21 Best Things To Do in Cody, Wyoming

If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, then Cody, Wyoming, is the perfect place. With its stunning scenery and friendly people, this small town has plenty of things to do.

It is located in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. The town sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level, making it a perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking or skiing.

But if you want to get out and explore the area, there are plenty of other cool things to do in Cody, Wyoming too! Check out the list below for our favorite things to do in Cody, Wyoming!

List of Best Things To Do in Cody, Wyoming

Cody is a great place to visit year-round. You can find something for everyone here with the right kind of fun and attractions. Cody is home to several national forests and parks that offer hiking, biking, fishing, and more. Here are some of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming.

1. Take a Cody Trolley Tour

Taking a ride on Cody Trolley Tours is one of the best activities in Cody, Wyoming. It has been operating since 2001 and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cody.

It is an hour-long trolley tour that allows you to explore the scenic beauty of Cody and its surrounding. The guides tell entertaining stories about Buffalo Bill Cody’s adventures to make you more delighted. Moreover, tourists can also bring their pets with them on this tour. 

This tour will take you through the main streets of downtown Cody. You can view historic landmarks like the Old Trail Town, rodeo, Cody Mural and Museum, and other historical sites. You can also enjoy some great views as you travel through town on this unique tour!

Visitors can book the Cody Trolley Tours online or call a local travel agent. The tours also offer discounted tickets for passengers aged sixty and over, which makes it an even more affordable activity for anyone looking for a fun way to explore the area.

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2. Watch a Wild West Gunfight

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity that’s a little out of the ordinary, you’ve found it.

Wild West Gunfight is an amazing cowboy skit where the actors dress up as the old West fighters and exhibit the ancient West shootout. They put up a fantastic free-of-cost show in front of the Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel. 

People gather in the street to witness the entertainment show that ends in a blaze of gunfire. The show starts at 6 pm every day from Monday to Saturday.

When the crowd exceeds the accommodation limit, the audience standing at the back cannot watch the Wild West Gunfight performance. Therefore, make sure to reserve a seat in advance before arriving at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel.

3. Learn The History at Buffalo Bill Center of the West

When visiting Cody, be sure to make a stop at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to learn about Buffalo Bill, a famous cowboy, and his life as an icon of American culture. 

It is a charming locality of five museums in Cody. Each museum has its own distinct and state-of-the-art artifacts. The antiquities include stone tools, ancient paintings, and handmade metal weapons.

Visitors find the following five museums worthwhile at Buffalo Bill Center;

1. Cody Firearms Museum
2. Whitney Western Art Museum
3. Draper Natural History Museu
4. Buffalo Bill Museum
5. Plains Indian Museum

Museums showcase artworks, classical paintings, and the life adventures of cowboys and cowgirls. 

Cody Firearms Museum is the most famous of these beautiful museums. It has over 4000 firearms. Some firearms even date back to the middle ages.

The New York Times has also described it as “among the nation’s most remarkable museums.” It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in town!

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4. Get Closer To Indian Tribes’ Culture at Plains Indian Museum

The Plains Indian Museum is one of the five western Buffalo Bill Center museums. The primary purpose of building this museum was to protect the life stories and identities of Plains Indian tribes. It encloses and protects the belongings of the great plains Indians, such as the Shoshone and Sioux tribes.

Plains Indian Museum has five exhibits that portray different themes and cultures of the Plains Indian tribes. One of the five exhibits is the “Land of Many Gifts” exhibit. It reveals the contribution of women to the beadwork and economical history of the Plains Indian society.

The museum showcases the stories of the Plains Indian people to keep their culture, values, and traditions alive.

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5. Practice Your Shooting Skills at Cody Firearms Experience

Cody Firearms Experience is a great place to go if you are interested in guns. They have a wide variety of firearms, as well as some other fun things like shooting targets. 

This one-of-a-kind facility is dedicated to preserving and promoting our nation’s firearm heritage, and it does so with panache and aplomb. 

