Mountains, Memories, and Montana: Our Family Adventure in Whitefish & Glacier
The Night Before Our Whitefish Adventure
Travel days always carry their own kind of excitement, but ours started a little differently. Since our flight to Montana was set for a very early 5:00 AM departure, I decided to save us the stress of a middle-of-the-night drive to Philadelphia by booking a hotel room right at the airport. It turned out to be a brilliant choice—not just for the convenience, but for the view.
Our room overlooked the runways, giving us a front-row seat to the constant rhythm of takeoffs and landings. As the sun faded, the airport transformed before our eyes: the first photo captures the last light of day washing over the runways and parking garages, while the second and third show the gradual transition into night, when the twinkle of runway lights and the hum of activity gave the airport a strangely calm beauty.
Liam and I spent much of the evening at the window, watching planes rise into the sky and imagining where each was headed. There’s something mesmerizing about it—the thought of so many journeys starting and ending right outside our hotel room. For him, it was like watching a live-action version of his flight tracker app; for me, it was a rare chance to slow down and just share the anticipation with him.
By 2:30 AM, it was time to start the real adventure. Groggy but excited, we packed up our bags, double-checked boarding passes, and snapped a quick family photo by the window (our smiles trying to outshine the early hour). That picture became the official kickoff to our Whitefish trip—a little tired, a lot excited, and ready for the mountains that awaited us.
Up in the Air
After our early start at the Philadelphia airport, we finally boarded our first flight. The photo of us settled into our row captures that mix of tired relief and excitement—you can see it in the smiles. Liam was wide awake, buzzing with the thrill of flying, while the rest of us were still shaking off the 2:30 AM wake-up call. Our route took us south first, with a layover in Dallas before we’d turn west toward the mountains. Watching the city shrink below us, it felt like the adventure had officially begun.
First Taste of Whitefish
By the time we landed in Montana and checked into our place, the long day of travel was catching up to us. Still, we weren’t about to let our first night in Whitefish slip by without a good meal. We headed to Tupelo Grille, a cozy spot in town that came highly recommended—and it lived up to the hype.
The photos from dinner tell the story: the three of us at the table, raising glasses to toast the start of our trip, and the lineup of drinks that set the tone for the evening. The cocktails were inventive and refreshing—M tried one with a perfect balance of brightness and depth, while I sampled something light and citrusy. Liam stuck with his soda, proudly sipping like he was part of the toast.
Dinner itself was a highlight. M chose the elk meatloaf, rich and hearty, while I went with a buffalo steak—a dish that felt perfectly fitting for Montana. Every bite was memorable, and the combination of good food, good drinks, and the satisfaction of finally being in Whitefish made it the ideal first night.
By the time dessert menus were offered, the travel fatigue was undeniable. We wrapped up quickly, strolled back under the Montana evening sky, and settled in for much-needed rest. Tomorrow would bring fresh energy, new adventures, and our first real look at Big Sky Country in the daylight.
A Day in Glacier National Park
If there was one day that truly captured the magic of Montana, it was our day exploring Glacier National Park. We booked seats on one of the park’s famous red “Jammer” buses—classic, open-top vehicles that have been touring visitors through Glacier since the 1930s. Ours rumbled to life in the cool morning air, its canvas roof rolled back so we could take in every view.
Riding in Style
From the moment we set out, the ride itself felt like part of the adventure. The breeze carried the scent of pine as we drove beneath towering evergreens, the sun spilling through the canopy above. The first photo from the road shows the view from inside the bus—open sky overhead, passengers leaning out to take in the scenery. Liam loved every second, perched wide-eyed in his seat as the guide pointed out details about the park’s history and geology.
Lake McDonald
Our first real stop was Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier and a breathtaking introduction to the park’s grandeur. Standing at its edge, we were met with still blue water stretching out toward jagged peaks in the distance. One photo shows the lake framed by mountains on all sides, a view that looks almost too perfect to be real. Of course, we couldn’t resist taking a family picture there—our reflections rippling just behind us in the calm water.
Climbing the Going-to-the-Sun Road
The bus pressed on, winding its way along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most iconic drives in America. The road carved into the mountainside gave us sweeping views of deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and snow-dusted ridges. At one stop, we hopped out for pictures in front of the gleaming red bus itself, with the mountains rising tall behind us—a snapshot of both history and adventure.
Each turn in the road revealed something new: glacial valleys stretching endlessly into the horizon, waterfalls tumbling down sheer rock faces, and distant peaks piercing the sky. One photo captures the deep greens of the valley floor, contrasted with the slate-gray cliffs above it. Another shows the narrow roadway hugging the mountain, with waterfalls spilling just below the stone guardrails.
Logan Pass – The Continental Divide
The highlight of the route was reaching Logan Pass, the highest point along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Continental Divide. At 6,646 feet, the air felt crisper, the views even more dramatic. We stopped for the classic photo at the Logan Pass sign, the mountains towering behind us, and took in the fields of alpine wildflowers swaying in the breeze. It felt like standing on the roof of the world.
