Top 10 Family-Friendly Whitefish Montana Tourist Attractions​

Curious about visiting whitefish Montana tourist attractions? Whitefish Montana has attractions for every season with wonderful scenery and charming downtown.

Moreover, this beautiful small community town is home to Whitefish Mountain Resort, ski resort on Big Mountain, Ptarmigan Villages & luxury condo resort.

As a family, there’s a lot to do and enjoy here but only when you know better about family-friendly places or attractions. So, to give you an idea about unique things to do in Whitefish, MT, we compiled this blog post. Keep reading!

10 Whitefish Montana Tourist Attractions​ for Families

1. Whitefish Mountain Resort

Tour to Whitefish Montana is incomplete without booking a luxurious family stay at Whitefish Mountain Resort. A true four-season destination for families seeking adventure, fun, relaxation and unforgettable memories.

From resort rooftop, you can see the epic views of Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. inside the resort, there are several family-friendly hotels and cafes to fill your hunger appetite. In short, a true hidden gem for families.

Activities to Enjoy

• With more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, kids or families can enjoy skiing.
• Take a gondola or chairlift ride to admire beautiful surrounding panoramic views from above.
• Zipline tours are available for adventurous families.

2. Whitefish City Beach

Whitefish City Beach is one of the best things to do in Whitefish, MT today. A popular and easily accessible lakefront spot with swimming, exploring natural beauty and outdoor adventurous activities with calm waters.

Apart from family-friendly fun, this beach allows families to interact with locals and learn about city’s history in depth. Must bring water shoes as some parts of the lakebed can be rocky and for getting the space of good picnic spot, arrive early.

Family-friendly Activities

• The beach has shallow and calm waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming.
• For kayaking and paddleboarding activities, rentals are available for families.
• Kids can build sandcastles while enjoy other recreational activities.

3. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks of U.S. it’s famous for beautiful scenery, pristine lakes and unique wildlife opportunities. There are educational programs, scenic drives and easy hikes for beginner families.

For hiking summer is the ideal time but if you want to enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, winter months are the ideal time. Inside the park, the cell service is limited so it is good to download Glacier National Park App.

Family-friendly Activities

• Go on one of the world’s best scenic drives via Going-to-the-Sun Road adventure.
• There are kid-friendly hikes with suitable difficulty levels to fulfill each kid’s requirement.
• Take a scenic boat cruise on the crystal-clear waters of Lake McDonald.

4. Whitefish Lake State Park

As compared to Whitefish City Beach, Whitefish Lake Golf Club State Park is less crowded, perfect for couples or families looking for romantic things to do in whitefish, Montana. This beautiful Whitefish Lake Park is located just few miles away from downtown.

You can spend you time in this park for one day or spend night for memorable overnight camping adventure. Almost there are 25 family-friendly campground sites available including tent & RV spots. Fire pits, picnic tables and restrooms are available.

Activities to Enjoy for Families

• In summer, a small sandy beach area welcome family for swimming fun.
• There are fishing opportunities like lake trout, northern pike, and whitefish.
• Under the shaded area, you can do picnicking while having lunch.

5. Stumptown Historical Society & Whitefish Depot Museum

Curious to know about Whitefish’s railroad heritage & early pioneer days? Stumptown Historical Society is one of the perfect Whitefish Montana tourist attractions for adults. Kids will love exploring old train memorabilia.

This place is not only about gaining fun and educational unforgettable experience for whole family but also more than that. Families can watch trains arrive and depart while enjoying other family-friendly activities and recreational opportunities.

Activities to Enjoy for Families

• Shop for books, train-themed souvenirs, and Montana history items from small gift shop.
• Learn about steam engines and touch old train parts personally.
• See vintage railroad Memorabilia which includes historic pictures and old railway tools.

6. Whitefish Trail

Whitefish trail is a long trail with more than 47 miles trail system across multiple trailheads. This trail provides both kid & family-friendly hikes, biking paths and wildlife opportunities, designed for all ages and skill levels to provide better flexibility.

You can get trail map online or at kiosks so do not go on a trail without having navigation map. One good news for furry lovers is that this trail is pet-friendly as dogs are allowed on a leash but with few mandatory requirements.

Family-oriented Activities

• Go on biking adventure as a whole family on Beaver Lakes and Lion Mountain trails.
• Explore wildlife like deer, birds, wildflowers, and even black bears but from safe distance.
• Go with nature journal or binoculars for fun learning experience for kids.              

7. The Great Northern Carousel

Th Great Northern Carousel is located just 25 minutes from Whitefish in downtown Kalispell, a beautiful hand-card carousel for kids & adults alike. Going here is one of the best things to do in Whitefish, MT this weekend.

Within Flathead Valley, this is one of the most beautiful attractions, featuring Montana-themed carousel animals, a fun ice cream shop, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Restrooms, family seating area and wheelchair/ stroller accessibility is available for families & kids.

Family-Friendly Things to Do

• There is an indoor arcade and play area where kids can play.
• Celebrate birthday parties and events of family members with private use of the space.
• Kids can ride on hand-crafted animals like buffalo, trout fish and grizzly bears.

8. Big Sky Waterpark

Looking for free things to do in Whitefish, MT? Picnicking at Big Sky Waterpark is one of the best options. Big Sky Waterpark is located in Columbia Falls, just a short 20-minute drive from Whitefish, Montana.

Spend your fun-filled day here by doing some of the best things to do in whitefish, mt in summer like water slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones. There’s something for everyone in this park, from little angels to adults or parents.

Family-Friendly Activities

• Take the experience of thrill rides and water slides like speed slides, multi-lane racer, and family raft ride.
• Relax on lazy river by taking a boat cruise during sunny day.
• There is a kiddie pool where your kids can entertain with small water slides and splash zones.

9. Flathead Lake & Wild Horse Island State Park

It is located just south of Whitefish. All over the western U.S., the Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake with alpine slides, miles of trails and depot park. Moreover, there are unlimited outdoor activities for families.

Boating, fishing and paddleboarding are some of the best things to do in Whitefish, MT in winter. the Wild Horse Island State Park is the must-visit spot for wild horseback riding, stunning views, and beautiful stretch of paved trail.

Best Things to Do

• Rent a boat and enjoy water sports on the lake.
• The island is home to bald eagles, ospreys, and a variety of other birds, explore them all one by one.
• Enjoy nature walk by strolling around Flathead Lake and Wild Horse Island State Park.

10. Whitefish Farmers Market

A charming seasonal outdoor market is located in Downtown Whitefish. In this market, families can enjoy fresh local produce, crafts, live music and friendly local community atmosphere. This market is open all year round but season comes in summer during every week.

Not only this market allows families to enjoy fresh local produce but also an excellent spot to spend sunny afternoon with sample local foods. Visit to this market is totally a unique experience rather than visiting parks & attractions.

What to Do Here as a Family?

• Pick out seasonal berries, apples, or vegetables only from friendly farmers.
• Don’t miss the chance to taste Montana-made ice cream or drink freshly squeezed lemonade.
• Explore unique homemade goods like jewelry, pottery, soaps, and art.

Final Words!

There are so many ways to spend some quality time in Whitefish, Montana but visiting these whitefish Montana tourist attractions are priceless.

No matter whether you are a family of kids or adults, these attractions have something for everyone. Come to Whitefish during shoulder seasons because this is the time when hiking trails are empty, areas and less-crowded and weather is favorable for a lot of things.

Frequently Asked Questions