Virginia City, Montana travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Virginia City is a small town (most definitely not a 'city'!) in southwest Montana. When gold was discovered nearby in Alder Creek, it became a "Wild West" boomtown in the ensuing gold rush. Drinking, gambling and vigilante justice were part of the culture. People such as Calamity Jane called Virginia City home for a time. It was once the capital of Montana Territory, but had nearly faded into a ghost town by the 1950s, when the state restored the city for tourism.

2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Virginia City

Virginia City Players

Acting troupe performs authentic period melodramas and vaudeville shows in the opera house

Brewery Follies

A provocative musical comedy revue in a restored brewery building.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman — 51 mi away. Directions
BTM Bert Mooney Airport, Butte — 53 mi away. Directions
BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise — 243 mi away (major hub). Directions

Virginia City is on MT Highway 287, 15 mi west of Ennis and 30 mi east of Twin Bridges.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Virginia City Players
Lunch Virginia City Creamery
Afternoon Brewery Follies
Evening Bale of Hay Saloon

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Old Western style shop fronts and wooden sidewalks.

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Of the nearly three hundred structures in town, almost half were built prior to 1900.

Most of the city is now owned by the state government and is a National Historic Landmark operated as an open air museum. Nearly all businesses in the town are geared toward tourism. There are less than 200 residents.