Cheyenne Itinerary
November 15, 2023 by Laura
We had a blast hanging out in Wyoming's capital, Cheyenne. We learned about the history of Wyoming at the state museum, saw the capitol building, toured the Governor's Mansion, took a trolley tour through town, ate delicious food, and walked through the botanical gardens.
Our Itinerary for Cheyenne, Wyoming
This trip to Cheyenne was a part of our 50 States by 50 bucket list! In order to meet all of our requirements for a completed state, we must spend time in the capital cities. Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming with a population of about 65,000 and is located in southeast corner of Wyoming. This meant that our Wyoming trip consisted of lots of driving so we could also hit the national parks located on the other side of the state. All that driving through Wyoming was more than worth it and a lot of fun!
Our itinerary below does not list everything there is to do in Cheyenne. It does, however, list everything that we personally did in Cheyenne. I'll provide all of our firsthand recommendations and tips so that you can also have a blast while visiting Wyoming's capital!
If you are looking for more Wyoming content check out our other travel blogs!: Grand Teton National Park, 10-Day Wyoming Itinerary, Best Wyoming Food, Hot Springs State Park, Wyoming Trip Budget, and Yellowstone National Park.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Laramie, WY
☼ 9:30 AM
Our first stop was not actually in Cheyenne, but I felt like it is worth mentioning. Medicine Bow is only 1 to 2 hours west of Cheyenne. And if you are coming in from the national parks, like we were, then you can drive through Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest to get to Cheyenne. You'll be driving on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway which takes you through the Snowy Range Mountains. Just note that this byway is closed from mid-November through Memorial Day.
We started in Saratoga, WY and ended in Centennial, WY. Along the way, there are numerous pullouts and stops where you can get out of your car and just take in all the beauty that surrounds you. And trust me, there is so much beauty in this part of the world! We didn't hike, but there were a few hiking trails as well.
Be sure to check out Visit Laramie's Byway Itinerary where it talks about each of the stops. My favorite stops were the Snowy Range Observation Point and Mirror Lake where we got to see a pika super close!
This whole drive was incredible and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
→ Find out more on Travel Wyoming!
J's Prairie Rose Cafe
410 South 2nd Street
Laramie, WY 82070
☼ 12:45 PM
Okay, this stop isn't in Cheyenne either, but it is the perfect stop for lunch when headed back to Cheyenne from Medicine Bow!
J's Prairie Rose Cafe is located in Laramie, about 50 minutes away from Cheyenne. J's is your classic diner. They have the bar with retro bar stools, the checkered floors, and you can see the kitchen from your table. I absolutely loved the vibe.
Now let's get to the food! First off, you know it is going to be good when you see Guy Fieri's face and signature on the wall. Second, they serve breakfast all day long. Do I need to say more?
Brian ordered the J's Philly Dip House Specialty with a side of green chili, and I ordered the famous J's 7220 Burrito. The waitress told us that we ordered the most popular choices!
The philly dip was incredible and quite possibly one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. The meat was perfectly seasoned and the au jus was so good! The burrito was huge and filled with eggs, pork, peppers, onions, black beans, and hash browns. It is all covered in green chili and cheese. I can imagine that this burrito is a dang good hangover cure.
We left Laramie very happy and very full!
→ Find out more on J's Prairie Rose Cafe!
Wyoming State Museum
2301 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 2:45 PM
One of our favorite things to do while visiting a capital city is to go to the state museum. Here you will learn all about Wyoming from science to history to culture and so much more.
The Wyoming State Museum has multiple exhibits. You can learn all about the wildlife, national parks, dinosaurs, the old wild west, geography of Wyoming, art, and Native Americans. They also have a great area for the kids with interactive exhibits.
This museum was much bigger than we had expected, and I actually wished that we had arrived sooner so we could have spent more time here. We stayed here until they closed at 4:30PM, a little under 2 hours total.
Wyoming's state museum is completely free, and there is plenty of free parking along the streets. We consider this a must-see when visiting Cheyenne especially for history buffs!
→ Find out more on Wyoming State Museum!
Wyoming State Capitol
200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 4:45 PM
Another place we always go when we visit a new state is the state capitol building. Wyoming's state capitol building is really beautiful and majestic. It is so big that I couldn't get it all in one picture!
Wyoming has one of the twenty state capitols that is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The building dates back to 1888!
If you want to go inside the building and take a self tour, be sure to get there between the hours of 8AM and 5PM Monday through Friday. We, unfortunately, arrived too late to go inside, but it looks incredible from the pictures that we saw.
→ Find out more on Wyoming Capitol Square!
The Albany
1506 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 6:00 PM
The Albany is a restaurant located in downtown Cheyenne inside of an old hotel building. The inside has great atmosphere with old pictures hanging on the walls. This building has a lot of history!
