PICS: Discover the Charm of Virginia City, MT Before Summer Ends

Looking for a quick Montana escape that blends history, charm, and wagon load of Old West fun? Virginia City, Montana is a destination that deserves a spot on your end-of-summer Treasure State travel bucket list.

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Nestled in the southwest corner of the Treasure State (at approximately 6,000 ft elevation), this charming mining town is a living museum of Montana's early days, offering visitors a delightful mix of history, food, brews, and entertainment.

It had been many years since my spouse or I had been to Virginia City. The last time I visited was 20 years ago, probably more. I forgot how much fun can be found in this very much alive "ghost town."

We zipped over from Billings for a short weekend getaway - sans kids - in late July, booking a charming little Airbnb about two blocks up the hill from all of the action. Everything we wanted to see and do was easily walkable, enabling us to avoid the somewhat congested (at times) streetside parking on a busy summer weekend.

You feel like you've hopped into a time machine as you stroll down the wooden boardwalks of Virginia City, where the past comes alive in meticulously preserved buildings from the 1860s - 1880s gold rush era.

The town is bursting with character and it's a Montana history buff photo dream, from the Opera House that still hosts live performances to the old-fashioned candy shop and saloons that give an authentic taste of the Wild West.

Note: the pecan caramel clusters at the candy shop were amazing. 

We visited the oldest bar in Montana, and probably the second oldest too, both within a block of each other. If those walls could talk, we can only imagine the stories they'd tell.

One of the highlights of our visit was checking out the Virginia City Players, a theater troupe that has been entertaining audiences with melodramas and vaudeville acts for decades. The somewhat risque variety show, Brewery Follies, was hilarious, performed on the rustic stage located on the lower level of the oldest brewery in Montana.

For those who prefer a bit of mystery, the town offers ghost tours that delve into its haunted history. One morning when I went for a walk, tourists were clomping down a gravel side street on a guided horseback tour. It looked like fun and perhaps we'll do that next time when we come back with our kids. They would love it.

Some locals spend year-round in Virginia City, so the small community doesn't necessarily "close" in the winter, but most of the attractions and shops will wrap things up on Labor Day weekend. If you want to explore this gem in all of its glory, you'd better get on it.

Whether you're a history buff, a theater lover, or just looking for a unique getaway, Virginia City, Montana offers a little something for everyone. We can't wait to come back next.