The museum has a vast collection of weapons for visitors to try out. You can choose from several guns and shoot at targets in the indoor firing range. 

The staff will show you how to use them safely and let you fire each weapon as many times as you want. They also give you earmuffs and glasses, which protect your hearing and eyes from bullets.

An 1862 Gatling Gun is a renowned weapon in the museum, and you can experience firing that gun as well!

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6. Take a Walking Tour Of Old Trail Town

Old Trail Town is another beautiful tourist spot in West Cody, Wyoming. It features the historical buildings and dozens of old worn-out wagons. The ancient shabby wagons lying on a trail give an antique look to the town. You can reach there through a road that leads to the east entrance of Yellowstone Park.

A famous historian, Bob Edgar, restored the ancient remnants of the old Western town. He did so with the help of Wyoming residents and reassembled the old buildings in the old trail town. 

A famous frontiersman, Jim White, also known as “Buffalo Hunter,” is buried in the Old Trail town graveyard.

A walking tour of Old Trail Town will be worth it if you want to see how an old western town looks. You will also come across different classical buildings and ancient remains. You will see three general stores, two blacksmith shops, an old saloon, a carpenter shop, and a schoolhouse.

Old Trail Town provides an insight into the region’s history, and it’s also a great place to spend time with friends or family.

7. Catch a Show at Cody Nite Rodeo

If you are looking for a fun and exciting way to spend your time in Cody, Wyoming, visiting the Cody Nite Rodeo is one of the best things to do.

We all love cowboys, and you can get up close and personal with them at the nightly rodeo, which was inaugurated in 1938. The Cody Nite Rodeo is the only nightly rodeo where the cowboys show their professional skills. The rodeo events include bull riding and calf roping. 

You’ll see all the cowboys strut their stuff and how they hold on tight to their horses during this exciting event.

Cody Nite Rodeo is a hallmark of entertainment for people of every age. Children love getting their faces painted by the rodeo clowns and learning horse riding and calf roping skills. Adults can take part in bullfighting events.

Cody Nite Rodeo’s energetic events occur every night in June, July, and August. You can get tickets at any local shops or order them online.

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8. Drive Through Beautiful Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway

Visiting the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway is one of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming. The scenic byway has many attractions sure to interest visitors, including some of the most spectacular scenery in the West. 

The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway is a rural track in the Shoshone National Forest area. It connects Cody town to the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. 

The byway heads through the spectacular rock formations and extensive mountain ranges. Sylvan Pass is the ending point for the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway and is the most elevated place on the route.

The Wapiti Valley is a beautiful place for tourists, with sweeping mountains and breathtaking scenery. You can also find excellent accommodation near Wapiti Valley, including lodges and campgrounds. 

Wapiti Lodge is an excellent choice for an overnight stay for travelers on the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. The lodge has a beautiful and peaceful setting with spectacular views of the Shoshone River.

The area is also famous for fishing and camping enthusiasts, who come here to enjoy the peace of nature away from the bustling city life.

9. Visit Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

Buffalo Bill Dam is one of the most popular attractions in Cody, but it’s not only for the great mountains’ views!

The Buffalo Bill Dam, formerly known as the Shoshone dam, is one of the first high concrete dams built in the USA. The dam is a beautiful place to visit and has a lot of history behind it. 

It was built in the early 1900s. The 325 feet tall dam has a vast reservoir that irrigates more than 93000 acres of farming land. 

Take a walk to its length and relish the appealing scenery of the Shoshone River and the surrounding mountains. You also enjoy the journey through the 2.8 miles long Shoshone Canyon Tunnel. The tunnel lies in the way if you are coming from Cody.

The Visitor Center at Buffalo Bill Dam offers information about the history and operation of this beautiful place. It’s a great place to spend some time exploring nature while enjoying some great views of Wyoming’s mountains!

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10. Explore Buffalo Bill State Park

Buffalo Bill State Park is a well-maintained tourist amusement park, covering almost 11290 acres. It is a must-see state park in Cody that offers various amusing activities for visitors. The activities include camping, boating, fishing, and off-road driving.

