Written and Photographed by Whitney O’Halek
Few state capital cities are as charming as Cheyenne, Wyoming. It has the feel of a small town and the fun of the Wild West. Whether you’re simply driving through or visiting for the famous Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, you’ll want to put these top 10 sites and experiences on your must-do list in Cheyenne.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Cheyenne, Wyoming by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Whitney talk about Cheyenne on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Sign a Guestbook – Do you remember how I said Cheyenne has a small-town charm? Guestbooks are the epitome of that. Every hotel, every museum, and every business has a guestbook for visitors to sign. Some go back more than 100 years and have thousands of signatures. Some have very famous signatures. They’ll ask you to sign several guest books, and you should happily sign each and every one. It’s western hospitality at its best.
9. Find All the Big Boots — What are the big boots? You can’t miss them. At eight feet tall, dozens of these boots scatter around the city. Local artists have painted them, and businesses and individuals are still commissioning new boots. The theme is “If These Boots Could Talk,” and the story of each boot can be found in their free audio guide. Pick up a brochure at the train depot and try to see all the big boots while you’re in town.
8. Explore the Nelson Museum of the West — You can’t visit Cheyenne without experiencing the Wild West. The Nelson Museum of the West has more than 14,000 artifacts, including the 4,000-book library. This small but mighty museum honors the history and culture of the west uniquely. Exhibits include artwork and weaponry from Native Americans, lawmen and outlaws, Eskimos and the Northwest Coast, cowboys, and more.
7. Visit the Cowgirls of the West Museum — Speaking of the Wild West, it never would’ve been the same without the women who made it theirs. This free museum highlights the legendary women of the west, including Sacagawea, Annie Oakley, Mary Carter, and others you may have never heard of but should. This is the only museum in the world dedicated to cowgirls and women of the west, and it must be a priority stop on your trip to Cheyenne.
6. Enjoy the Botanic Gardens —The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to spend a few hours anytime, whether visiting on a warm summer’s day or in the dead of winter. The indoor conservatory features tropical plants, such as its 34-foot-tall palm tree, an orangery, and a bonsai house. Outside, you’ll find nine acres of gorgeous landscaping, a year-round vegetable garden, and even a labyrinth garden. It’s free to visit, and it’s within walking distance of other parks and museums as well.
5. Tour the Historic Govenors’ Mansion—Because it’s no longer the official governor’s residence, this historic mansion is open for free tours. It was the residence of Wyoming’s first families from 1905 until 1976. Today, each room is decorated with artifacts from a different decade, highlighting the mansion and residents’ history.
4. Explore Terry Bison Ranch Resort — Want to see natural wildlife on a real dude ranch? You can do it at Terry Bison Ranch Resort. Take a tour on their ranch train, try your hand at horseback riding (or pony riding, for smaller visitors), or take a morning to go fishing on the property. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit their Senator’s Steakhouse and Saloon for a genuine taste of the ranch and the Wild West, including—you guessed it—bison.
3. Visit the Wyoming State Museum – This free museum is a perfect introduction to the state of Wyoming, the town of Cheyenne, and the Wild West. Dating back to 1895, this museum is suitable for kids and adults alike, thanks to its hands-on exhibits and various historical artifacts. Their collections range from pre-history to the present and include anthropology, paleontology, the gold rush, women’s rights, and more. This is also the place to get up close and personal with the most iconic animal in the region: the American bison.
2. Tour the Wyoming State Capital — Fun fact: Wyoming was the first state to have a female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross. Completed in 1890, construction on the capitol began when Wyoming was still just a territory. It’s also one of only 20 State Capitol buildings designated a National Historic Landmark, a distinction awarded in 1987. Free tours are offered Monday through Friday, no reservations necessary, and it’s conveniently located just steps from the Wyoming State Museum.
1. Attend Cheyenne Frontier Days — Cheyenne has a lot going for it, but one annual event made it famous: Cheyenne Frontier Days. This nine-day rodeo festival brings more than half a million people into town each year—that’s nearly the entire state’s population! Its highlights include more than a week of events, concerts, a carnival, food, and so much more.
Can’t make it to Frontier Days? No worries. Head over to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. Exhibits feature the best of the Old West and everything you want to know about the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days and its many rodeos and events through the years.
Start with this top 10 and see what else Wyoming takes you from there. The very mention of Cheyenne conjures up cowboys, rodeos, and trains. You won’t be disappointed in your visit because you’ll find all three and more here.
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