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It was one of those crisp October evenings in the historical city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. As we rolled down the quiet streets on an old trolley, I watched dimly lit historic buildings pass by, while our guide dove into the spooky side of Cheyenne’s past.
What I didn’t see coming was the trolley pulling up right in front of my bed and breakfast. The guide launched into tales of the Victorian family who supposedly still roam the halls, which was exactly what I wanted to hear just hours before sleeping there alone.
A Little About Cheyenne, Wyoming
Just a two-hour drive from Denver lies Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital and largest city, with a population of around 65,000 people. Wyoming itself holds the title of the least populated state in the country, home to just 580,000 residents across its vast landscapes. I found that Wyoming is filled with kind people, incredible nature and a fascinating Wild West history.
During my three-day trip to Cheyenne, I rode horses through the plains with two cowboys, took multiple ghost tours and explored the small city by foot, checking out the local shops, museums and breweries. Here’s how to make the most out of your experience.
What to Do in Cheyenne
Explore the Old-Timey Shops
The Wrangler
The first building I saw on Cheyene’s main street was a massive three-story brick building with a sign almost a third of its size that read, “The Wrangler.” I peered inside to see rows and rows of cowboy boots in every color, style and texture imaginable.
I walked in, feeling a little out of my element – I’d never owned or thought about owning a pair of cowboy boots in my life. The space was enormous – and packed with so much more than cowboy boots. There were floor-to-ceiling shelves full of cowboy hats, racks of traditional western-style clothing and every accessory you could think of.
Built in 1886, the building has a rich history, having housed various retail stores before eventually merging with the neighboring hotel to form a sprawling 13,000-square-foot space. I ended up spending much more time there than expected—not only because there was so much to explore but also because the people, both employees and visitors, were warm and talkative, each with plenty of insights to share about Cheyenne.
Best Tips & Tools to Plan Your Trip
Westward
Another cute shop worth visiting is Westward, an art gallery and boutique filled with Western-inspired gifts, goodies and artwork designed by local award-winning artist Bria Hammock.
Alexis Drake
Alexis Drake, a Cheyenne favorite, crafts high-quality leather goods Wyoming style. Each piece is locally designed and handmade, showcasing true craftsmanship.
Tivoli
The Tivoli Building, a beautiful historic spot in Cheyenne, is known for ghost sightings and its past as a saloon and retail space. Now housing a crystal shop, it’s a unique blend of history, mystery, and charm.
Visit the Museums
Wyoming State Museum
If you want to learn more about the state of Wyoming as a whole, a visit to the Wyoming State Museum is a must. This museum focuses on history from all angles, from its prehistoric beginnings to Native American traditions and influences.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the former Union Pacific Depot has been restored to its original appearance. Today, it has a welcoming visitor center and a popular restaurant, along with the Cheyenne Depot Museum— filled with railroad history and interactive exhibits.
Messenger’s Old West Museum
I only visited Messenger’s Old West Museum because of recommendations from locals—several insisted it was a must-see. Not only is the museum free, but it also houses an impressive collection of Old West-era antiques and memorabilia, including carriages, saddles, vintage cars, firearms, and wildlife mounts, all carefully arranged in beautiful displays.
Even more impressive, the collection is privately owned and curated by the Messenger family, who is dedicated to preserving and sharing Old West history, which has really benefitted Cheyenne and its visitors.
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Terry Bison Ranch
Located just 20 minutes from Cheyenne, Terry Bison Ranch provides an authentic Wyoming ranch experience that draws in both tourists and locals alike.
Guests can take guided horseback rides through the prairie, get an up-close view of a bison herd and explore the ranch through self-guided tours to see sanctuary animals on the property. This ranch is perfect for families and adventure seekers as it brings the spirit of the West to life.
Horseback Riding
I’ve always loved horseback riding, and there’s no better place for it than cowboy country. I went on a two-hour trail ride with two classic cowboys, each with countless, often humorous stories. Yet again, the people of Wyoming impressed me with their kind and welcoming nature.
Our ride took us right up to the Colorado border, which we crossed twice. Along the trail, we must’ve seen hundreds of prairie dogs running rampant. The cowboys saw them as destructive pests—cannibalistic by nature and commonly used as target practice for hunters. We also spotted a pack of coyotes watching us with curiosity from a hillside.
Bison Train Tour
After the horseback ride, I decided on a whim to hop on the train heading to the bison herd—I’d never had the chance to see them up close before. Bison are often considered dangerous in the wild, and they certainly remind humans of this if they get too close. But since this herd was in captivity, they were a friendlier bunch, allowing guests the chance to feed them (from inside the train).
Other Activities at the Terry Bison Ranch
Trolley or Walking Tours
Ghost Tours:
As a lover of all things spooky, I had to take a ghost tour or two while visiting Cheyenne. Because the city is so rich with history and many of the original buildings are preserved, there are supposed ghosts that haunt the city to this day. During these tours, you can learn about their stories while seeing the sites, whether by foot or by trolley.
I took a walking tour through US Ghost Adventures and a Hauntings and History Trolley Tour. While there is some overlap between the two tours, they offer distinct experiences depending on what you’re looking for.