We both started our meal with a cup of clam chowder. Brian ordered the prime rib, and I got the french dip sandwich. The soup was really good and our service was excellent. The prime rib and the sandwich were good (we ate it all), but it didn't knock our socks off. We have definitely eaten better which was a bit disappointing. We were really looking forward to some good beef! The restaurant has tons of great reviews so perhaps we just hit them on an off night.
The Albany also has a full bar with great drink options!
→ Find out more on The Albany!
Choo Choo Moo
1506 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 7:00 PM
After dinner, we headed over to the ice cream truck that is parked right next to The Albany during the warmer months! The ice cream is made locally from Wyoming cows.
We chose the huckleberry ice cream which was definitely the right choice. We never had huckleberry before this trip, but we are big fans now. This was the perfect way to end the day!
R&B Breakfast Club
2102 East Lincolnway
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 7:00 AM
R&B Breakfast Club is a small restaurant that is decked out in Elvis memorabilia. From the menus to the tables to the wall decorations, you will find hundreds (if not thousands) of Elvis pictures!
As much as I love Elvis, I think that I loved R&B Breakfast Club's food more. This was some of our favorite food we had in Wyoming!
Their menu has a lot on it, but they are known as the 'Home of the Breakfast Burrito' so of course I had to get a burrito! I ordered the sausage breakfast burrito smothered in green chili, and Brian ordered the Famous Amos (stack of hash browns with sausage and eggs smothered with green chili and cheese). First off, like I mentioned, this food was incredible. These burritos would also be a great hangover cure. Second, the burrito is huge! Third, I love how it all comes smothered in chili. It really tastes so good. We are for sure coming back here next time we are in Cheyenne.
Be sure to visit Monday through Saturday as they are closed on Sundays!
→ Find out more on R&B Breakfast Club!
Cheyenne Farmer's Market
4610 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 8:00 AM
We then spent a bit of time at the farmer's market where you will find tons of local products. They had lots of fruits, vegetables, honey, flowers, baked goods, and so much more! If I hadn't just eaten an enormous breakfast burrito, I would have eaten breakfast here too!
This is a seasonal event that runs every Saturday from the first week in August to the first week in October from 7AM to 1PM.
→ Find out more on The Cheyenne Farmer's Market!
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
710 South Lions Park Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 9:00 AM
Right across the street from the farmer's market is the botanic gardens! Cheyenne has a lovely botanical garden, and it was so easy to get lost in the beautiful nature that surrounded us.
We first roamed around the gardens. There was so much to see and explore. They have a rose garden, a labyrinth, a peace garden, a pollinator garden, and more! We enjoyed the Wyoming September weather while we strolled along the paths. It was very peaceful here early in the morning and not many people around at all!
They also have the Paul Smith Children's Village which was a blast (even as an adult)! There is a lot of interactive displays and, of course, more pretty flowers and plants.
And you must not forget to go inside of the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory! In here you will find many different tropical plants including a HUGE palm tree. There are many places to just sit and relax, and a balcony that gives you a grand view of Cheyenne.
While the outside gardens are open from dawn to dusk year-round, be sure to check the website to make sure the children's village and conservatory are open. They have different hours depending on the time of year. This is a great free activity for the whole family!
→ Find out more on Cheyenne Botanic Gardens!
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
4610 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 11:00 AM
Right down the road from the botanic gardens you will find the Old West Museum! This museum has everything that you need to know about Cheyenne Frontier Days. The Frontier Days are known as the 'World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration'. Also known as 'Daddy of 'em All'!
At this museum, you'll learn about the beginnings of Cheyenne, all the cowboy stories, and the superstars involved with Frontier Days, present and past. My favorite part was their collection of carriages. Unfortunately, we were not visiting Cheyenne during Frontier Days, but after going to this museum, I want to come back and see what it is all about!
Also if you are looking for Wyoming souvenirs, this museum has a great gift shop!
→ Find out more on Old West Museum!
Downtime
☼ 1:00 PM
Brian actually has family that lives in Cheyenne so we ate lunch over at their house and spent the afternoon chatting with them for few hours.
Here are some fun suggestions that were given to us for things to do during this time:
Cheyenne Depot Museum: A railroad museum located inside the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. This museum is located right beside The Wrangler and The Albany restaurant.
Cowgirls of the West Museum: Learn about the women who pioneered the West
Historic Atlas Theatre: Maybe you will get lucky and be visiting during a show!
Curt Gowdy State Park: The perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts! Go for a hike or simply just enjoy the great outdoors.
Nelson Museum of the West: Learn all about the old west at this museum that houses many cowboy and Native American artifacts, western art, and more. Be sure to check their times as they are open only during certain months.
Historic Governor's Mansion
300 East 21st Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 4:00 PM
I absolutely love walking through old houses, especially when they are mansions! This old house was incredible and so much fun to self tour. Plus, it's free to enter!
