Montana Stay Guidebook
Lakeside
There's so much to do, see, and eat in the Flathead Valley. This section is specific to things in the immediate area of Lakeside. Be sure to check out the other areas, too: Kalispell, Whitefish, Big Fork and more. All just a short drive away!
Local, friendly brewery with great food. Highly recommend the ribs! Sit outside if it's available.
142 locals recommend
Tamarack Brewing Company
105 Blacktail RdLocal, friendly brewery with great food. Highly recommend the ribs! Sit outside if it's available.
Great food with great views - what more could you want? PS: you can book a boat tour or rent a boat here!
38 locals recommend
Harbor Grille
7135 US-93Great food with great views - what more could you want? PS: you can book a boat tour or rent a boat here!
A downhill bike park – right here in our own Flathead County backyard – modeled after some of the smoothest, most inspiring terrain appealing to the full spectrum of riders abilities. Our son LOVES this park!
10 locals recommend
Legacy Bike Park
2376 Legacy Park WayA downhill bike park – right here in our own Flathead County backyard – modeled after some of the smoothest, most inspiring terrain appealing to the full spectrum of riders abilities. Our son LOVES this park!
Great local place to get coffee, ice cream, pastries, and more. We love supporting local businesses.
Treasure State Coffee Co.
Great local place to get coffee, ice cream, pastries, and more. We love supporting local businesses.
Beargrass Bistro
306 Stoner LoopGreat dining in Lakeside. Highly recommend!
THE place for homemade baked goods, breakfast, soup, sandwiches, coffee drinks, & more in Lakeside. Line can be long ... you can call ahead for pick-up. Be sure to try their scones and breakfast sandwiches!
45 locals recommend
Glacier Perks Coffee House
7235 US-93THE place for homemade baked goods, breakfast, soup, sandwiches, coffee drinks, & more in Lakeside. Line can be long ... you can call ahead for pick-up. Be sure to try their scones and breakfast sandwiches!
Get active
SO much to do you'll need two - or more - days! Hike, mountain bike, zip line, aerial treetop adventure, scenic summit lift rides, alpine slides, summer tubing, and don't forget people watch! So fun for the whole family.
337 locals recommend
Whitefish Mountain Resort
1015 Glades DrSO much to do you'll need two - or more - days! Hike, mountain bike, zip line, aerial treetop adventure, scenic summit lift rides, alpine slides, summer tubing, and don't forget people watch! So fun for the whole family.
LAKESIDE: A downhill bike park right here in our own Flathead County backyard, modeled after some of the smoothest, most inspiring terrain appealing to the full spectrum of riders abilities. You won't be disappointed!
10 locals recommend
Legacy Bike Park
2376 Legacy Park WayLAKESIDE: A downhill bike park right here in our own Flathead County backyard, modeled after some of the smoothest, most inspiring terrain appealing to the full spectrum of riders abilities. You won't be disappointed!
Lakefront State/City Parks abound! Great for a day at beautiful Flathead Lake. Lakeside City Beach, Wayfarers State Park, West Shore State Park.
228 locals recommend
Flathead Lake
Lakefront State/City Parks abound! Great for a day at beautiful Flathead Lake. Lakeside City Beach, Wayfarers State Park, West Shore State Park.
Great bike park on 19 acres, they offer kids days, Guided Mountain Biking Tours & private lessons. Such a friendly staff, too.
Whitefish Bike Retreat
855 Beaver Lake RdGreat bike park on 19 acres, they offer kids days, Guided Mountain Biking Tours & private lessons. Such a friendly staff, too.
If interested in whitewater rafting, I've booked several times with this company and it's always been a raging success. They also offer other adventures including horseback riding, fishing, and overnight trips. Highly recommend!
11 locals recommend
Wild River Adventures
11900 US-2If interested in whitewater rafting, I've booked several times with this company and it's always been a raging success. They also offer other adventures including horseback riding, fishing, and overnight trips. Highly recommend!
