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Cheyenne is the largest city and capital of Wyoming.
Overview of Cheyenne
On July 4, 1867, Grenville M. Dodge (1831–1916) announced a new townsite on behalf of Union Pacific Railroad as the company’s regional headquarters. It would sit 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) west of Crow Creek Crossing and a fort would be built to protect the railroad. The town was platted the following day and it was incorporated on August 8, named after the Cheyenne people. The US Army established Fort D.A. Russell on September 8, and the first train arrived on November 14. Cheyenne grew so quickly it became known as the “Magic City of the Plains”.
The Wyoming Territory was organized on July 25, 1868, and Cheyenne was named its temporary capital on May 7, 1869 — it has remained the capital ever since. During the first session of the Wyoming Territorial Legislature on December 10 of that year, an act was signed granting women the right to vote, making it the first state or territory to do so.
Today, Cheyenne is a friendly place with a small town feel and a touch of the Wild West. It features a lot of good cultural attractions and museums. The most famous event is the Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western festival, held annually since 1897.
Cheyenne Depot Plaza
Cheyenne Depot Plaza, which opened in 2006 at the heart of the city, is a great place to start exploring. This area hosts public events throughout the year, including concerts, cultural events, festivals, markets, parades, and more. As the name suggests, it’s also where you’ll find the Cheyenne Depot.
Cheyenne Big Boots
At the plaza you’ll spot some of the Cheyenne Big Boots — 8-foot-high cowboy boots painted by local artists. Each one showcases moments from Cheyenne or Wyoming history, and there are over 30 scattered around town.
Cheyenne Depot
The historic Cheyenne Depot with its iconic clock tower stands on the south end of the plaza. Built for Union Pacific passenger trains, it’s the last remaining grand railroad station on the transcontinental route. The building’s position — directly facing the Wyoming State Capitol about a mile away — illustrates its importance.
Henry Van Brunt (1832–1903) of Boston designed the building in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Construction began under John F. Coots of Kansas City on March 16, 1886, and the ceremonial cornerstone was laid on July 19. Stone blocks were transported from the Union Pacific quarry by train, and the building was completed in November 1887. The clock, with four faces each spanning 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) in diameter, was installed in January 1890.
H.W. Baum of Utah added a 114-foot (34.75 meter) addition on the east side — nearly identical to the western section — in 1922, using matching stones from the original quarry. In 1929, Gilbert Stanley Underwood (1890–1961) redesigned the interior in the Art Deco style, and replaced wooden beams with steel. He also embedded a map of Union Pacific’s portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad route on the lobby floor, detailing the completion dates of each station.
Passenger service continued until October 28, 1979, and Union Pacific moved its last offices out of the building in 1990 before donating the building to the city of Cheyenne in 1993. The upper floors were converted into office space while the Cheyenne Depot Museum and a restaurant opened on the ground floor. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 15, 2006. Today, you’ll also find a small visitor center with information on what to do in Cheyenne and the rest of Wyoming.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
The biggest draw is the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which covers the early history of Cheyenne and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors age 60+, $5 for kids age 13-18, and free for kids under 13 (as of April 2025). The museum is open daily.
The museum tells many stories about the construction of the railroad and what it was like to be on a passenger train at the turn of the century. Artifacts include tools and uniforms used by railroad workers along with dinnerware used in Union Pacific dining cars. A particularly interesting display explains how locomotives moved snow off the tracks.
Upstairs, a viewing platform gives you a look at the railroad tracks and the Union Pacific Main Yard.
You’ll also see an excellent model railroad created by Harry S. Brunk of Clarkson, Nebraska. He spent over 30 years making all of the scenery and buildings by hand. The railroad is a model of Colorado and Southern Railway’s Clear Creek narrow gauge line and has featured at the museum since 2012.
Lincolnway in Cheyenne
The few blocks of Lincolnway from Central Avenue to Pioneer Avenue are probably the most picturesque in town, lined with several historic buildings.
Plains Hotel
Starting at Central Avenue, north of Cheyenne Depot Plaza, is the historic Plains Hotel. The five-story building, designed by architect William Dubois (1879–1953), opened on March 9, 1911, and was the premier hotel in Cheyenne during its heyday. It features an elegant lobby, 130 rooms, the Conestoga Restaurant, and the Wigwam Lounge. It’s also said to be haunted.
