Mountains, big sky, and cowboys. Does it get much better than Wyoming for that?

If that sounds good to you, then it shouldn’t be a big surprise that Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is becoming a growing hot spot. Plus it’s a perfect road trip destination for a tour of the ‘Old West’ or as a pit stop during a cross country trip. 

In this post, we’re going to give you a quick overview of Cheyenne. The things to see and do and how to get there.

Things to Do

There are plenty of things to do and see in Cheyenne and the surrounding area, but here are some of our top picks.

Cheyenne Frontier Days

If you’re in Cheyenne in July then you have to make some time for Cheyenne Frontier Days. This ten-day event features a huge rodeo, a chili cookoff competition, a parade, and plenty of live music performances. A highlight is often the Native American village that highlights food, crafts, and dance. 

Wyoming State Museum

To get a really good look at the history of the state, spend a few hours at the Wyoming State Museum. You’ll learn about the land, culture, and people of Wyoming from prehistoric times until today. The museum, while small, is very hands on and prides itself on attracting people of all ages. 

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is another really popular attraction for visitors and locals alike. Beyond touring the beautiful grounds, grand conservatory, fountains, children’s garden, and sculptures there are events and classes year round too. And the best part? Admission is free!

Cheyenne Depot Museum and Plaza

Back in the 1800s, before Wyoming became a state, Cheyenne was a gateway to the West because of the growth of the Union Pacific Railroad. You can learn about the history of the railways at the Cheyenne Depot Museum and Plaza and check out some cool historic steam engines while you’re at it.

Terry Bison Ranch

Ever wanted to feel like a real rancher from the 1800s for a few hours? There’s no better place to do it than the Terry Bison Ranch. Located just on the outskirts of Cheyenne, visitors can take a train tour of the bison ranch or you can get a bit more up close and personal with the bison herd on horseback. 

Cowgirls of the West Museum

 

Did you know that cowgirls played (and still play) a huge role in the day to day operations of ranches all across Wyoming? You can learn about the history of these women at the Cowgirls of the West Museum. The museum has all sorts of interesting facts and exhibits where you can learn about the vital role cowgirls had in the state.

Getting There

While Wyoming might seem like a hard to get to state, Cheyenne is actually a really convenient city for road trips. It sits at the intersection of Interstate 80 which runs from Chicago to San Francisco and Interstate 25 that goes North to South from Mexico to Canada. 

It’s about 90 minutes from Denver and 2.5 hours from Casper.