Cheyenne’s Legendary Inter-Ocean Hotel
The Inter-Ocean Hotel in Cheyenne was one of the most noted hotels in Wyoming. It was built in 1875 by…
2024 Cheyenne Visitors Guide
Cheyenne, Wyoming is one of the great American frontier cities. Founded in 1867 as a base for the Union Pacific railroad Cheyenne became a hub of culture for travelers from the East Coast and Europe while retaining its essence of “Wild West.” Sioux for “people of a foreign language,” and still cowboy country, the city is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
Cheyenne is the capital of the ninth largest state in the Union and home to many firsts, including the first National Forest, National Park, National Monument, and the first place where women were granted the right to vote. The beautiful setting in which the city thrives is complemented by the architecture of many of the buildings constructed and preserved here. With no state income tax, low property taxes, and below-average sales tax, Cheyenne is an attractive place to live.
Cheyenne Attractions
Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley
Visitors enjoy a 1,1/2 hour, fully narrated tour of historic Cheyenne by old-fashioned rail trolley. May through September. Exciting holiday tours are also offered including a Christmas Lights tour in December and a ghost tour at Halloween. Tickets are $8. /adults, $4. /children. 800-426-5009
University of Wyoming Architectural Dig Sight
The University’s High Plains Educational Project invites visitors to walk through Wyoming’s past at their Archeology Museum and active dig producing pre-historic artifacts from 11,000 years ago and historic Native American relics. Visitors learn how digs work and how artifacts are handled and processed. I-80 Rest Stop, Pine Bluffs. 307-768-2208
Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot Museum
The city of Cheyenne was built for the purpose of connecting the East and West Coast by rail. The history of Cheyenne is intricately tied with the Union Pacific railroad and today visitors can enjoy the depot restored to its original glory. A railroad museum documents the city’s contribution to Union Pacific houses the last steam engine built by Union Pacific, a gift shop and the Snake River Pub & Grill restaurant. Live music is performed weekly on the outdoor plaza. www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org
Terry Bison Ranch
Visit a ranch to bring out the cowboy in anybody. 30,000 acres of rolling hills and lush grasslands make up the Terry Bison Ranch, six miles south of town. Over 2500 buffalo roam the grassland and visitors can take a tour right out into the herd for a close-up look at the beautiful creatures that once lived here by the millions. Horseback trail rides, pony rides, covered wagon rides, rustic accommodations, restaurants, and gift shops round out the adventure. www.terrybisonranch.com
Old West Museum
A remarkable group of collections representing the history of Cheyenne and the West, this museum hosts 150 horse-drawn vehicles and ranks it among the largest collections of historic carriages and wagons in the United States. A large collection of original Western clothing worn in all facets of Western life by men and women and thousands of photographs depicting the fascinating history of Cheyenne is here. The Museum holds a series of special programs throughout the year, has an extensive library and research center, and plays host to some of the region’s finest art and cultural events. www.oldwestmuseum.org
Cheyenne WY Recreation
A beautiful natural landscape of granite rock formations with long-range views, Vedauwoo is 30 miles west of Cheyenne in the Medicine Bow National Forest. Bouldering, rock climbing, hiking, camping, biking and just enjoying the beauty of the area are all activities to attract folks from all over the region. An amazing diversity of flora and fauna live here. www.vedauwoo.org
Also in the Medicine Bow is the Snowy Range Ski Area. With a summit elevation of 10,000ft. and 27 trails for all skill levels, Snowy Range is a great place for snow enthusiasts to spend the day. A large lodge with a restaurant, rental shop, and view of the mountain is at the base with lessons available. Snowboarders are welcome and snowfall usually exceeds 250 inches. www.snowyrange.com
Lions Park is perfect summer fun with a beach, boat rentals, and concessions along with mini golf, horseshoes, trails, picnic shelters, and play areas. There is also volleyball and fitness trails, and the lake is adjacent to the municipal pool. Several other parks are scattered around the city of Cheyenne, along with several ball fields and a softball complex. The city has an indoor tennis center, college basketball events, and a semi-pro football team, the Cheyenne Wranglers. www.cheyennewranglers.com
The Ikon Center is home to a large ice skating facility where youth and adult ice hockey are played, and lessons are offered. Laser tag and miniature golf are on site and the center hosts events throughout the year including ice shows. Past events include the Lippizaner Stallions, Moscow Circus, boxing, Oktoberfest, and college sporting events. www.ikoncenter.com
Cheyenne Dining
Although Cheyenne’s dining scene consists primarily of American steakhouse and family restaurant-type fare, there are a few ethnic options. Avanti Italian Ristorante is Cheyenne’s popular family-owned Italian restaurant specializing in family recipes handed down over generations. (307) 634-3432. Several Mexican restaurants of varying prices and quality are available including LaCosta, Armadillo Restaurant, and Estevan’s Café.
