MEDIA CONTACTS Jill Pope VISIT CHEYENNE [email protected] 800-426-5009 TURNER VISIT CHEYENNE [email protected] FACT SHEET 303-333-1402 ABOUT CHEYENNE Cheyenne, Wyoming's capital city, embodies the spirit of the Old West. It is considered the nation's rodeo and railroad capital, and is home to numerous museums; historic hotels and mansions; a collection of steam engines; western-themed attractions and shopping; resorts and ranches; and a thriving art community with soft adventure nearby. LOCATION HISTORY LODGING Just 90 miles north of Denver Cheyenne offers a variety of International Airport, Cheyenne hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts is located near the southeast and campgrounds to meet every corner of the state of Wyoming taste and pocketbook. Top near Medicine Bow National lodging options include: Forest. The city has a total area of approximately 25 square miles, • The Historic Plains Hotel of which .11 square miles is water. A charming 1911 National Historic Landmark Hotel located in the heart of Downtown Cheyenne where tourists enjoy the alluring Western edge. The Plains has played host to notable guests On July 4, 1867 the first tents of the past and is designed were pitches on the site now with Western High Style décor. known as Cheyenne. Cheyenne means “aliens” or “people of foreign language,” a name given • Nagle Warren Mansion B & B by the Sioux Indians. The first One of Cheyenne’s most elegant residents were men who moved residences, the Victorian B&B west to work on the Union was built in 1888 and is listed Pacific Railroad and the majority on the National Registry of of settlers moved away when Historic Places. English High the railroad was completed in Tea is served on Fridays and November of that same year. By Saturdays. 1869 Cheyenne was a thriving western town home to a variety • Little America Hotel & Resort of residents including railroad In the midst of the vast gangs, soldiers from Fort D.A. Wyoming prairie, Little America Russell, and employees from Cheyenne is an 80-acre oasis of Camp Carlin. It was through this luxury service, surrounded by population that gave way to beautifully groomed grounds, the type of entertainment that a nine-hole executive golf became associated with the course and a heated, outdoor “Wild West.” swimming pool. WESTERN EXPERIENCES Cheyenne’s slogan, "Cheyenne - Live the Legend," speaks to its rich history that is seeping with Western culture. Travelers will find that there are still plenty of cowboys in the West at the world-renowned Cheyenne Frontier Days and other regularly held rodeo events around the city. Additionally, there are expansive ranches and numerous historic sites that provide a sense of what the Old West was really like. Top western experiences in Cheyenne include: • Terry Bison Ranch – Located on nearly 30,000 • The Wrangler – 13,000 square feet of ranch wear acres of rolling countryside spotted with more than and Western clothing. The sky-lit hat room has a 2,300 bison, Terry Bison Ranch features horseback selection of nearly 500 hats and has been home to rides, ATVs, train tours, fishing and more. retail since 1892. • The Depot Museum – This historic museum tells • Big Boy Steam Engines – Cheyenne is home to two the story of the Cheyenne’s beginnings during the of the Big Boy Locomotives, including Big Boy No. construction of the transcontinental railroad. 4014, which arrived in 2014 and was restored for a tour of the U.S. in May 2019. The Big Boy No. 4004 • Nelson Museum of the West – Home to numerous can be seen on display in Cheyenne’s Holliday Park exhibits full of pieces that encompass Western and has been a favorite attraction for many visitors history, including cowboy and Native American relics. for more than 50 years. FOOD & BEVERAGE ARTS & CULTURE Cheyenne has a wide variety of restaurants, Visitors looking for Western-themed art and a ranging from Asian cuisine to buffalo burgers. The variety of cultural activities will not be disappointed town is also home to a number of local breweries, when they arrive in Cheyenne. The city offers crafting a variety of seasonal brews. A few top numerous galleries and museums to view beautiful restaurants and breweries include: and historic Western art, as well as theaters and concert venues to see live performances. • Senator’s Steakhouse – Located at Terry Bison Ranch, Senator’s Steakhouse features what • Historic Atlas Theater – The three-story building famed chef Booby Flay called “the best burger was originally built in 1887. In 1907, Cheyenne in Wyoming.” architect William Dubois was hired to convert the first floor into a theater, which would be • Bunkhouse Bar & Grill – A fun place with great named the Atlas. In 1966, the Cheyenne Little food featuring a laid back atmosphere and the Theatre Players began to use the Atlas for their best steak in the West. live theater productions. The Atlas was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. • Poor Richards – Poor Richard’s Restaurant has been a staple in Cheyenne