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America's Coolest Small Towns: Whitefish

Every now and then, you stumble upon a town that's gotten everything right—great coffee, food with character, shop owners with purpose.
By Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, October 2009 issue |

Whitefish's Central Avenue
Whitefish's Central Avenue (Janie Osborne) [enlarge photo]
WHITEFISH, MONTANA (pop. 7,723)
ski bums and urban refugees congregate

After a frenzied stint on Broadway's 42nd Street, actor Luke Walrath was ready for a quieter pace. His actress wife grew up in Whitefish, so the two decided to make it their new home. "It's at once folksy and stylish," he says of the town, a 35-minute drive southwest of Glacier National Park. The couple cofounded the Alpine Theatre Project, which stages seven shows a year (alpinetheatreproject.org).



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At the foot of the Rockies, Whitefish has long drawn adventure seekers. Ski bums and urban refugees congregate over red malty Highlanders at The Great Northern Brewing Company (2 Central Ave., greatnorthernbrewing.com, pints from $3.75).

To live out a rustic Montana fantasy, book a cedar-walled room at Good Medicine Lodge, which feels like a set from Legends of the Fall (537 Wisconsin Ave., goodmedicinelodge.com, from $95).

> This story is excerpted from: America's Coolest Small Towns.

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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