Cheyenne is a city in Southeast Wyoming, USA. It is the state capital and its largest city (2005 pop. 55,731). Cheyenne was founded in 1867 by Major General Grenville Dodge, the chief engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1869, Cheyenne became the capital of the Territory of Wyoming. It became the state capital in 1890.
Get in
Cheyenne is located at the crossroads of Interstate-80 and Interstate-25 in southeastern Wyoming. The closest major airport is Denver International Airport. Rental cars are available at DIA or Shamrock Airport Express has shuttles leaving DIA with drop-offs at the Holiday Inn and Hitching Post in Cheyenne.
Cheyenne is 90 miles directly north of Denver. The trip takes approximately 1 ½ hours, depending on Denver traffic. Cheyenne has no traffic problems.
For the adventurous, small 15-seat prop planes do fly from Denver International Airport to the Cheyenne Regional Airport. The flight is not recommended for those with weak stomachs or those who hate roller coaster rides. Great Lakes Airlines operates the 40 minute flights (about 20 minutes of actual flying time) and code shares with Frontier and United.
See
- State Capitol Building2301 Central Avenue,(307) 777-7220 - Completed in 1888 before Wyoming was a state, the Wyoming State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark and the dominant structure on the Cheyenne skyline. The Capitol is open to the public 8am-5pm Monday – Friday.
- Union Pacific Railroad Depot 121 W. 15th Street,(307) 632-3905 - Recently renovated National Historic Landmark, home to the Cheyenne Depot Museum, a visitor center, and the Snake River Pub & Grill. The plaza in front of the depot hosts concerts and other events during the summer.
- Old West Museum & Store 4610 North Carey Avenue (307) 778-7290 - Located in Frontier Park on the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the historic rodeo called the “Daddy of ‘em All”®. Includes a large display of horse-drawn carriages and exhibits on the history of the CFD rodeo which was established in 1897.
- Historic Governor’s Mansion 300 East 21st Street, (307) 777-7878 - Home to Wyoming governors from 1905 to 1976. Open 9am-5pm Tuesday – Saturday. No charge.
Do
- Cheyenne Frontier Days - World's largest outdoor rodeo & Western celebration that takes place the "Last Full Week in July"™. This historic rodeo was established in 1897 and is called the “Daddy of ‘em All”®. Events include numerous rodeo events, free pancake breakfasts, night-time concerts, and parades.
- Historic Trolley Tours - 121 W. 15th Street(800) 426-5009 - Narrated, 90-minute tours of historic Cheyenne. Purchase tickets in the Depot and tours leave from the Depot Plaza. $10 adults/$5 children. There is also a horse-drawn carriage tour option.
- Terry Bison Ranch 51 I-25 Service Road, (307) 634-4171 - Located 7 miles south of Cheyenne off I-25, this ranch is home to more than 2,000 bison. Take a tour through the herd from the safety of a vehicle. The ranch also has “horses, longhorn steer, camels, llamas, ostriches, emu, chickens, turkeys, turkins (1/2 turkey-1/2 chicken), peacocks, donkeys, goats, and beefalo (1/2 buffalo-1/2 steer).”
Eat
- The Egg & I. Breakfast. (Chain, Downtown)
- C.B. & Potts. Bar and pub food. (Local chain, $8 per person, Dell Range)
- Silver Mine Subs. Sub sandwiches. (Local Chain, $6 per person, South Greeley Highway)
- Capitol Grille. 1600 Central Avenue. (Gourmet restaurant located in the historic Plains Hotel, not a budget choice)
- Snake River Pub & Grill 115 W 15th Street. (Located inside the historic Union Pacific Depot, includes microbrewery)
- Poor Richard’s 2233 E. Lincolnway. (Fine dining specializing in steaks and seafood)
- Sanford’s Grub & Pub. 115 E. 17th Street (Eclectic décor with a huge menu. Look for the back-end of a pickup truck hanging over the entrance)
- Sagebrush Sandwich Co. 102 E. 19th Street (Small shop, great chili)
- Good Friend's Chinese Restaurant. 507 Lincolnway. (Serves Chinese and Japanese)
- Zen’s Bistro. 2606 East Lincolnway (Sandwich shop with funky décor)
- Taco John’s 2220 Carey Avenue. (Why fast food? The chain is headquartered in Cheyenne.)
Sleep
- Best Western Hitching Post Inn Resort & Conference Center, 1700 W Lincoln Way, +1 307 638-3301, Fax: +1 307 778-7194.
- Fairfield Inn Cheyenne, 1415 Stillwater Avenue, +1 307 637-4070, Fax: +1 307 637-4070.
- Holiday Inn, 204 West Fox Farm Road, +1 307 638-4466.
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1741 Fleischli Parkway, +1 307 433-0751.
- Motel 6, 1735 Westland Road, +1 307 635-6806, Fax: +1 307 638-3017.
Get out
Despite also being in Wyoming, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are hundreds of miles away on the opposite side of this fairly large state. Fort Collins, Colorado is only 44 miles to the south.