for 28 years. It’s an • Historic Governor’s Mansion – From 1905 to elegant yet casual destination for seafood and 1976, the mansion was the residence of 19 steaks. Wyoming first families. Governors, First Ladies, their children and pets lived and entertained in • Freedom’s Edge Tap House Brewing Co. the home over the course of 71 years. Microbrewery opened in February 2012, Freedom’s Edge is committed to making fresh, • Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra – The symphony quality-handcrafted beer. performs a variety of concerts at the Cheyenne Civic Center. • Danielmark’s Brewery – Danielmark’s opened April 2016 in a historic home. They have six • Cheyenne Artists Guild – Provides numerous different beers, which they brew in their art shows throughout the year. Located in the carriage house. historic Can Tassel Carriage Barn, The Cheyenne Artists Guild is the oldest continuously operating, • Accomplice Beer Company – Located in nonprofit artists organizations in Wyoming. the Depot Plaza, Accomplice Beer Company features seven signature beers, thee seasonal styles and four guest taps. FAMILY OUTDOOR SIGNATURE ACTIVITIES ADVENTURES ANNUAL EVENTS Home to a myriad of interactive Outdoor adventure is waiting just • Restaurant Week (April) – activities and experiences, the 30 minutes west of Cheyenne. Seven days of your favorite city affords the opportunity for Three scenic and distinct areas— restaurants, and the ones an unforgettable family vacation the Pole Mountain and Vedauwoo you’ve always wanted to try. that is both fun and educational. areas within Medicine Bow National Offering exceptional pricing on Family-friendly activities include: Forest, and Curt Gowdy State special menu items. Park—provide a rich playground for • Cheyenne Street Railway both the casual nature lover and the • Depot Days (May) – Depot – For a fully Trolley Tour avid outdoor enthusiast. Days takes place at the narrated historic tour of Cheyenne Depot with exhibits Cheyenne, jump on board • Curt Gowdy State Park – Curt and tours of the historic UP the Cheyenne Street Railway Gowdy State Park lies among roundhouse and WASATCH RR Trolley. The trolley operates the picturesque foothills of the Contractors. The Sherman Hill from May through the end Laramie Mountains. The area Model Railroad Show is at the of September. Ghost tours features granite towers, rocky Frontier Park Exhibition Hall. are offered in October and soils and timbered slopes. Two Christmas Lights tours in small reservoirs form the heart December. of Curt Gowdy State Park. • Wyoming Brewers Festival Granite Reservoir, the larger (June) – Serving up two days of • Cheyenne Botanic Gardens of the two, is an excellent great fun, good beer and tasty – The Cheyenne Botanic base for water sports as well food. More than 75 brews, 30+ Gardens are an oasis on the as rainbow trout and kokanee regional and national brewers high plains featuring nine salmon fishing. offering specialty beers. acres of different landscapes, gardens and plant collections. • Vedauwoo Recreation • Cheyenne Frontier Days (July) Some specialty areas include Area – Visit the ancient rock – Cheyenne Frontier Days a nationally recognized formations at Vedauwoo takes place the last full week inspirational Peace Garden, Recreation Area, which allows of July. The world’s largest as well as the Discovery Pond for beautiful sightseeing, hiking, rodeo includes ten days of and educational wetland area. camping and mountain biking. rodeo action, parades, pancake breakfasts, the U.S. Air Force • Paul Smith Children’s • Pole Mountain – Prior to Thunderbirds, and the hottest Village – Showcases and 1959, this 55,000-acre area concert acts. interprets sustainable systems was administered by the for food production and War Department for military • Cheyenne Arts Festival preparation, water quality, training. It is now managed (August) –The two-day festival energy production, habitation, by the US Forest Service features dozens of juried visual and cultural fulfillment. The and offers endless outdoor and performance artists from Cheyenne Botanic Gardens recreation. around the region, workshops are open year-round and is for young people to learn free to the public. • Ames Monument – This monument is a 60-foot high about their artistic talents, and • Cheyenne Big Boots Tour – granite pyramid located in activities for the entire family. The eight foot tall cowboy southeastern Albany Country, boots have been carefully Wyoming. It is dedicated to • Zombiefest (September) painted by local artists Oakes and Oliver Ames, two – From The Historic Atlas to show Wyoming’s and Massachusetts brothers who Theatre, the Depot Plaza, the Cheyenne’s history. Attempt were extremely influential Hynds Building and all around a scavenger hunt and find all in constructing the nation’s the downtown Cheyenne area 19 of the giant boots via the first transcontinental railroad. zombies will overrun the city. location maps available at The The monument was placed Depot in the visitor’s center.