Cheyenne’s got grit, charm, and just the right amount of weird. And you don’t need a fat wallet to enjoy it. If you’re into rodeos, railroads, natural trails, or famous hotels, this town delivers big on experience and light on cost. Here are the 20 most affordable and underrated places in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Expect an entry fee of just around $10 or even less. The 1887 Union Pacific Depot, now a National Historic Landmark, tells Cheyenne’s railroad story through restored artifacts and model trains. This Richardsonian Romanesque building once hosted Teddy Roosevelt and General Pershing. Through this museum, visitors can discover how the transcontinental railroad transformed a dusty frontier town into Wyoming’s thriving capital city.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Since 1897, this 10-day July extravaganza has lured nearly 200,000 visitors with way more than just world-class rodeo action. There are epic parades and classic carnival rides, paired with legendary free pancake breakfasts dishing out over 100,000 hotcakes. Cowboys steal the spotlight, but it’s that infectious small-town spirit and a surprising number of free events that keep everyone coming back year after year.
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens spans 9 acres of sustainable beauty, featuring a 100% solar-heated conservatory. Despite Cheyenne’s arid climate and fierce winters, the garden flourishes with desert blooms all year round. Explore the Peace Garden, labyrinth, wetland pond, and Paul Smith Children’s Village, which teaches sustainability through hands-on learning experiences. Entry is free!
Curt Gowdy State Park
Just 24 miles west of downtown, this 3,400-acre playground serves up world-class hiking trails that earned serious bragging rights from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Entry fee per vehicle is between ~$7–$12, but once inside, the hikes cost nothing! Whether you’re casting lines at peaceful reservoirs or tackling gnarly rocky terrain, you’re sure to have fun here.
Terry Bison Ranch
Picture this: your train ride gets interrupted by a massive herd of bison! Terry Bison Ranch is home to over 2,000 of these magnificent beasts, plus horseback adventures, entertaining pony shows, and mouthwatering bison burgers. It’s where authentic Western ranch life meets unforgettable tourism experiences. With activities ranging from $7 to $110, there’s something for every budget.
Wyoming State Museum
Can dinosaur bones and Native American beadwork share the same story? At this free museum, they absolutely do. Wyoming’s layered history unfolds through hands-on exhibits that enthrall kids and adults alike. From ancient fossils to pioneer treasures, this 1895 gem makes learning an adventure for the whole family.
Big Boy Steam Engine No. 4004
Parked in Holliday Park, this behemoth weighs over 1.2 million pounds and once conquered mountain grades with ease. It’s among the eight surviving engines from the 25 ever built. Interestingly, there’s not one but two operational Big Boys (No. 4004 and 4014) based in Cheyenne, and the sheer scale of them startles even longtime rail fans.
Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley
Imagine mansions and cowboys rolling by your window during a 90-minute trolley adventure. The vintage ride hits all the highlights—the Capitol, historic homes, and classic Western saloons. Plus, they offer spooky ghost tours and magical holiday light rides. It’s wheelchair accessible and perfect for private groups, too. The cost? Around $12–$15 per person.
Lions Park Treehouse
This whimsical multi-level treehouse, built in 2005, rises up to 20 feet high and offers panoramic views of Cheyenne’s urban forest. Located within Lions Park—right next to the Botanic Gardens—it’s a hit with kids, photographers, and anyone who loves a good climb. Best Part: It’s open to the public year-round.
Messenger’s Old West Museum
This museum, situated inside a storage facility, is a lovingly preserved family collection turned public treasure. Its intimate collection features rare 1800s carriages, saddles, outlaw memorabilia, and taxidermy bears and wolves. The entry is often free or donation-based. You can also find horse harnesses from the spectacular “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show” created by William F. Cody in 1883.
Mt. Sinai Synagogue
Mt. Sinai Synagogue stands as Wyoming’s oldest Jewish congregation with Mid-Century Modernist architecture. This synagogue follows Ashkenazi traditions and has stunning stained glass windows by artist Jean-Jacques Duval. There are year-round free lectures, prayer services, and community events for locals and visitors.
Nelson Museum Of The West
At just $5 (free for kids), you’ll see saddles and taxidermy exhibits telling stories that textbooks can’t capture. With over 14,000 artifacts—from military gear to cowboy regalia—this downtown Cheyenne museum paints a vivid picture of the Old West’s complexity. Located near the historic Depot, it’s where authentic Western heritage comes alive through genuine artifacts.
Rainsford Historic District
East of downtown Cheyenne lies the Rainsford Historic District, known for its late Victorian homes. Built in the late 19th century, these residences reflect the prosperity of the cattle barons who once lived here. The district features a picturesque view of Stick, Eastlake, Greek Revival, and Romanesque architecture.
Cowgirls Of The West Museum
Who really built the frontier? Women did, using sheer grit and plenty of glamour. This museum celebrates the ranchers and rodeo champions who shaped the West through authentic artifacts and engrossing stories. With zero admission cost, you’ll walk away amazed by just how much women accomplished in building this rugged region.
Cheyenne Depot Plaza
Cheyenne Depot Plaza centers around the restored 1887 Union Pacific Depot, a National Historic Landmark designed by Henry Van Brunt in Richardsonian Romanesque style. This vibrant public square hosts free summer concerts, the Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, and famous Frontier Days pancake breakfasts. It’s a beloved community gathering place.
The Plains Hotel
Since 1911, this hotel has hosted guests like Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Ernest Hemingway. Walking through its lobby feels like thumbing through pages of an old Western novel—stained glass skylights and Old West furnishings included. Room 444 is rumored to be haunted by a bride named Rosie.
Cheyenne Creativity Center
Opened in 2023 by Arts Cheyenne, the creativity center fuels the city’s vibrant energy with monthly rotating exhibits, hands-on workshops, and affordable studio rentals. The gallery showcases emerging Wyoming artists, while the gift shop features locally made prints, posters, and crafts. Most exhibits are free to view, and workshops—like the popular printmaking class—start at just $29 per session.
Wyoming Hereford Ranch
Established in 1883 with imported Herefords from eight English herds, the Wyoming Hereford Ranch operates as both a working ranch and a living museum. Seasonal free tours and regular paid tours lead visitors through barns and pastures that reflect more than a century of agricultural evolution. Cattle still graze while legendary bull Prince Domino lies beneath a monument. Additionally, over 90 bird species also make it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
High Plains Arboretum
Once a USDA horticultural research station, this peaceful 62-acre retreat west of Cheyenne showcases hardy trees and shrubs from cold, dry regions like Russia and northern China. You can stroll among historic plantings dating back to the 1930s and enjoy seasonal blooms without the crowds. It’s completely free to explore—just leave pets at home and bring your curiosity.
Hynds Lodge
Located within Curt Gowdy State Park, Hynds Lodge offers a serene escape for group travel. Built in 1922, this stone lodge can provide accommodations for up to 30 guests. Surrounded by pine forests and granite outcrops, it’s a favored spot for retreats and nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility. In fact, this place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stays open from May to October.
