Cheyenne Train Depot
On the morning of your first day, you are going to want to head over to the Cheyenne Train Depot, for the reason that The depot is walking distance to many downtown shops. Consequently depot plaza is one of the liveliest spots in town. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of Cheyenne’s many festivals that take place here. Consequently, on my trip, I walked right into the middle of a Celtic festival, complete with Scottish cuisine and bagpipes.
Inside the train depot, you will find a museum that commemorates the importance of the railroad in Cheyenne’s development. Of course it’s worth taking a look! From the depot, you have the option of boarding a trolley car for a grand tour of the city. This guided tour will take you past many historic buildings and you will certainly walk away having learned everything about downtown Cheyenne. The trolley tour will also take you to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum. This museum tells you everything you need to know about Cheyenne Frontier Days, possibly the largest festival in the state of Wyoming.
Not only does the town turn into a lively celebration during the week of Frontier Days, but rodeo enthusiasts come from around the world come to compete in the rodeo, which is considered to be the “Daddy of Em’ All”.
Botanic Gardens
Once you get back to the train depot, it’s time to head to the north side of town, because here you will find Lion’s Park. This is a wonderful spot to rent a paddleboard, take a walk, or watch some geese. The park even features a giant treehouse to climb up. Right next to the park, you will find the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, which is personally my favorite spot in town. Admission is free, and the gardens will make you feel like you just stepped into a tropical paradise. The enormous 3-level greenhouse features a wide variety of plants. Including what might be the tallest palm tree in the state of Wyoming. You can also find elephant sculptures, koi ponds full of fish, and colorful birds.
Outside of the gardens, you can find the children’s village, which is an absolute wonderland for the little ones. This village has a countless number of interactive features and areas to explore. I was having fun in it as an adult!
Terry Bison Ranch
To start off your second day in Cheyenne, probably the best way to start the day is to take the short drive out to Terry Bison Ranch. First of all, you immediately feel like you’re on a safari, because it is home to ostriches, camels, alpacas, and much more. First Off, be sure to take a ride on the train. It goes out to the bison for a close encounter with these beautiful beasts. The bison will come up to the side of the train, and you can feed them pellets. It’s truly a unique experience.
Outdoor Recreation
To finish up your trip to Cheyenne, go check out some of what the natural world has to offer. First off, drive West on Interstate 80 to Curt Gowdy State Park. This park is home to great fishing, incredible mountain bike trails, and my favorite spot in all of Southern Wyoming: Hidden Falls. I love this trail because of what you find at the end. Hidden Falls is a short hike, which ends in a rocky slot canyon. The falls gush out from within the canyon, as a result this makes for an absolutely unforgettable view. After you’re done admiring Curt Gowdy, keep heading west to Vedauwoo. Of course these unique rock formations are not only beautiful, but are a hotspot for rock climbing and hiking..
Well, that should wrap up the weekend! Above all, Cheyenne will make for an unforgettable trip, and as a result, you’ll have some great stories about this great region. Even more, I hope you have as much fun as I did!
