Things To Do
Whitefish Mountain Resort
There are tons of things to do on the Mountain in the summer. Feel free to use the link to explore all the activities. A favorite of ours is to take the lift to the top (there are gondolas and chairlifts), grab a bite to eat and a beer, and then hike back down (about a 4 mile hike down). You can also take the lift back down!
Pick Huckleberries!
It should be prime huckleberry season during the wedding. If you take the ski lift to the top of Whitefish Mountain and hike down (or explore a little up top) you will likely find little purple/blue berries on bushes. You'll also find these on other hikes in the area or in Glacier National Park. Montana is known for their huckleberries so take a jar or bag with you and load up!
Town of Whitefish
Central Avenue in the town of Whitefish is always a fun spot to explore. There are lots of cool shops, coffee spots, breweries, bars, and restaurants. Some favorites are Jeremiah Johnson Brewery, Spotted Bear Spirits, Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, Hucks Juice Bar, Great Northern Bar, The Bulldog Bar (favorite dive bar), Casey's Bar (rooftop) and shopping at the Toggery or Montana Scene for some gear or souvenirs. These are just a few, have fun exploring!
Spotted Bear Spirits in Whitefish
Tasting room is open to the public from 4 PM - 8 PM daily. Amazing cocktails. The tasting experience is also fun and has varying hours that you can book groups of up to 15 in advance ($35 per person).
Glacier National Park
The West Glacier entrance point is about 45 min - 1 hour from Whitefish, and then you'll be driving for awhile into the park itself. For guests looking to extend their stay, Glacier National Park is a must see. Due to its popularity though, you really need to book this out in advance. The GNP website allows you to book camp sites, vehicle tickets, and park entry passes. I'd suggest going during the week to avoid traffic. The views are worth it! Our family favorite hike is the Highline Trail from Logan Pass at the top of Going to the Sun road. You can walk as far as you feel comfortable. It's about 7.5 miles to make it all the way to the Granite Park Chalet. If you're up for the 15 mile loop there and back, start this day very early and you won't regret it!
Whitewater Rafting
If you have time for it, a guided float trip down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River is such a fun and beautiful experience. The float takes you down the clear blue waters right next to Glacier National Park. There's 3 great companies to pick from: Glacier Raft Company, Great Northern Whitewater Rafting, and Wild River Adventures. From Whitefish it'll take about 45 minutes to get to each of companies and since it isn't technically in the park, you don't need a park pass!
Jalisco Cantina
Looking for a local bite to eat not in the center or Whitefish? Jalisco Cantina is a short drive away and has amazing food and cocktails.
Mount Aeneas Summit Hike (Trail #717)
One of our first hikes together! This is a family favorite. If you're wanting to find a beautiful hike and summit a peak, but avoid Glaciers traffic, this is definitely up your alley. Located about 90 minutes from Whitefish, the hike begins at Camp Misery Trailhead. Take trail #717 (see link) to the right out of the parking lot for the easier loop (and in my opinion more beautiful loop). You'll ascend to the ridge and then walk the ridge to the summit where you can continue on the loop or come back down the way you came. Overall its about a 6-8 mile hike depending on the route and well worth it! You might even see a few mountain goats!