Attractions Nearby Cheyenne, Day Trips and Excursions

(Cheyenne, Wyoming - WY, USA)



If you are staying in Cheyenne for more than a few days, you may well like to plan some day trips, particularly if you have your own set of wheels. A number of quality attractions and interesting towns lie within comfortable driving distance, lending themselves to short excursions.

Although Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming, it is located in the far southeastern corner, rather than near the center, meaning that reaching the Grand Teton National Park and the Yellow National Park will be quite a trek. Closer to home are the attractions across the borders of the neighboring states of both Colorado and Nebraska.

Interstates I-25 and I-80 intersect the city to form a cross through Cheyenne, providing a convenient way to travel outside of the city. The large college town of Fort Collins, Colorado, makes for an appealing day trip, lying around an hour to the south and connected by the I-25. The historic Old Town Fort Collins is where many of the principal attractions reside, while other draws include the Colorado State University, the Budweiser Events Center and several award-winning breweries.


General Information

Close to Fort Collins, the Lory State Park is known for its recreational activities, which include trails for cycling, hiking and horse riding. Head further south of Cheyenne and Loveland, Colorado, is the next significant town and possible day trip destination, where cultural attractions include those of the Loveland Museum and Gallery, the Benson Sculpture Garden and the Rialto Theater.

Take the I-80 and head westwards to the Curt Gowdy State Park or the town of Laramie, the latter of which is a little more than an hour away and home to a surprisingly high number of attractions located on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Barn at Oxford Horse Ranch, the Charles E. Blair House, the Fort Sanders Guardhouse, the Ivinson Mansion, the John D. Conley House, the Lehman-Tunnell Mansion and the William Goodale House. Close by, both the Como Bluff and the Ames Monument add further interest.

To the southeast, further attractions within driving distance of Cheyenne include the town of Greeley, Fort Morgan, the Jackson Lake State Park and the Pawnee National Grassland. If you are looking for the ultimate excursion, then at just over 100 miles / 161 km to the south, the metropolis that is Denver, Colorado, is actually close enough to make a day trip possible, especially if you are able to depart early in the morning. Of note, Aurora, Boulder, Centennial, Englewood, the Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Idaho Springs are all close to Denver.