You'll be able to walk through pretty much the entire house which is decorated in the same manner as the governors and their families would have decorated it. There a lots of old artifacts scattered around the house and so much to look at and admire. Don't forget to go downstairs to check out the basement!
I really wish we were able to visit during Christmastime where it gets fully decked out in Christmas decor.
After touring the mansion, the staff gave us a map so we could go on a neighborhood self tour as well. It was a lot of fun to see and learn about all the old houses and historic buildings on the block!
→ Find out more on Historic Governors' Mansion!
2 Doors Down
118 East 17th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 6:00 PM
We then headed to dinner. 2 Doors Down is mentioned a lot on the internet when somebody asks for food recommendations in Cheyenne so we had to check it out for ourselves.
We weren't that hungry so we split a philly cheese steak sandwich with a side of chili cheese fries covered in red chili. The food was so good, and I definitely understand why it is a Cheyenne favorite. I wish that we would have been hungrier so we could have eaten more!
→ Find out more on 2 Doors Down!
Chugwater Soda Fountain
314 1st Street
Chugwater, WY 82210
☼ 9:00 AM
The next morning we got up and drove to Chugwater which is about 50 minutes north of Cheyenne. We had heard about the world famous Chugwater chili, and I had to try it for myself. Yes, even if that meant eating a bowl of chili for breakfast!
I'd say if you have the extra time to drive out to this small town to visit Wyoming's oldest operating soda fountain, do it! The Chugwater Soda Fountain has three of my favorite things- chili, homemade soda, and ice cream! And all three of them were excellent. This small restaurant is also adorable complete with tile ceilings and an old pharmacy bar.
I can't say that it was the best chili I've ever had, but it was pretty darn good. Brian's biscuits and gravy were really good as well. It was all made better by getting to wash it down with a nice cold Root Beer. And then it was made even better by finishing it off with a malt.
→ Find out more on Chugwater Soda Fountain!
Holliday Park / Big Boy Steam Engine 4004
17th Street at Morrie Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
☼ 10:45 AM
Holliday Park is a nice large park with Lake Minnehaha in the middle. It has sidewalks so you can walk around the park, bathrooms, and lots of benches to take a rest.
It is also home to the Big Boy Steam Engine 4004! This is a must-see whether you are really into trains or not. This is the world's largest steam locomotive- one of the eight remaining Big Boys.
Cheyenne Depot Plaza
1 Depot Square Capitol
Cheyenne, WY 82007
☼ 12:00 PM
While we waited for our trolley tour, we hung out around the depot plaza. You can go inside and look around the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. If you have enough time, check out the Cheyenne Depot Museum. There is also a visitor center inside the depot as well.
I loved the new miniature statues that Cheyenne has installed. You can find them all over downtown and read about Cheyenne history. You can also find a big boot statue here. You'll notice that there are several different big cowboy boots around town. You could do a Cheyenne boot scavenger hunt!
Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Tour
☼ 1:00 PM
If you want to learn everything there is to know about Cheyenne then this trolley tour is a must! The tour is 90 minutes long and will take you all over the city. You'll hear many Cheyenne stories filled with jokes, rich history, and fun. They also do ghost tours during October!
→ Find out more on Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley!
Shopping
☼ 2:30 PM
Downtown Cheyenne has tons of great shops. Unfortunately, many of them were closed on Sunday, but we were able to find a few open ones.
A must visit is The Wrangler which is filled with more western wear than you can even imagine! We also visited Bart's Flea Market and Eclectic Elephant which were filled with all sorts of treasures.
Also don't forget to go take a picture of the Cheyenne mural at the corner of Pioneer and Lincolnway!
Taco John's
☼ 5:00 PM
We just couldn't leave Wyoming without visiting the famous Taco John's! We ordered some tacos and the potato olés. All I have to say is the taco tasted like a fast food taco (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and the potato olés, while delicious, just tasted like tator tots. More specifically, Burger King's breakfast potatoes.
I am glad we now can say we have tried Taco John's!
50 States by 50
Wyoming was our third state to visit for our 50 states by 50 challenge. My husband, Brian, and I are planning to visit all the states in the United States before we turn 50 years old. We draw which state we go to next randomly!
For each state, we will spend at least 4 days there and visit the state capitol, state museum, staet park, and eat whatever food that state is most known for. We will document all of our travels on our blog and making vlogs as well which will be posted on YouTube. Read more about our 50 States by 50 Bucket List.
__________________________________
Thank you for reading about our trip to Cheyenne. We hope this itinerary was helpful in planning your own Cheyenne vacation! If you have any questions or just want to share your must-see Cheyenne places please leave a comment down below.
Category: Wyoming, State Itineraries, Capital Cities
Keywords: cheyenne wyoming itinerary, what to do in cheyenne, best things to do in cheyenne
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Bon Voyage!
November 15, 2023 by Laura Ehlers
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