By The Backseat View
Welcome to the Wild West town of Buffalo Bill. History comes alive as you wander through the hideouts of Butch Cassidy and Sundance. The jaw-dropping, Smithsonian-quality Buffalo Bill museums have so much to teach us. I was shocked at how much we enjoyed Cody. Cody should be on everyone’s itinerary, only an hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance. The drastically changing scenery and the Top 10 activities in Cody complete your western journey.
Let’s visit the outlaw and rodeo town!
Top 10 Activities in Cody
1. Buffalo Bill Center of the West
The Buffalo Bill Center has five museums under one roof. I could stay there all day and the $23 museum pass is valid for two days. The Western Art, Natural History, and Gun museums are extensive and impressive, offering hours of education. Celebrate the Spirit of the American West by exploring the natural history and native culture museums.
We spent 3-4 hours without reading half the material. I can’t say enough phenomenal things about this museum. We visit many museums across the nation, and this is one of my favorites. The East has the Met and the Smithsonian, and the West has the Buffalo Bill Center.
2. Old Trail Town
The Old Trail Town is an outdoor history walk with cabins and buildings arranged as an old west town. We enjoyed learning about the outlaw battles and journeys. Butch Cassidy, Sundance, Kid Curry, and Jeremiah Johnson are just a few outlaws with cabins, graves and history in the town. The Hole in the Wall gang has cabins here. It’s the most fun educational hour for only $12.
3. Irma’s Restaurant & Hotel
The Irma Hotel, known as the “Grand Old Lady of Cody,” opened in 1902. Rumor has it Queen Victoria of England gifted Colonel Cody the cherrywood bar. Step into Old West history and look around at Irma’s decorations and the hotel. I’m not a buffet fan, so I’m not recommending the actual food.
4. Cody Stampede Rodeo
The Cody Stampede Rodeo has been held every summer since 1919. Cody is known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World.” From June to August, a rodeo is held every night in Cody at $24/person.
5. Buffalo Bill Dam
Dams are always impressive, so stop for a minute and look at the lake. The tunnels cut through the rocks of Shoshone Canyon, making scenic views. The dam is open from May through September.
6. Rafting
Floating through canyons and by mountains on the cold water defines summer. Wyoming River Trips raft you through the stunning Red Rock Canyon.
7. Cowboy Shootout
The Cody Gunfighters have a nightly shoot out in front of the Irma Hotel. Is there anything more western than watching a shoot out? The cowboy shootouts take place Monday to Saturday evenings at 6 pm June – September.
8. Cody Cattle Company
Cody Cattle Company has a chuckwagon dinner and live music. A fun night of entertainment with great food for $45. Reservations are recommended.
9. Wild Horses
McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Range offers tours of canyon country. You can drive around alone, but the area is large, over 100,000 acres, so finding the horses can be difficult. This hidden gem is 20 miles outside Cody.
10. Firearms
The Cody Firearms Experience is a shooting range with vintage guns. Shoot the guns of the West with professional guides. Over 12 can participate, while those under 12 go to the arcades. Packages start at $50 and climb with additional ammo and guns.
Lodging
Ya’ll know I’m staying at The Hampton Inn & Suites Cody, about 15 minutes outside town. I know there are historic hotels and cute log cabin hotels in Cody, but I’m going with my favorite.
Buffalo Bill State Park offers camping, boating, hiking, and numerous more activities.
Cody completed our trip to the West, teaching us so much history. I wish I had more time on our itinerary for all the activities. Thanks for reading my Top 10 Activities in Cody, and I hope you visit the Wild West.
If you are coming to Cody, I’m sure you will be visiting Yellowstone, so check out my Wonders of Yellowstone Travel Guide.
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