The Majestic Building
The Majestic Building, on the northeast corner at Capitol Avenue, features the oldest operating elevator in Wyoming. According to the owner, it’s the oldest west of the Mississippi. Installed by Otis, the brass elevator is still hand-operated, with a capacity of 5–7 people.
The building was constructed in 1907 by Senator Francis Warren (1844–1929) as the third of three First National Bank buildings — the first stood where the Wrangler Building is today and the second was on the next block west. After the bank shut down on July 9, 1924, it became the Majestic Building and was converted into office space.
Wrangler Building
On the southwest corner at Capitol Avenue is the Wrangler Building. This three-story red brick building was constructed in 1882 as the Phoenix Block. It originally housed retail shops on the ground floor and offices and rental units on the upper floors. The upper floors were eventually converted into the Normandie Hotel, which was considered luxurious at the time because every room had indoor plumbing.
The Wrangler, a western apparel store, moved into the ground floor in 1943, and the Normandie Hotel became the Edwards Hotel by the end of the decade. The Wrangler, now operated by Boot Barn, eventually occupied the entire building, giving it its name. If you’re looking for a pair of cowboy boots or a Stetson hat you’ll find it there. You can still see “Normandie Hotel” painted on the northwest corner of the building.
Atlas Theatre
A couple doors down is the Atlas Theatre, which can seat about 250 people. Built in 1887, the three-story building was originally occupied by offices on the upper floors and a confectionary store on the ground floor until was converted into a vaudeville theatre in 1908, on a design by William Dubois. It became a movie theatre called The Strand in 1929, operating into the mid-1950s.
After briefly reopening as a nightclub, the Pink Pony, in 1961, the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players began staging live productions in the theatre. They purchased the building in 1971 and restored it, saving it from further decay.
First National Bank Building
Across the street is the First National Bank Building, constructed in 1882 as the second of three First National Banks built by Francis Warren. The bank was previously located where the Wrangler Building is today and later moved to what’s now the Majestic Building in 1907, before shutting down on July 9, 1924. Warren also had his office in the building for a short time.
Commercial Block
The Commercial Block next door was also built by Warren. The beautiful structure, with High Victorian Gothic features, contained retail space on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors.
Idelman Building
The Idelman Building, at the northeast corner of Lincolnway and Carey Avenue, was constructed in 1884 by Max Idelman (1843–1913), a Russian Jew who arrived in Cheyenne via Evanston in 1877. He partnered with his brother, Abraham, to establish Idelman Bros. Co., a wholesale liquor and cigar business. Max’s son Samuel (1866–1952) later owned the business.
Lincoln Highway Marker
Across the street to the west, there’s an original Lincoln Highway marker. A few steps away, in front of the parking garage, you’ll find a series of panels chronicling the history of Cheyenne.
Tivoli Building
On the southwest corner at Carey Avenue is the Tivoli Building. Built in 1892, the three-story Victorian structure was designed for use as an eating and drinking establishment. It originally housed a saloon on the ground floor and a brothel on the second. After the last tenant moved out in 1961, the building sat empty for several years until it was acquired by the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, who completed a renovation in 1981. It has since housed coffee shops, brewpubs, offices, and shops.
Dinneen Building
The Dinneen Building, on the northwest corner at Pioneer Avenue, was built in 1927 as an automobile dealership. The Dinneen Motor Company was established in 1906 by W.E. Dinneen, who arrived in Cheyenne in 1879 while hauling freight for Union Pacific. It offered brands including REO, Hudson, and Essex, and eventually DeSoto, Lincoln, Mercury, Buick, Edsel, and Subaru.
The Art Deco building featured a hydraulic lift to move cars to storage on the second floor in less than a minute. It was still in use when the family left the auto business in 2006. In 2011, the Dinneens restored the building, converting the old gas station into Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House, and adding office and retail space.
Other Buildings in Downtown Cheyenne
A couple other buildings in downtown Cheyenne outside Linconlway caught my eye.
Becker Hotel
On 15th Street, between Carey and Capitol Avenues, is the former Becker Hotel. Built around 1895, it provided lodging and dining to rail travelers into the late 1940s. The ground floor usually contained a restaurant or saloon while the hotel offered rooms upstairs. The building now functions as office space.
Lincoln Theater
A block north of Lincolnway on Central Avenue is the Lincoln Theater. Financed by Senator Francis Warren, the Art Deco building opened in March 1927 with 1,221 seats. In 1953, it was remodeled to fit two screens. On October 3, 1964, the Lincoln Theater screened the world premiere of Cheyenne Autumn, with cast members Jimmy Stewart (1908–1997), Carroll Baker (b. 1931), Karl Malden (1912–2009), and Ricardo Montalban (1920–2009) in attendance.
The Lincoln Theatre closed down in 1982, reopening several years later as a discount cinema screening classic films. In 2019, it was converted into a live music venue.
Cowgirls of the West Museum
The Cowgirls of the West Museum, on the southwest corner of 17th Street and Capitol Avenue, is well worth a visit. We always hear about the men and cowboys of the frontier, but we rarely hear about the women. This museum, which opened to the public in 2001, gives a refreshing look at the female personalities who played an integral role in shaping the West.
The museum is open May through September and admission is free (as of January 2026). An enthusiastic group of women are on hand, happy to answer any questions that come their way.
Exhibits at the Cowgirls of the West Museum
The first exhibit is about rodeo cowgirls. You’ll read individual stories, and see photos on display along with typical clothing and accessories.
The museum isn’t just about cowgirls — there are several stories about women of the West. Some tell about hardships while others are tales of self-made success. Many of the women are well known, such as Annie Oakley (1860–1926) and Sacajawea (c. 1788–1812/1884).
A display on the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogue illustrates how it dramatically changed life for women on the frontier. They were able to order items normally impossible or too expensive to find out west. It also touches on the J.C. Penney empire, which started in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Women’s suffrage is an important subject in the museum. Wyoming, known as the Equality State, was the first place in the entire world that allowed women to vote in 1869. When the territory was being considered for statehood in 1890, Congress asked for the suffrage law to be repealed, but Wyoming stood by its women.
Finally, one interesting piece of local history sits in the center of the museum — the 1941 Western Electric telephone switchboard from the nearby Plains Hotel. It was in use until the early 1970s.
Nelson Museum of the West
The Nelson Museum of the West is a block away on Carey Avenue. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids under 13 (as of April 2024). It’s open Monday through Friday in May, September and October, and daily except Sundays from June to August.
Exhibits at the Nelson Museum of the West
On the first floor, you’ll find Native American art including textiles, sheaths, and shoes, along with cowboy hats and boots. There are also several different military uniforms worn by soldiers in the West, organized in chronological order and labeled by war or time period.
Upstairs, firearms and weapons typically used in the West are on display, as are spurs, chaps, saddles, hats, and other cowboy-related items. There’s also a section on Mexican cowboys, featuring sombreros, saddles, and spurs.
One of the personalities honored is Edward H. Bohlin (1895—1980), Hollywood’s finest saddlemaker. He made countless items for Western films during his life, outfitting stars such as Gene Autry (1907–1998), Roy Rogers (1911–1998), and the Lone Ranger. Born in Sweden, Bohlin was obsessed with the cowboy way of life. In 1912, at the age of 17, he moved to Montana and learned some cowboy skills along with the English language. By 1920, he had his very own leather shop, and by 1922, he was living in Hollywood — the rest is history.
In another section, you’ll see authentic artifacts used to decorate cattle barons’ homes, while furniture and paintings by artist Burt Procter (1901–1980) fill another room.
The basement focuses on lawmen, outlaws, and crime in the West. Artifacts include illegal gambling items and confiscated homemade weapons, while newspaper clippings and photos tell the story of the Ma Barker Gang.
Humorous handmade dioramas of a Wild West courtroom scene and gambling saloon round out the basement exhibits.
My Thoughts on the Nelson Museum of the West
Now that you’ve read about the selected exhibits, I’ll tell you why I have mixed feelings about the museum — the disproportionate amount of hunting trophies. Overall, it’s got several excellent exhibits and historical items, offering a detailed look into every aspect of the West, but the animals scattered throughout make it seem more like a taxidermy museum.
Furthermore, the labels indicate that most animals were shot by one man. A whole section contains his African hunting trophies, and there are also species from Alaska, Russia, Canada, and Argentina. I can understand an argument for displaying animals from the West, but how do any of those other places fit? Although hunting is a major tradition of the West, most of these trophies don’t belong.
