Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Cheyenne, WY

  • Published 2022/09/23

Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a city bustling with modern city life.

Plan your next holiday in this stunning city and let your spirits come alive with its raw energy and warmth!

Interested to know more about this place?

Below are the 20 best things to do in Cheyenne, Wyoming!

Experience Cheyenne Frontier Days

Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade

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Cheyenne Frontier Days is an authentic Wild West annual festival!

Let your hair down in a mad week of frenzied celebrations of the finest in art, history, food, culture, and mindless fun.

Watch exquisite parades, enjoy the endless fun of the rodeos, and delight in the many remarkable outdoor concerts.

Rodeo show during Cheyenne Frontier Days

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You may also watch majestic aircraft soaring sky at the Air Force demonstrations.

Feast on tasty snacks and watch the lovely animals rejoice in your warmth.

Finally, cool off the week’s energy by touring historical museums and picking up sweet memorabilia.

View of the empty Cheyenne Frontier Days arena

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Dine at Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House

Grill down on soft lamb meat while enjoying the crackling of delicious ribs in the rugged rodeo-styled interiors of renowned Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House.

This restaurant is a favorite among residents and regular visitors—and for a good reason!

Experience their succulent steaks and sizzling platters brimming with fresh seafood!

Take the culinary delights to another level with the equally delectable sides, wings, and fries.

Their pasta and sandwiches are not to be missed either!

Surely, Rib and Chop will serve you ample servings and never disappoint you!

Pay a Visit to Cheyenne Botanical Gardens

Horseshoe arch at Cheyenne Botanical Gardens

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You can enjoy the wilderness in the city by visiting the Botanical Gardens.

These gardens remain from morning until the afternoon to entertain visitors.

Colorful flowers of various types and small statues dot the gardens!

You can also have fun at its stone-paved mazes.

A bee beside a flower at Cheyenne Botanical Gardens

M. Leonard Photography / Shutterstock.com

Additionally, the educational program at Cheyenne Botanical Gardens will fill you with facts about many plants.

You can also enjoy fine arts at one of the shows hosted regularly.

Or what about picking up some fresh ingredients at the farmer’s market for your next meal?

See Rate Items at Antiques Central

A trip to Antiques Central is ideal for those who love collecting rare items.

The place is famous as a one-stop shop for antiques.

You will find its vast collection, which amply reflects the truth of its moniker.

This place is perfect for history buffs, as it teems with vintage items, including art, furniture, books, jewelry, and dolls hand-stitched by indigenous Americans, among many others!

Another item that will catch your notice is a set of lovely, colorful jazz suits.

Roam around at Wyoming State Museum

Exterior of the Wyoming State Museum

Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can learn about the rich history of Wyoming by visiting the Wyoming State Museum.

The exhibits here depict different areas of Wyoming’s glorious past.

Additionally, you can participate in many hands-on activities to learn more about the city.

Some exciting items here are painted drums and indigenous totem poles.

By visiting the museum, kids can get a taste of life in the 18th century!

Also, a 19th-century wagon lets you climb inside to get a feel of what it felt like to travel in those days.

The state funds this museum, so you never need to worry about entry fees.

Have Fun at Happy Jack Road

The Happy Jack Road is a renowned highway with scenic views!

You can get off the main road to enjoy the several nearby fun sites.

When the long hours of driving tire you, take a detour into the many parks along the roadsides.

Alternately, feast your eyes on the majestic waterfalls.

Several vantage points dotting the highway also provide stunning views of the region.

A drive through the Happy Jack Road is the ideal recipe to relieve your stress!

Shop at Frontier Mall

Food court in Frontier Mall

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Frontier Mall is a favorite spot for carefree shoppers to spend a fun day.

The mall covers a large area of over 500,000 square feet.

So it’s guaranteed to have endless fun window shopping!

Exterior of the Frontier Mall

MLambousis / Shutterstock.com

The chic area dazzles with high-end wares produced in the finest factories of the 21st century.

The collection in the fashion shops will spellbind you.

Alternately, enjoy warm fun in the quaint mom-and-pop stores.

JCPenny in Frontier Mall

Retail Photographer / Shutterstock.com

No shopping day is complete without tasty food.

