Cody, nestled within the sprawling prairies and beautiful mountain ranges of Wyoming, named for “Buffalo Bill” Cody who started the town in the 1890’s, is the epitome of the wild west. It’s a smallish town with a population of about 10,000 residents; but being only 52 miles from Yellowstone’s east entrance they get hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Apparently there are a lot of people seeking to experience that old west charm. Don’t let that fool you though, Cody is a gem with plenty of modern amenities; nice hotels, restaurants, shops, and museums.
Activities: In and near Cody
Bring your cowboy hat because during the summer, June through August, you can attend the nightly rodeo; Cody is the Rodeo Capital of the World after all. Other must-see attractions are the Old Trail Town, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Buffalo Bill Dam and visitors center, and the nearby Yellowstone National Park just to name a few.
We went to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in the morning before leaving town. However, we only had time to see a small portion of the five museums it actually houses. Next time we’ll plan a couple days! We did get to partake in a taste of the amazingly delicious campfire beans, biscuits, and coffee the cook had prepared at the chuckwagon out front of the museum that morning though. If you’re curious about how they cooked their food while traveling by wagon train and you’re there around noon when it’s done, we recommend it!
What to bring:
The main thing you need to bring is your sense of adventure! Fishing poles, hiking boots, camping gear, cowboy hats & boots (if you really want to experience the old west), are all optional but you’ll definitely want to bring your camera for capturing every fun moment you’re going to have.
Where to stay:
Whether you like hotels, motels, cabins, bed & breakfasts, or camping, Cody has it. We opted for a cute little motel near where the rodeo is held because it was pet friendly; something you have to take into consideration when traveling with your furry friends. Be sure to book early though, especially during the busy summer months when tourism is at it’s peak.
Where to eat:
We didn’t get a chance to dine out while in Cody but whenever I go to a new place I like to check Trip Advisor to see what others have to say about the local eateries. It’s better than picking at random and hoping you get something you like. The other thing to do is ask the locals about their recommendations, they’re usually more than happy to help.
Happy trails!