Wyoming Governor’s Mansion
The Wyoming Governor’s Mansion is at 300 E. 21st Street. Now a state historic site, the mansion was built in 1904 and served as the governor’s residence from 1905 to 1976.
Free self-guided tours of the mansion are offered daily from June 1 to September 30 and Wednesday through Saturday the rest of the year (as of January 2026). Rooms have been decorated to represent various time periods during its use, including 1905, 1937, 1955, and the 1960s. Some hadn’t been restored at the time of my visit, so I’m not able to write about the entire house.
On the wall in the library, you’ll see portraits of each governor who lived in the mansion, including Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876–1977), the first female governor in US history. Her husband, William Ross (1873–1924), died about a year and a half into his term as governor. Nellie was nominated by the Democratic Party to run in a special election the next month. She refused to campaign but won the election easily, serving from 1925 to 1927. She was later named the Director of the US Mint and held the position for 20 years before retiring in 1953. Nellie Tayloe Ross died in 1977 at the age of 101.
First Floor of the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion
Tours start in the entrance hall on the first floor of the mansion. Restored to its 1905 appearance, it features an original ceramic tile floor. Dignitaries including President Harry S. Truman, then-Vice President Richard Nixon, John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937), and writer James Michener (1907–1997) were greeted there.
To the right is the library, restored to its 1905 appearance. The library was established in 1967 by First Lady Bobbi Hathaway. The collection moved to the new Governor’s Residence in 1976.
On the opposite side of the hall is the drawing room, restored to 1937. The oak-paneled mantle and chimneypiece were added in 1915 by Governor John B. Kendrick (1857–1933).
The dining room, restored to 1937, features a set purchased at the Chicago Furniture Mart that year. The leather upholstery is original. During World War II, Governor Lester Hunt (1892–1954) and his wife would often invite homesick soldiers stationed at nearby F.E. Warren Air Force Base to dinner. The attached breakfast room was added in 1937 and is decorated with vintage 1930s curtains.
The governor’s den, restored to the 1950s, was last redecorated during the term of Milward Simpson (1897–1993), who wanted it to reflect the state’s Western heritage. Tom Molesworth (1890–1977) made the furniture in Cody using native pine and cedar. The armchairs show the state flower, Indian paintbrush, while the table lamps have lambskin shades.
Restored to its 1937 appearance, during the term of Leslie Miller (1886–1970), the kitchen features stainless steel countertops and a Magic Chef 6300 series gas range. Transoms above the doors were used to control ventilation between rooms. The linoleum floor and sunflower globe light fixtures are typical of the 1930s.
Basement of the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion
Moving down to the basement is the fallout shelter, which was added in the 1950s due to the threat of the Cold War. There were instructions on what to do in case of nuclear attack, a sanitation kit, and emergency drinking water. It has been restored to its 1959 appearance.
The laundry room, with machines from 1905, the 1930s, and 1960s, was crucial to the day-to-day operations in the mansion. Staff worked tirelessly to prepare for the frequent luncheons, dinners, and teas.
The staff apartment housed full-time employees. The first occupants were Johneana Scribner and her husband, Charles, who moved in during the term of Nels Smith (1884–1976), in 1939. Johneana was the cook and Charles was a Union Pacific employee, but he would often pitch in during special events.
During my visit, the stairlift installed by Governor Edgar Herschler (1918–1990) for his wife Casey, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, was on display in the basement. It operated electronically, allowing her to move between the first and second floors.
Second Floor of the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion
Walking up to the second floor, you’ll find the family bedrooms. Their uses changed depending on the first family’s wishes, except the state guest bedroom, which has always kept its function. One of the most famous guests was Richard Nixon, who stayed there when he was Vice President. It was restored to its 1940s appearance.
Across the hall is the children’s bedroom, restored to 1905. Melissa and Lena Brooks, the two youngest of four daughters of Governor Bryant Butler Brooks (1861–1944), were its first occupants. They chose it so they could talk to their pet pony outside in the carriage house.
The original master bedroom, as intended by architect Charles Murdock, was the only one with a fireplace and full bathroom. It was restored to its 1905 appearance.
In 1937, one of the rooms was renovated to include two closets and a bathroom. From that point on, it became the master bedroom.
