9 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Wyoming
Things get a little strange when you venture away from the tourist hubs of Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks. Off the beaten paths, scattered among the rolling hills of Star Valley and the High Plains, are places that seem a little bit quirky in all the best ways. From the birthplace of the jackalope to abandoned ghost towns, Wyoming is so much more than rugged peaks and starry skies. When you’re ready to get a little weird in Wyoming, these eccentric hidden escapes are anything but boring.
Thermopolis
Thermopolis has a very distinct smell the minute you drive into town, thanks to the sulfur from Hot Springs State Park, claimed as one of the largest mineral hot springs in the world. Every day, 3.6 million gallons of mineral-rich water from aptly-named Big Spring deposits on the surrounding rocks, creating otherworldly deposits that look like something on a distant planet. You can visit the public hot spring for free - a soak in the 127-degree waters is especially invigorating during the winter.
Once all your worries have melted away, Thermopolis has plenty to see. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is so much more than a museum dedicated to fossils and dinosaur bones. Located near an active dig site, you can watch archeologists unearth fossils, and there are events like Dig for a Day where you can live your childhood dreams and search for bones yourself alongside archaeologists. After working up an appetite digging for dinos, the One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company is a local favorite to refuel, serving up their famous bison burgers in a relaxed setting just outside the hot springs.
Medicine Bow
Medicine Bow is an isolated community in southeastern Wyoming, an area that has a dusty, old-west vibe with all the modern comforts of home. One of the most unique attractions in Medicine Bow is The Virginian Hotel, a commanding structure that stands in stark contrast to the modest buildings of downtown Medicine Bow. It’s beautifully maintained, preserving the old world feel with pressed tin ceilings, vintage wallpaper, beautiful woodwork, and a dining room that feels like road-weary cowboys will bust through the saloon doors at any moment.
Across the street from the hotel is the Medicine Bow Museum, located inside the old train depot. It’s where you can learn more about prehistoric discoveries in the area, as well as about Native American history and early settlers of Medicine Bow. And if you love quirky oddities, you can take a quick drive east down the Lincoln Highway to see the oldest house in the world (sort of). Fossil Cabin was built in 1932, but it’s composed completely of excavated dinosaur fossils from nearby Como Bluff, and was given the cheeky nickname “The Building that Used to Walk” by its creator, Thomas Boylan.
Kemmerer
The southwest city of Kemmerer is known for its love of dinosaurs. It’s home to Fossil Butte National Monument, a site that has one of the most abundant collections of dinosaur bones anywhere in the world. Here, you can watch paleontologists unearth rare animal and plant fossils that are up to 56 million years old. There are also hiking trails that venture into the desert, with rolling hills that stretch on for miles, and wide-open Wyoming skies above.
If you want to see relics sheltered from the hot Wyoming sun, the Fossil Country Frontier Museum showcases everything from bootlegging stills and wine presses to coal mining equipment and, of course, fossils. The museum is small, which means you have more time to explore the rest of Kemmerer in an afternoon. After a trip to the museum, be sure to stop by In Stone Fossils, a family-run shop selling fossils, rocks, gems, and minerals, and even offering excursions where you can dig for your own treasures to take back home!
Chugwater
With a population of under 200, the small community of Chugwater is a place you would never stumble upon by accident. Located in the High Plains region, Chugwater feels like a remote town on a distant planet, but it’s well worth the drive! It’s where you’ll find the Chugwater Soda Fountain, the oldest operating soda fountain in the state. You can mosey on up to the counter, pull up a stool, and order an old-fashioned malt for a sip of pure Americana.
Another great stop in Chugwater is the Chugwater Museum, which holds peculiar hours. It’s open on the weekends during the summer, but you can also gain access by inquiring at the soda fountain. The massive museum houses thousands of artifacts from Chugwater's old ranching days, as well as photos documenting the evolution of the area over the years. Then, top off your stay in Chugwater with dinner, dancing, and live music at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery.
Afton
In Star Valley, on the western edge of the state, is a cozy community with serious old-west vibes. On Washington Street in central Afton, you’ll find the World's Largest Elkhorn Arch that demands you get out of your car to snap a photo. The notable structure is composed of nearly 3,000 elk antlers, but don’t worry, no elk were harmed in the making of the arch! Elks shed their antlers every season, and discarded antlers were gathered at the National Elk Refuge, about a 1.5 hours north of town. After snapping a photo of the amazing archway, the best way to get to know the town better is at Star Valley Soda. This humble little shop is a local hot spot for cool treats.
