The main shopping area of Whitefish is on Central Avenue and stretches for 3 blocks. For a ski town, the shopping frenzy is fairly subdued. The largest bookshop in town is Bookworks, 244 Spokane Ave. (tel. 406/862-4980), which stocks the best in nature books, regional writing, and children's literature; it's also the source of current hardcover and paperback bestsellers. The Artistic Touch, 209 Central Ave. (tel. 406/862-4813), sells self-described "Montana crafts of merit." The gallery is operated by a jeweler who exhibits an eclectic, diverse group of sculptures in all types of media -- expect glazed wall sculptures, pottery mobiles suspended from the ceiling, wood and wire combinations, and even a full-size, handmade marimba. The Tomahawk Trading Company, 131 Central Ave. (tel. 406/862-9199), has a large selection of Indian-made jewelry. The Bear Mountain Mercantile, 237 Central Ave. (tel. 406/862-8382), is chock-full of gimcracks, knickknacks, and souvenirs, many with a bear theme. Two Medicine Gallery, 123 Central Ave. (tel. 406/862-0744), is one of our favorites, stocking a mix of antique books, interesting decor, and eclectic art. There are 12 art galleries in Whitefish that participate in a "First Thursdays" program on Thursday nights from July to October.
For a behind-the-scenes look at some of the local farms and their offerings, contact FarmHands (tel. 406/862-5356) for a free map of Flathead Valley farms that produce everything from goats to garlic and also welcome visitors.
