The West
“Cheyenne is an authentic Western town with a name that conjures up images of cowboys, Indians, bison and steam trains chugging over the prairies,” says Darren Rudloff, CEO at Visit Cheyenne. “As such, we have an abundance of the Western attractions that visitors expect to see when they are here.”
In July is the 122nd Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Groups can also see Cheyenne’s many Western museums and visit the Terry Bison Ranch with over 3,000 bison, ride a train into the herd and feed the animals by hand.
The trains
“Cheyenne was built because of the transcontinental railroad cutting across the country. We have both Union Pacific and Burlington Northern tracks crossing Cheyenne, allowing train fans to watch them daily,” Rudloff says.
Sites to see include the impressive original depot and the museum highlighting the Union Pacific’s impact on the city; the Big Boy Steam Engine that’s on display in Cheyenne’s Holliday Park; and the Merci Train, a gift from the French as thanks for U.S. aid in rebuilding after World War II.
The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
Cheyenne’s newest attraction is a multi-million dollar addition to its existing botanic gardens.
The 28,000-square-foot, three-story conservatory opened in August 2017 and houses a large tropical plant collection, a water feature, and meeting and events space. With an observation deck on the third floor, the conservatory has a perfect view of the nearby park and lake. Visitors can also stroll through the property’s eight acres and see the beautiful blooms. Admission to the attraction is free.
For more information, email Rudloff or visit cheyenne.org.
Top photo: Terry Bison Ranch
Photo by cheyenne.org
