8 Serene Wyoming Towns For A Weekend Retreat
The western state of Wyoming embodies many of the best legacies of the American West. A part of the Union only since 1890, the Cowboy State — also called the Equality State for its rich history of women's suffrage — has used its short and colorful history to build some of the finest smaller towns in the region. For a weekend or longer stay, the state has plenty to interest traveling couples, families, and individuals, from outlaw legends to some of America's finest outdoor wonderlands. For a true moment to get away from it all, Wyoming's best features await visitors in serene smaller towns like Buffalo, Cody, and Rock Springs.
Buffalo
Few town names work better than Buffalo to capture the region's natural wildlife and wild Western spirit. Set in Wyoming's northeast, the picturesque town provides the traveler plenty to choose from. At the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, no fewer than 15,000 objects illustrate the town's past as a US territory. According to several legends, the town also provided cover for the notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy, as well as his posse, known in those days as the "Wild Bunch."
Outdoor points of interest include the nearby Bighorn National Forest, which allows camping, hiking, and fresh air just a short drive from Buffalo's downtown. For places to stay, the Occidental Hotel (which locals call "the Ox") provides a touch of class with a Western twist. The establishment's taxidermied trophy animals, brick walls, and wood furnishings will appeal to the discerning out-of-town guest.
Cody
Cody, in Wyoming's northwest, derives its name from Buffalo Bill, born William Frederick Cody, the legendary entertainer who honored the spirit and sensibilities of the bygone American West. Cody's Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a museum and more, and includes five exhibitions while acting as a major draw for travelers and fans of Western tales and traditions. For more active types, and for a great spectacle, the Cody Stampede Rodeo, held annually in July, gathers rodeo riders and fans from around the world.
Given the town's role as a tourism hub, many of its most frequented sites concentrate along Sheridan Avenue. These range from western-themed saloons and classic American dining to family-friendly fun and green space in Cody City Park. Cody sits not far from Yellowstone Regional Airport, which makes for easy access to the peerless national park of that name.
Gillette
Also in Wyoming's northeast, the town of Gillette makes for a great base from which to visit some of the state's best natural wonders. Devils Tower National Monument awaits nearby. Gillette itself sits between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, in neighboring South Dakota. Animal lovers may prefer the nearby Durham Buffalo Ranch, home to 3,000 head of America's most iconic western mammal.
Sports and entertainment fans may already know Gillette for its outsized reputation as a place to catch a great show or competition. The town's CAM-PLEX center, which is said to be the largest multi-event facility in the Western United States, puts on concerts, rodeos, theater productions, and more. Accommodations run the gamut and include the Arbuckle Lodge, a western-style hotel with 28 rooms, a pool and gym, and various other amenities.
Green River
The town of Green River, set along the waterway of the same name, awaits the nature-loving traveler in Wyoming's southwest. River recreation, from kayaking to fishing to rafting, draws families and friend groups each year, especially in warmer weather. Other outdoor adventures come in the form of wildlife tourism, and at spots like the Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge, birders can look out for sage grouse, trumpeter swans, and other unique species that live here.
Among its cultural offerings, the Flaming Gorge Days, named after the local and ever-popular gorge, combines craft beer, artisanal goods, and a sense of community that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. Hotels and motels lean toward budget options, while the Coachman Inn offers western decorative accents while keeping its 18 rooms affordable.
Laramie
Laramie, in Wyoming's southeast, stands at more than 7,000 feet above sea level, making a mountain setting that visitors tend to remember. Established in 1868 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad, the town has no fewer than 20 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Standout destinations include the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary, now converted into a museum, as well as the Old Main building, erected in 1886. These days, the Old Main provides office space for the University of Wyoming.
Other must-see areas include the Downtown Laramie Historic District, which boasts the Kuster Hotel. Constructed just a year after Laramie's founding, the Kuster has the distinction of being the town's oldest stone building.
Rock Springs
Southwestern Rock Springs sits at an equal distance from neighboring Colorado and Utah. Considered the state's "International City," given its population from all over the world, Rock Springs overcame a hardscrabble past as a mining town to become the pleasant, family-friendly place it is today. Rock Springs also offers visitors a Carnegie Library, constructed with money from Andrew Carnegie, the famous US industrial baron and philanthropist. The area's sand dunes — one of the largest in the United States — draw sandboarders and other thrill-seekers.
Today, Rock Springs' Carnegie Library exhibits an original work by US painter Norman Rockwell, attracting fans and students of American popular art. The Rock Springs Historical Museum, also downtown, honors the region's dramatic past. For a classy place to rest one's head, the town's Sweetwater Lodge offers an exercise room, hot breakfast, and luxurious rooms.
Sheridan
Calling itself a vision of the New West, the north-central town of Sheridan, set against the Bighorn Mountains, has drawn adventurers and original characters for generations. The Brinton Museum (in nearby Bighorn) celebrates Western art and Native American historical artifacts, while thirsty travelers can have a drink in style back in Sheridan at the Mint Bar, which features a well-known neon sign of a bronco-riding cowboy. The town's Main Street area is a celebrated draw for local Western history and those looking for some lively weekend fun.
No trip to Sheridan would be comprehensive without a stay, or at least a visit, at the Historic Sheridan Inn Hotel. Here, the young writer Ernest Hemingway finished A Farewell to Arms, one of the most famous novels of the 20th century.
Sundance
The town of Sundance enjoys a stirling reputation as a center for the arts. Fans of creative expression should look for the Crook County Museum as well as the 1875 Art Gallery, home to over 7,000 artifacts of Native American life. In other histories, the Sundance Kid, a notorious Western outlaw, drew inspiration for his nickname over a spell in the town's former prison.
For time outdoors, head to the nearby Bear Lodge Mountains, which are part of the Black Hills National Forest. Kara Creek Ranch, which is also a place to stay, is a family-owned estate that offers lessons in real-life cowboy skills, from roping cattle to helping with the 30,000-acre site's operations.
Wyoming's Best Features Hide in Its Small Towns
While Wyoming only achieved US state status in 1890, the region has made good use of its time ever since. The state offers a rich slate of serene options for a weekend visit or a longer vacation. Towns like Buffalo, Rock Springs, and Sheridan provide the visitor ample creative inspiration through their diverse art offerings. Adventure types might prefer outdoor fun in Cody or Gillette, while rodeo fans will appreciate the state's thorough respect for a sport derived directly from the cowboy skillset. Families will no doubt enjoy all-ages options like those along the Green River, or the state's access to some of America's finest national parks. No matter the traveler's tastes, Wyoming presents deep appeal and a chance to see the best of the American West.
