Cheyenne, Laramie, and Southern Wyoming

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Cheyenne, Laramie, and Southern Wyoming - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

    The gardens' greenhouse conservatory—several stories high—looks like a cathedral of plants and feels like a tropical oasis. It makes for an especially wonderful escape on winter days. The lush banana plants are the big star here; also look for cacti, bonsai, and perennial and annual plants. Kiddos will enjoy seeing the city through the periscope located at the top of the building (only open certain days), as well as exploring the whimsy of the Paul Smith Children's Village across the parking lot from the conservatory. The grounds are open daily from dusk to dawn.

    710 S. Lions Park Dr., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82001, USA
    307-637–6458

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Donations accepted, Conservatory closed Sun. and Mon., Conservatory weekdays 8–4:30, weekends 11–3:30; grounds stay open dawn–dusk
  • 2. Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum

    This spacious museum within Frontier Park houses some 60,000 artifacts related to rodeos, ranching, and the city's blockbuster of an annual event, Cheyenne Frontier Days. The museum's "rolling collection" of more than 150 carriages is the largest fleet of horse-drawn vehicles in the state (with many that still go on parade). In July, the carriages are swapped out for the Frontier Days Western Art Show & Sale, with works by top Western wildlife and landscape artists from across the country. Every spring, the Western Spirit Art Show & Sale features pieces that celebrate the heritage and heart of the American West. For young visitors, there's a children's room with hands-on exhibits open year-round, plus camps in the summer.

    4610 N. Carey Ave., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009, USA
    800-266–2696

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $12, Weekdays 9–5, weekends 10–5, with extended hrs during Frontier Days, in late July
  • 3. Curt Gowdy State Park

    You can fish, boat, hike, and picnic at this park named for Wyoming's most famous sportscaster, who got his start at local radio stations in the 1940s. The park, which is 24 miles west of the city, is especially popular with mountain bikers. There are more than 43 miles of hiking and biking trails, including an International Mountain Bicycling Association EPIC trail—a designation given to some of the most challenging and beautiful single-track trails in the country.

    1264 Granite Springs Rd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009, USA
    307-632–7946

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Daily use from $7 per vehicle; for camping add from $10, Daily 24 hrs; entrance fee station, 7 am–11 pm
  • 4. Fort Laramie National Historic Site

    Fort Laramie is one of the most important historic sites in Wyoming, in part because its original buildings are extremely well preserved, but also because it played a role in several significant periods in Western history. Near the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte rivers, the fort began as a trading post in 1834, and it was an important provisioning point for travelers on the Oregon Trail in 1843, the Mormon Trail in 1847, and the California Trail in 1849, when it also became a military site. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed here, leading to the end of the First Sioux War, also known as Red Cloud's War. National Park Service rangers interpret scenes of military life and talk about the fur trade, overland migration, and relations between settlers and Native Americans.

    965 Gray Rocks Rd., Fort Laramie, Wyoming, 82212, USA
    307-837–2221

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Site daily dawn–dusk; visitor center Sept.–May, daily 8–4, June–Aug., daily 8–7
  • 5. Grand Encampment Museum

    The modern interpretive center at the Grand Encampment Museum holds exhibits on the history of the Grand Encampment copper district and logging and mining. A pioneer town of original buildings includes the Lake Creek stage station, the Big Creek tie-hack cabin, the Peryam homestead, the Slash Ridge fire tower, a blacksmith shop, a transportation barn, and a two-story outhouse. Among the other relics are three towers from a 16-mile-long aerial tramway built in 1903 to transport copper ore from mines in the Sierra Madres. You can take guided tours, and there's also a research area. A living-history day, with music, costumes, and events, takes place the third weekend in July.

    807 Barnett Ave., Encampment, Wyoming, 82325, USA
    307-327–5308

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Donations accepted, Closed Sun. and Mon. Memorial Day–early Oct.; call or email ahead for winter hrs, Memorial Day–Labor Day, Mon.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5; Sept., Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5
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  • 6. American Heritage Center

    The center houses more than 90,000 cubic feet (or nearly 17 miles) of rare books, collections of papers, and memorabilia related to such subjects as American and Western history, the petroleum industry, conservation movements, transportation, and the performing arts. Permanent and temporary art displays also fill the museum space.