Waterfalls and Turquoise Rivers
Later in the day, the bus wound its way down toward areas where rivers and waterfalls cut through stone. These were some of the most striking sights of the trip. The water was a vivid turquoise blue, rushing through narrow gorges and over smooth boulders. In one photo, the river sparkles like liquid glass beneath the trees, while in another, waterfalls thunder through rock canyons polished by centuries of ice and water.
Standing at the overlooks, we could feel the mist cooling our faces and hear the constant roar of rushing water—a reminder of the raw, untamed power that shaped these landscapes. Liam leaned over the railings wide-eyed, marveling at how blue the water was, and we found ourselves equally awestruck.
A Day to Remember
By the time the red bus pulled back toward the park entrance, we were sun-tired but completely exhilarated. Glacier National Park had given us a full day of unforgettable moments: from tranquil lakes and jaw-dropping overlooks to roaring rivers and mountaintop passes. More than just the sights, though, it was the shared experience—laughing together in the old bus, pointing out eagles overhead, and taking photos at every stop—that made it so special.
Glacier is the kind of place that humbles you. You can’t help but feel small compared to the scale of the mountains, yet at the same time deeply connected—to nature, to each other, and to the rare beauty of places like this.
Staying at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
For our stay in Whitefish, we chose The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, a spot that combines rustic charm with plenty of comfort. It was the perfect base for exploring both the town and the surrounding wilderness. The lobby immediately set the tone—with towering wood beams, stone fireplaces, and, of course, the enormous bear. Liam and I couldn’t resist goofing around with it, staging a mock “bear fight” in the middle of the lobby. Let’s just say…the bear won.
A Day on the Lake
One of the highlights of our stay was renting a boat and spending a day out on Whitefish Lake itself. The water stretched out in a perfect blue mirror of the mountains rising in the distance, and it was impossible not to feel relaxed.
Down on the docks, the morning started calm. We snapped pictures before boarding, with the boats bobbing gently behind us and the ski slopes of Whitefish Mountain visible in the background. Once out on the water, though, the day quickly became about fun and play. Liam was in his element—swimming, floating, and laughing as he balanced on a tube in the cool, refreshing lake water. Watching him splash around while the forested shoreline rolled by in the distance was one of those picture-perfect family moments that felt timeless.
Dinner at Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
After a full day of sun and water, we cleaned up and headed into town for dinner at Abruzzo Italian Kitchen. The warm glow of string lights and rustic touches inside the restaurant gave it a cozy yet lively feel. Our waitress was wonderful—helpful, friendly, and quick to make us feel at home.
The food was just as impressive. Homemade pasta dishes, fresh flavors, and a glass of wine to top it off made for a perfect evening. Surrounded by the hum of conversation and the twinkle of lights, it felt like the perfect way to cap off a day that had been equal parts adventure and relaxation.
A Special Night at the Lodge
One evening during our stay, we decided to dress up for dinner at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable nights of the trip. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect.
We started with photos outside the lodge, the timbered architecture and blooming flowers making a beautiful backdrop. It was a rare chance for all of us to swap hiking clothes and lake gear for something a little more formal, and it felt good to mark the occasion.
Inside the dining tent, white linens and soft lighting gave dinner an elegant atmosphere. The food was excellent, but what made the evening truly stand out was the location itself. As the sun lowered over the mountains, we stepped out toward the lakeshore. The water reflected the warm glow of the sky, and the whole place seemed wrapped in gold.
The photos from that evening say it best: laughing together in the grass with the sun at our backs, capturing a family portrait on the dock with the mountains and lodge in the background—it all felt timeless. It wasn’t just a dinner; it was an experience, one of those rare moments that manages to be both simple and unforgettable at the same time.
Flying Through the Trees – Ziplining Adventure
On our last day in Whitefish, we decided to end the trip with something a little more daring: ziplining through the mountains. Harnesses on, helmets strapped tight, and a few nervous laughs between us, we geared up for the climb.
The first step was scaling a tall wooden tower, ropes and ladders leading the way up. Liam tackled it like a pro, grinning as he climbed rung after rung with the guide close behind. From the top, the view stretched for miles—rolling green forests below, jagged mountain ridges in the distance, and that nervous excitement in our stomachs as we looked down at the cables we were about to ride.
Then came the moment of truth. With a little coaching from the guide, Liam clipped in and soared out over the treetops, the wind rushing past as he zipped across the valley. His laughter carried back to us, equal parts thrill and joy. Soon it was our turn, and we all took to the lines, gliding high above the forest floor with the mountains rising all around.
By the time we reached the last platform, we were exhilarated, a little breathless, and grinning ear to ear. It was the perfect way to wrap up our Montana adventure—pushing ourselves just a bit outside our comfort zone and creating one more memory that we’ll never forget.
