Whitefish is a small town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The population was 6,357 at the 2010 census.
Whitefish is a historic town in the northern Flathead Valley on the southern end of Whitefish Lake. Whitefish was founded in 1905 as a stopover for the Great Northern Railroad. Traditional industries in Whitefish have included logging, ranching, and farming.
Today the town offers recreational activities including skiing, water sports, climbing and exploring. Whitefish Mountain Resort to the north of town offers excellent skiing in the winter, and Glacier National Park to the east is a major hiking and camping destination. Flathead Lake to the south is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and features many opportunities for water sports and boating.
- Whitefish Lake is on the NW corner of the town. Walking distance to downtown, there is a state park and city beach on the shores. It is roughly 3300 acres and popular in summer for boating. There are public access boat launches, with a small marina at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. The Lodge also rents boats and jet skis.
- Glacier National Park is 27 miles (43 km) to the west of Whitefish along US 2 to West Glacier. Many backpackers and adventurers use Whitefish as a staging point for expeditions into the park.
- Whitefish Museum, 500 Depot St, +1 406-862-0067. Winter: M-Sa 11AM-3PM; summer: M-Sa 10AM-4PM; call about Sundays in summer. Historical museum operated by Stumptown Historical Society. Learn about the logging and railroad industry and the impacts they had on Flathead Valley. Free.
Whitefish Lake is on the NW corner of the town. Walking distance to downtown, there is a state park and city beach on the shores. It is roughly 3300 acres and popular in summer for boating. There are public access boat launches, with a small marina at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. The Lodge also rents boats and jet skis.
Whitefish Museum, 500 Depot St, +1 406-862-0067. Winter: M-Sa 11AM-3PM; summer: M-Sa 10AM-4PM; call about Sundays in summer. Historical museum operated by Stumptown Historical Society. Learn about the logging and railroad industry and the impacts they had on Flathead Valley. Free.
- 'Whitefish Mountain Resort (known formerly as Big Mountain), just north of the city on the aptly named Big Mountain. Offers a wide variety of terrain, from moguls to powder to bunny hills. Many businesses, including a few hotels, operate at the base of the hill.
- Golf Big Mountain also operates as a golf resort in the summer. The Whitefish Lake Golf Club, just west of the city on the lake is also worth checking.
- Hike and Bike Big Mountain has several hiking and biking trails in the summer. Glacier National Park has 735 miles (1180 km) of trails. Glacier Guides offers day-hiking and multi-day backpacking adventures in Glacier National Park.
- Fish Fly fishing is the choice in and around Whitefish. Close to the Flathead River, trout fishing is ample during summer and fall. There are two fly shops in Whitefish. There are many lakes in the area that support fishing, though rivers are better. Montana Raft offers guided fishing trips on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead Rivers.
- Boating Water sports form kayaking down the lazy flowing Whitefish River to water skiing across Whitefish Lake can be enjoyed. Boats can be rented from local business. Montana Raft offers guided rafting or raft rentals for the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead Rivers.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort. - located in Whitefish
Golf Big Mountain also operates as a golf resort in the summer. The Whitefish Lake Golf Club, just west of the city on the lake is also worth checking.
Hike and Bike Big Mountain has several hiking and biking trails in the summer. Glacier National Park has 735 miles (1180 km) of trails. Glacier Guides offers day-hiking and multi-day backpacking adventures in Glacier National Park.
Fish Fly fishing is the choice in and around Whitefish. Close to the Flathead River, trout fishing is ample during summer and fall. There are two fly shops in Whitefish. There are many lakes in the area that support fishing, though rivers are better. Montana Raft offers guided fishing trips on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead Rivers.
Boating Water sports form kayaking down the lazy flowing Whitefish River to water skiing across Whitefish Lake can be enjoyed. Boats can be rented from local business. Montana Raft offers guided rafting or raft rentals for the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead Rivers.
Whitefish Mountain Resort. - located in Whitefish
The downtown area has many family-run stores. In the southern part are larger chain stores such as Safeway. In the same area is a small shopping mall, which includes a Super 1 supermarket and a cinema.
For cross-border shoppers, the commercial area just south of the city in Kalispell on Highway 93 has all the national big-box chains you need.
Fast food options in Whitefish include McDonald's, Taco John's, Wendy's, and Dairy Freeze. Pizza by the slice can be purchased at 2nd Street Pizzeria.