Sightseeing
KALISPELL: Take a house tour or explore the lovely gardens. Built in 1895, the Conrad Mansion offers a glimpse into the life of a prosperous Montana pioneer. Great tour - just about an hour long! After the tour take a stroll into downtown Kalispell and check out the shops.
https://www.conradmansion.com/
54 locals recommend
Conrad Mansion
330 Woodland AveKALISPELL: Take a house tour or explore the lovely gardens. Built in 1895, the Conrad Mansion offers a glimpse into the life of a prosperous Montana pioneer. Great tour - just about an hour long! After the tour take a stroll into downtown Kalispell and check out the shops.
https://www.conradmansion.com/
Neighborhoods
WHITEFISH: Nestled between two national forests in the shadow of Glacier National Park is the town of Whitefish, Montana. Eateries, breweries, shopping, galleries, and more. Everyone loves Whitefish. You will, too.
https://explorewhitefish.com/
198 locals recommend
Whitefish
WHITEFISH: Nestled between two national forests in the shadow of Glacier National Park is the town of Whitefish, Montana. Eateries, breweries, shopping, galleries, and more. Everyone loves Whitefish. You will, too.
https://explorewhitefish.com/
KALISPELL: Steeped in history and filled with locally owned shops and boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and more, downtown Kalispell combines touches from the past with modern offerings in a charming setting.
https://discoverkalispell.com/things-to-do/downtown/
65 locals recommend
Kalispell
KALISPELL: Steeped in history and filled with locally owned shops and boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and more, downtown Kalispell combines touches from the past with modern offerings in a charming setting.
https://discoverkalispell.com/things-to-do/downtown/
BIG FORK: Just 25 minutes from our home, you'll want to make time to visit Bigfork. Its world-class art galleries are the reason that the community was designated as “One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in the West.” It also offers numerous shops, fine dining and a 27-hole championship golf course.
157 locals recommend
Bigfork
BIG FORK: Just 25 minutes from our home, you'll want to make time to visit Bigfork. Its world-class art galleries are the reason that the community was designated as “One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in the West.” It also offers numerous shops, fine dining and a 27-hole championship golf course.
Food Scene
This section is dedicated to dining and eats in : Kalispell, Whitefish, and Big Fork - all just a short drive from Lakeside. Although there are plenty more to choose from, these are some of our favorites.
KALISPELL: Two words: strawberry lemonade. You won't believe how good it is. And of course, the BBQ!
63 locals recommend
The Desoto Grill
227 1st St WKALISPELL: Two words: strawberry lemonade. You won't believe how good it is. And of course, the BBQ!
WHITEFISH: Creole cuisine at its finest. Bar w/ live music. Reservations highly recommended.
119 locals recommend
Tupelo Grille
17 Central AveWHITEFISH: Creole cuisine at its finest. Bar w/ live music. Reservations highly recommended.
Blue Samurai Sushi Bar & Grill
323 S Main StKALISPELL: Great little sushi spot, Reservations.
Saketome
459 Electric AveBIG FORK: Fabulous ambience and incredible sushi menu,
Jalisco Cantina
WHITEFISH: Delicious Mexican-inspired menu in a fun new space. A local fav!
WHITEFISH: Everything made from scratch - what more could you want?
51 locals recommend
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
115 Central AveWHITEFISH: Everything made from scratch - what more could you want?
KALISPELL: Whether it’s a cup of coffee to start your day, a sweet pick-me-up, or a baguette for dinner, you’ll walk out of here happy.
42 locals recommend
Ceres Bakery Inc
318 S Main StKALISPELL: Whether it’s a cup of coffee to start your day, a sweet pick-me-up, or a baguette for dinner, you’ll walk out of here happy.
KALISPELL: Great food, wine selection and as well as the servers are always very kind, and quite knowledgeable.
Mercantile Steak
KALISPELL: Great food, wine selection and as well as the servers are always very kind, and quite knowledgeable.
COLUMBIA FALLS: This is a sister to other local favs Tupelo Grille and Abruzzo Italian Kitchen. Makes a great stop on your way back from a day at Glacier Park. Don't let "saloon" stop you - kids welcome. They offer casual bar food, twenty beers on draft, a small wine and cocktail selection, and live music several days a week.
