We had some friends over a few months back. They were asking me questions about traveling and one of the men asked, “What was one of your favorite places you visited this year?” To my surprise all three of our guests burst into laughter at my answer. They proceed to tell me that I must have had a really dull year if this was one of my favorite places to visit.
I was sad to hear that they had such a sad perception of a place I really enjoyed, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Not gonna lie my previous memories of Cheyenne have been of nothing but wind and prairie land, so I guess I understand the lack of enthusiasm when I mention this blustery town.
No one was more surprised than me at the gems that we found while visiting Cheyenne this last year. Not only did we enjoy our experience, we enjoyed it as a family with young children. Cheyenne, Wyoming is not just a place to catch a good rodeo, but it is a family friendly destination for building lasting and unique memories.
4 Things You HAVE To Do With Kids In Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hand Feed Bison From A Train At Terry Bison Ranch
I can never hear the word Wyoming and not automatically picture bison! This prairie land has a rich history of these giant North American mammals. Whether you are visiting Yellowstone or Cheyenne having a bison themed activity is almost necessary to truly experience Wyoming.
While driving up to Cheyenne from Denver, Colorado, alongside the road you will start to see metal silhouettes of bison roaming the prairie, and next thing you know you will find a large western town surrounded by paddocks of real bison. This is Terry Bison Ranch and the absolutely the best things to do with kids in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
This ranch is as country as can be! The gift shop looks like an old west town, there are metal hats on the tips of all the fence posts, and lassos laying around for you to practice tossing. The ascetics alone give off the cutest vibe, but there is so much more to it.
Everywhere you look there is some sort of critter roaming nearby. Why, when we were there, we saw tons of horses, goats, calves, peacocks, turkeys, chickens, cows, and even an ostrich! I could not believe how many animals there were to pet! There was even a miniature pony doing tricks for us!
Fun environment check, animals to pet check, now let’s talk bison. Most places you can drive by and see bison, but Terry Bison Ranch gives you an up close experience with bison that you will get no where else in this world. Just catch a ride on their giant train that takes you through a prairie dog oasis and straight into a giant herd of bison!
Once the train gets to the bison, it stops, at which point you will reach under your seat for a bucket of feed. As soon as you get a handful you will look up and realize you are surrounded by bison all with their mouths open and tongues reaching up at you. This is the most cool and hilarious experience, and you are so close to these bison that you can reach out and touch their puffy heads.
Trust me this an experience that you kids will remember and love forever!
Location: 51 I-25 Frontage Road, Cheyenne, WY 82007
Play In The Children’s Garden At Cheyenne Botanical Garden
Honestly when you think of Wyoming, I would be pretty surprised if gardens came to your mind. Wyoming isn’t really known for more colors than 2. White in the winter and brown grass the rest of the year. Despite this Wyoming rep, Cheyenne has a nice, beautiful garden that the whole family can visit for FREE!!
This garden offers two experiences during your visit. Outdoors is a colorful children’s garden with interactive experiences that your kids will love. There is a sand pit, a small water play area, puppets, yard games, and more. It is a wonderful way to teach kids the beauty and importance of natural play outdoors.
The next experience is indoors. Inside the building is a greenhouse of exotic plants and flowers of all varieties. My personal favorite section was the wall of orchids! It was incredible to see the variety of colors and patterns these tropical plants created. Throughout the garden are giant oddly shaped topiaries, trees bearing exotic fruits, leaves that were bigger than my head, and water plants growing from the creek running through.
This is a garden filled with wonder and beauty that has something for the whole family to enjoy.
Location: 710 S Lions Park Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82001
Explore the Town Looking For Cheyenne Boots
If you have followed me in the past you know I have a deep love for art, but as a mom a typical art museum where everything is untouchable and off limits is not the most fun experience with kids.
Though I often avoid art museums these days, there is an activity for kids in Cheyenne, Wyoming involving art that you won’t want to miss. Throughout the town, located at the some of the most iconic spots in town are painted boot statues!
These 35 statues are around 8ft tall and each painted with a masterpiece to depict life or history of Cheyenne. Instead of spending a ton of money to stressfully keep your kids off of expensive art work, you can wander around town admiring local art for FREE with no worries if your kids touch it. Win win!!
For a map of the Cheyenne boots click here.
Hike To a Waterfall At Curt Gowdy State Park
Would you believe me if I told you that there is a waterfall in Cheyenne, Wyoming? Curt Gowdy State Park is an oasis in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The terrain goes from rolling grass hills to rocky cliffsides overlooking creeks and a giant lake all in one state park. This state park is absolutely breathtaking.
Instead of staying in a hotel or Airbnb, this is where you need to stay when visiting Cheyenne! Wake up early overlooking a gorgeous lake and spend your morning fishing. My kids loved practicing fishing and throwing rocks in the cold water. Afterwards we dined on delicious fish for lunch!
While swimming is extremely cold, hiking is the perfect activity at this state park. The most incredible hike that you HAVE to do when visiting Curt Gowdy State Park is the hike to Hidden Falls. This is a 3.1 mile hike that is super easy. The hike takes you through magnificent scenery surrounded by mountainous rocks, forests of pine trees, next to creek beds, and past so much wildlife. I mean we saw so many deer!
At the end of the trail is a rocky area with rushing water. It is a little bit of a climb, or I guess more a rock scramble up to a giant flat rock where you can see Hidden Falls in a crevice of giant rocks. It is beautiful! I highly suggest you wear clothes you can get wet and water shoes so that you can wade deeper into the water to get a closer look at the falls! It is SO worth it, despite the freezing temperature of the water!
This state park is the jewel of Cheyenne, Wyoming and the number one reason I suggest putting Cheyenne, Wyoming onto your list of must-see destinations.
Location: 1264 Granite Springs Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82009
Trail Information: 3.1 miles there and back, easy and very kid friendly
Similar Articles You Will Love:
Everything You Need To Know About Terry Bison Ranch
Colorado Unicorn Festival: Where Fantasy Meets Reality
24 Hours in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Tips For Visiting Cheyenne, Wyoming:
- Book your Bison experience beforehand so you can have a homemade bison burger meal! If you book before you go and pay for the meal, you can have a homemade family style dinner where you can eat actual bison burgers, lemonade, homemade cookies, beans, and more!
- Camp in a camper not a tent. Like I said earlier I do suggest camping as it is the best experience, but Wyoming winds are no joke. We camped in a tent as well as our family members camping with us. All of us had different tent styles and brands, yet all were either flattened, broken, or whipped around really bad. If you camp, be sure it is in a camper/RV to withstand the wind.
- Bring a towel and water shoes when hiking to the waterfall. The waterfall is called Hidden Falls for a reason. You can see the falls at the end of the trail, but it is pretty hidden, wading through the water will get you the best view. Water can get up to your shoulders the closer you are to the falls, I went in just past my knee and had a wonderful view of the falls.
- Map out your route before you go on a boot finding scavenger hunt. There are 35 boots throughout town and they are scattered all over, to see the most that you can be sure to plan your route so that you aren’t just driving blind or in circles.
Other Fun Things To Do Nearby:
I am an Amazon Affiliate, which means I may earn a commission from any purchases made through the links in this post. For more information, please read my privacy page.