Additionally, you can eat sumptuous feasts of a cheap burrito at Chipotle or nurture your Greek taste buds with a fun gyro from Renzio’s Greek Food.

Top it all off with delicious candies from the in-house candy store!

Justice storefront in Frontier Mall

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Visit Cheyenne Depot Museum

Exterior of the Cheyenne Depot Museum

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The original railway station from 1887 was converted into the Cheyenne Museum.

Surprisingly, the towering spires give the museum an eerie gothic feel, though it is a modern structure.

The shining red sandstone adds to the charm.

Entrance to the Cheyenne Depot Museum

Kit Leong / Shutterstock.com

The museum tells the saga of man’s never-say-die spirit to conquer space and time with railways.

The artifacts here reflect the ingenuity of early rail pioneers.

Vintage steam engines let you peek into the technology of those times.

Exhibit in the Cheyenne Depot Museum

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See Art Pieces at Cheyenne Big Boots

One of the Cheyenne Big Boots

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The life-sized art pieces of Cheyenne Big Boots will delight you!

The cowboy boots in this collection are unique, each showing a different theme.

These boots, covered with delightful murals, are scattered around the entire city!

So you might come across one anytime on your travels!

A Cheyenne Big Boot at downtown

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These items’ artistry will surely make you smile whenever you spot one.

For those keen on cultural depth, these boots depict exciting parts of the cowboy subculture.

You can collect a bagful of lovely memories by taking pictures of Cheyenne’s masterpieces!

A Cheyenne Big Boot at Cheyenne frontier days store

MLambousis / Shutterstock.com

See Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion

Exterior of Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion

Wyatt Perry, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History buffs can have a rich experience at the Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion on a budget.

The museum has an in-house cultural section.

Here, you can enjoy fascinating artifacts, clothes, and tools from history.

The Governor’s Mansion displays the glorious history of Wyoming engagingly.

This place is indeed perfect for spending a relaxed day without breaking the bank!

Explore Nelson Museum of the West

More history delight awaits you when you visit the Nelson Museum of the West.

The items here relate to the colonial era.

With more than 4,000 books, the in-house library can provide bookworms with toothsome nuggets to nibble.

Here, you’ll see lovely horse items!

Additionally, the sombreros will delight you with their rich colors.

Catch some exquisite Native American artwork crafted by the local Pueblo and Plains tribes.

Alternately, they have an impressive haul of items depicting Wyoming’s history.

Visit NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center

From history lovers to tech geeks, Wyoming has something to offer.

Explore the cutting-edge of modern technology at the NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center.

Take a guided tour to learn the in-depth workings of this mean machine.

The majestic hardware stacks taller than men will delight you with their imposing beauty.

Finally, stroll through the halls filled with exciting exhibits.

These relate to fascinating scientific topics, like supercomputing, extreme weather, and energy tech.

Experience the Historic Cheyenne Walking Tours

Head out into the city’s historic district to catch glimpses of its rich past!

The elegant mansions will delight you with their unique style of architecture from the old times.

Enjoy a peaceful recluse by spending some quiet time in one of the beautiful churches.

You can also walk through some of the smaller museums in this area to have more fun.

Plenty of bikes are available for rent here, so you can take a refreshing tour around the area.

Otherwise, a stroll on foot is equally relaxing.

Cheyenne Ice and Events Center

The city will surprise you with a state-of-the-art winter sports facility at the Cheyenne Ice and Events Center.

Skaters can dole on the smooth ice by gliding across it in delightful patterns.

Worry not if you are not an expert skater, as their expert trainers will guide you!

If you have limped along with your gang, you can put your gear on and have a wild ice hockey game.

The whole gamut of winter sports is on offer.

You will be spoilt for choice!

Explore Cowgirls of the West Museum

For all those cowgirls, you have your chance to explore the proud history of your fellow macho-women at the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium.

Catch stunning impressions of early women pioneers sporting unique styles of Colonial hats!

But, of course, the ten-gallon hats are the star attraction!

Wyoming was the leader in extending property rights to women.

The fallout of that decision reflects in the many items depicting women ranchers, innkeepers, and rodeo state performers.

