Cheyenne Museums

(Cheyenne, Wyoming - WY, USA)

Located just down the road from the Wyoming State Capitol and close to St. Mary's Cathedral, the Wyoming State Museum resides within the very heart of downtown Cheyenne. This popular cultural attraction was established all the way back in the 1890s and is actually the only museum of its kind, being completely dedicated to the rich history and heritage of the state of Wyoming.

Also worth visiting is the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, which resides on the northern side of the city, within Frontier Park. This is the place to come if you are looking for an insight into rodeos and the days of the old Wild West.

Standing just across from the Manitou Gallery on Carey Avenue, the Nelson Museum of the West is another popular distraction for tourists. It opened in the early 1990s and celebrates all things 'Western' - in style.

Wyoming State Museum

Address: 2301 Central Avenue, Barrett Building, Cheyenne, Wyoming (WY), 82002, USA
Tel: +1 307 777 7022
Visitors to the Wyoming State Museum will find a real assortment of collections, with exhibits including artifacts relating to local wildlife, coal mining, Native American Indians and important past pioneers, along with well-preserved dinosaur fossils and much militaria. The 'Hands-On History Room' is the ideal spot for those with young children, since it comes with lots of interactive displays, objects that you can handle and educational fun. In the natural history section you will find an assortment of stuffed animals, paleontology specimens and geology exhibits. The gift shop selling books and related souvenirs will likely conclude your visit.
Open hours: May to October, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 16:30; November to April, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum

Address: Frontier Park, 4610 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming (WY), 82001, USA
Tel: +1 307 778 7290
Close to Sloan Lake and the botanical gardens of Lions Park, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is an appealing not-for-profit organization. Attractions include more than 40 restored horse-drawn carriages, stagecoaches and wagons, as well as regular screenings of rodeo movies, an array of rodeo memorabilia and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame. The famous Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo itself was established back in 1897, while this museum first opened its doors to the paying public in 1978.
Open hours: January and February, daily - 10:00 to 16:00; March to December - Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, children 12 years old and under are free

Nelson Museum of the West

Address: 1714 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming (WY), 82001, USA
Tel: +1 307 635 7670
On display at the Nelson Museum of the West are Native American relics, fine Western art, and various rodeo, cowboy and outlaw artifacts. There are also military displays relating to the Indian War, the Spanish War and the two World Wars. In total there are in excess of 6,000 artifacts on display, spread around some 11,000 square feet / 1,020 square meters of exhibition space.
Open hours: May, September and October, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:30; June to August, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children 12 years old and under are free

Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium

Address: 203 / 205 West 17th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming (WY), 82001, USA
Tel: +1 307 638 4994
Run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium is to be found on West 17th Street, just off the Lincoln Highway. This attraction was founded in the middle of the 1990s by women who were keen to celebrate the West Spirit and pay tribute to the important contributions of pioneering women from the American West, past and present. Of note, guided tours can be arranged in advance for small groups. The Emporium store is located next-door to the museum itself and features many Western-themed goodies, such as antiques, collectibles, homewares, jewelry, paintings, horse saddles, books, clothing, boots and Stetson hats.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 11:00 to 16:00, Saturday 11:00 to 15:00
Admission: free

Cheyenne Depot Museum

Address: 121 West 15th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming (WY), 82001, USA
Tel: +1 307 632 3905
Known as both the Cheyenne Depot Museum and the Wyoming Transportation Museum, this local institution and National Historic Landmark is sited within the capital's Union Pacific Railroad depot. The railroad depot is especially important and historic, since it was built in the 1880s and is widely regarded to be amongst the most attractive train stations ever built in North America. Many themed events take place here during the summer months, such as Railway Art Shows, the Wyoming Brewers Festival, live music on the adjacent plaza and the Steam Train Excursion every July. The depot is also home to a visitor center and the Shadow's Pub, where a hearty lunch can be enjoyed. Children will no doubt appreciate the realistic model railroad located within the old baggage room on the second floor.
Open hours: October to April - Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00; May to September, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children 12 years old and under are free