90 locals recommend
Gunsight Saloon
624 Nucleus AveCOLUMBIA FALLS: This is a sister to other local favs Tupelo Grille and Abruzzo Italian Kitchen. Makes a great stop on your way back from a day at Glacier Park. Don't let "saloon" stop you - kids welcome. They offer casual bar food, twenty beers on draft, a small wine and cocktail selection, and live music several days a week.
KALISPELL: Lively spot w/ an eclectic menu and live music many days a week! Fun atmosphere in newly remodeled historic building.
KM Bar
KALISPELL: Lively spot w/ an eclectic menu and live music many days a week! Fun atmosphere in newly remodeled historic building.
BIG FORK: Breakfast and lunch only (closes at 2:30pm) the cafe is simple, hearty, homey, and very yummy.
55 locals recommend
Pocketstone Cafe
444 Electric AveBIG FORK: Breakfast and lunch only (closes at 2:30pm) the cafe is simple, hearty, homey, and very yummy.
KALISPELL: Good ambience in a neat old bar with good small plates and drinks.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
KALISPELL: Good ambience in a neat old bar with good small plates and drinks.
KALISPELL: A staple in our house ... it's really incredible. They come up with new flavors all the time. Great flavor combos using local ingredients. There's a location in Whitefish, too.
56 locals recommend
Sweet Peaks Ice Cream- Kalispell
343 S Main StKALISPELL: A staple in our house ... it's really incredible. They come up with new flavors all the time. Great flavor combos using local ingredients. There's a location in Whitefish, too.
Huckleberry Patch
8868 Hwy 2 EShopping for Essentials
Rosauers Supermarkets - Kalispell
2150 U.S. 93 SBetween Kalispell and Flathead Lake
Target
2365 US-93Costco Wholesale
2330 US-93Super 1 Foods
55N 1st Ave E NNatural Grocers
2395 US-93Organic market
Kids Stuff
Big enough for kids to enjoy, small enough that you can keep an eye on them. Bonus: you can bring your own food/drinks in. *no alcohol*
65 locals recommend
Big Sky Waterpark
7211 Hwy 2 EBig enough for kids to enjoy, small enough that you can keep an eye on them. Bonus: you can bring your own food/drinks in. *no alcohol*
Miniature golf, water bumper boats, human sized maze, go-karts. On the way to Glacier National Park. They're open until 9pm, I've taken kids sightseeing in Glacier with the promise of doing this for a hour or two on the way home. :)
53 locals recommend
Amazing Fun Center
10265 Hwy 2 EMiniature golf, water bumper boats, human sized maze, go-karts. On the way to Glacier National Park. They're open until 9pm, I've taken kids sightseeing in Glacier with the promise of doing this for a hour or two on the way home. :)
Outdoor, free, fun! Lawned riverside park with canoe & kayak access, a fishing dock, playground & picnic tables.
5th Street, Whitefish
Baker Park
Outdoor, free, fun! Lawned riverside park with canoe & kayak access, a fishing dock, playground & picnic tables.
5th Street, Whitefish
In Whitefish and open 8am - dusk, grab your bike or a scooter and practice your tricks with beautiful Whitefish Mountain in the background.
The Dave Olseth Memorial Skatepark
In Whitefish and open 8am - dusk, grab your bike or a scooter and practice your tricks with beautiful Whitefish Mountain in the background.
Inexpensive afternoon of family time! Pavilions, grills and picnic tables make it easy to plan an event and spend the day. There is a large playground for kids to enjoy and numerous benches scattered through out the park for sitting and relaxing. In summer, the water park adds another dimension to the fun.
13 locals recommend
Woodland Water Park
45 North Woodland Park RoadInexpensive afternoon of family time! Pavilions, grills and picnic tables make it easy to plan an event and spend the day. There is a large playground for kids to enjoy and numerous benches scattered through out the park for sitting and relaxing. In summer, the water park adds another dimension to the fun.