Things to Do in Cheyenne, WY: A Local's Guide for Renters

August 10, 2026

A Local's Guide for Renters in Wyoming

Wyoming

If you're looking for things to do in Cheyenne, WY, the city punches well above its weight for a state capital of its size — a free botanic garden, a National Historic Landmark railroad depot, a 30,000-acre bison ranch, and the world's largest outdoor rodeo are all within a short drive of most Cheyenne neighborhoods. Here's a local's guide to what's worth your time.


Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Admission to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is completely free. The Grand Conservatory and Children's Village are open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (plus Sundays, 12–5 p.m., during June–August), while the outdoor grounds are open dawn to dusk year-round. It's located at 710 S. Lions Park Drive — an easy stop whether you're killing an afternoon or bringing kids to the Children's Village.


Cheyenne Depot Museum & Plaza

Housed inside the 1880s Union Pacific Railroad depot — a National Historic Landmark and a striking example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, complete with a tall clock tower, the Cheyenne Depot Museum tells the story of the railroad that built the city. Out front, the Depot Plaza hosts live music, the Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, and the famous pancake breakfasts during Frontier Days, and it's home to Cheyenne's giant cowboy boot sculptures, one of the most-photographed spots downtown.


Cheyenne Frontier Days

If you're here in late July, Cheyenne Frontier Days is the single biggest thing happening in the city — the world's largest outdoor rodeo, running alongside concerts, parades, and a Native American Indian Village. See our full guide (/blog/cheyenne-frontier-days-guide) for dates and what to expect as a resident.


Curt Gowdy State Park

About a 40-minute drive from central Cheyenne along Happy Jack Road, Curt Gowdy State Park is one of Wyoming's most-visited state parks, drawing more than half a million visitors a year. Its 3,552 acres include three reservoirs and an IMBA-recognized trail system with more than 35 miles of mountain biking, hiking, and horseback trails — plus boating, fishing, and camping.


Terry Bison Ranch

For something you can't do most places, Terry Bison Ranch sits on nearly 30,000 acres just south of Cheyenne and is home to more than 2,300 grazing bison. A custom-built train tour lets you hand-feed bison and see ostriches up close, and the ranch also offers horseback riding, fishing, and a Sunday lunch train.


Downtown Cheyenne: Food and Events

Downtown Cheyenne is where most of the city's restaurants, live music, and year-round events cluster, see our full restaurant guide for where to eat. If you're searching for Cheyenne WY events beyond Frontier Days, downtown's Depot Plaza is usually the best place to check for what's on.

Frequently Asked Questions


  • Is there anything fun to do in Cheyenne, Wyoming?

    Yes, beyond Frontier Days, Cheyenne has a free botanic garden, a historic railroad museum and plaza, a bison ranch you can tour by train, and a nearby state park with over 35 miles of trails.


  • How to spend a day in Cheyenne, Wyoming?

    A typical day might combine the free Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in the morning, lunch and a walk around the Depot Plaza downtown, and an afternoon at Terry Bison Ranch or Curt Gowdy State Park depending on how much driving you want to do.

  • Is Cheyenne, WY worth visiting?

    For a city its size, yes, the combination of a National Historic Landmark depot, a major state park, a bison ranch, and (in late July) the world's largest outdoor rodeo gives Cheyenne more to do than its population might suggest.


  • What is Cheyenne, Wyoming best known for?

    Cheyenne is best known for Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo, held every July since 1897, but its railroad history and Western heritage run through most of the city's other attractions too.

  • Are Cheyenne's main attractions free or low-cost?

    Several are, the Botanic Gardens and the Depot Plaza are free to visit while Terry Bison Ranch, Curt Gowdy State Park, and Frontier Days events typically charge for tours, day-use, or admission.


  • What's the best time of year to explore Cheyenne's outdoor attractions?

    Late spring through early fall (May–September) is the most comfortable window for outdoor attractions like Curt Gowdy State Park and Terry Bison Ranch, before winter conditions set in.

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