These 10 Towns in Wyoming Have Bustling Main Streets
Wyoming stands out from the rest of the American states for being the least populous, landlocked, and down the alphabetical order of states. Yet, it stretches further on uniqueness for radiating the pure essence of a quintessential Wild West state with towns featuring quaint main streets. These main streets are commercial hubs, bustling with activities in storefronts, pubs, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and bars. For tourists exploring the Wild West and its mountain scenery, these vibrant streets are the perfect stops to gear up, recharge, and launch into the outdoors. From Laramie to majestic Cody, uncover 10 towns with bustling main streets in Wyoming.
Rawlins
Rawlins is a picturesque mountain town and County Seat of Carbon County, with a thriving main street where arts, history, culture, and cuisine blend effortlessly. On this main street, embark on a downtown art tour hopping art galleries such as Rawlins in Motion, Artistry in Glass, and Red Desert Arts. Afterward, proceed with the downtown mural tour to see various murals created by local artists that depict the town’s history.
Delve fully into the corridors of history at the Carbon County Museum, featuring over 30,000 artifacts that offer a glimpse into the early era of the county. Don’t miss a tour of the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum, where several notorious robbers in the state served as inmates. Cool off with a captivating movie at The Movies cinema and dine at Aspen House Restaurant or enjoy Thai cuisine at Anong’s.
Evanston
The naturally alluring town of Evanston in Uinta County could steal the hearts of visitors from its main street or on the outdoors. On the ever-bustling main street, the Uinta County Museum stands as an enduring tribute to the town and county’s storied past with its artifacts, exhibits, and memorabilia. Start with some history by visiting the aforementioned museum and then proceed to learn about the town’s Chinese immigrants who lived and worked in the county in the 19th century at the Chinese Joss House Museum through artifacts and photography. Enjoy a nourishing lunch at Bon Rico Steakhouse and then head to Aspen Cinemas to relax with great movies.
Meanwhile, downtown Evanston is also a fantastic place to shop, and some fine establishments for this include - Ivory and Iron (for gifts and souvenirs) and Rustic Sage Co. (for crafts). Venture into the wild outdoors from the Bear River Greenway on the main street that runs along the Bear River to its namesake State Park to fish, hike, boat, and enjoy picnics.
Jackson
The resort town of Jackson in Teton County has a unique town square/main street, bustling with various businesses worth patronizing. First off, the town is very artsy and is home to dozens of galleries. Gallery Wild, Horizon Fine Art Gallery, and Astoria Fine Arts are some of the few worth visiting to explore stunning artworks. Find the best culinary offers at Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas and Roadhouse Pub & Eatery, both on Broadway. Don’t forget to shop at locally-owned stores such as Belle Shops (for clothing, accessories, and home goods) and Valley Bookstore.
Afterward, head outdoors and explore the National Elk Wildlife Refuge, home to around 7,500 elks which are better seen in winter. Moreover, the National Museum of Wildlife Art overlooks this refuge, featuring hundreds of wildlife artworks and a sculpture trail.
Buffalo
Buffalo is a small, touristy town at the base of Bighorn Mountain, between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. It serves as a gateway and base camp to both destinations, making its main street always lively with commercial activities. Start the day in this part of the town at Main Street Diner with breakfast and coffee, then admire awe-inspiring artworks at Hitching Post Gallery and shop for antiques at the Treasure Chest Antiques & Collectibles.
Next, visit the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum to explore relics and collectibles reflecting the life and times of Jim Gatchell, who opened the county's first drug store. At noon, savor lunch at Pie Zanos and head out just eight miles to Bighorn National Forest for thrilling outdoor adventures.
Gillette
Gillette, the third most populous city in the state, is a hotbed of commerce, arts, health, and education. Naturally, the majority of these activities take center stage in the town’s main street which is lined up with galleries, cafes, boutiques, restaurants, parks, bars, and shops. Visit this part of town and start an unforgettable adventure at the AVA Community Art Center and then shop for vintage items at The Vintage Twine. Visit the Frontier Auto Museum and Café to see rare vintage cars, watch movies in a drive-in theatre, and enjoy lunch at the café.
Continue the historic experience at Campbell County Rockpile Museum, featuring Native American artifacts, fossils, and cultural relics of the county. Afterward, head to Lasting Legacy Park to take in the fresh air of the scenic surroundings while walking it on its trails and enjoying picnics at the shelters.