Moreover, it has a boat ramp, a playground, charming picnic points, and swimming areas that draw the attention of young tourists.

Buffalo Bill State Park is also home to different hiking paths and adorable wild animals like deer, antelope, and elk. Visitors can take their pets with them, but they should not set them free.

Kings Inn Cody is a famous hotel near Buffalo Bill State Park. The hotel has a great location, with incredible views of the park. The hotel offers a variety of amenities for guests, including an indoor pool, complimentary continental breakfast, free high-speed internet (Wi-Fi), concierge bowling offsite, and much more!

11. Spend a Weekend at Bill Cody Ranch

Bill Cody Ranch is a popular tourist destination in Cody, Wyoming. It features a picturesque setting and allows visitors to enjoy the serenity of nature. 

You can enjoy peace and serenity as you spend quality time with your loved ones. You also get the opportunity to ride horses through the mountainous tracks and witness the eye-catching beauty of the surrounding mountains. 

Bill Cody Ranch provides facilities such as restaurants, bars, hiking tracks, fishing, and horse riding. It’s a place where couples can enjoy privacy and easy access to facilities such as restaurants and bars. 

The dedicated staff ensures proper cleaning and sanitization throughout the place. They also provide discount packages for visitors interested in visiting this beautiful ranch owned by John Jelks.

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12. Take A Trip To Yellowstone National Park

If you make it to Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, taking a trip to Yellowstone is a must-do. Yellowstone National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Cody, Wyoming. It’s a place where you can enjoy nature, wildlife, and wildlife sightings.

Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the largest animals on earth, including the famous grizzly bear. The park also features some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America, with incredible views of geysers and other natural wonders.

The destinations like Black Sand Basin, Mud Volcano, Sulfur Caldron, and Yellowstone Falls are a treat to watch. 

It’s also an excellent place for photography, with plenty of stunning views and breathtaking landscapes. The park features eye-catching alpine rivers, lush green forests, grand canyons, hot springs, and an old faithful geyser.

If this is your first time here, we recommend booking a guided tour to get the most out of this beautiful national park. Here are our top picks:

13. Sleeping Giant Zipline

Sleeping Giant Zipline is an excellent zipline spot located at the entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It is a child-friendly fun place that was inaugurated in 2007.

Sleeping Giant Zipline is a beautiful recreational spot. You can spend some amusing moments with your family.

The ziplines have dual rope slides that allow the visitors to make parallel racing competitions with their partners. The zipline slides also provide stunning views of wild animals from the fantastic heights of rope slides. Your kids will never forget this delightful place in Cody, Wyoming.

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14. Shoshone National Forest

Shoshone National Forest is a symbol of spectacular natural beauty and charm. The forest has splendid running rivers and scenic hiking trails that attract visitors globally. 

It’s also a habitat for many wildlife species in Northern Wyoming. The forest fosters a sense of peace and excitement for outdoor activities with stunning peaks and breathtaking canyons. 

You can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, swimming, and mountain biking here. It is an ideal destination with stunning peaks and breathtaking canyons. 

Several tours are available to take you to the famous rafting spots on the Shoshone River. Shoshone River Whitewater Rafting Trip is an excellent option for families with kids.

Visitors can enjoy rafting for an unforgettable experience through the forest’s many hiking trails. If lucky enough, you may also see some wild animals there.

Eycat Lodging Company Guest House is a great place to stay near Shoshone National Forest. It’s only 10 minutes from the forest, so you’ll never have to travel far to enjoy all it offers. 

All cabins have stunning views of the mountains and valley. Others have ample space for families with children. 

All cabins are fully equipped with modern amenities such as electric kettles, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and microwaves.

15. Explore Kirwin Ghost Town

Kirwin Ghost Town is an abandoned and isolated mining town located at an elevated place in Absaroka Mountains. Kirwin used to be a gold and silver mine in the past. 

This historic site is 34 miles southwest of Meeteetse, a town in Wyoming. It’s a small town with only a few buildings left, but exploring it is still fun.