    2111 Willet Dr., Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
    307-766–4114

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends, Mon. 8 am–9 pm, Tues.–Fri. 8–5
  • 7. Battle Highway

    As you make your way west to Baggs over the Battle Highway (Highway 70), you'll cross the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. This route takes you through the mining country that was developed during the 1897–1908 copper-mining boom in the Sierra Madres; interpretive signs along the way point out historic sites. Legend has it that in 1878, Thomas Edison was fishing near Battle Pass with a bamboo rod when he began to ponder the idea of a filament, which led to his invention of the incandescent light bulb. Note that this section of the highway closes to car travel in winter, though it stays open for snowmobiles.

    Encampment, Wyoming, USA

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed to cars Nov.–Memorial Day
  • 8. Carbon County Museum

    This expansive museum tells the history of Carbon County through stories, artifacts, and photos spread across several gallery spaces and a garage. Some notable collections focus on the history of women in the area, Native Americans, and the military. There's a hands-on space for kids, and for railroad buffs there's one of the largest exhibits of Union Pacific memorabilia and history in the state. Many people come to see the original Wyoming flag, as well as a much more gruesome historical memento: a pair of shoes crafted out of human skin; Dr. John Osborne made them from the body of outlaw Big Nose George Parrott, who was lynched here in 1881. Legend has it that Dr. Osborne wore those very shoes several years later to his inauguration as Wyoming’s governor.

    904 W. Walnut St., Rawlins, Wyoming, 82301, USA
    307-328–2740

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon., June–Sept., Tues.–Fri. 10–6, Sat. 1–5; Oct.–May, Tues.–Sat. 1–5; tours by appointment
  • 9. Cheyenne Frontier Days

    Visitor Center

    For further information and to book rodeo and concert tickets, contact Cheyenne Frontier Days. The Web site is a useful resource: you can buy tickets online, see a schedule of activities, and order a brochure, all well in advance of the event itself.

    Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA
    307-778–7222-locally
  • 10. Community Fine Arts Center

    The center's Halseth Gallery houses a permanent collection of nearly 500 mostly American paintings, prints, drawings, and photographs, including works by Norman Rockwell, Grandma Moses, and Rufino Tamayo. The center also draws some of the best traveling art exhibitions from around the country. Concerts and other programs are presented throughout the year as well.

    400 C St., Rock Springs, Wyoming, 82901, USA
    307-362–6212

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 11. Fossil Butte National Monument

    A unique concentration of creatures is embedded in the natural limestone outcrop at Fossil Butte National Monument, indicating clearly that this area was a freshwater lake more than 50 million years ago. Many of the fossils—which include fish, insects, and plants—are remarkably clear and detailed. Pronghorn, coyotes, prairie dogs, and other mammals find shelter within the 8,198-acre park, along with numerous birds, such as eagles and falcons. You can hike two trails and unwind at the picnic area. A visitor center here houses an information desk and fossil exhibits, including a 13-foot crocodilian, long since extinct but related to the modern crocodile.

    864 Chicken Creek Rd., Kemmerer, Wyoming, 83101, USA
    307-877–4455

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Visitor center closed Sun., Park daily 24 hrs. Visitor center June–Aug., daily 8–7; Sept.–May, daily 8–4:30
  • 12. Fossil Country Frontier Museum

    This small but charming window into the past is housed in a former church and features fossils and displays related to early settlement in the area. See an old still and wine vat, as well as a taxidermied two-headed calf.

    400 Pine Ave., Kemmerer, Wyoming, 83101, USA
    307-877–6551

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun.–Wed., June–Aug., Mon.–Sat. 9–5; Sept.–May, Mon.–Sat. 10–4
  • 13. Happy Jack Road

    Although I–80 connects Cheyenne and Laramie more quickly, the drive between the two cities on Happy Jack Road (Highway 210) is very scenic, particularly in spring and early summer, when wildflowers are in full bloom. The road winds over the high plains, past Curt Gowdy State Park, and provides access to the Vedauwoo Recreation Area before linking back to I–80, 7 miles east of Laramie at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument. At this state rest area you can obtain information about the region and view a larger-than-life sculpture of the 16th president's head looming above you.