Cody
The historic mountain town of Cody is an irresistible destination for outdoor and history buffs, thanks to its numerous attractions. Meanwhile, the town's main street is a historic Wild West melting pot and home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, housing five museums, including Cody Firearms, Indian Plains, Buffalo Bill, Whitney Western Art, and Draper Natural History Museums. Hence, visitors can spend the entire day at this complex, hopping through museums and learning about the American West in unique ways.
Away from the museum, visitors are invited to enjoy a light steak lunch at Cody Steakhouse or a Chicken Sandwich at Black Tatanka. Proceed to the Timmer Gallery on the main street to admire exquisite creations. For sightseeing tours outdoors, visit the Buffalo Bill Dam, a concrete arch-gravity reservoir that catches the eye, and learn about it at the Visitor Center.
Rock Springs
Rock Springs is a lovely town in Sweetwater County where various cultures meet due to the influx of immigrants during the town’s coal mining era. Today, it hosts a bustling main street, where a good day can begin with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or latte at the Coal Train Coffee Depot. Proceed to the Community Fine Arts Center to explore its large collection of American art.
For history lovers, head to the Rock Springs Historical Museum to see permanent and rotating exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and interpretive displays reflecting the town’s history. Visit the scenic Bunning Park afterward to stroll or enjoy a picnic with great views. For a spectacular experience outdoors, take a short drive north of the town to Killpecker Sand Dunes, where endless dunes await exploration.
Green River
Green River is one of the most natural scenic towns in Wyoming, renowned for the Flaming Gorge and Green River. In the meantime, the town also flaunts an attractive main street bustling with activities year-round. Start your adventure from this part of town and visit the Sweetwater County Historical Museum to see permanent and changing exhibits reflecting life in the county during its early days. Shop for souvenirs at Sweetwater Trophies & Gifts and visit the Red White Buffalo to admire ingenious artworks.
At noon, refill at some of the best diners on the main street, such as Gudino’s Café and Penny’s Diner. For adventurers, the nearby Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area beckons for indulgence with its 91-mile-long Flaming Gorge Reservoir, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, paddling, rock climbing, and camping.
Sheridan
Sheridan is one of the famed towns in Wyoming renowned for its historic districts and attractive main streets, where an array of attractions invite visitors for indulgence. Once here, visitors can start the day with coffee at Bison Union, while antique lovers can expand their collections with classic items at Sheridan Antiques. Meanwhile, the Bozeman Trail Gallery is a lovely spot to explore fascinating art creations and purchase some as keepsakes.
Get entertained by electrifying performances and shows at the WYO Theater, and experience exotic dining at Cowboy Café. For history buffs, check out Don King's Western Museum to see Old Wild West photography collections, Indian artifacts, original artworks, and old saddles. Don’t leave without a taste of the scenic outdoors at Kendrick Park, where a wooded path flanks a creek, offering its grounds for strolls and picnics.
Laramie
Laramie is one of the most populous towns in the state and is renowned for its vibrant main street, which several business establishments call their home. Once here, options are endless, but visitors can start the day with coffee at Sweet Melissa Café and enjoy lunch at the Crowbar & Grill. Shopaholics can grab antiques at the Bent and Rusty, and art lovers can explore fine creations at the Earth, Wind, and Fire Gallery. History lovers can step back in time at Laramie Plains Museum, exploring furniture, clothing, memorabilia, and Victorian fixtures from the town’s early days in a 19th-century mansion.
For more history, visitors are invited to the American Heritage Center of the University of Wyoming, which is home to thousands of artifacts and historic documents on Wyoming’s history and the Rocky Mountains West. Afterward, indulge in the calls of the outdoors at Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, featuring hiking, biking, camping, and horseback riding. The forest is also home to Happy Jack and Vedauwoo Recreational areas, where visitors can fish, kayak, paddle, and boat in an alpine lake.
A visit to the main streets of Wyoming’s small towns is always remarkable, with plenty of things to see and do. Whether one is heading for the mountains and outdoors or on a weekend getaway, there is no excuse for missing an experience in the heart of these towns. Explore these charming main streets where Wild West cultures fuse with contemporary downtown elements. Feel the historical aura and smell of local cuisines that saturate the atmosphere. Go on a shopping spree, taste the best cuisines, explore a gallery, and relax with a coffee in a café.