CB & Potts is a steakhouse microbrewery with food and drink specials, sporting event parties, and award-winning beers including the favorite Buttface Amber Ale. www.cbpotts.com
The Capitol Grille, located in the historic Plains Hotel downtown Cheyenne offers fresh Wyoming ingredients including the finest beef. Remember this is cowboy country and beef is big on the menu here. www.theplainshotel.com
The Little Bear Inn is one of the original saloons of Cheyenne. Closed down and reopened in the ’50s, the restaurant has been operating ever since. Western flair includes dishes like Rocky Mt. Oysters, Native American beef dishes, frog legs, and buffalo. 307/634-3684
Uncle Charlie’s Tavern and Grill offers sandwiches, soups, salad bar, and lunch and drink specials. www.unclecharlies.com
The Snake River Pub and Grill is one of Cheyenne’s favorite restaurants with a rotating menu of soups, salads, pasta, and sandwiches and a microbrewery. Outdoor seating, large screen TV, and catering are available. www.snakeriverpub.com
Cheyenne also offers several pizza restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries as well as chain restaurants and fast food.
Cheyenne Arts
Cheyenne’s 75-year-old theater group, The Little Theatre Players, produces at least nine shows each year and maintains the Mary Godfrey Playhouse and the Historic Atlas Theatre. The group is non-profit and is made up of over 350 volunteers. Shows include classics and modern works as well as seasonal productions. www.cheyennelittletheatre.org
Cheyenne’s Civic Center provides a venue for traveling Broadway shows and other events like the city’s All Children’s Choir and music concerts. The Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra performs here. www.cheyenneciviccenter.org.
For over fifty years the Symphony Orchestra has been performing in Cheyenne. Many special programs are part of the group’s community outreach commitment including Youth Educational Student Concerts, Conductor of the Orchestra Lectures, and Guest Artists in the Schools programs. www.cheyennesymphony.org
The Cheyenne Artists Guild is the oldest non-profit artist organization operating in the state. The guild presents local and regional exhibits in the historic Van Tassell Carriage Barn, which is listed on the National Historic Registry and provides workshops, and a gallery and supply store for artists. www.cheyenneartistsguild.org.
A handful of galleries display local and regional artists in Cheyenne including Wild Goose Gallery, Manitou Galleries, Gallery West, and Deselm’s Fine Art. The Painted Pony offers a wide selection of home furnishings in the Western style alongside local art.
Cheyenne has several movie cinemas including the new Capital City Stadium 12, which offers wall-to-wall curved screens and high-backed loveseat seating. Cowboy Poetry Week www.cowboypoetry.com takes place each April to coincide with National Poetry Month, and the Grand Teton Music Festival and Yellowstone Jazz Alive both take place in Medicine Bow nearby. Cheyenne even has a couple of music study clubs and several venues for live music including the new Tivoli Coffee Bar.
Cheyenne Fast Facts
- Location: Southeast Wyoming, 90 north of Denver, CO.
- Population: 53,552
- Mean household income: $48,022
- Average home sales price: $123,556
- Average annual rainfall: 14”
- Average temperatures: a high of 87.1 degrees, and a low of 11.9 degrees.
Cheyenne Communities
Cheyenne has a strong community spirit of pride and preservation. Newly named a Preserve America city, Cheyenne has a strong record of keeping history alive. The community celebrates together at several big events over the course of the year including Frontier Days, Oktoberfest, the Goblin Walk, and the Easter Egg Hunt. A latchkey program to keep kids safe is offered by the Parks and Recreation Dept. for before and after school fun and greenways and parks offer places for the community to gather.
Neighborhoods include Cobblestone Court, The Avenues, South Park, Sun Valley, Western Hills, Near Eastside, and Downtown Cheyenne. Neighborhoods around F.E. Warren Air Force Base provide housing for the many Air Force employees continuing a proud tradition begun here in 1867. With an eye on smart growth new communities are being planned and built including The Pointe, which covers 300 acres, includes ranch-style townhouses, single-family homes with large front porches, tree-lined streets, and 70 acres of open space with two parks and a man-made lake. Cheyenne’s government has created Vision 2020, a plan for future residential development with the goal of making pedestrian-friendly places for people to live and work.