Plan to Explore!
Glacier National Park, Whitefish, & More!
Pre Wedding (or post)
Prior to the wedding at Flathead Lake Lodge, Tom & Brittany will be staying in Whitefish, Montana!
Our recommendation is to stay at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. They have a variety of accommodation options to include hotel rooms, condos, and luxury homes to choose from. This beautiful hotel is located on Whitefish Lake and is close to downtown where you can enjoy great bars, restaurants, and shopping. The lodge can pick up guests from the airport (FCA), and also offers transportation to/from downtown Whitefish, only a two minute transfer or take the lodge bikes and ride into town! https://lodgeatwhitefishlake.com/
The Firebrand Hotel is also located in downtown Whitefish. https://firebrandhotel.com/
We plan to gather on Wednesday evening with any guests in town prior, and will end the night at the legendary Great Northern Bar!
Whitefish is a great jumping off location to West Glacier, which is the entrance guests will use to access Glacier National Park! (approx. 17 miles / 40 minute drive)
MAP of Whitefish, Montana (not the wedding venue)
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Not to be missed!
Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. It's crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Among more than 700 miles of hiking trails, it has a route to photogenic Hidden Lake. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears.
Planning your visit: Glacier National Park
From Whitefish, GNP is about a 40 minute drive (17 miles) to the West Glacier entrance. Park reservations are not required after ~ September 8th, 2024, however there is still a fee to enter the park. ($35 per car, or $70 is you wish to buy an annual national park pass, good for one calendar year)
There is extraordinary hiking, fishing, camping and more available in GNP. For our super adventurous friends looking to get some distance in, we recommend planning your hike wish list in advance. There are over 700 miles of trails throughout the park. For those who decide to go on a whim, no stress! The brochure given by the rangers upon arrival will give you more than enough to explore without the need of preplanning. We highly recommend driving “Going to the Sun Road”. You can easily spend a full day just driving through the park and we recommend packing a lunch, cooler, snacks, and plenty of water!
Weather can change quickly at higher altitudes and we recommend dressing in layers, and bringing an extra jacket and good hiking or tennis shoes.
Glacier can be visited on either end of your trip however we do recommend going before our wedding weekend. Sections of the park will begin to close once snow starts to stick. Typically this is not until mid-October, however if this is a priority during your time in Montana we recommend you plan accordingly and play the earlier side of your odds!
What to do in Whitefish!
Whitefish is a resort town in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana. It’s a gateway to the jagged peaks, lakes and glacier-carved valleys of Glacier National Park. Ski and mountain-bike trails wind downhill at Whitefish Mountain Resort, just outside town. On Whitefish Lake, sandy City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park have boat launches and picnic areas. Downtown, shops and eateries line Central Avenue.
EAT & DRINK
The Great Northern Bar & Grill. Opened in 1919, this classic bar hung with vintage signs offers live music, burgers & a summer deck.
Latitude 48 Bistro A main-floor dining room serving Mediterranean fare, plus a chic lounge below with tapas & drinks.
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen Intimate restaurant & cocktail lounge featuring modern Italian fare, including wood-fired pizzas.
Boat Club Restaurant (located within The Lodge at Whitefish Lake) A relaxed lounge with creative American fare & drinks and live music.
Wasabi Sushi Bar Creative sushi & Asian-inspired grilled dishes (plus beer & sake) in an orange & purple dining room.
Jalisco Cantina Jalisco Cantina’s scratch kitchen offers creative and delicious fresh food choices that pair wonderfully with some of the finest tequila and handcrafted cocktails available.
Last Chair Kitchen & Bar Locally sourced American fare & some global dishes in a rustic space with wood panels & flooring.
Bulldog Salon Local hangout with a rustic vibe offering beer, American comfort food & games on TV & BULLDOGS
Blackstar Brewpub A brewery & restaurant in historic downtown Whitefish where locals and visitors can enjoy great beer, food, and music
Sweet Peaks Ice Cream carefully crafted ice cream and sorbets in Whitefish, using Montana dairy and a selection of quality ingredients from the mountains.
PLAY
City Beach Whitefish City Beach is a lakeside beach in Whitefish, Montana. It's located on the southern end of Whitefish Lake, a 7-mile-long glacial lake. The beach is near the lake's outflow into Whitefish River.
Whitefish Distillery an award winning distillery and restaurant serving up the best food and cocktails in Montana. Check out the distillery tours or cocktail classes or just enjoy the restaurant & craft cocktails!
Golf at Whitefish Lake Golf Club Whitefish Lake Golf Course is the only 36 hole golf facility in the area and features all the amenities of a world-class resort course. Both the North and South Courses play along tree-lined fairways, feature bentgrass greens, beautiful bunkers and exceptional views of Whitefish Lake on the North Course and Lost Coon Lake on the South.
Walk/Bike the Whitefish Trail The Whitefish Trail is a user supported, community-driven asset providing 47 miles of natural surface trails and 15 trailheads/connectors located in a forested, rural environment. The diverse trail system is appropriate for outdoor enthusiasts and families including hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and runners of all abilities.
Paddleboard down the river The Whitefish River, the outlet to Montana's Whitefish Lake, is a flat stretch of river that makes it a perfect float for the entire family.
Whitefish Depot Museum The Whitefish Museum is located in a historic train depot and houses many railroad artifacts. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
EXPLORE
Hike Big Mountain & More! The Big Mountain Trailhead, located just below Whitefish Mountain Resort, provides year-round access to 5.5 miles of the Whitefish Trail through Haskill, Meander through lush cedar groves and take the single-track trail all the way down to the Reservoir Trailhead. Destinations include the Haskill Lake boardwalk and the Valley Overlook. This trailhead features a large parking area.
Day trip to Glacier National Park A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Rent a boat & explore Whitefish Lake The Marina at Whitefish Lake offers a variety of rentals from personal watercraft, ski boats, and pontoon boats, to kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes! For something extra special, take a captained cruise aboard a classic wooden boat! Conveniently, located at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake!