As a kid, I always enjoyed playing the old Oregon Trail computer game. It was a fun and educational way to learn about settlers and hardships in the West. I remember getting to Fort Laramie was one of the milestones in the game. I had no idea where the fort was located and didn’t know much about it other than it was part of the Oregon Trail. When the opportunity came up to visit the actual fort, I jumped on it.
Cheyenne is home to one of the greatest rodeo festivals in the world, Cheyenne Frontier Days. It takes place over ten days every year in July. It hosts parades, horse racing events, and the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Nearly 200,000 people come from all over the world to attend the festival, which has been held annually since 1897.
At 124 Capitol Avenue is the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion. It’s a state historic site not too far from the Wyoming State Capitol and a few blocks north of downtown Cheyenne. The mansion was built in 1904 and served from 1905 to 1976.
The Wyoming State Capitol building was constructed between 1886 and 1890, before Wyoming was even a state. It’s located just north of downtown Cheyenne and open to visitors during working hours from Monday through Friday. Tours are free and self-guided, but guided tours can be provided upon request in advance.
The historic Cheyenne Depot, in the heart of downtown Cheyenne, was built in 1886 for Union Pacific passenger trains. It stands directly down the street about a mile from the Wyoming State Capitol building. The building was donated to the city of Cheyenne by Union Pacific in 1993.
The Cowgirls of the West Museum, located in downtown Cheyenne on 17th Street, was a nice find. We always hear about the cowboy life and men of the Wild West, but we rarely hear about the women. It was refreshing to see things from another perspective.
I have mixed feelings about the Nelson Museum of the West. It’s got several excellent exhibits and historical items and gives visitors a detailed look into every aspect of the West, but one specific thing about the museum really annoyed me.
