Whitefish Montana

Whitefish Montana

From Glacier to Yellowstone
8 days in Montana
Part 1 of a 5 part series
Whitefish Montana

After months of planning and many alternate plans being put in place due to flooding and late June snowfalls, the trip to Montana was finally underway! Eight days, 2 connecting flights, 3 VRBOs, 1 hotel, 2500 miles in a rental car, and over 30 miles hiked, this would end up being one of the best vacations ever! Starting in Whitefish, Montana this 5 part series will cover our trip including places to stay, tours to take, trails to hike, and restaurants to try.

Our family consists of my husband and I, and two older boys, ages 22 and 19. This itinerary is geared toward adults, or at least older kids, and would need to be adjusted for younger ones. A big part of the plan was to make sure we saw the “inside” of some of the most beautiful parks in the country by hiking. Come along on our journey and pull out the parts that work for you! 

rental subaru outback

Getting there

The trip started with an early morning flight from Charlotte, connecting in Dallas, and then arriving in Kalispell International Airport by 1:30 mountain time (we gained two hours).  We picked up our rental car and were on our way! Shout out to the Subaru Outback which we grew to love over the next eight days! After hearing all the airport and rental car nightmares in the news, our arrival could not have been smoother!

Whitefish, Montana

Just 25 minutes from Kalispell Airport is Whitefish, a resort town in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana. Known primarily as a ski town and gateway to Glacier National Park, it offers a ton of summer activities as well! The Whitefish Mountain Resort, just outside of town, has miles of winding bike trails in addition to scenic sky lifts, and an alpine slide! On Whitefish Lake, you find a sandy beach as well as boat launches and picnic areas. The quaint downtown offers a large selection of shopping and places to eat.     

base lodge in Whitefish Montana

Bonsai Brewing Project

We were starving so our first stop was at the Bonsai Brewing Project, less than a mile outside of town. If you read my blogs, you know I love a local brewery and anytime we travel we must drink local beers. 

Bonsai brewing project did not disappoint with its own brewhouse and beer garden. The kitchen offered comfort food which hit the spot. We all got the “Double down dog” which was a grilled hotdog covered with pepperoncini, pickles, cheddar, salsa Verdi, pickled jalapenos, and Lil Bond Dijon. That paired with a Lil Blonde Honey ale (yes with Montana honey), and clearly, vacation had started. Don’t worry… they offer salads too.

back of bonsai brewing
bonsai menu
bonsai sign

Whitefish Mountain Resort

After getting “Bonsai’d” we were ready to hit the slope! The plan was to take the scenic sky lift, but due to construction closing it down, we ended up on the alpine slide! Everything happens for a reason, right? Who doesn’t want to sled down a mountain on a little cart through turns, under bridges, with the only speed control being a little hand brake?? It turned out to be a blast and only cost $7 a person versus the $24 scenic sky lift tickets! As an added bonus we still got to take a sky lift to the sled starting point.

sky lift in Whitefish montana
sky lift ride in whitefish montana
starting point for alpine slide
before starting alpine slide
sky lift mountain view
alpine slide in whitefish montana

Downtown Shopping

Don’t leave Whitefish without a quick stop downtown for a little shopping. There are tons of little gift shops but I recommend stopping in all of these places:

Axehead– very cool store offering leather goods, individualized hats, and some great gift sets. I will be shopping there online for Christmas!

Going to the Sun Gallery- an art gallery with some local artists’ work. It’s worth doing a quick walk through.

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream- Huckleberry Ice Cream is a must do while in Montana. Don’t worry- if you don’t hit it here you will see other locations throughout this trip.

Bulldog Saloon

Without a doubt, this was my favorite spot downtown. Maybe it’s because my son is going to University of Georgia (bulldogs) for law school or maybe it’s because I just love a “hole in the wall” saloon! It may be dark but your head will spin trying to take in everything going on around you. I read somewhere not to let your kids go in the bathroom (it’s known for having inappropriate material on the walls). I’m with a bunch of boys so of course we had to see if it was true! My lips are sealed. You will have to go check it out for yourself!

bulldog saloon, whitefish, montana

As our time in Whitefish came to an end, we made our way to our first VRBO in Coram, just 7  miles outside of Glacier National Park!

CHeck out the the other 4 segments of our trip in Montana by clicking below:

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