From cowboys and rodeos to railroads and buffalo, Cheyenne truly represents the attitude of “The Cowboy State,” as Wyoming has aptly been named. Your youth group will be called to “live the legend” of Cheyenne and experience true Western living.
Giddy Up on These Cheyenne Student Travel Attractions
Wyoming State Capitol
At the Wyoming State Capitol Building, constructed in 1887, a couple student tours are available, including a short recreational field trip with basic information about the building. There’s also a guided tour composed of exams and presentations that will test your students’ knowledge. On the Capitol grounds stands the “Spirit of Wyoming” statue, featuring a cowboy riding his horse. The Esther Morris Statue in front of the Capitol honors a key player in making Wyoming the first state to give women the vote.
Cheyenne, the oldest of Wyoming’s frontier train towns, is still recognized for its impressive locomotives. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, housed in the original train station that sat along the transcontinental railroad, offers student tour groups hands-on exhibits and lessons about the workings of the railroad. One of its main attractions is Big Boy Steam Engine, the world’s largest steam locomotive and one of only 25 of its kind ever made. For another great look at Wyoming’s history, take your student travel group to the Wyoming State Museum.
Locals are proud of their Western heritage, and it will be apparent the minute your youth group sets foot in Cheyenne. Cowboy memorabilia is widespread and boots are a fashion must-have. At Frontier Days Old West Museum, an establishment dedicated to the culture of the annual Frontier Days event, student tours learn the history of the highly popular celebration. The museum features a bronc riding saddle free for anyone to try as well as one of the largest collections of horse-drawn carriages. If there is one thing that complements cowboys, it’s cattle. Student travelers can visit the Hereford Ranch, the oldest continuously registered livestock operation in America, or head south of Cheyenne to Terry Bison Ranch, which offers a narrated tour. Terry Bison Ranch is home to nearly 2,500 American bison.
Cheyenne Botanical Gardens
Cheyenne is surrounded by the natural beauty of the plains, and student tours can enjoy the outdoors at the many recreational locations around town. The Cheyenne Greenway is 10 miles of paved walkways serving as routes to local parks and neighborhoods. Lions Park is a popular location for biking, boating, swimming and fitness. It consists of the Cheyenne Botanical Gardens, thousands of acres of open green space, miles of bike paths and Sloans Lake. Your youth group can rent paddleboats, kayaks and canoes on the lake; or play volleyball, mini golf and softball in designated park areas.
Student Sightseeing Tours in Cheyenne
If it wasn’t already obvious, cowboy boots hold a special place in the hearts of Cheyenne locals. You may notice large, decorated boot structures sprinkled throughout the streets. These are the Cheyenne Big Boots, and your student travel group can discover more about them through the self-guided scavenger hunt and cell phone audio tour of the Big Boots. Maps are available at the Cheyenne Depot Visitors Center, and the tour can be heard on cell phones by calling (307) 316-0067 and typing in the stop number at each boot.
Cheyenne offers trolley tours that depart from the Cheyenne Depot. These 90-minute tours take student groups through the city, pointing out famous attractions and providing important facts about Cheyenne. Groups are free to jump on or off the trolley at any location. Student travelers can also enjoy the Cheyenne Visitors Center Walking Tour, which takes them down Cattle Baron’s Row, where Victorian-style mansions sit prominently as reminders of when Cheyenne was a booming cattle town.
Student Performance Venues in Cheyenne
If you want your student travel group to put on a boot-stomping performance, then Cheyenne has some ideal locations for you to rent. Lions Park has a variety of shelters scattered throughout the area, and all are available to rent. Kiwanis Community House, also located in Lions Park, can be rented out by groups for events and concerts. It may be a little more expensive, but it has the capacity of an optimum performance space. Lions Park Amphitheater is a prime venue for an outdoor concert, with open lawn seating so hundreds of people can watch. It’s available to rent on an hourly basis.
The Cheyenne Depot has a plaza that plays host to concerts and events. And with the amount of foot traffic in and out of the museum, student performers are sure to draw a decent crowd. Student groups can contact the museum for rental information.
Student Travelers Chow Down in Cheyenne
The charm of Cheyenne is the feel of an Old West town. Restaurants lining the streets of downtown have a traditional look that will make student tours feel like they are in a cowboy flick. The Albany is a family-owned restaurant that makes their soups, sauces and gravy from scratch, earning them a loyal following of diners. Another option for student travelers is Sanford’s Grub and Pub, serving up American food as a car sticks proudly out the side of the building.
Cheyenne has been known to whip up some tasty Southwestern fare, and some of the best can be found at Lexie’s Mesa Grille. This popular establishment, located in an old 1880s home, creates dynamic cuisine that will have your student travel group feeling curiously satisfied. Beer-battered cactus, anyone?
Book a Room: Student Travel Accommodations in Cheyenne
With over 2,300 guest rooms in Cheyenne, the city has something to offer any student tour group. One thing to consider before booking a reservation is whether the hotel is close to the train tracks. Most accommodations located near the railroad may be loud due to the freights passing through, so you may want to look elsewhere. Terry Bison Ranch offers bunkhouse rooms with shared bathrooms, showers and common area for a reasonable price. This is ideal for a smaller school group so everyone can be housed together.
For a more traditional and modern overnight stay, the Lincoln Court Motel is a clean and friendly place, with a heated pool and complimentary breakfast. There is also the La Quinta Motor Inn or the Fairfield Inn, both located close to downtown and many of Cheyenne’s area attractions.
When you think of Wyoming, an image of the setting sun over an open range appears; the silhouette of a proud cowboy riding his steed on the horizon sits in the forefront. Well, if this wasn’t the idea you had in your head before, it will be after a memorable student trip to Cheyenne.
