CITY SPOTLIGHT:

Your Guide to Cheyenne, Wyoming

building in Cheyenne

Know Before You Go: About Cheyenne

The spirit of the Wild West comes alive in Cheyenne. Find out what you need to know before your next trip.

Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, has a vast array of tourist attractions that offer you a glimpse into the past. The city itself stands as the center of the Old West. You can learn all about the lives of gun-slinging cowboys by visiting museums, or experience it firsthand through bison hunting and horseback riding. But make no mistake, Cheyenne has other fun-filled attractions, too. You can view a real Indian archaeological dig, while nature buffs can take advantage of a picnic at the city’s botanic gardens.

Windy Weather

Cheyenne consists mainly of prairie land—often referred to as the High Plains—so it's semi-arid, with cold winters and hot summers. Its elevation and unprotected position makes it extremely windy, but the city gets about 236 sunny days a year. Winter lows hover around 16 degrees in January, and summer highs average around 82 degrees in July—bring light jackets or sweaters for summer evenings, and clothing made from wool or synthetic fabrics for the winter months. Rainfall, mostly in May, is only about 15 inches a year, but Cheyenne gets above 55 inches of snow annually, more than double the national average. So skip the umbrellas and pack the mittens.

Dollars, Defense and Alternative Energy

Cheyenne’s main industry used to be ranching and it was said that because of rich cattle moguls, Cheyenne was one of the richest cities in the world on a per capita basis. Many of the ranches in the region around Cheyenne still survive—good news for tourists who come for the rodeos and stay to pump dollars into local businesses. But the city's position in the developing urban corridor east of the Rockies gives it a significant role in transportation and rail shipping, both big employers here. The largest economic driver is defense, such as the Air Force and the National Guard, which provide several jobs for residents. Cheyenne is also working to add more energy and tech companies to the mix and utilizing the constant wind along the high plains for wind farms.

Railways and Rodeos

Hop aboard the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley for a 90-minute tour visiting historic sites of the city—it's the fastest way to scope out Cheyenne and decide which attractions to check out. Put your spurs on and head out to Terry Bison Ranch to catch a glimpse of ostriches, bison herd and camels. Explore the beautiful Cheyenne Depot Complex, home to the Cheyenne Area Convention Center and Visitor’s Bureau, Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce and the Cheyenne Depot Museum. If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can fish the rivers and lakes and go hiking in the mountain trails. The Cheyenne Frontier Days also takes place in the summer. The outdoor rodeo and festival features an Indian village, comedy acts, Wild West shows and big-name concerts from country artists such as Tim McGraw and John Mellencamp.

Western Odyssey

Take Interstate 80 or Interstate 25 to southeast Wyoming, Cheyenne is at the crossroads. From the Denver International Airport, it's about 90 miles away. Rent a car at the airport—useful for shuttling the family and its gear around during your stay. The flight from Denver to the Cheyenne Regional Airport is plagued by wind—bumpy, but only 40 minutes terminal-to-terminal if you're in a hurry. The closest Amtrak station is also in Denver.

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Things to Do in Cheyenne

From rip-roaring rodeos to epic barbecue, you can get a true taste of Wyoming during your visit to Cheyenne.