winter Woods Dog Sled Tours A PERFECT DAY I peek out the window and see that a few inches of fresh snow are covering the sidewalk! A quick glance at the Snow Report at skiwhitefish.com confirms what I had already been suspecting— A quick phone call to Powder Day! I quickly get dressed and head out the door for what is certain to be a memorable day. A quick stop at Fleur Bake Shop the Snow Report line for a coffee and some pastries will help get the blood moving as I dream about the powder turns that will soon be mine. I head up to the street to grab a pair of demo skis at Great Northern Cycle at Whitefish Mountain & Ski—12” of fresh snow is going to require some true powder skis. Demo skis in hand, I catch the S.N.O.W. Bus for a free ride up the mountain to join the party. The next few hours are filled with Resort confirms what powdery turns, high fives and endless smiles. By late afternoon, my legs are shot and my stomach is growling. Another easy ride on I had already suspected the S.N.O.W. Bus back to town leads me to Great Northern Brewing Company for a sandwich and a local brew. As I stand in line to grab another round, I can’t help but chuckle when I glance around — Powder Day! the brewery and notice I’m not the only one still in ski boots. Just another perfect winter day in Whitefish! ~ Dan H., Bartender at Great Northern Brewing Company Photo © Craig Moore EXPLORE WHITEFISH | 7 SPRING IS THE SECRET SEASON in Whitefish. Snowplows push their way up Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road allowing scenic bike rides and casual hikes before the alpine road is opened to motor vehicles. The waterfalls are in full action and the motor-free road provides a quiet gateway into the heart of the park. Rent a paddleboard or kayak and float lazily down the Whitefish River as it meanders through town or meet up with a guide to find the perfect fishing hole. The Whitefish SPRING Trail is in prime condition for hiking and mountain biking as spring blooms line the trail. DISCOVERY Photo © Montana Office of Tourism & Business Development Photo © Montana Office of Tourism & Business Development, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park A PERFECT DAY I start my day by riding my townie over to Montana Coffee Traders for a cup of coffee and breakfast burrito. It’s a great place to check emails and finalize details for the day’s tours. On my way out the door, The waterfalls are I pick my order of sandwiches and cookies for our guests that will be riding the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road with us today. I head back in full action and to the office, grab the shuttle van and our guides, and head over to Glacier Cyclery to load our guest’s rental bikes (by the way, you can now e-bike Going-to-the-Sun Road!). After picking up our guests from the motor-free road their lodging in Whitefish, we head to Glacier National Park. We arrive in the park and start our casual pedal along the road — a real treat as the portion we are on is open exclusively to bicycles and foot traffic (no provides a quiet cars!) through spring until late June. After enjoying our Montana Coffee Trader’s sandwiches and cookies at “the Loop” we continue onward and gateway into the upward until we reach the snow plows, passing jaw dropping views of mountains, waterfalls and scenic overlooks that can be a challenge to experience during the busy summer months. We make the exhilarating heart of the park. descent to our shuttle vehicle and head back to Whitefish while sharing stories about the day’s adventures. Later that evening, the family and I walk downtown to Abruzzo Italian Kitchen where I celebrate another day in paradise with the Seafood Pasta and one of their world famous Old Fashioneds.