14 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Cody, WY

Step into the world of the Wild West in Cody, a small Wyoming frontier town with immense natural beauty and cultural attractions. Built by the legendary showman William "Buffalo Bill" Cody in the late 19th century, this Old West town is more than just a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Located 52 miles from the east entrance to the country's first national park, Cody offers an authentic Western experience.

The first thing I noticed when arriving in Cody is that many of the top attractions are within a short distance of one another with a walkable downtown, making it easy to see quite a few things in one day. It's an ideal place to base if you want to enjoy some of the other nearby outdoor experiences like horseback riding or hiking in the Shoshone National Forest, fishing in mountain streams, or rafting on the Shoshone River.

This "Rodeo Capital of the World" is busy in the summer season but the shoulder seasons just before fall is a perfect time to enjoy all of the attractions still open, lower lodging rates, and it allows you to avoid the crowds.

To be sure I was fully immersed in the Western way I had to indulge in an authentic chuckwagon dinner of salad, beans, biscuits, and steak made by 2 Mules Chuckwagon outside over the hot coals while the sun set behind the mountains.

Learn more about the best places to visit with our list of top things to do in Cody.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Things to Know

• 5 museums in 1 building
• Live raptor experience shows
• Admission tickets are good for 2 days
• Plan to spend at least 3 hours

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West should be your first stop in Cody to familiarize yourself with the region and the contributions of Buffalo Bill to the creation of the town. This Smithsonian-affiliated center has five museums under one roof.

Learn all about the extraordinary life of the founder of Cody and his rip-roaring Wild West show at the Buffalo Bill Museum, featuring interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations.

Marvel at artwork from Remington to Russell at the Whitney Western Art Museum.

Revisit more than 800 years of firearms history at the Cody Firearms Museum.

The Plains Indian Museum features large dioramas of life on the plains, with an emphasis on the culture, customs, artwork, and belief systems of the Native American people who called the area home.

Draper Natural History Museum pays homage to the flora and fauna found in the various ecosystems of the greater Yellowstone region, with specimens of wild animals like red wolves, rams, elk, bison, and grizzly bears. Each of the zones features the sounds and smells of the habitats, giving visitors a multi-sensory experience of the natural world that lies beyond the outskirts of Cody.

Don't miss the Raptor experience show run by volunteers with rescued and rehabilitated raptors. It's held in the outdoor sculpture gardens daily at 10am and 3pm.

Plan on spending a minimum of three hours visiting the center. As all tickets are sold as two-day tickets, a better idea is to schedule your trip so that you can visit on two separate days so you can cover several of the museums in one visit and the rest on the other. This also leaves flexibility to take in some of the special events.

Address: 720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, Wyoming

Old Trail Town

Things to Know

• A complex of restored buildings from the late 1800s
• Open from May to September

Set against the clear blue skies of Wyoming, Old Trail Town houses a collection of over a dozen historic cabins, a variety of businesses, and a trail of well-worn wagons, giving visitors a glimpse of what an old western town looked like.

Thanks to the efforts of Wyoming native and historian Bob Edgar, buildings from the region that would've otherwise been destroyed were salvaged piece by piece and reassembled at Old Trail Town. At this popular attraction, located next to the rodeo grounds, stroll through history on the boardwalk as you peak inside restored structures dating from 1879 to 1901 containing authentic relics and furnishings.

Among the collection, you'll find three general stores, two blacksmith shops, a hunter's cabin, a carpenter's shop, a granary, a livery barn and a wagon barn, a post office, and a schoolhouse.

One of my favorite features, and a must-see for any fan of western movies is the "Hole-in-the-Wall Cabin" of famous outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where you see WANTED posters inside and bullet holes on the outside of the cabin. Old Trail Town is open from May to September.

Address: 1831 Demaris Drive, Cody, Wyoming

Take a Cody Trolley Tour

Things to Know

• A 60-minute guided tour
• Operates from May to October
• Special holiday tours operate in December

For a good introduction to Cody, hop on a Cody Trolley Tour for an enjoyable 60-minute guided tour of the town's main attractions and beyond. Points of interest include the historic downtown district, rodeo grounds, and the Shoshone River Canyon, where you will see one of the region's most scenic canyon vistas.

Unlike the typical drab narration of many tours, this trolley tour features two guides who play off each other to tell stories about the town, Buffalo Bill, and the Old West in an engaging way. This trolley tour also goes through some residential streets so you can see beyond just the visitor attractions and get a sense of regular life in this Yellowstone gateway town.

Although the sightseeing tour only operates from May through October, tourists passing through Cody in December can catch a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley, when the tour is transformed into a fun way to see the town's Christmas light displays.

Address: 1192 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, Wyoming

Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel & Restaurant

Things to Know

• Historic hotel built by Buffalo Bill (Cody)
• A turn-of-the-century restaurant

No visit to Cody is complete without a visit to Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, situated right in the heart of downtown. Built by Cody and named after his youngest daughter, this property oozes Old West charm from the moment you step inside, with its wallpapered walls adorned with old pictures, antler chandeliers, and animal trophies.

Dine at the turn-of-the-century main dining hall, serving buffet lunches and meals from a menu of classic American fare. The massive Cherrywood bar, a gift to Buffalo Bill by Queen Victoria, takes center stage. Play a fun game of trying to spot bullet holes in the bar from the time of gunslinging cowboys.

If you have time to venture beyond the delicious buffet be sure to check out the upscale gift shop located just off of the dining room where you can try on Buffalo Bill-inspired fringe leather jackets and peruse the extensive boot collection, including a pair that cost $28,000.

Address: 1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, Wyoming

Cody Nite Rodeo

Things to Know

• Nightly performances from June through August
• Family-friendly, kids activities available
• A full lineup of rodeo events

Early settlers who ventured to the wild lands of Wyoming required skills of horsemanship to handle and manage livestock, which have since been passed down to generations. In the American West, these skills are just as important today on working ranches. At the Cody Nite Rodeo, operating since 1938, visitors get to witness real western, family-friendly action with cowboys, broncos, and bull-riders.

There's plenty of fun for everyone. Kids can get their faces painted by rodeo clowns and learn to rope like the cowboys and cowgirls, and adults can take their chances on a mechanical bull.

Cody Nite Rodeo has nightly performances from June through August.

The rodeo also hosts special events, and an annual four-day festival that takes place July 4th weekend.

Address: 519 W. Yellowstone Ave, Cody, Wyoming

Watch a Wild West Gunfight

Things to Know

• A staged gunfight in front of Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel
• Takes places June through September

Every evening except Sundays from June through September, the Wild Bunch Gunfighters put on a show that ends with a bang – or, actually, many. Held in front of the historic Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, an Old West shootout is re-enacted by the dedicated group of fully costumed actors.

With the performance varying from night to night, so visitors can enjoy it more than once, this 30-minute show is acted out on the street in front of the hotel. It's free for all spectators, often with hundreds of people lining the street and standing on whatever they can find to get a good view.

Those who want to ensure a great view can also reserve front-row folding chairs at the hotel or through the folks at Cody Trolley Tours.

Another must-see performance in Cody is Dan Miller's Cowboy Music Revue at 1601 Stampede Avenue, featuring the lead man as well as his daughter Hannah Miller and musicians Tim Bushnell and Wendy Corr. Be prepared to sing along to foot-tapping country music and cowboy classics like Home on the Range and Cool Water during the summer. Performance days vary so check the local schedule during your visit.

Heart Mountain Interpretive Center

Things to Know

• A World War II internment camp
• Displays and exhibits in recreated barracks

Within a short driving distance from Cody is the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, located in Powell at the site of the Heart Mountain Internment Camp that imprisoned 14,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Housed in a building resembling barracks, the center presents exhibits, artifacts, oral histories, and recreations of living quarters depicting the life of those who persevered behind fences in harsh environmental conditions for three years.

A walking trail leads visitors to the Heart Mountain memorial, dedicated to the brave Japanese soldiers from the camp who lost their lives during the war. The center also has a collection of paintings by Estelle Ishigo, a Caucasian wife of a Japanese American who followed him to the camp. Ishigo captured scenes of everyday life at the internment camp with vivid watercolor drawings.

Address: 1539 Road 19, Powell, Wyoming

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

Things to Know

• A 325-foot dam from 1910
• Visitor Center with exhibits on the dam and surroundings

One of the best free things to do in Cody is visit the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center. Hold onto your hat and take a deep breath before looking down as winds are gusty through the mountains as you walk the length of the dam spanning the Shoshone River.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir, as part of the Shoshone Project, irrigates more than 93,000 acres of farmland. Built in 1910, at 325 feet, the dam was the highest in the world at the time, and was one of the first concrete arch dams in the country.

At the dam's visitor center, learn about the construction and importance of the dam for the Big Horn Basin area at the mini-theater. Walk through interpretive areas showing exhibits on the area's farming, geography, wildlife, and prehistoric artifacts.

Address: 4808 North Fork Hwy, Cody, Wyoming

Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway

Things to Know

• A scenic 50-mile drive with mountain and valley views

President Teddy Roosevelt once called the Buffalo Bill Scenic byway from Cody to the east entrance of Yellowstone the 50 most beautiful miles in America. It is one of five scenic byways near Cody. This awe-inspiring route follows the path of the Shoshone River, winding past rock formations and sweeping mountain views of the Wapiti Valley.