    Wyoming, USA
  • 14. Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium

    Observatory

    You can learn about the stars and watch science presentations that transport you to vast landscapes at the planetarium's full-dome theater. Entertainment shows, where images dance to music above you, are also sometimes offered. Public shows are typically on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as certain holidays. Private bookings also available.

    University of Wyoming, 10th and Fremont Sts., Physical Sciences Bldg. basement, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
    307-766–6514

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $5, Closed when university is closed
  • 15. Killpecker Sand Dunes

    The second largest active sand dune field in the world, these otherworldly mountains and valleys of sand stretch for more than 100 miles. Pay attention to signage: some areas are friendly to off-roading, while others are federally protected and do not allow motorized vehicles. The ADA-accessible Killpecker Sand Dunes Open Play Area Campground is located 32 miles north of Rock Springs and has a vault toilet and fire rings.

    Rock Springs, Wyoming, 82901, USA
    307-352--0256
  • 16. Laramie Plains Museum at the Historic Ivinson Mansion

    This impressive, Queen Anne--style mansion is home to a growing collection of historical artifacts that help tell the history of the Laramie plains area. The home itself is a big part of the city's past. Its first owners, Edward and Jane Ivinson, were on the very first passenger train in 1868, and later constructed the mansion during Edward's run for governor of the new state of Wyoming. The home was saved from demolition in 1972, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are offered by informed docents.

    603 Ivinson Ave., Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
    307-742–4448

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10, Mid-June–mid-Aug., Tues.–Sat. 9–5:30, Sun. 1–4; mid-Aug.–Dec. and Mar.–mid-June, Tues.–Sat. 12:30–5:30.
  • 17. Little Snake River Museum

    Ranch paraphernalia, handmade quilts, a doll collection, and the original 1870s-era cabin of mountain man Jim Baker are exhibited at the Little Snake River Museum in Savery. There are more than a dozen historic buildings at the site, including one that houses an exhibit completely dedicated to the history of sheep raising in Carbon County. At certain times in the past, it had more sheep than any other county in the country. The museum also has a nice gift shop, with a good selection of books. In nearby Baggs, the museum owns and operates The Outlaw Stop. Both museums are open from Memorial Day to "some cold day in October," which heralds the coming of winter.

    13 CC Rd. 561 N, Savery, Wyoming, 82332, USA
    307-383–7262

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Donations accepted, Closed late Oct.--late May, Memorial Day–late Oct., daily 11–5
  • 18. Medicine Bow Museum

    You can learn about the history of this small dot of a town at the Medicine Bow Museum, housed in an old railroad depot built in 1913. The summer cabin belonging to famed fiction author Owen Wister was relocated and stands right next door.

    405 Lincoln Hwy., Medicine Bow, Wyoming, 82329, USA
    307-703–8084

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Labor Day–Memorial Day, Memorial Day–Sept., weekdays 10–5 and by appointment
  • 19. Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest, Hayden District

    The Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest, Hayden District covers 586,000 acres, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Encampment River, Huston Park, Savage Run, and Platte River wilderness areas.

    Saratoga, Wyoming, USA
  • 20. Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest, Laramie District

    You can hike, picnic, fish, ski, snowmobile, and take photographs in the 400,000 acres of Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest, Laramie District, and that is the short list. The Laramie District has 20 developed campgrounds, although some are closed for tree removal; dispersed camping is also allowed. Although the Laramie District administrative office is in Laramie, several of the most easily accessed campgrounds are along scenic Highway 130, just west of Centennial. Lodgings such as cabins, forest guard stations, and even a fire lookout tower high in the Snowy Range are available for rent in summer. Pole Mountain, located north of I–80 between Laramie and Cheyenne, is a popular area for recreation and is approximately 55,000 acres in size.

    Wyoming, 82070, USA
    877-444–6777-for camping

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