There are a ton of fun things to do in Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. With a wild west vibe, this small city offers enough to spend one day in Cheyenne. You can also add in Cheyenne as part of your South Dakota road trip itinerary or opt to visit as a day trip from Denver.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Cheyenne here. They are very affordable too!
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History of Cheyenne
Not much was around Cheyenne until the Union Pacific Railroad set up headquarters in 1867. The town of Cheyenne was given its name after the Cheyenne Native American tribe that lived in Wyoming.
In 1898, Wyoming became a territory, and Cheyenne was named the temporary capital. 1890 saw the admission of Wyoming to the Union with the capitol building being finished the same year. Present-day Cheyenne remains the capital and is the largest city in Wyoming.
Best Time to Visit Cheyenne
Summer is the best and most popular time to visit Cheyenne. The weather is nice and warm while in the springtime, the weather can be unpredictable. The wintertime is cold and rainy. Early fall can also be a nice time to visit as it will be less crowded but the weather is still nice.
How to get to Cheyenne
Cheyenne has a very small regional airport. Flights here tend to be quite pricey. Instead, opt to fly in Denver International Airport as flights are more frequent and much cheaper. It is about a 2 hours drive from Denver to Cheyenne.
From the Denver Airport, take the 470 North to the 25 North. After about 100 miles you will arrive in Cheyenne.
Transportation Around Cheyenne
Cheyenne does have a city bus that runs around town. It costs $1.50 a ride. However, it is easier to have a rental car, especially if you are visiting other places outside of Cheyenne. Most of the parking around Cheyenne is free and it was not difficult to get around.
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Cheyenne hotels here!
Cheyenne is not the largest capital city. Therefore, pretty much anywhere you stay is pretty convenient. The Tru by Hilton Cheyenne is a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly hotel. If you do not want to stay in Cheyenne you can also visit as a day trip from Denver.
Things to do in Cheyenne
There are a surprising number of things to do in Cheyenne. One day in Cheyenne is the perfect amount of time to see all the sites.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Labor Day to Memorial Day: 8am-4pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8am-7pm
Just under a 2-hour drive from Cheyenne lies Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Start the morning by visiting this historic site. Fort Laramie was a historic trading post in the 1800s and a popular stop on the Oregon Trail. It also became part of the California and Mormon Trails. Later, the US Army purchased the fort and used it to help protect the area.
Present-day, you can visit various exhibits throughout the fort in its 12 buildings. Sometimes there are staff members in period dress. You can also stop at the bar and grab a sasparilla or a cream soda before heading back to Cheyenne.
Wyoming State Capitol
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
One of the best things to do in Cheyenne is visiting the Wyoming State Capitol. It was built between 1886 and 1890 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Visitors can take a self-guided tour anytime between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Plan to spend about an hour if you choose to explore the inside of the Capitol.
Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by Season, Usually Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Another popular thing to do in Cheyenne is the Governor’s Mansion. The Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion was once the home to Wyoming’s Governors. The current mansion was built in 1976. Prior to that, the old building served as the Governor’s home from 1905-1976. Present-day, it is now a historic home museum where rooms have been decorated to represent different eras in the 1900s.
Cheyenne Depot Plaza
The Cheyenne Depot Plaza is an outdoor gathering place in Cheyenne. It hosts various outdoor concerts and farmers’ markets. Scattered around the Depot Plaza are various cowboy boots (19 in total). These boots were commissioned in 2005 by various artists. Make sure to take a walk around to look at each unique boot! It is one stop you cannot miss during one day in Cheyenne.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Cost: $8
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-3pm, Sun: 11am-3pm
The Cheyenne Depot Museum is a fun stop to make during one day in Cheyenne. This museum preserves the historic Union Pacific Railroad depot that was built in the 1880s. Inside the exhibits, it depicts Cheyenne’s early history and the construction of the railroad. You can even see a model railroad inside. It is one of the last remaining grand railroad stations on this historic route.
Chronicles Distilling
Cost: $5 and up
Hours: Fri: 3pm-10pm, Sat: 12pm-10pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
Chronicles Distilling is a fun place to grab a drink after a day full of sightseeing during your one day in Cheyenne. This distillery is a Veteran owned family distillery that does some fun creations. When we visited, they gave us a free small tasting of each of their liquors (4 total). Then it was happy hour where you bought one drink get one 50% off. Their strawberry-Rhubarb Whiskey was my favorite.
The Albany
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm, Closed Sundays
Eat dinner at The Albany to end your one day in Cheyenne. This delicious restaurant is located right in the heart of the Cheyenne Depot Plaza and has been around for over 75 years. They serve a ton of American fare that is perfect after spending the day visiting all the sites in Cheyenne.
More than One Day in Cheyenne?
If you have more than one day in Cheyenne or do not want to drive out to Fort Laramie NHS, you can check out these other options.
Cheyenne Botanical Gardens
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
The Cheyenne Botanical Gardens are a 9-acre park that began in 1977. You can visit the Botanical Gardens, the Conservatory, and the Children’s Village. It is free admission into everything, so it is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old Museum
Cost: $10
Hours: 9am-5pm
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old Museum is another popular museum to visit during one day in Cheyenne. This museum was founded in 1978 and focuses on the frontier days of Cheyenne and the American West. It has a ton of memorabilia and exhibits including an old covered wagon.
Wyoming State Museum
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-4:30pm
The Wyoming State Museum was established in 1895 and it portrays Wyoming’s history and culture. It includes exhibits on Wyoming’s natural resources, Native American culture, and the National Park service. It is one of the many interesting things to do in Cheyenne.
Terry Bison Ranch
Cost: $18 and up
Hours: Varies by Activity
The Terry Bison Ranch is another one of the popular things to do in Cheyenne. This resort contains a hotel, restaurant, and many activities involving Bison. You can visit the resort even if you are not staying at the hotel.
Its most popular activity is the Bison Trail tour which takes visitors on a train to see bison and a plethora of other animals. They also have other activities such as horseback riding, ATVs, fishing, and a self-guided walking tour.
As you can see there are a ton of affordable things to do in Cheyenne. It is the perfect place to spend a day and explore what the city has to offer. Looking to extend your trip? Spend some time in Denver or head across the state to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. In South Dakota, you can visit Wind Cave National Park or Badlands National Park.
