The Ultimate Cheyenne, Wyoming Travel Guide: What To Eat, See, and Know
If you’re looking for a travel location that’s relaxing, full of nature, with a cowboy vibe, Cheyenne, Wyoming should go on your travel list. I had the pleasure of visiting Cheyenne and it’s truly a calming, peaceful place contrary to being from a major city.
This blog will be regularly updated.
How To Get There
Cheyenne is a landlocked city in the Mountain West area of America bordering the states of Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Utah. Located in Laramie County, Cheyenne is the capital and most populated city in the state of Wyoming and is truly a Wild West dream come true. Let’s dive into how to get to the city:
Flying
Cheyenne’s main airport is the Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) which is also known as Jerry Olson Field. While this airport does offer commercial flights, it is extremely limited as it’s not an international airport. The only airline that flies out of CYS is United Airlines and it’s only direct commercial flights to and from Denver.
I flew into the Denver International Airport (DEN) and then took a bus to get to Cheyenne. Your other option is to take CYS to Cheyenne or drive from Denver. The airport is an hour and a half south of Cheyenne.
Either of these options are the best choices if you’re flying in domestically or internationally.
Train
As of now, there are no trains that travel directly to Cheyenne.
Bus
The good ol’ Greyhound is always an option for United States travel. FlixBus is another bus service that goes directly to Cheyenne from most major cities. (Be sure to do your research in FlixBus as reviews are very mixed).
Driving
According to Visit Cheyenne, you can utilize two specific Interstates to get to Cheyenne. Interstate 80 is a route that can be taken via west or south. Interstate 25 can be taken via north or south. From the northeast or southeast, you can reach the city driving on Hwy 85.
As it is with most U.S. cities, you can either rent a car or drive your own. Cheyenne is not a city with the most reliable transportation so renting a car upon arrival or driving to the city via your own vehicle is a great option.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Just can’t wait to get on the road again? Cheyenne is a haven for outdoors lovers so camping and RVing is a big deal there. According to Visit Cheyenne there are about 15 RV and campsites to enjoy and bask in nature. As recommended above, taking the Interstate 80, 25, and Hwy 85 are ways to navigate to Cheyenne via your own hotel or home on wheels.
When to Visit
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| Painted cowboy boot statue in front of the Cheyenne Depot Museum |
Cheyenne is a place that can be enjoyed all year round based off your personal preferences, events, and what season you want to explore the city in. It’s a city that has all four seasons and there’s something special to explore in each one. The seasons of spring, autumn, and summer and month of July are some of the best times to visit. Be aware that lodging and travel prices will increase as summer is a peak season for traveling.
July features the Cheyenne Frontier Days which is a 10-day country Western celebration and outdoor rodeo. Like most cities, October will bring the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Location: Best Places to Stay & Visit
Stay
Downtown/Historic District - Cheyenne isn’t a big city at all, so downtown is the main event and where most tourist based events, places, and hotels will be. Downtown is pretty small, walkable, and has easy access to the highway plus it’s filled with restaurants and shops.
Central Cheyenne aka the “Hotel Belt” - This area is close to the downtown area and abundant with hotels, resorts, and motels along Lincolnway and near I-25/I-80. I stayed at the Little America Resort which is about 10 to 15 minutes away from downtown via Lyft or Uber. This area is more spacious and is surrounded by nature.
Residential Neighborhoods - If you’re looking for a more “at-home” away from home or suburban feel for an Airbnb stay, neighborhoods like Saddle Ridge, Thomas Heights, and Western Hills. Saddle Ridge is east of the city, Thomas Heights is northwest and Western Hills is west.
Visit
As mentioned above, Downtown/Historic District is the crème de la crème of Cheyenne and the main place where most visitors frequent. It’s small, quaint, and has a vintage old fashioned feel with a modern touch of street art and new school stores and eateries to enjoy as well. There’s an abundance of thrift and antique stores, restaurants, boutiques, gift shops, and of course historic sites. What I loved most about Cheyenne is the cowboy and cowgirl history! Visit spots like the Wyoming State Museum, Historic Governors Mansion, Big Boy Steam Engine, and the Cowgirls of the West Museum which I absolutely loved!
Unlike major cities with multiple cultural districts (think Chinatown or Little Italy in Chicago), Cheyenne’s main attractions in and around Downtown. There are other great places to visit spread out around the city that will be listed in there “Where to Eat” and “Things to Do” below.
Where to Stay
As noted previously, I stayed at the Little America Resort in the Central area aka the “Hotel Belt”, about 10 to 15 minutes away from Downtown. Here’s a list of hotels, motels, and resorts to stay in in Cheyenne.
Best Western Plus Frontier Inn 4-star
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Cheyenne Southwest/Downtown Area 3-star
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Cheyenne 3-star
Little America Hotel & Resort 3-star
Staybridge Suites Cheyenne 3-star
Where to Eat
Classic American food is the main affair in Cheyenne. Beef, steak, burgers, and pubs are plentiful as it’s the Mountain West region of the country. Cheyenne doesn’t have a big international food scene like your New Yorks and L.A.s, so keep that in mind, but you can find some Mexican, Asian, and pizza spots too. As a vegan it wasn’t super hard to find plant based food. Here’s a full list of restaurants you should try:
American
Breakfast, Cafes, & Diners
Health, Vegan, & Vegetarian Options
Mexican
How to Get Around
Cheyenne is a car-friendly city and not really a transit-friendly one. While there are options of using free public transit, keep in mind it’s limited. The most full-proof way to get around in Cheyenne is via ride-share (Lyft and Uber), renting, or driving your own car.
Things to Do
Get ready for some country Western full or chill, nature vibes when you visit Cheyenne. From history to rodeos, there is so much to do.
Festivals & Events
Cheyenne Frontier Days - every July
Cheyenne Greek Festival - every September
Laramie County Fair - every August
Western Spirit Juried Art Show & Sale - every March
Landmarks & History
Wild West History Tours: Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley
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| Display at the Cowgirls of the West Museum |
Museums & Art
Old West Museum - 4610 Carey Ave
Wyoming State Museum - Barrett Building 2301 Central Ave
Theater
Cheyenne Little Theater Players
TIP: You can find deals on Groupon for activities, Experiences on Airbnb, and be sure to check Eventbrite for festivals, concerts and other events.
