Things to Do in Cheyenne Wyoming: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Cheyenne, Wyoming's capital, wears its Western identity proudly: rodeo heritage, railroad history and wide-open plains under enormous skies. It was born as a Union Pacific railroad town in 1867 and still feels like a crossroads.
Spend a day or two on its museums and parks, then use it as a base for strange granite landscapes, mountain byways and lively college towns nearby.
Top things to see in Cheyenne
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
Carriages, saddles and the story of the world's largest outdoor rodeo, nicknamed the Daddy of 'em All.
Wyoming State Capitol
A beautifully restored capitol with stained-glass ceilings and free tours. Wyoming was the first territory to give women the vote, a story told here.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
The grand 1887 Union Pacific station, now a museum on railroad history with a plaza that hosts summer events.
Big Boy Steam Locomotive
Holliday Park displays one of the giant Big Boy engines, among the largest steam locomotives ever built.
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
A solar-heated conservatory and the delightful Paul Smith Children's Village in Lions Park.
Vedauwoo
About 30 minutes west, a playground of weathered granite towers for scrambling, hiking and climbing.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Reservoirs, a waterfall trail and some of the best mountain biking in the state.
Cheyenne in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown Cheyenne
Capitol tour, Depot Museum and a hunt for the painted Big Boots art around downtown. Dinner in a historic hotel bar.
2Day 2 · Western heritage
The Old West Museum in the morning, the Botanic Gardens and Lions Park in the afternoon, then the Big Boy locomotive.
3Day 3 · Granite and lakes
Hike the Turtle Rock loop at Vedauwoo, then picnic at Curt Gowdy State Park.
Cheyenne in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Laramie
University museums, the Wyoming Territorial Prison and a brewery dinner in historic downtown Laramie.
5Day 5 · Snowy Range
In summer, drive the Snowy Range Scenic Byway past alpine lakes and Medicine Bow Peak.
Cheyenne in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Fort Collins
An hour south in Colorado: Old Town, breweries and trails along the Poudre River.
7Day 7 · Bison and cowboys
Terry Bison Ranch's train ride among the herd and a cowboy-style dinner.
What to do in Cheyenne on a weekend
Saturday: Capitol, Depot Museum and the Old West Museum. Sunday: sunrise at Vedauwoo and lunch at Curt Gowdy before heading home.
What to do in Cheyenne in the evening
Cheyenne has historic saloons, breweries and summer concerts on the Depot Plaza. In late July, Frontier Days brings rodeo, night shows, parades and a carnival.
Cheyenne for couples
Stay in a historic downtown hotel, drive the Snowy Range at golden hour and stargaze from a dark spot near Curt Gowdy.
Cheyenne with kids
Kids love the children's village at the Botanic Gardens, the Big Boy engine, the bison train ride and easy scrambles at Vedauwoo.
Practical tips for Cheyenne
Best time to visit
Late June to September; late July for Frontier Days (book far ahead). Winters are cold and windy.
Getting around
Denver International Airport is about 1.5 hours away and Cheyenne has a small regional airport. A car is essential.
Frequently asked questions
When is Cheyenne Frontier Days?
Usually during the last full week of July.
Is Vedauwoo worth the trip?
Yes, it offers easy hikes among unusual rock formations and great sunsets.
How far is Cheyenne from Denver?
About 100 miles, roughly 1.5 hours by car.