Virginia City and its neighbor Nevada City are preserved gold-rush towns in Alder Gulch, about 96 minutes (67 miles) from our homes in Belgrade (approximate, OSRM routing; real times vary with weather, traffic and road work) OSRM.
Plan your visit
- Worth visiting? Yes in summer: few places preserve a gold-rush town this completely.
- How long: A full day (Memorial Day–Labor Day for Nevada City and the train).
- With kids: the Alder Gulch Shortline train and the living-history weekends; the Brewery Follies is a bawdy cabaret (the Follies itself suggests parental guidance), while it points families to the Virginia City Players at the Opera House. Brewery Follies
- Combine with: Ennis.
- Bad-weather option: indoor exhibits in the historic buildings in season.
Things to do in Virginia City
- Walk Virginia City, open year-round.
- Nevada City open-air museum and the Alder Gulch Shortline train between the towns, Memorial Day–Labor Day, 10–6, with living history on weekends. virginiacitymt.com
- Brewery Follies comedy cabaret; the 2026 season ran May 22 – Sep 12 (2027 dates pending confirmation). Brewery Follies
Suggested itinerary from Belgrade: a full summer day
- Belgrade → Virginia City (about 96 min / 67 mi).
- Walk the boardwalks and historic buildings: allow 2–3 hours.
- Nevada City (about 6 min / 3 mi); the Alder Gulch Shortline links the two in season.
- Optional dinner in Ennis on the way back (about 26 min / 14 mi from Virginia City), then Belgrade (about 73 min / 53 mi).
Seasonal notes: Most attractions run Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Family tips: the train and living-history weekends; the Brewery Follies suggests parental guidance.
Suggested plan, not a tested report. Drive times are approximate OSRM routing estimates (no traffic, construction or winter conditions); allow more time in snow. Check hours and road status before you go.
Where to eat and drink
Dining in Virginia City is seasonal; we have not verified individual restaurants yet. Check the official site. virginiacitymt.com
Map and getting to Virginia City
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Markers are approximate.
Nevada City is about 100 minutes (69 miles) from our homes in Belgrade (approximate, OSRM routing; real times vary with weather, traffic and road work) OSRM. Pair it with Ennis.
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Virginia City by season
Summer is the full experience. In fall, winter and spring Virginia City stays open but most attractions and Nevada City close. virginiacitymt.com
Annual events
Summer living history weekends and the Follies season; see the official calendar. virginiacitymt.com
A short history of Virginia City
Gold was discovered in Alder Gulch on May 26, 1863 by Bill Fairweather and Henry Edgar, setting off one of the richest placer strikes in the West. The town was meant to be “Verina,” but the name was registered as Virginia City. Lawlessness led to the Vigilantes, who hanged Sheriff Henry Plummer in 1864. Virginia City was Montana Territory’s capital from 1865 to 1875, and the Montana Post, the territory’s first newspaper, started here in 1864. Wikipedia
Nevada City saw the trial of George Ives in December 1863. In the 20th century Charles and Sue Bovey restored Virginia City and moved about 100 historic buildings into Nevada City. Virginia City became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Wikipedia
Stay in Belgrade
Make Belgrade your base
Virginia City makes a full summer day trip from Belgrade.
Day trip or overnight? Virginia City is about 96 min / 67 mi from Belgrade (OSRM, approximate; no traffic or winter conditions), a full day trip, best paired with Ennis on the way.
We host five whole-home vacation rentals in Belgrade, about 5 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN): three homes plus a duplex with two private units that can be booked together. Sky (3BR, up to 7 guests), Cozy (3BR, up to 8), Comfy Lodge (up to 6), and the Mountainview duplex: Unit A and Unit B (6 guests each), or the whole duplex for up to 12.
- Sky 3BR Lodge, up to 7 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Cozy 3BR Lodge, up to 8 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Comfy Lodge House, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Modern Mountainview A, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Modern Mountainview B, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Whole duplex (A + B), up to 12 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
Belgrade works best as a base for day trips around southwest Montana. If you plan several days in a row inside Yellowstone, staying in a gateway town may suit you better; see where to stay near Yellowstone.
Nearby guides
Ennis · Three Forks · Bozeman · All guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Virginia City, Montana open in winter?
The town is, but Nevada City, the train and most attractions run Memorial Day–Labor Day.