- Great Northern Bar and Grill.
- McKenzie River Pizzeria. Gourmet pizza and pastas.
- Bulldog Saloon.
- Quickee's Sandwich Shop.
- Pescado Blanco. Mexican food.
- Mambo Italiana. Italian.
There are also several standard pizza places that offer delivery. These are 2nd Street Pizzeria, Stageline Pizzeria, Downtown Pizzeria and Pizza Hut.
For breakfast; Loula's Cafe, The Buffalo Cafe and The Red Caboose Diner are all options.
With the exceptions of Pizza Hut and Stageline Pizzeria, all of these options are in or within walking distance of the downtown area.
Great Northern Bar and Grill.
McKenzie River Pizzeria. Gourmet pizza and pastas.
Bulldog Saloon.
Quickee's Sandwich Shop.
Pescado Blanco. Mexican food.
Mambo Italiana. Italian.
There are a few luxury dining options in the Whitefish area. The Boat Club and Whitefish Lake Restaurant offer a standard selection of entrees. Tupelo's is a Cajun-themed menu.
- The Boat Club.
- Lodge at Whitefish Lake.
- Tupelo's.
- Whitefish Lake Restaurant.
The Boat Club.
Lodge at Whitefish Lake.
Tupelo's.
Whitefish Lake Restaurant.
- The Great Northern Bar and Grill, 27 Central Ave (Cnr 1st and Central Ave, +1 406-862-2816. Two full bars and a kitchen (consisting of burgers/sandwiches mostly). An outdoor deck is provided to allow for smoking, which is prohibited inside the bar. Live music three times a week, pool tables, shuffleboard and ping pong provide the entertainment. Usually is the busiest bar in town.
- The Great Northern Brewing Company, 2 Central Ave #1. In the downtown area at the former Black Star Brewing Company, it does not have tours, but operates a tasting room open from noon to 8PM. It can be rented out for private functions. Also provides wireless internet access.
- Bulldog Saloon, 144 Central Ave. It is smoke-free, and children are welcome.
- Remington Bar and Casino, 130 Central Ave (two doors down from The Bulldog. Containing two full bars, it has two poker tables, shuffleboard and three pool tables. It also has the only dartboard (electronic) in town.
- Palace Bar, 125 Central Ave, +1 406-862-2428. A small bar across the street from the Remington. A popular hangout for locals and those looking to escape the throngs, The Palace maintains a good crowd throughout the week.
- Caseys, 101 Central Ave (across 1st St from the Great Northern Bar and Grill, +1 406-862-8150. The oldest building in Whitefish. Casey's is busiest on the weekends when it employs a DJ to play hip-hop and attracts a younger crowd.
The Great Northern Bar and Grill, 27 Central Ave (Cnr 1st and Central Ave, +1 406-862-2816. Two full bars and a kitchen (consisting of burgers/sandwiches mostly). An outdoor deck is provided to allow for smoking, which is prohibited inside the bar. Live music three times a week, pool tables, shuffleboard and ping pong provide the entertainment. Usually is the busiest bar in town.
The Great Northern Brewing Company, 2 Central Ave #1. In the downtown area at the former Black Star Brewing Company, it does not have tours, but operates a tasting room open from noon to 8PM. It can be rented out for private functions. Also provides wireless internet access.
Bulldog Saloon, 144 Central Ave. It is smoke-free, and children are welcome.
Remington Bar and Casino, 130 Central Ave (two doors down from The Bulldog. Containing two full bars, it has two poker tables, shuffleboard and three pool tables. It also has the only dartboard (electronic) in town.
Palace Bar, 125 Central Ave, +1 406-862-2428. A small bar across the street from the Remington. A popular hangout for locals and those looking to escape the throngs, The Palace maintains a good crowd throughout the week.
Caseys, 101 Central Ave (across 1st St from the Great Northern Bar and Grill, +1 406-862-8150. The oldest building in Whitefish. Casey's is busiest on the weekends when it employs a DJ to play hip-hop and attracts a younger crowd.
- Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 307 Spokane Ave, Ste. #103, +1 406 862-3501. M-F 9AM-5PM.
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 307 Spokane Ave, Ste. #103, +1 406 862-3501. M-F 9AM-5PM.
- Glacier National Park
[[Glacier National Park]]