Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming. Cheyenne is most famous for Frontier Days, one of the largest rodeos in the United States. We recently stopped in Cheyenne on a “great American road trip” through the Western States. Cheyenne is relatively small, with about 60,000 residents, but it’s a quintessential Western frontier town. Here are our recommendations for things to do in Cheyenne Wyoming!
Frontier Days
Cheyenne’s Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the United States, and it takes place each summer. It’s the biggest event in Cheyenne, so the city is packed during Frontier Days. If you are visiting during Frontier Days, be prepared for crowds and make sure you reserve your Cheyenne hotel way in advance.
Even if you miss Frontier Days, there are usually some fun rodeo events going on. We visited in the fall and got to see a double-lasso competition at the rodeo arena. There’s always something fun happening in Cheyenne!
Downtown Cheyenne
The downtown area fills a space of about six to eight blocks and makes for an easy afternoon stroll. There are shops, museums, and restaurants. They also have some fun murals to check out. Just beware that shops tend to close early here, so get your souvenir shopping done in the afternoon.
What NOT to Buy When Souvenir Shopping
Cheyenne Depot Plaza
This former Union Pacific Depot is now a National Historic Landmark, and a popular open-air market in Cheyenne. You’ll often find farmer’s markets and live music here on the weekends, so it’s a great place to stroll around and meet locals. There’s also a small train museum, which is super interesting, as Cheyenne was a major transportation hub during the railroad days.
Cheyenne Museums
There are some great museums in Cheyenne, many of them detailing the history of Wyoming and the frontier lifestyle of the past. A few Cheyenne museums that you should check out include:
- Wyoming State Museum
- Cheyenne Depot Museum
- Nelson Museum of the West
- Frontier Days Museum
- Cowgirls of the West Museum
- Messenger Museum
Other things to see in Cheyenne include the State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion.
Cheyenne Day Trips
From Cheyenne, it’s less than an hour to Fort Collins, Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also make a day trip to Scott’s Bluff National Monument in Nebraska. The University town of Laramie is also less than one hour from Cheyenne. These day trips make Cheyenne a great place to stay when exploring southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado.
Where to Eat and Drink in Cheyenne
Cheyenne has a handful of good breweries, and it’s part of the Wyoming Beer Trail. The Accomplice Brewery is right downtown, as well as a few others. Just don’t drink and drive! Downtown Cheyenne is very walkable, and Ubers are readily available if you don’t want to walk.
Of course, when you’re in Wyoming, good steak is plentiful, and you’ll find several old-school Western Steakhouses in Cheyenne. You can also try some cuisine that is unique to the West, like bison, elk, or “Rocky Mountain Oysters.”
Where to Stay in Cheyenne
There are plenty of places to stay in Cheyenne. If you want to stay right downtown, there are several historic hotels to choose from. If you prefer chain hotels with modern amenities, you’ll be staying on the outskirts of town near the interstate.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Cheyenne is a great city to visit, even if it’s just a day trip from Fort Collins. It’s easy to get around and the people are super friendly. Just be prepared for a wide range of weather; we had 90 degrees and snow, all in the same trip! Looking for more tips on road trip destinations in the United States? Check out these other blog posts:
- What NOT to Do When Visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Ten Things That Will SHOCK You in Memphis
- What to Eat in New England
