There are tons of things to see and do in all four corners of Wyoming and everywhere in between. You could go looking for something unique off the beaten path, but we have so many attractions that have drawn tourists from all over the world, why not give some of them a try? Everyone should experience these touristy Wyoming destinations and activities at least once in a lifetime.
1. Vacation at a guest ranch.
A lot of people want to live like a cowboy when they visit Wyoming, and we can accommodate them. There are many guest and dude ranches across the state where you can stay for a weekend, a week, a month or however long you want to ride horses, round up cattle, and eat from a chuck wagon. One of the best guest ranches in the country happens to be right here in the Cowboy State, if you're looking for a recommendation.
2. Watch Old Faithful spout off.
C'mon, everyone has to visit Yellowstone National Park at least once in their lives and part of the trip must include seeing the most famous - if not most predictable - geyser in the park. While you're there, you might as well take in the other tourist attractions such as the Grand Prismatic Spring, the Artist Paint Pots, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Lamar Valley.
3. Get your picture taken under the antler arches.
Tourists flock to Jackson Hole year round and, no matter what the weather is like, most people head straight to the town square to have a picture snapped beneath one of the four arches (there's one on each corner of the square) made from about 2,000 antlers each.
4. Attend a powwow.
Wyoming has a rich Native American heritage and there's no better place to see it than at a powwow. The Plains Indian Museum Powwow in Cody is just one, but you could travel the state all summer long and attend a different one each week. There's typically great food and drinks as well as authentic Indian pottery, clothing, bead and quill work, basketry, and a ton of other traditional arts and crafts. Plus, you'll get to see the drum groups and dancers compete sporting their best traditional dress.
5. Visit the Devil's Tower.
Rock climbers and sight seers alike are drawn to the Devil's Tower in the northeastern part of the state. The cracks running parallel vertically up the monolith make it ideal for climbing but if you want to stick to the touristy thing to do, just take a few pictures and hike the 1.3 mile trail that encircles the base.
6. Tour King's Saddlery and Museum
Located at 184 North Main Street in Sheridan is a massive tack and saddle shop that also houses a museum. The Don King Museum (no, the other Don King...) is where the King family stores the cowboy and Western memorabilia they've collected over the years, and it's open to the public. You could spend hours browsing the hundreds of saddles and perusing pristinely preserved relics including guns, wagons, coaches, and authentic Indian objects and artwork.
7. Stop at a ghost town.
With such an extensive mining and pioneering history, there are plenty of ghost towns dotting the state. Miner's Delight south of Lander in the southeastern part of the Wind River Range is among the best we have. This little ghost town is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts a number of structures still standing that have been preserved.
8. Belly up to the bar in a cowboy saloon.
No one can resist having a drink at a historic bar, imagining who sat there before them and what life was like way, way back in the day. The Mint Bar in Sheridan is one such place. Ice was still being delivered on wagons pulled by horses when the Mint opened in 1907. Today it has all the conveniences of living in the 21st Century and it's still the place the local ranchers and cowboys come after a long, hard day on the range.
9. Participate in the Longmire Festival
Buffalo, Wyoming is the delightful little town Craig Johnson used for inspiration in the eight novels he wrote starring the fictional Sheriff Longmire. The town is proud of their part in television history and a new tradition has come out of it. The Longmire Festival is held for three days every July in Buffalo, with all the celebration and revelry you'd expect in Wyoming. There's a parade, a softball game, plenty of food and drink, and a street dance.
10. Take in the sights and have a soak.
11. Go to the rodeo.
What's more iconic-ally Wyoming than a rodeo? Fortunately, rodeo season is a long one and you can catch a rodeo practically everywhere in the state. Cheyenne Frontier Days is epic: a 10-day celebration centering around the rodeo that includes an Indian village, live music, parades, food, gunslingers, and more.
What's your favorite touristy thing to do in Wyoming?
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