If you want a more intimate, authentic experience, I recommend the walking tour. Being outside made it spookier, and it was even more interesting to have a guide who claimed to be a medium. So, we gained insights about ghosts from someone who is familiar with them on a different level.
The trolley tour on the other hand, had a more gimmicky feel, with spooky music playing as the guide told the stories. A fun addition was the actors that seemingly appeared out of nowhere at each stop, which helped bring the tales to life even more. This tour was a little longer than the walking tour, so it did cover more stories.
The Shady Ladies of Cheyenne
During the height of the Wild West days, before Cheyenne was tamed and formed a semblance of a legislative structure, you can only imagine the chaos that unfolded: excessive gambling, drinking, shoot-outs and prostitution. This resulted in many scandals and murders, leaving a profound imprint on the city to this day. As a result, there are numerous ghost sightings of these former prostitutes.
Prostitution had such a chokehold on Cheyenne’s society that an entire subculture developed, making it one of the few places where sex workers had more autonomy. They formed connections with one another, had their own bathhouses and integrated into society in saloons and other places normally deemed inappropriate for them.
They even negotiated with the developing government, which agreed to allow prostitution on the condition that they paid a considerable share of taxes. This arrangement became so beneficial for the city that it funded many new infrastructure projects and overall improvements.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is the network of tunnels that lie beneath the city, allowing men of all statuses to discreetly meet with prostitutes without being seen. These tunnels still exist today, and although they aren’t open to the public, you can catch a glimpse of them through glass sections in the streets.
Other Tours
If you’re visiting during another time of year, there are a variety of trolley tours and walking tours, some seasonally themed, some year-round.
Learn More:
What to Eat and Drink in Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s food and drink scene is full of local flavor. Craft breweries and distilleries offer tasting flights and even tours if you want the inside scoop. You’ll find plenty of places serving up hearty Western eats and creative dishes that give you a real taste of Wyoming.
Check out the Daddy of The Malt Pass, where you can hop between five breweries and two distilleries, get BOGO deals and then receive a free Daddy of the Malt pint glass to take home.
Food:
- The Railspur
- The Metropolitan
- Napoli’s
Drink:
- Blue Raven
- Chronicles Distillery
- Freedom’s Edge
- Blue Stem Wine House
- The Paramount Ballroom
Where to Stay in Cheyenne
Nagle Warren Mansion B&B
Staying at the Nagle Warren Mansion was one of the most exciting experiences I had during my visit to Cheyenne.
A beautifully renovated 136-year-old bed and breakfast, the Nagle Warren Mansion, sits on Cheyenne’s historic “Millionaire’s Row.” Run by two-star Michelin chef Jas Barbé, this unique inn offers guests a taste of luxury and history, with hosted high teas and fascinating stories about its past.
Built by Erasmus Nagle and later owned by Wyoming’s first governor, Francis E. Warren, the mansion has welcomed iconic figures like Theodore Roosevelt and “Buffalo Bill” Cody. With original 19th-century furnishings, stained-glass windows, and intricate leather ceiling panels crafted from buffalo hide by Cheyenne pioneer Frank Meanea, the mansion preserves its authentic Old West charm.
Staying in the Perishing Room
I stayed in the Perishing Room in the Coach House where General John J. and his son Warren stayed every summer between 1920 and 1930. Beautifully decorated with deep red wallpaper, a cozy fireplace and original photographs and paintings from the time, the room was a really special place to stay in.
I can’t lie—staying there alone after hearing ghost stories all night did frighten me a little. But I never felt any bad energy; I just heard a couple of footsteps and mysterious noises. Some other parts of the house have more activity than others but it’s all harmless and just adds to the uniqueness of the B&B.
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Next Level Breakfast
Another highlight of staying here was the 5-star breakfasts made fresh every morning by chef Jas Barbé, who achieved two Michelin stars during his career in Europe. The breakfasts are made up of different components every day, including creative fruit presentations, homemade muffins and a main, like a fluffy egg souffle with a side of sausages. I’m not a morning person, but the thought of these breakfasts was enough to launch me out of bed.
Chef Barbé himself was a delight to talk to every morning, a man with an interesting past and dozens of stories. I learned a lot about Cheyenne, the unique places to visit and the mansion itself, along with his experience in personally helping with the renovation and restoring it to what it is today.
Outside of Cheyenne
Curt Gowdy State Park
About 45 minutes from Cheyenne lies Curt Gowdy State Park, perfect for experiencing Wyoming’s natural beauty and hiking trails. I took the Hidden Falls Trail, a 3.25-mile roundtrip hike ending at a ‘hidden’ waterfall—hidden because you’ll need to wade through the river to get a closer look. Which, naturally, I did. It was worth it.
The trail offers dynamic rock cliffs, mountain views and if you visit during fall, stunning colors. It’s not for beginners, though – the rocky terrain and steep inclines require some hiking experience, but it’s manageable if you’re in good shape.
***
When I first started traveling, I thought it was all about visiting landmarks and taking tours. But over time, I’ve realized it’s the people who truly make traveling unforgettable. I felt this in Cheyenne, Wyoming—a city often overlooked but rich in Wild West history that comes alive in its architecture, culture, and the stories shared by its people.
Whether you’re on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park or simply want to immerse yourself in Wild West culture, I highly recommend a visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
For more information, check out Visit Cheyenne.
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