Cheyenne Tourist Information and Tourism

(Cheyenne, Wyoming - WY, USA)

Although many visitors to Cheyenne tend not to stay long or are simply passing through, Wyoming's largest city and state capital does have appealing attractions, significant events and an interesting cattle-town history. Each July, the rodeo games, cowboy challenges, and real country and western music certainly draw thousands over the Frontier Days period.

Founded in the late 1860s, Cheyenne became the capital of Wyoming when it was admitted to the union and gained its statehood in 1890. Elements of the city still exude an American West character, particularly when the Cheyenne Gunslingers are putting on one of their exciting Wild West Shows. And during the summer months, tourists can regularly be seen enjoying horse and carriage rides through the downtown district.

For travel and tourism related resources, the Cheyenne Tourist Information Center on Depot Square is a good place to come. Holiday makers tend to avoid the chilly winter months and instead understandably favour the warm, sunny summer months. However, out of season, hotels drop their rates considerably and are at their most competitive.

Cheyenne Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

For many tourists on holiday in Cheyenne during the summer, a sightseeing trip will begin with a ride on the Street Railway Trolley bus, which runs from the Depot Plaza and passes by many of the city's principal attractions. These sights include various museums, along with the city's Botanic Gardens, the Historic Governors' Mansion and the very impressive Wyoming State Capitol Building. Families often choose to spend an afternoon with the plentiful animals at the Terry Bison Ranch, or feeding the ducks on Lake Minnehaha at Holliday Park. When the evening comes along, options include a show at either the Atlas Theater on West Lincolnway or the Mary Godfrey Playhouse on the East Pershing Boulevard. More information about Cheyenne Tourist Attractions.

When it comes to stately landmarks in Cheyenne, at the top of the list is the vast and rather palace-like Wyoming State Capitol on West 24th Street, which boasts a 24-carat gold leaf dome and free guided tours. The Capitol is now a National Historic Landmark, with its grand Renaissance Revival architecture, and was completed in 1890. In excess of 50 different buildings within the city of Cheyenne are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the most important and most imposing of these include the likes of the First United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral and the Historic Plains Hotel, not to mention the very beautiful Historic Governors' Mansion, which dates from the early 1900s and is known for its grand portico comprising four rather enormous fluted columns. More information about Cheyenne Landmarks and Monuments.

There are no less than five quality museums that stand out to the average visitor. Located on Central Avenue, the Wyoming State Museum is a must-see cultural attraction, with free admission, information about former pioneers and Native American Indians, and even some very decent collections of dinosaur fossils, military artifacts and geology exhibits. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum sits close to Sloan Lake, where it features much rodeo and cowboy memorabilia gathered from the world-famous Cheyenne Frontier Days event, which is widely regarded as being the biggest rodeo and Western celebration in the world.

Further Native American relics are on display at the Nelson Museum of the West, while the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium remembers those pioneering women who played an important part in the history of the American West. Situated within the renovated Union Pacific Railroad Depot, the Cheyenne Depot Museum tells the story and impact of the Transcontinental Railroad. Those who have more of an interest in art should check out the Wyoming Arts Council Gallery in the very attractive Kendrick Building. More information about Cheyenne Museums and Cheyenne Art Galleries.

Cheyenne sits in the far southeasterly corner of Wyoming, meaning that it is quite possible to cross the state border into nearby Colorado (south) and Nebraska (east). Particularly close and appealing is the Colorado college town of Fort Collins, which is highly suitable for a day trip and is only around an hour away, being best reached by simply following Interstate I-25. Sited near to Fort Collins, the Lory State Park serves as another worthy excursion, as does the town of Laramie, to the west (via the I-80), where a surprisingly high concentration of historic buildings await, such as the Charles E. Blair House, the Ivinson Mansion and the William Goodale House. To the southeast, both the Pawnee National Grassland and the Jackson Lake State Park are popular draws. More information about Cheyenne Attractions Nearby.

More Cheyenne Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: USA
• Location: Wyoming State (WY), Laramie County
• Status: city and state capital
• Area: approximately 25 square miles / 65 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 65,000
• Language: American English
• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• Time zone: GMT - 7 hours Mountain Time Zone (daylight saving time is observed)
• Country dialling code: +1
• Telephone area code: 307
• Average daily Cheyenne January temperature: 3°C / 37°F
• Average daily Cheyenne July temperature: 28°C / 82°F