For a different kind of treat, be sure to stop by the Periodic Spring, located just east of central Afton. It’s a strange phenomenon where the spring flows crystal clear water for about 18 minutes, and then suddenly stops, like someone pressed the off button. Rhythmic springs are uncommon, with only about a hundred known to exist on Earth, and this one is the largest.
Meeteetse
Meeteetse is a small community of just over 300 residents settled along the Greybull River in central Wyoming, where the Wild West spirit is alive and well. The street may be paved now, but the buildings are classic throwbacks to days on the frontier. The Meeteetse Mercantile, which was once the general store, is now an art studio. Atist Vic Payne crafts unique bronze sculptures that represent and illustrate the region's storied past. A favorite among locals and visitors alike is the Meeteetse Chocolatier. It looks like a rickety saloon on the outside, but inside are delicious homemade chocolates and assorted treats.
Two of the best stops in town are the Meeteetse and Charles Belden Museums, which house everything from taxidermied native animals to iconic photography. And when you’re ready for a little adventure, Meeteetse isn’t too far from Kirwin Ghost Town, a site long abandoned after the Wyoming Gold Rush. The grounds are beautiful and green, albeit a little spooky, and many of the buildings are still standing.
Cody
Cody isn’t just a town named after William “Buffalo Bill” Cody; he designed the city himself! For that reason alone, the very first stop in Cody should be the massive Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is not only a museum dedicated to Buffalo Bill, but also details the history of the area through artifacts and exhibits. For such a small area, the museum is surprisingly huge and can keep you occupied for a full afternoon. After getting to know a little more about the area of Cody, there’s so much more to see downtown!
One of the most popular spots is the Old Trail Town, which will have you feeling like you're walking the same dusty streets as Buffalo Bill. Many of the buildings, like the blacksmith shop, cabins, and outlaw graves, were all relocated to Old Trail Town, and it's like stepping inside a time capsule. Back in the land of the living, central Cody has a wide selection of modern eateries, like Cody Steakhouse, serving up everything from bison to seafood in a rustic Wild West setting. Buffalo Bill would certainly approve!
Green River
In the high deserts of southwestern Wyoming, you’ll find the offbeat city of Green River. The Sweetwater County Historical Museum, located in the old Green River Post Office, is a must-see for visitors. It details the early days of Green River from its Native American roots, mining operations, and outlaw history. The crown jewel of Green River is Expedition Island, a public park with a deep history on the Green River. The island was the starting point of the first (documented) expedition to the Grand Canyon. Today, it’s an idyllic green space of rolling rivers and towering plateaus.
Green River may have a rich heritage, but the scenery is stunning. South of central Green River is the Flaming Gorge, where bright red canyons pierce the endless Wyoming sky. The area is so stunning it even inspired Green River’s Flaming Gorge Days, a local event held every summer with parades, car shows, craft vendors, live music, and even a horseshoe tournament.
Douglas
Welcome to Douglas, Home of the Jackalope! This small community in eastern Wyoming embraces its roots as the home of the mythical creature, and is the only place in the US where you can get an official jackalope hunting license. They love their ties to the jackalope, and there are statues scattered throughout town, but the biggest lies at Jackalope Square. It is a small pubic park in the heart of Douglas, and the perfect spot to snag a photo.
There’s even an annual event, Jackalope Days, held every summer in Jackalope Square. It includes a parade (where you may see a jackalope or two), craft vendors, great food, and family-friendly activities. Aside from mystical creatures, Douglas is deeply rooted in America’s railroad history. The Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum and Visitor's Center is a great place to check out vintage rail cars, explore interactive exhibits, and learn more about the Union Pacific Railroad.
Explore the Weird and Wonderful Side of Wyoming
It won’t take you long to feel like you are home in these peculiar towns. While they may have strange traditions, like Jackalope Days in Douglas, the locals love to share their stories with new faces. Only in these offbeat cities can you walk the same path as Buffalo Bill or dig for dinosaur bones in Thermopolis. You can see an arch made of elk antlers in Afton or a building made entirely of fossils in Medicine Bow. They may be a little strange, but these eccentric spots are captivating and just waiting to grab your attention!