The sun porch is my favorite room in the house. A 1955 addition by Milward Simpson, it sits on the roof of the kitchen and staff dining room and features a ceramic tile floor. In 1959, during the term of Joe Hickey (1911–1970), it was enclosed with aluminum windows. Governor Stanley Hathaway (1924–2005) added redwood paneling and Andersen windows along with the Heywood-Wakefield wicker furniture.
Third Floor of the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion
The back staircase leads up to the third floor, which was originally designed with a full bath, bedrooms for the cook and maid, and a maid’s sitting room.
When the staff apartment was created in the basement in 1939, the third floor was used as guest quarters and storage until 1971. First Lady Bobbi Hathaway then had it remodeled for her two daughters, Susan and Sandra.
Wyoming State Museum
A couple blocks west on Central Avenue is the Wyoming State Museum. It does a wonderful job illustrating the entire history of Wyoming, from its Native American origins to pioneers to modern times. Admission to this great museum is free (as of January 2026) and it’s open daily except Sundays.
Exhibits include Wyoming Wildscapes, which delves into the state’s natural history and wildlife, and An Unbroken Circle, exploring its Native American history. For the Benefit of the People explains the role the National Park Service has played in preserving and promoting Wyoming’s spectacular natural sites.
Drawn to This Land displays several interesting artifacts that highlight the people of Wyoming and what connects them to it. You’ll learn about the ranching and mining industries, see uniforms of Wyoming veterans and sports memorabilia, and get a better understanding of major events that shaped the present.
Wyoming State Capitol
The Wyoming State Capitol, designed by architects David Williams Gibbs (1837–1919) and William Dubois (1879–1953), was constructed before Wyoming became a state. Groundbreaking took place on September 9, 1886, and it opened in 1890, although the House and Senate chambers weren’t completed until March 1917. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 4, 1987.
The Wyoming State Capitol is open to visitors during working hours from Monday through Friday, when you can enjoy a free self-guided tour (as of January 2026).
Rotunda of the Wyoming State Capitol
The main entrance leads into the rotunda, featuring checkerboard marble floors and a beautiful cherry wood staircase brought from Ohio. The information desk is located here as well.
The dome, 50 feet (15.2 meters) in diameter and rising 146 feet (45.5 meters) above the floor, is decorated with stained glass from England and flanked by the Territorial Seal and State Seal. Originally clad in copper, the exterior of the dome has been covered in 24-carat gold leaf since 1900.
First Floor of the Wyoming State Capitol
The first floor halls contain the offices of the governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, and treasurer. The West Wing features a mounted bison that was raised in the state herd near Thermopolis. When it was alive, it weighed 3,000 pounds. There’s also a piece of the World Trade Center that was given to the state as a memorial for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
On the East Wing, between the offices of the treasurer and attorney general, is a huge bust of Abraham Lincoln. He played a major role in Wyoming history by signing the first Pacific Railroad Act in 1862, paving the way for the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. There’s also a portrait gallery of the governors of Wyoming.
House and Senate Chambers at the Wyoming State Capitol
The second floor houses the House and Senate Chambers, on the east and west wings, respectively. Because of the major renovations taking place during my visit, all the desks were removed and I was able to walk out onto the floor of both chambers. They’re usually accessible only from the third-floor balconies.
Both chambers feature gorgeous stained glass ceilings with the Great Seal of the State of Wyoming in the center. They were made by the Midland Paint and Glass Company of Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, each chamber contains four murals painted by Allen Tupper True (1881–1955) in August 1917. They depict culture, history, and industry of Wyoming. The murals in the Senate Chamber are Indian Chief Cheyenne, Frontier Cavalry Officer, Pony Express Rider, and Railroad Builders/Surveyors, while the House contains Cattlemen, Trappers, Homesteaders, and Stagecoach.
Third Floor of the Wyoming State Capitol
Legislative Conference Room 302 features a 1,000-pound (453.6 kilogram) chandelier hanging from stained glass. The mural, Wyoming, the Land the People, measures 8 × 22 feet (2.4 × 6.7 meters). It was completed in 1980 by Wyoming native Mike Kopriva.
Sculptures at the Wyoming State Capitol
As you approach the front of the building, you’ll see the State Seal of Wyoming in granite and two statues. Avard Fairbanks (1897–1987) created the statue of Esther Hobart Morris (1814–1902), the country’s first female judge. It was dedicated in 1963. Chief Washakie (c. 1804/1810–1900), a respected Shoshone warrior chief, was sculpted by Dave McGary (1958–2013) in 2001. According to news reports, both statues were moved indoors in 2019 and will stay there for the foreseeable future.
