Travel Spotlight on Cheyenne and Its 14 Best Attractions

Hailed as the "Magic City of the Plains" for its place on the elevated prairies of southeastern Wyoming, Cheyenne is easily accessible from Denver International Airport, and offers visitors a welcoming picture of authentic but unassuming life in a truly western city. The highlight of the year is Cheyenne Frontier Days festival that takes place in mid-July. Established over a century ago, the festival is a celebration of this city’s historical roots on the adventuring western lines of the Union Pacific railway. The festival incorporates all the high traditionalism, rowdiness and rugged character one would expect of a trackside town from 1867, from mouth-watering American burgers served in saloon-style eateries to the iconic rodeo competition – one of the most prestigious of its kind in the country. Away from the cowboy pursuits, Cheyenne’s downtown is a charming patchwork of well-preserved mansions and civic buildings, with diverse shops and a variety places to eat.

Dinosaur bones and prospectors' pickaxes at the Wyoming State Museum

Dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the Rocky Mountain west, this museum invites visitors to unravel the story of Wyoming and Cheyenne from its earliest beginnings. Permanent exhibitions range back all the way to the Jurassic period, when the state was a wandering ground for dinosaurs, while interactive displays like the "Hands-on History" room are great for younger guests.

From hiking and biking to fishing and camping at the Curt Gowdy State Park

Once the territory of roaming Comanche, Crow and Shoshone Indians, the Curt Gowdy State Park is now a plethora of both wild and well-trodden hiking, biking and climbing trails through the prairie-covered foothills close to Cheyenne. Camping opportunities abound, and many locals come here to enjoy the abundance of peaceful fishing spots that dot the Granite Springs Reservoir.

Explore Cheyenne's high society at the town's Historical Governor's Mansion

The traditional home of Wyoming’s first families, this quaint and elegant example of stately Colonial Revival architecture has a certain degree of endearing modesty in comparison to many of the sprawling mansions that came to dominate Cheyenne during its boom years in the cattle trade. Today it is not only home to the Governor of Wyoming, but also houses a museum chronicling the story of Wyoming’s political past and the lives of the many luminaries that were its past inhabitants.

Morris House Bistro: Offering a taste of the Lowcountry in the heart of Wyoming

Photo via their official FB page.

This quaint bungalow restaurant serves a fusion mix of traditional lowcountry cuisine with a distinct Wyoming flavour. Drawing on the seafood traditions of the more southeasterly states, the menu offers a number of creative fish dishes, traditional meats – like the rib-eye steak – and a vegetarian option, and has an extensive wine card to match.

The Historic Plains Hotel, a charming example of 1900s luxury

A relic of Cheyenne’s regal accommodation boom in the early 1900s, this national historic landmark building is now home to the luxurious Historic Plains Hotel. With finely furnished rooms, a fitness center, in-house spa facilities and a gift shop selling crafts from the local area, visitors are treated to full-frills service in true Wyoming style.

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