The Ultimate Cheyenne Weekend Itinerary
When I first moved to Denver, Colorado I did not realize how close the city of Cheyenne is! The border of Wyoming and its capital city of Cheyenne are only a quick 2-hour drive from Denver and the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Cheyenne is known for being the heart of the old west and the rodeo and railroad Capitol of the U.S. But its surprising combination of modern restaurants and fun things to do combined with western museums and culture is what drew me in the most. Here is the ultimate weekend itinerary of things to do in Cheyenne Wyoming.
DAY 1
MORNING
When we arrived in Cheyenne, our first stop was at Paramount Cafe, this adorable turn-of-the-century theater was converted into a coffee shop and is full of vintage charm. The patio is surrounded by murals from local Cheyenne street artists and the coffee is delicious! Paramount Cafe also offers a free space for local artists to feature their work in the gallery and live music on the Paramount Stage. It’s an artists hub and a great place to start your adventures in here in Cheyenne.
LUNCH
Next up, grab lunch at 2 Doors Down. This burger restaurant in the heart of downtown gets busy for a reason! This locally-owned hot spot offers incredible gourmet burgers and a fun atmosphere. I mean, what better way to start your trip than a burger in Wyoming?
AFTERNOON
Start your afternoon with a visit to the Cheyenne Depot Museum, a national historic landmark dating back to 1886, it’s the last grand railroad station of the transcontinental railroad. Explore the museum to learn about the railroad history or take the Street Railway Trolley Tour for a fun, interactive, Wild West history tour.
Cheyenne is known for having the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, Frontier Days. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of people travel to Cheyenne for the “Daddy of ‘em all” and the rodeo dates back to 1897. But no matter what time of year you come, stop into the Old West Museum to learn about this region’s rich history of rodeo.
And if you’re looking for free things to do in Cheyenne, head down the street to Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. The Shane Smith Grand Conservatory is a tropical paradise and offers different sections like a desert area, Mediterranian, and prehistoric section. Paul Smith’s Children’s Village is an outdoor garden area with interactive features for kids of all ages. There are 9 acres of gardens here to explore and it’s a relaxing and peaceful addition to your trip.
HAPPY HOUR
Head to Cheyenne’s oldest brewery, Freedom’s Edge Brewing Company for a happy hour flight. This dog and kid-friendly location offers a fun atmosphere with delicious beer!
DINNER
My favorite restaurant we discovered in Cheyenne was The Metropolitan. This high-end restaurant offers a polished atmosphere and incredible food! They also offer live entertainment ranging from comedy nights to cooking classes, to dueling pianos.
DAY 2
BREAKFAST
A breakfast staple here in Cheyenne, Luxury Diner is rumored to have been an operating trolly car from 1894-1912. This diner features incredible homemade biscuits and gravy and everything is made from scratch.
MORNING
One of my absolute favorite parts of this region is the Medicine Bow National Forest. 31 miles west of downtown Cheyenne is the Vedauwoo Recreation Area and the famous Turtle Rock Hike. This area offers loads of places for rock climbing, scrambling, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. Turtle Rock is a 3-mile loop full of stunning views and wildlife. While we were there we saw a mama and baby moose and a fellow hiker spotted a beaver and a bear. This is a place I would come back to time and time again.
LUNCH
On your way back to Cheyenne stop for lunch at The Bunkhouse for a truly “Wyoming Experience”. This live music venue offers a full bar and delicious burgers. Or you could get a little more daring, like me, and try their signature sandwich The Bunknut which contains fried Rocky Mountain Oysters (aka bull’s balls).
AFTERNOON
Spend the afternoon wandering the Wyoming State Museum to learn about the state’s history dating all the way back to prehistoric times. Then head across the street to visit the Wyoming State Capitol. One of my favorite things about visiting Capitol cities is checking out the incredible interiors of the Capitol buildings. The Wyoming State Capitol offers self-guided tours and gives you the option to get a glimpse of how their government is run.
DINNER
Another favorite food stop here in Cheyenne was Bella Fuoco. Their Neopolitan-style wood-fired pizzas were incredible and the converted house atmosphere made you feel, well, right at home!
EVENING
After dinner, we found where all the locals hang out - Black Tooth Brewing Company. Wyoming’s first choice of craft beer has taken over the state and is quickly becoming a leader of craft beer in the Rocky Mountain Region. This large brewery offers an amazing selection of beer, an attached outdoor patio, and was the hub of the city packed with locals. Starting in Sheridan Wyoming, Black Tooth Brewing Company has expanded to locations in Cody and here in the Capitol city of Cheyenne. This is a must-stop.
DAY 3
BREAKFAST
Another amazing food stop that I will absolutely be making again is Mort’s Bagels. The bagels here are made fresh with daily specials and unique flavors. Their breakfast sandwiches were also incredible. I definitely left with a couple dozen to take back to Denver!
MORNING
One truly unique thing to do here in the Cheyenne area is to visit the Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility. This is the only accessible Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facility left in the world and an incredible place to learn about how these facilities were, and are, still operated. Located 30 miles north of Cheyenne this was a fascinating place to visit! I learned a lot about how these facilities stored nuclear weapons and the kinds of protocols put in place to keep our country safe during the Cold War and Beyond.
AFTERNOON
On your way back to Denver, be sure to stop at Terry Bison Ranch. This was absolutely my favorite adventure in Wyoming! This is one of the only places in the world where you can get up close and personal to Bison from the safety of the Terry Rail Express train tour. But more than that, you can actually FEED the bison! This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The ranch also offers horseback riding, fishing, and pony rides and the western town is full of great photo ops and fun exploring.
LUNCH
While you’re here, stop into the Senator’s Steakhouse for a hearty lunch to finish off your trip. The saloon not only offers great drinks from the full bar but they were also awarded “Best Burger” and “Best Short Ribes”. Their Cowboy Buffet is a great way to sample everything and even try their famous Bison Burgers. Don’t worry, if you’re feeling guilty after feeding the bison, they also offer chicken, pulled pork, and catfish on the buffet.
Cheyenne truly is a location that has it all. From western culture and amazing burgers to fine dining and adventure, this is one road trip destination to add to your list! To learn more go to https://www.cheyenne.org/ and watch the full video below.