Witness Various Animals at Terry Bison Ranch

Bison at Terry Bison Ranch

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The Terry Bison Ranch is home to a population of enormous Bison and America’s sole Bison train ride.

Site visitors to the ranch have the option of taking a vintage train into the middle of the Bison population and buy for food to nourish the Bison onsite.

Visitors will pass through horses, particularly newborn foals, donkeys, mules, and more unusual animals like ostriches, llamas, and camels, as they make their way to the bison herd.

There are also cattle excursions, which include sitting on a cow’s herd from one area to another, and pasture horseback riding.

The cattle excursions include trail tours and lunches at Senator’s, the ranch’s well-known restaurant.

The ranch also offers year-round access to its RV park and cottages.

Check Display at Wyoming National Guard Museum to know more about History

For more than 150 years, the Wyoming National Guard has served as the nation’s shield and sword force.

The history and achievements of the Wyoming Army and Air National Guard are preserved and shared by the Wyoming National Guard Museum.

The Museums’ headquarters are located in a former National Guard storage facility on Pershing Boulevard in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

It has historical displays that examine the history and influence of the Guard over three hundred years.

The museum houses the history records for the Wyoming Army and Air National Guards and displays.

Researchers can access their library of images, records, and movies during operating hours.

Treat Yourself to a Tasty Meal at 2 Doors Down

Jerry and Sandy Inniss, residents of Cheyenne, provide delicious, made-to-order meals as you unwind, play a game, or simply hang out.

Two doors across from Pizzeria Venti, their other well-liked eatery, 2 Doors Down, has been operating since 2009.

Jerry and Sandy wanted to establish a calm setting where people might enjoy spending their valuable time, so they renovated an old building in the heart of Cheyenne.

What began as a list of lunch specialties that Jerry prepared for his family and his restaurant workers evolved into an infinite menu of fries and exquisite burgers.

The outcome is an authentic revival of the American classic: each meal is quickly delivered, crafted with the season and quality ingredients, and served with your choice of patties, along with a unique blend of ground beef developed just for 2 Doors Down.

Experience Unique Transportation through the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley

Catching a seat on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley is a must-do activity when visiting Cheyenne.

The trolley is the simplest method to educate yourself on Cheyenne’s history, offering hour-and-a-half-long “Wild West History Tours” all year.

Through colorful storytelling, the professional drivers will teach you all about the city’s most fascinating landmarks and illustrious structures.

The hour-and-a-half-long Ghosts of the Wild West Walking Tour, which will be offered during summertime at 8 p.m. on Saturdays in June, July, and August, is brand-new.

Discover some of Cheyenne’s most well-known ghosts and the locations they haunt on a guided tour of the city’s historic center.

Admire the Great Outdoors at Curt Gowdy State Park

Reservoir at Curt Gowdy State Park

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The 3,395-acre Curt Gowdy State Park is a popular outdoor recreation area for its extensive trail network, fishing ponds, and Hynds Lodge.

Granite State Park was the park’s original name when it was first established in 1971.

In 1972, it was changed and dedicated in honor of Curt Gowdy, a national sports reporter and adventurer born in Green River, Wyoming, and reared in Cheyenne, where he started his media career.

A bench overlooking the waters at Curt Gowdy State Park

Jennifer Jensen / Shutterstock.com

In Curt Gowdy State Park, the lowlands of the Laramie Mountains are covered in parts of a wonderfully diversified terrain, flora, and fauna.

Hynds Lodge, a National Register-listed building, and an amphitheater for musical performances and theatrical plays are both located inside the park.

There are low-lying meadows, gently sloping hills, and large, steep granite formations.

Daytime view of Curt Gowdy State Park

Jennifer Jensen / Shutterstock.com

Final Thoughts

The story of Cheyenne will be incredibly fascinating to you if you appreciate the Wild West.

Plan a delightful weekend trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital, where you can explore famous museums, go for a stroll in the gardens, and enjoy fine dining.

Green slopes, glittering rivers, and mountain areas filled with backpackers and campsites are all certain to appeal to adventure lovers.

Additionally, Cheyenne offers a variety of sights and activities that kids will like.

Make your vacation to Cheyenne more memorable by following the list above of the best things to do in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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