Virginia City (Montana)

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.

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.

• Virginia City Chamber of Commerce

Virginia City is on MT Highway 287, 15 mi (24 km) west of Ennis and 30 mi (48 km) east of Twin Bridges.

It is south of Interstate 90, about 75 mi (121 km) Butte and 65 mi (105 km) from Bozeman.

A car is necessary to get to Virginia City.

Park your car for free and walk to all destinations. Additionally there are horse drawn tours around the town.

• Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad. This steam train runs 1.5 mi (2.4 km) between Virginia City and nearby Nevada City as a sightseeing option. $10 adult roundtrip. (updated Jul 2026)

• 45.29278-111.948721 Virginia City Players, 338 West Wallace. days vary - 2PM and 7PM show times. Acting troupe performs authentic period melodramas and vaudeville shows in the opera house $18 adults, $10 children.  
• 45.29453-111.94282 Brewery Follies, Hamilton St, toll-free: +1-800-829-2969. May-Sep: Wed-Sun. A provocative musical comedy revue in a restored brewery building. $32.  (updated Jul 2026)

• 45.29351-111.945811 Virginia City Creamery, 205 W Wallace St, ☏ +1 406 843-5515, thecreameryicecream@gmail.com. Old fashioned ice cream made where patrons can watch.  (updated Oct 2021)

• 45.29294-111.948391 Bale of Hay Saloon, 344 W. Wallace St. May to late September. Wild West saloon.  

• 45.2935-111.939621 The Elling House Inn, 404 E. Idaho.  
• 45.29428-111.927212 Rambling Moose Campground, 1302 E. Warren St., ☏ +1 406 843-5493, info@ramblingmoosecampground.com.  

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