9 Towns In Wyoming That Were Ranked Among US Favorites

Wondering which Wyoming town people rave about? Are you curious about which town to visit so you can maximize your vacation experience? The truth is most towns in Wyoming have something to offer. Some offer an emptiness that is surreal and delicious in equal measure. Some, however, are quaint and filled with a yummy range of attractions. From Thermopolis to Medicine Bow, discover below nine towns in Wyoming that are often ranked among U.S. favorites. You only need to lace up and brace yourself for an adventure that is truly like no other.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis is a small, cozy town with old, historic buildings. The saloons that once dotted the town, many of which were patronized by notorious outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, have today been repurposed into inviting restaurants and tasty coffee shops. Brush shoulders with buffalos at Hot Springs State Park, whose natural water flows at a constant temperature of around 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Soothe your body, and let your soul drift away at the famous Star Plunge — as you close your eyes and experience wholesome rejuvenation. Alternatively, one can float down Bighorn River, step back in time at the Hot Springs County Museum — or visit the nearby Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site, one of the best petroglyph sites in the West.

Cody

Cody was named for Colonel William F. Cody, known in popular culture as “Buffalo Bill.” Cody wore many hats — and could be an actor, hunter, Pony Express rider, U.S. Army scout — depending on the occasion and the mood. This is an area of expansive ranches, rolling landscapes, and wide, open skies. What draws people to Cody include the Shoshone National Forest, home to almost half of the active geysers on the planet, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a gun enthusiast’s dream destination. Here’s the place to also learn about Wild Bill, the Wild West, and all about local wildlife. If water means everything to you, as it does to many vacationers, check out the Shoshone River, the trout-filled Beck Lake, Alkali Lake, and City Reservoir.

Lander

Lander is another Wyoming gem that is quite appetizing, especially with its Sinks Canyon State Park, where roaring water, beautiful wildflowers, a pond filled with massive trout, and a waterfall that sinks into a mysterious cave — curate an experience that often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away. Plus, Lander is the jumping-off point to the Wind River Mountains, home to over 40 peaks, including 19 of Wyoming's 20 highest. If seeking something slow and light, stroll historic Main Street and pop inside the tasty restaurants and galleries that line the stretch. Just don’t miss the Museum of the American West, where authentic buildings are presented in an incredibly beautiful garden landscape.

Laramie

Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming; hence, is a vibrant college town full of art, western history, and delicious eateries. Speaking of food, one will want to start her visit at Sweet Melissa, which serves the best vegetarian food in the world. If it is your first time, consider pairing their delicious black bean burritos with their sweet potatoes. But any menu item here, whether carrot cakes or cauliflower, will still serenade one’s taste buds. There is the free-to-enter University of Wyoming Art Museum, loved for its rotating exhibits and some exceptional work by student artists. Taking the cue, the University of Wyoming Anthropology Museum — although small — is densely packed with materials. Want a cozy venue to catch some mood-lifting show? Regal Fox Theater, with its reclining seats, is every movie enthusiast’s wish.

Saratoga

Saratoga is a small town of less than 2,000 residents that has lots of places to hike, snowmobile, and fish. Framed by the Snowy Mountain Range as well as the Sierra Madre Range, Saratoga’s outdoor offerings are almost unmatched. Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs, a few steps from the main drag, has nice, hot pools; a cold stream to cool off, and a beautiful, rustic environment. North Plate River flows through the town and expands Saratoga’s range of outdoor offerings. There is Saratoga Lake (and the beach), where one can sit and do nothing — or bob about on a boat. Crown the day with terrific cocktails at Bella's Bistro, where a husband and wife team serves traditional Italian dishes in a fun, breezy setting.

Dubois

Aspen trees, their leaves shimmering in the breeze, welcome first-time visitors to Dubois, an underrated gem famous for its scenic drives. Speaking of drives, the Centennial Scenic Byway, described by National Geographic as “one of the finest drives in the Rockies,” begins at Dubois on U.S. 26/287. You will feel lost in a cowboy world and culture — in an area known for Big game species such as black bear, elk, mule, deer, and moose. People come to visit the National Bighorn Sheep Center; to learn more about the life of bighorn sheep, even touch their fur and skulls. Saddle a horse at Shoshone National Forest, and explore the woods that cover one of the first nationally protected land areas in the world. That said, kickstart your adventure with some delicious muffins at the Perch Coffee House, located smack in the heart of downtown Dubois.

Sheridan

Backdropped by the humongous Bighorn National Forest, Sheridan’s setting naturally positions it among Wyoming towns ranked among U.S. favorites. Before stretching your legs — and venturing out on the town’s outside patio — Sheridan boasts a beautiful historic downtown area, where legendary watering holes stand side by side with inviting restaurants and locally-owned shops. Check out spots such as Black Tooth Brewing Company, whose well-crafted beers reveal an incredible balance of flavors. Their signature Bomber Mountain Amber Ale is particularly worth trying. Don King’s Western Museum, with its saddles and firearms, should come up next. Just don’t miss Centennial Theatres, and know this has nothing to do with their tasty popcorn.

Buffalo

The mountains provide great entertainment in Buffalo — enhances the town’s look and appeal — and earn it a spot among towns in the state ranked among U.S. favorites. Buffalo is framed by the Bighorn Mountains, a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and fly fishing. There is Lake De Smet, the object of mystical Native American legends. Mikesell-Potts Recreation Area, which hugs the lake, is quiet, beautiful, and perfect for camping. The sunsets here are particularly heart-ravishing. There is the recently renovated Buffalo Theatre, which serves on-screen entertainment in cool and cozy settings. Then again, you will want to set aside an hour at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, especially if you love learning the history of the towns you visit.

Medicine Bow

Rounding off the list of Wyoming towns ranked among U.S. favorites is the cute, small town of Medicine Bow, which reclines along the Medicine Bow River in the southeastern corner of the state. It is backdropped by spectacular outdoor spots such as Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, a nature lover’s paradise that provides year-round recreation opportunities. Also, one can come to reel in some yummy catch at East Allen Lake, whether kokanee salmon or rainbow trout. At the Medicine Bow Museum, a first-time visitor will sample eye-opening exhibits about early life on the prairies and catch a glimpse of period items such as old electronics, lots of railroad stuff, and Indian arrowheads. Spending the night? Check yourself into the Virginia Hotel, whose history goes back more than 100 years.

The Takeaway

Wyoming is wide, vast, and nearly empty. However, although the Equality State does not have a lot of people, it boasts some of the best fly fishing in the world. Plus, of course, it has Yellowstone and Grand Teton — and the Wind River Range — and tracts of empty, wind-smoothed landscapes that are some of the most surreal and adorable. If looking for a perfect base, consider Thermopolis and the other towns listed here because they are often ranked among U.S. favorites.