On the east lawn you’ll find a bronze statue of a bison made by Dan Ostermiller in the 1980s, while on the west lawn is the incredible Spirit of Wyoming, depicting a cowboy on a bucking bronco, by Edward J. Fraughton (1939–2024) in 1986.
Big Boy Steam Engine No. 4004
For train lovers, Cheyenne has an original Big Boy steam engine on display in Holliday Park, a few minutes drive east of downtown. 25 Big Boys were built specifically for Union Pacific by the American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, New York, between 1941 and 1944. Each measuring 132 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, they usually ran the very tough route between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah.
Engine No. 4004 made its last run from Cheyenne to Laramie on October 31, 1958. After sitting in storage in Laramie, it was donated to the city of Cheyenne and transferred to Holliday Park on June 28, 1963. It’s one of only eight remaining Big Boys on display in the country.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
Cheyenne is home to one of the greatest rodeo festivals in the world, Cheyenne Frontier Days, held annually since 1897. It takes place over ten days in July, hosting parades, horse racing events, and the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Around 200,000 people attend, coming from every corner of the world.
If you can’t make it to Cheyenne Frontier Days, you can learn all about it at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum on the north side of the city. It features exhibits on the history of the festival, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Western art, and one of the world’s largest collections of carriages. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for kids age 12–17, and free for kids under 12 (as of November 2025).
Exhibits at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
The first exhibit recalls some of the greatest rodeo horses in history, including Steamboat of the famous Bucking Horse and Rider, the state symbol of Wyoming.
An exhibit nearby covers carriage service in Cheyenne, including a stagecoach that ran the Deadwood Stage. During the 1870s and 1880s, it made 50-hour rides over 300 miles (483 kilometers) between Cheyenne and Deadwood, South Dakota, stopping at stations every 10 miles (16 kilometers) to change horses.
The next room is dedicated solely to the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days, displaying all kinds of memorabilia, books, newspaper clippings, a popcorn wagon, photos, trophies, and more. Short movies play historic footage of the festival’s rodeos in a small theatre. There’s also the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
Carriage and Wagon Collection
The huge warehouse full of colorful carriages and wagons was by far my favorite part of the museum — I found them fascinating.
General-purpose overland stage wagons, chuckwagons, and many more are on display. Service wagons include a Yellowstone National Park tourist carriage, dairy wagon, gasoline wagon, and ice wagon.
You’ll see a mail delivery cart, a library wagon complete with bookshelves, an ambulance carriage, and even a funeral wagon — maybe if the ambulance carriage didn’t get there in time! A fire engine is one of the few motorized vehicles on display.
Planning Your Trip to Cheyenne
Here’s some practical info to help you plan your trip to Cheyenne:
How to Get to Cheyenne
Cheyenne Regional Airport only has service from Denver (as of January 2026), and most visitors arrive by car. The city is at the junction of I-80 and I-25.
Where to Stay in Cheyenne
We spent a couple nights in the city.
Rodeway Inn (Permanently Closed)
We stayed at the Rodeway Inn on the north side of Cheyenne. It’s located near the Frontier Days rodeo area and a short drive from downtown. The room was big, clean, and comfortable. Wifi was ok. Staff is friendly and the breakfast was acceptable. (Note: The building has since been demolished and a Comfort Suites was built in its place.)
Where to Eat in Cheyenne
We had three meals while in town.
Albany Restaurant
The Albany Restaurant was our lunch stop downtown, located right on Cheyenne Depot Plaza. The Kallas family founded the restaurant in 1942 and their descendants ran it until 2021. It still features the same mahogany booths.
The Albany Restaurant offers very good sandwiches, burgers, and diner food. Our server was great — we walked in about 15 minutes before they closed for the afternoon and she still pushed our order through. There’s also a bar attached to the restaurant with a couple pool tables.
China Buffet
We stopped to China Buffet near the airport for dinner. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a Chinese buffet. I don’t need to comment further.
Silver Mine Subs
We had Silver Mine Subs deliver to our hotel the night we arrived. They sent over some good sandwiches at reasonable prices. The delivery was pretty fast, and they’re open until 3am if you need a late night meal. They have a few locations around Cheyenne.
