If you’ve ever watched a western movie or been to a rodeo, you’ve heard of Cheyenne. Founded in 1854, this Wyoming town built its reputation on cowboy life, ranching, and rodeo traditions. It isn’t polished or overly touristy, but there are plenty of things to do in Cheyenne. It’s a place where railroad history, rodeo culture, and Western grit all come together.
Frontier Days: The Daddy of ’Em All
Every July, Cheyenne hosts Frontier Days, one of the biggest rodeo celebrations in the world. People travel from all over to see bull riding, wagon races, parades, and concerts.
It’s an amazing experience–one for the bucket list– but if you aren’t specifically going to Cheyenne for Frontier Days, I would avoid July. It is HOT and the dry breeze doesn’t help at all. Plus, the roads and sidewalks are more crowded, all the campsites and hotels have been booked out for a year ahead of time, and everything costs more.
An early fall trip might be better. The weather will be nicer, it will be less crowded, and you can take your time and see all the sights. I tried to see everything in one day and I was exhausted by the end of the day. And I didn’t even get to go into the museums because I had a pet with me. Next time, I will take two full days to see the sights.
Museums and Landmarks
Cheyenne Depot Museum – This 1880s stone depot is the heart of downtown and explains why Cheyenne even exists. Surveyors picked this spot along Crow Creek in 1867, and the railroad grew from there. Passengers, goods, and livestock could suddenly be transported across the country in a fraction of the time it previously took. This historic depot still stands and was an active passenger station until the 1990s.
Inside, the museum’s exhibits explain how the railroad changed the West. The floor itself is part of the story—an inlaid map traces the Union Pacific line, complete with a marker at Promontory Point where the east and west railroads came together. Pair that with the HO-scale model train display, which shows the main line from Omaha, Nebraska, to Ogden, Utah—about 1,600 real miles shrunk down into 70 scale miles—and you get a full picture of how the trains tied the country together.
Glamping Grannies Travel Tip– Dogs can walk through the depot itself, but not into the museum rooms. Public parking is available nearby at Depot Park, which made visiting much easier.
Frontier Days Old West Museum – We didn’t go inside this one, because pets are not allowed, but I got a quick glimpse when I stepped in the entry to ask. I could see displays of wagons and rodeo outfits. From what I’ve learned, there’s also a hall of fame for rodeo champions. I do plan to go back another time when I don’t have any of the dogs with me.
Even without going in, there’s plenty to see outside. The museum grounds have statues, plaques, and a bronze statuette fountain where Rudy decided to cool off with a quick drink (that photo is one of my favorites). Just around the corner is the Paul Smith Children’s village, a beautiful park with playgrounds, displays and lots of flowers and trees.
Cowgirls of the West Museum – A smaller museum focused on the women of the Old West. I couldn’t go inside with the dog, but I peeked through the window and saw displays that looked full of stories and artifacts about early cowgirls in ranching and rodeo.
Wrangler Western Wear Store – Not a museum, but it feels like one. The store is massive—like a western boutique on steroids. There are aisles of boots, stacks of jeans, walls of hats and the smell of leather permeates the air. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth a walk-through. I’ll admit the prices were way out of my budget, but it was fun to look.
Wyoming State Capitol – One of the prettiest capitols in the country. The golden dome shines in the sun, and the stonework is gorgeous up close. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth walking around the grounds for photos.
Big Boots and Bronze Statues
Yellowstone has painted buffalo. Cheyenne is famous for its giant painted cowboy boots. They’re scattered everywhere– downtown, in parks, at businesses, and even outside the museums. The Visitor Center hands out a “Big Boot Brochure” that maps their locations, and it’s worth grabbing one if you plan to track them down. It is hard to describe how large and intricate they really are without seeing them in person, but I highly recommend a trip to Cheyenne just to see the Big Boots.
[Insert slideshow of big boots photos]
Cheyenne also has bronze sculptures scattered around the city. I spotted a gold miner dumping his boot, a horse welded together from junk, and a bull rider frozen in mid-ride. Since my visit, more have been added through the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project. They’re the kind of thing you stumble across while walking and can’t help but stop to take a picture.
Downtown Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s downtown is where the history and the art really come together. You can walk past the Cowgirls of the West Museum, the historic Atlas Theater, and the massive Wrangler building all within a few blocks. One of my favorite finds was a huge mural painted across the side of a building—it makes a great backdrop for photos.
Downtown also has plenty of restaurants and cafés if you want to sit down for a meal. From casual diners to spots with a little more polish, there’s enough variety to keep you fueled up while exploring.
Traveling With Kids and Pets
Cheyenne is friendly to both, but neither will like the trip very much. Dogs are welcome on sidewalks, at Depot Park, and in outdoor spaces, but they’re not allowed inside museums or the Wrangler store. There is a lot of walking on pavement, which is hot under the western sun. Be sure to bring a bottle of water and a collapsible bowl for your explorations.
Unless your kids are really into cowboys, I wouldn’t recommend this trip. Cheyenne, while interesting and beautiful, is more like a history walk than an amusement park. There’s nothing electronic or interactive—it’s more like a massive art gallery spread across the city. Adults who enjoy history will love it, but kids are going to get bored and restless.
Ranching and Livestock Today
Cheyenne isn’t just about looking back—it’s still a working town. The city hosts the Cheyenne Livestock Expo and the Superior Livestock Auctions, where ranchers bring in their best horses and cattle. Buyers come from across the country, and bloodlines from these sales stretch far beyond Wyoming. Cowboy life here isn’t just part of the museums—it’s still how a lot of folks make their living.
You’ll see locals dressed in hats and boots in the grocery store and Walmart, and private planes carry wealthy ranchers in and out of the small airport. Miles of fencing separate thousands of acres of ranchland, and black Angus cows dot the landscape.
How Much Time Do You Need?
I covered Cheyenne in one long, hot day, but it wore me out and I know I missed a lot of things. If you want to really enjoy the museums, hunt down the boots and bronzes, and have time for a relaxed meal downtown, plan on two days. Also, plan a pet-free trip. I know it sucks, but they just aren’t allowed in many places. It’s probably best to leave your four-legged family member in the air conditioned RV while you sightsee.
Things to Know at a Glance
- Best time to visit: Spring or fall for cooler weather. Skip July unless you’re going for Frontier Days.
- RV camping: Several campgrounds within 15 minutes of downtown. Frontier Days week books up the hotels and campgrounds a year or more in advance.
- Weather: Hot, dry, and windy. Sunscreen, water, and a wide brim hat are necessary items.
- Shopping: Grocery stores and big-box stores are on the outskirts, not downtown.
- Parking: Public parking is available at Depot Park as well as other public lots throughout town.
- Dogs & kids: Pets are welcome outside, not in museums. Kids may find the trip boring and physically tiring.
- Boots and Bronzes: Grab the brochures at the Visitor Center to find them all.
Cheyenne isn’t about thrills or flashy attractions—it’s about cowboy heritage, railroad history, and Western culture that’s still alive. If you’re willing to walk, read, and slow down, you’ll leave with a real understanding of the Old West.