Wyoming’s Cities and Towns: Wide-Open Spaces Meet Small-Town Charm

It still feels cozy and welcoming in Wyoming’s largest and capital city, located in the southeast corner of the state. Hop aboard the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley to see historic architecture and Old West museums. Make a stop at the Cheyenne Botanical Gardens, and meander through award-winning gardens and sculptures, plus the beautiful three-story Grand Conservatory. Don’t miss a meal from local-favorite restaurants Poor Richards and The Albany.

Popular with everyone from families to hotshot celebrities, this gateway to Grand Teton National Park does not disappoint. Pose with the antler arches in Jackson Town Square, sip a local whiskey on a saddle bar seat at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, and explore posh shops, art galleries and Western outfitters. Just outside town, head to Teton Village for more restaurants and shops. Stop by the Mangy Moose Saloon for drinks and Old Yellowstone Garage (a former auto shop) for divine Italian food.

In the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan has a peaceful, frontier appeal, which makes it a prime locale for artisans. Check out Western-inspired pottery, including mugs and pint glasses, at The Red Bison, or seek out Gerhold Leathercraft, creating everything from wallets to messenger bags. For equestrian gear, stop by Tom Balding Bits & Spurs to browse metalwork that’s sold worldwide. After all that shopping, relax with a craft beer at Black Tooth Brewing Co.

Steeped in Wild West culture, Buffalo houses a dozen historic buildings just on Main Street alone. Amble over to the Historic Occidental Hotel, a fascinating gem with a roster of famed former patrons including Buffalo Bill, Teddy Roosevelt and Calamity Jane. For deeper insight into this town’s roots, drop by the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum for exhibits and stories of Native Americans, cowboys, lawmen and frontiersmen.

Tucked away in the North Platte River Valley, discover a family-friendly place with loads of outdoor recreation. Winter months in Casper are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and fat tire biking, while summer months are perfect for hiking and biking. Learn the history of this region that was once the convergence of famous pioneer and cowboy byways at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. Highlights include the Conestoga Wagon Ride and the Footsteps to the Past video presentation. Next, wander downtown along Lincoln Street for shopping and dining.

Meeteetse is the place to clonk your boots on wooden boardwalks, catch sight of old-timey watering troughs and hitching rails for horses, and check out 19th century buildings reminiscent of Western movies. Meeteetse Chocolatier is an unexpected delight, where specialty truffles range in flavor from mainstays to Wyoming-inspired flavors such as sarsaparilla, sage and prickly pear cactus. All the chocolate is created by the owner, Tim Kellogg, a local cowboy and chocolate chef.

Once upon a time, dinosaurs roamed Thermopolis and hot springs bubbled up from the earth. Although the dinosaurs are long gone, the hot springs remain. At Hot Springs State Park, take a soothing dip in the mineral springs, see the state bison herd and marvel at the Rainbow Terraces, where hot water falls into the Bighorn River. Next, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where you can browse exhibits and feel like an amateur archaeologist on a fossil dig. Later, explore the downtown shops on Broadway Street.

These two adorable towns act as gateways to natural wonders including Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop. At the WWCC Natural History Museum in Rock Springs, the Walk with Wyoming’s Giant Dinosaurs exhibit is also memorable. In Green River, spend time at the Sweetwater County Museum for more southwest Wyoming history. Nearby, visit Fort Bridger State Historic Site for historical insight into five eras of this pivotal fort and trading post.

Bordered by the Wind River Mountains, Pinedale is a cute valley town whose appeal lies in the lure of spending time outdoors, especially on Fremont Lake. Surrounded by mountain peaks and the lush Bridger-Teton National Forest, the pristine mountain lake offers incredible fishing and boating, as well as unforgettable scenery. For a more in-depth look at nature and history, you can discover the stories of how this region was settled at the Museum of the Mountain Man.

Located among the picturesque Black Hills near Devils Tower National Monument, Sundance is an ideal road trip stop. Explore the Crook County Museum to learn about the town’s frontier heritage, and drop by the 1875 Gallery for Wyoming-inspired keepsakes like jewelry, pottery, paintings and Native American beadwork. Head to Cleveland Street for a quirky good time at Cowgirl Pizza and Laundromat or retro watering hole vibes at The Dime Horseshoe Bar. Before you leave, get your picture with the Sundance Kid statue.

Popular airports in Wyoming include Casper-Natrona County International (CPR), Cheyenne Regional (CYS), Jackson Hole (JAC), Sheridan County (SHR) and Yellowstone Regional (YRA) for the Cody area. The airports have rental cars available. Because of Wyoming’s immense size, you’ll want to have your own transportation.