There are several camping spots along the way if you decide to camp out by the river or go fishing. Just two miles from Yellowstone, stop by Pahaska Tepee, Buffalo Bill's hunting lodge, where he would visit in between shows. The byway ends in at Sylvan Pass at an elevation of 8,530 feet at the East Entrance of Yellowstone.

Fishing

Things to Know

• Year-round fishing opportunities
• Fly-fishing, spin fishing while wading or floating
• Species include a variety of trout, with common catches of cutthroat, rainbow, brown, and cutbow trout

There are so many types of fishing opportunities near Cody that you can do year-round whether you are an experienced angler coming to catch the bucket-list native cutthroat trout or someone who just wants to cast a line into new waters.

There are many rivers, tributaries, creeks, and lakes to fish offering some of the best fishing near Yellowstone National Park. Anglers can catch many types of species from cutthroat and rainbow trout to brown and cutbow trout and mountain whitefish.

While fly-fishing is the most iconic in this region you can also enjoy spin fishing while wading or floating in the nearby waters.

With so many waterways to navigate and weather systems that change quickly, it is best to hire a local guide to get you on the best waters for the time of your visit. Some of the river systems close to Cody that are enjoyable to fish include the North Fork of the Shoshone, the Lower Shoshone, and Wood River.

Kirwin Ghost Town

Things to Know

• A former mining operation from the early 1900s
• Requires off-roading in a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach
• Located at an elevation of 9,000 feet
• The trip takes about 5 to 6 hours

Some fantastic outdoor adventures await you around Cody, but one of the most exciting that I experienced was a trip to the Kirwin Ghost Town in the Shoshone National Forest just outside of Meeteese. Just the journey to get to the defunct mining town was exciting.

Getting there requires renting a side-by-sde four-wheel drive vehicle from Kirwin Ghost Town Adventures and making the off-roading trek up the mountain. I suggest taking a packed lunch and plenty of water because you will need it for the day as you head up to a 9,000 foot elevation where you park and walk from there.

Walk the area at your own pace as you go inside some of the old buildings that still stand from an early 1900s mining operation. The largest building was the general store but you can also see some of the other mining buildings and a horse stall that all have rustic charm. This is a long day so plan on at least 5-6 hours to get to the site, hike and explore.

Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tours

Things to Know

• A safari style sightseeing trip to see wild horses

There's something magical about seeing horses in their natural habitat. On a Red Canyon Wild Mustang tour, you'll get a unique chance to see these majestic creatures doing what they are meant to do–living as part of a herd, grazing on green pastures, and playing with other members of their group. See these free-roaming horses of the American west on a "safari" adventure that takes you via van or bus from Cody to the grasslands of the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Range.

Binoculars are provided, so you can get close-up views of the mustangs, set against a spectacular backdrop. On this nearly three-hour tour, you may also spot pronghorn antelope, coyotes, golden eagles, and black-tailed prairie dogs.

Outdoor Adventures

Popular Activities:

• River rafting
• hiking
• four-wheeling

There are so many types of outdoor adventures in Cody from hiking, fishing, rafting, and four-wheeling that you will have to pick and choose where to spend your time.

Feel the exhilarating power of the river as you raft or kayak down the rapids coursing in between beautiful red rocks. Tour operator Wyoming River Trips offers rafting adventures on the Shoshone and North Fork Rivers through Red Rock Canyon, Lower Canyon, and more. On the Red Rock Canyon tour, guides will narrate the history of the early Cody settlers and the Plains Indians.

Hikers can head to the Shoshone National Forest and the greater Yellowstone region. Mountain climbers can aim for the cliffs of the North Absaroka Range. Yellowstone's Lamar Valley, dubbed as the American Serengeti, is a dream come true for animal lovers. See large herds of bison and ungulate species like elk and pronghorns. Winter activities in and around Cody include ice climbing, skiing, and snowmobiling.

By Western Hands

Things to Know

• A museum and gallery with works by artisans from the Rock Mountain Region

Opened in 2019, By Western Hands™ (BWH) is a non-profit museum and gallery displaying works inspired by the American West. The museum aims to preserve the history of Western functional art that was born in Cody in the 1930s.

You'll find exquisite art pieces in the form of furnishings, couture, lighting, and more from artisans who live and work in the Rocky Mountain region. The Education and Training Center has a multitiered curriculum molded for those passionate about Western design.

Address: 1007 12th Street, Cody, Wyoming

Map of Attractions & Things to Do in Cody, WY

Cody, WY - Climate Chart

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Yellowstone National Park: Explore the natural wonders of America's first National Park with our guide to Visiting Yellowstone National Park's Attractions.

Wyoming: For information on other places near Yellowstone, see our pages on the Top Attractions in Jackson Hole and the Best Hiking Trails in Jackson Hole. If you're looking to explore the rest of the state, visit our pages on the Top Attractions in Wyoming and the Best Fly Fishing Destinations in Wyoming.