Virginia City, MT

Travel Guide
Virginia City featuring heritage architecture and a house
See a town that has stood still since 1863 and explore its heritage streets, complete with period shop fronts, historical monuments and intriguing museums.

Virginia City is a ghost town that is still very much alive. Designated a National Historic Landmark District, the small town is brimming with heritage artifacts and preserved architecture. Ride the historic train, try your luck panning for gold, get involved in exciting live theater shows and spend the night amid the atmosphere at a period hotel.

Stroll through the old-fashioned streets of Virginia City and experience life as it was in the Old West during the late 19th-century gold mining boom. This boomtown was at its peak in the 1860s, when it was home to great wealth and little law enforcement. See some of the town’s colorful stories come to life with a performance by the Virginia City Players in the historic old theater. Head to the Gilbert Brewery to enjoy locally brewed beer and a live cabaret show.

The little ones will love the River of Gold mining exhibit, where they can learn about the history of the gold rush in this area and try their luck at panning for the precious metal. Jump on board the Alder Gulch Shortline to visit the neighboring town of Nevada City, situated 25 minutes away on the scenic open-top train. In Nevada City, you can check out a fascinating historical museum and music hall. The scenery in between the two towns is stunning and you can see where the gold rush began nearby pretty Alder Creek, one of the richest gold strike regions in the Rocky Mountains.

Stay overnight in historic lodgings complete with period furnishings and beautiful antiques. Shop for interesting souvenirs and keepsakes on the town’s shopping strip or buy treats at old-fashioned confectionary shops. You can dine at a selection of local restaurants or pack a picnic to enjoy a meal with a view from Boot Hill, the old cemetery and park overlooking the town and surrounding area.

Virginia City and Nevada City are located in south central Montana. The nearest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, located 69 miles (111 kilometers) away. The region is best visited during the warmer months, as some attractions and hotels close during the winter period.

Fairweather Inn
Fairweather Inn
2 out of 5
307 West Wallace Street, Virginia City, MT
Stay at this hotel in Virginia City. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and concierge services. Popular attraction Brewery Follies is located nearby. Discover ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (95 reviews)
Honeymoon trip!
"We enjoyed this hotel so much and the staff were so nice and so accommodating. Definitely going back!!"

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2023

Fairweather Inn
Nevada City Hotel
Nevada City Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1578 US Highway 287, Virginia City, MT
Stay at this hotel in Virginia City. Enjoy free parking, private yards, and concierge services. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attraction ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (158 reviews)
"Darling cabin. Very clean with friendly staff. No TV, but the view was spectacular. Would definitely recommend!!"

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2023

Nevada City Hotel
Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
Ennis
Stay at this cabin in Virginia City. Enjoy onsite parking, a porch, and barbecue grills. Popular attraction Brewery Follies is located nearby. Discover genuine ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Birthday getaway
"Very nice and quit location, cabin was excellent, very primitive and basic which was perfect and what we were looking for. Ranch Manger went above expectations on hospitality and overall experience. Would highly recommend staying here, and when you factor in the lodging and all you have available ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2023

Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
Ennis
Stay at this cabin in Virginia City. Enjoy onsite parking, a porch, and barbecue grills. Popular attraction Brewery Follies is located nearby. Discover genuine ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Birthday getaway
"Very nice and quit location, cabin was excellent, very primitive and basic which was perfect and what we were looking for. Ranch Manger went above expectations on hospitality and overall experience. Would highly recommend staying here, and when you factor in the lodging and all you have available ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2023

Trapper's Cabin on Firetower ranch
The Historic Harding House
The Historic Harding House
Virginia City
Stay at this vacation home in Virginia City. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attraction Brewery Follies is located nearby. Discover genuine ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Sweet little house!
"Someone did a beautiful job of decorating this adorable little home. Four adults were very comfortable here. It was so nice to be able to walk through the town of Virginia City and up into the hills early every morning before the crowds."

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2023

The Historic Harding House
Cabin Beneath the Big Sky
Cabin Beneath the Big Sky
Alder
Stay at this cabin in Alder. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attraction Ruby Valley Ditch is located nearby. Discover genuine guest reviews ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
our stay
"Beautiful setting, and cottage. Could not have asked for more. Will stay there on our next trip. The owners were wonderful as was the local residents that we were able to chat with at the local bar. Our daily and evening visitor "Grizz" made us feel at home as did Julie and Dave. Would highly recommend ..."

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023

Cabin Beneath the Big Sky
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Virginia City

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
15
" "5 - Excellent 78.94736842105263%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 15.789473684210526%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 5.2631578947368425%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 28, 2019

Virginia City and Nevada City are only open from Memorial Day thru Labor Day. We missed it all being open but saw most of both towns, luckily got a bite to eat too!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 28, 2019

Virginia City was more for tourists. We really loved Nevada City, lots of historic sites.

5/5 - Excellent

Lucy
Sep 11, 2019

If you are interested in old west history, Virginia City area is the place to go.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 31, 2019

Amazing people who live, and work in Virginia City. Mark at The Bale of Hay Bar was a great guy. Louis the guide with the Ghost tour was very informative and really knew her history of the town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 17, 2019

I'm not too sure that The Virginia City Players should have rewritten Alice in Wonderland. Strange rendition. Had dinner at Wells Fargo. Excellent.

4/5 - Good

Mellett
Jul 14, 2019

I love Virginia city. Have been going there yearly for quite a few years. I wish they kept some of the attractions open later. The town shuts down to early for a weekend

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