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If you are anything like me, you like to get the most bang for your buck, especially when it comes to traveling!
The good folks at Visit Cheyenne have taken out the leg work on your trip to southeast Wyoming. Snatch up your $35 ($25 October - April) Legendary Pass here and get ready to hit the highlights of Cheyenne in this customized 3-day itinerary hitting all four of the included and three discounted attractions in town (with space to add in some additional free stops and dining as well!)
Day One
Terry Bison Ranch (9:30 a.m. train, 11:00 a.m. lunch)
51 I-25 Frontage Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82007; Sunday-Saturday, Trains run incrementally 9:30 am-6:00 pm; (307) 634-4171
As you head north on I-25, hook a right at Exit 2, Terry Ranch Road. Follow signs to the right to the road’s namesake. Your Legendary Pass includes a $5 discount on an adult ticket to the bison train, so check in at the Trading Post – all you’ll need to do is show them your pass when you purchase your ticket. Then a quick walk down the hill to hop on the train for a 45-minute ride through the middle of the herd. The roadside Americana vibe is strong here – and the only place in the world that you can safely hand-feed enormous bison! If you catch a morning train, you may have time to explore the grounds, visit the animals, or go for a free wagon ride. Hungry? Senator’s Steakhouse is also onsite and opens for lunch at 11 a.m. (Pro Tip: There are also coupons in the free Buck Off Savings Pass to save even more money on lunch!)
Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley (1:00 p.m. trolley)
121 W. 15th St., Cheyenne, WY 82001; Monday-Saturday, 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm; (307) 778-3133. Reserve your seats ahead of time with the code provided in the pass after download.
Continuing into downtown Cheyenne, it is hard to miss the Depot building, with its clock tower reaching above the surrounding buildings. Inside the lobby, the Visitor Center provides a wealth of information and a friendly face to point you in the right direction. They also will get you set up with tickets to the trolley if you haven't reserved them online. The trolley departs just down Capitol Avenue in front of the splash pad. The 90-minute tour will give you historical context and hit the highlights of the city.
Cheyenne Depot Museum (3:00 p.m. – or, if it’s a weekend, bump this stop to Day 3)
121 W. 15th St., Cheyenne, WY 82001; Sunday 11 am-3 pm, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday 9 am-3 pm; (307) 638-6338
From the trolley drop off point, it’s just a short walk back to the Depot Museum (perhaps taking a quick coffee break at Paramount Café – also on the Buck Off Savings Pass!) After presenting your Legendary Pass inside the gift shop, enjoy the air conditioning and immerse yourself in all-things-trains. The foundation of Cheyenne, Union Pacific Railroad’s path through the area changed the West forever. Explore two floors of exhibits, including a well-known model railroad exhibit (Union Central and Northern (UC&N) Model Railroad created by Harry S. Brunk), now housed in the original baggage room of the depot. (Extra Credit Points: There are three dinosaurs hidden in the display!)
Day Two
Nelson Museum of the West (9:00 a.m.)
1714 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001; Monday-Friday (May-October) and Saturday (June-August) 9 am - 4 pm; (307) 635-7670
Get ready to get your cowboy on! An abundance of artifacts and fine art highlighting both the cowboy and Native American lifestyles of the past awaits when you present your Legendary Pass at the Nelson Museum of the West. If military history interests you, you will want to cross the street and go to the Military Memorial Museum. The museum is included with your entrance to the Nelson Museum and is home to a wide variety of uniforms and equipment of all branches of the US military, including the U.S. Cavalry!
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (10:30 a.m.)
4610 Carey Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001; Sunday-Saturday 9 am – 5 pm; (307) 778-7290
Time to dig into the rodeo roots of the area – the Old West Museum specializes in the “Daddy of Them All.” Cheyenne Frontier Days celebrates its 125th year in 2021, but all year long you have access to the rich history of Cheyenne. The refurbished original carriages that ride the parade route every summer are on display for close-up inspection, in addition to the artifacts that define the biggest outdoor rodeo’s long history. The museum hosts rotating art exhibits throughout the year, too.
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility State Historic Site (1:00 p.m.)
2025 Co Rd 238, Cheyenne, WY 82009; Tuesday-Saturday 9 am- 5 pm (last tour begins at 4:30 pm); (307) 422-3425
Grab some lunch and hit the road with a quick 30-minute drive north on I-25 to Exit 39. Your destination? A former high-security United States Air Force facility, tasked with defending us from the commies across the ocean. The former missile launch site is now designated as a State Historic Site and declassified for the general public. Your Legendary Pass saves you 50% off regular adult admission and grants you access to wander the above-ground museum, learning about the history of the Cold War and the lifestyle of the missileers and support staff. Then, descend 50 feet underground with a tour guide into the capsule where missileers held the destiny of the world in their hands during their 24-hour shifts.
Day 3:
Curt Gowdy State Park (all day)
1264 Granite Springs Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82009; Visitor Center open Sunday-Saturday 8 am-5 pm (April-October), Wednesday-Sunday 8 am-4 pm (November-March); 307-632-7946
Only 25 miles to the west of Cheyenne sits a gem, largely just out of sight from Happy Jack Road (Hwy 210). Curt Gowdy State Park (yes, named after the late sportscaster - a Wyoming native) offers hours of fun to a variety of interests. Stop in at the Visitor’s Center on your way in to redeem your Legendary Pass for a discounted day pass for your vehicle window (non-Wyoming residents enter for the price of a resident). Regardless of the season you visit, there is no shortage of things to do. The trails were rated Epic by the IMBA for our mountain bikers and there are miles and miles of hiking for abilities of all ages. If the weather is cooperative, consider renting a stand-up paddleboard or kayak and get out on one of the three reservoirs. Campsites and picnic areas are abundant if you are more of a “soak in the beauty” type (overnight camping is an additional fee). And in winter, fat tire biking and snowshoeing are options for the snow-bunnies. The staff at the Visitor’s Center can educate you on spotting local wildlife and help you choose trails to best suit your needs.
After-Hours Suggestions
Meal options are aplenty in the downtown Cheyenne area. The Buck Off Savings Pass may inspire some dining decisions – or you could use the Daddy of the Malt Craft Beverage Trail to structure your evenings – (i.e., grab dinner at Accomplice and get the first of your Buy One, Get One pints of beer on the free pass!) With the five breweries and one of the distilleries all located downtown, you have opportunity to make several stops in your evenings. You can also use these ideas to flesh out your extra time in town and use this as a starting place to find lodging.
