Virginia City MontanaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Virginia City, Montana.
1. Virginia City National Historic Landmark
PRESERVED OLD WEST TOWN
Virginia City National Historic Landmark offers visitors a glimpse into authentic Old West history with over 150 certified historic buildings. Born from the gold discovery in Alder Gulch in 1863, this former Montana Territorial Capital preserves the atmosphere of the 1860s gold rush era. Visitors can explore original buildings filled with merchandise and implements used during the gold camp's heyday.
2. Brewery Follies
HISTORIC COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT
The Brewery Follies offers lively entertainment performances in Montana's first brewery, the historic H.S. Gilbert Brewery. Audiences enjoy comedy shows in an authentic 19th-century setting that adds to the charm of the experience. The venue combines Victorian-era ambiance with modern humor for a unique entertainment option in Virginia City.
3. Boot Hill Cemetery
HISTORIC BURIAL GROUND
Boot Hill Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many colorful characters from Virginia City's wild frontier days. The historic burial ground offers visitors a somber glimpse into the often violent realities of life in a gold rush boomtown. Walking through this cemetery provides perspective on the hardships faced by early settlers and miners in Montana Territory.
4. J. Spencer Watkins Memorial Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The J. Spencer Watkins Memorial Museum houses artifacts and exhibits telling the story of Virginia City's gold rush era. Visitors can view collections that document the development of this important Montana territorial town. The museum provides educational insights into mining techniques, daily life, and cultural aspects of the 1860s frontier community.
5. Thompson Hickman Museum
REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTER
The Thompson Hickman Museum preserves the rich history of Virginia City and the surrounding Madison County area. Housed in a historic building, the museum displays photographs, documents, and artifacts from the region's mining and pioneer past. Visitors gain appreciation for local heritage through carefully curated exhibits that highlight significant events and personalities.
6. Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad
HISTORIC TRAIN RIDE
The Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad offers visitors a scenic journey between Virginia City and Nevada City on a restored narrow-gauge railway. Passengers experience travel as it was in the 1800s while learning about the historic gold mining operations that shaped the region. The train ride provides excellent views and photo opportunities of Montana's picturesque Madison Valley.
7. Virginia City Ghost Walk
SPOOKY HISTORICAL TOUR
Virginia City's Ghost Walk takes visitors on an eerie journey through the town's haunted past and lingering legends. Tour guides share tales of mysterious occurrences, tragic events, and spectral residents said to still wander the historic streets and buildings. The atmospheric evening experience combines local history with supernatural storytelling for a memorable Montana adventure.
8. Virginia City Opera House
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Virginia City Opera House hosts the Virginia City Players in productions styled after 19th-century theatrical traditions. As the oldest continuously operating summer stock theater west of the Mississippi, it offers visitors authentic period entertainment. The beautifully preserved venue transports audiences back to the cultural life of a booming gold rush town.
9. Star Bakery
HISTORIC DINING EXPERIENCE
The Star Bakery offers diners the opportunity to enjoy meals in an authentic 1860s setting in the heart of Virginia City. Visitors can savor food while surrounded by the atmosphere of Montana Territory's gold rush era. The historic establishment combines culinary offerings with a tangible connection to the town's frontier past.
10. Bale of Hay Saloon
AUTHENTIC WESTERN BAR
The Bale of Hay Saloon invites visitors to bend an elbow in an authentic frontier drinking establishment. The historic saloon maintains the character and ambiance of Virginia City's gold rush days. Patrons can enjoy libations while imagining the miners, outlaws, and pioneers who frequented similar establishments during Montana's territorial period.
11. Nevada City Living History Museum
INTERACTIVE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
Nevada City Living History Museum creates an immersive experience of 1800s frontier life just a mile from Virginia City. The western town consists of buildings collected from other ghost towns, preserved to tell the story of Montana's mining era. Visitors can interact with costumed interpreters and participate in demonstrations of period skills and activities.
12. Montana Heritage Commission Gift Store
LOCAL ARTISAN PRODUCTS
The Montana Heritage Commission Gift Store offers visitors a selection of locally made crafts, books, and souvenirs related to Virginia City's history. Located on the west edge of town, the store provides information and resources about the region's gold mining heritage. Shoppers can find unique mementos while supporting the preservation efforts of Montana's historic treasures.
13. Madison River Valley
PREMIER TROUT FISHING
The Madison River Valley, just west of Virginia City, features some of the world's finest trout streams set against a stunning mountain backdrop. Anglers from around the globe travel to this region to fish its legendary waters teeming with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. The majestic natural setting offers not only fishing but also opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and outdoor recreation.
14. Historic Main Street
PRESERVED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
Historic Main Street in Virginia City features authentic Old West buildings dating from the territorial days of Montana. Visitors can stroll along wooden boardwalks while exploring shops, museums, and businesses housed in carefully preserved 19th-century structures. The street offers glimpses of architectural styles and commercial establishments typical of a booming 1860s gold rush town.
15. Grand Victorian Ball
PERIOD COSTUME EVENT
The Grand Victorian Ball for Peace 1865 is held annually in August, allowing participants to experience the social customs of the post-Civil War era. Attendees dress in period costumes and enjoy dancing in the style of Virginia City's territorial heyday. The elegant event recreates the refined cultural gatherings that balanced the rough-and-tumble aspects of frontier gold mining communities.