Kirwin ghost town comes in the top ten list of ghost towns in Wyoming. It has some ancient remains that state its existence in the middle ages. People also associate this place with some tragic and horror stories (that may not be true). 

Meeteetse Museums and Meeteetse Chocolatier are some worth-seeing attractions near Kirwin ghost town.

The town is fun for explorers, photographers, and history buffs who enjoy exploring abandoned buildings and exploring new places.

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16. Downtown Cody Shopping

Visiting Cody is incomplete if you don’t take anything back home. The town is a popular tourist destination, and it is known for its museums, art galleries, and historical sites. Cody is also famous for its state-of-the-art wooden furniture.

Many stores in Cody offer unique items that can be found nowhere else. You will find all types of souvenirs available here at reasonable prices.

Many shops in downtown Cody are famous for their products and services. The tourists love to visit the Olive and Pearl shop and purchase coconut wax candles, souvenirs, and ornaments for home decor.

Western Hands is another well-known shop in Cody, Wyoming. It is famous for the items that exhibit western craftsmanship. You can also buy your favorite jewelry, alluring paintings, and different leather items like handbags, jackets, shoes, wallets, etc.

You will surely enjoy the shopping process because there are many exciting things to see in these stores!

17. Cody Dug Up Gun Museum

Cody Dug Up Gun Museum is a well-known museum in midtown Cody, located outside the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The museum exhibits a vast collection of antique weapons and artifacts.

This museum’s unique assets are the vintage firearms and relic guns from the War of Independence, Civil War, and World Wars.

The tourists love to see the antique artillery to have a glimpse of past technology. A label is present with each gun to show the weapons’ details, such as their models and destruction power.

A hardworking couple, Hanse and Eva Kurth, have the honor of opening the Cody Dug Up Museum. It took them 38 years to discover and collect more than 1300 ancient weapons, including swords, knives, and relic guns.

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18. Drive Through Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, also known as Wyoming Highway 296, is 46 miles long byway that connects Cody town with the Beartooth Highway. It also leads to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is a beautiful road that traverses through the heart of Wyoming. The route offers scenic views and interesting spots. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wyoming. 

The road runs across Heart Mountain and offers numerous opportunities to view wildlife, flora, and fauna from a distance. The byway also leads to the scenic Sunlight Creek Bridge, the highest bridge in Cody, Wyoming.

The eye-catching views of Heart Mountain from this scenic route are a treat to watch for visitors. Visitors can take out their cameras and capture the alluring landscape beauty in the surrounding area.

19. Take Pictures At Dead Indian Summit Overlook For Instagram 

Dead Indian Summit overlook is one of the favorite destinations for visitors in Cody, Wyoming, for great pictures. 

It is the mountain place where Chief Joseph climbed down with his soldiers to avoid loss during the Nez Perce Wars.

It is the most worth seeing spot at the elevated point of Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. The tourists love capturing the charming beauty of sweeping mountains and attractive valleys. 

You will see two beautiful statues of Indians riding on horseback at the peak of the place. It is a perfect place for photographers to capture the photos of the sculptures. 

The views of grazing deer, squirrels, and other animals are a bonus with the stunning surrounding views.

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20. Go Skiing at the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area

Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area is a reputed skiing spot near the Shoshone National Forest in Cody, Wyoming. It connects the Red Lodge and Yellowstone National Park.

Beartooth Basin welcomes a significant crowd of tourists and visitors during the summer weather. They all visit this place to enjoy skiing sport.

The skiing enthusiasts dare to exhibit their skiing and snowboarding skills in this tremendous resort, spreading over 600 acres. 

The ski area remains closed in cozy winters due to the risks of avalanche disasters. So, make sure to check the weather before you arrive here.

21. Heart Mountain Interpretive Center

Heart Mountain Relocation Center is a must-see to learn about one of the many chapters in US history. It is an outstanding visitor interpretation center, located a short distance from Cody to the Powell.

It is located at an old confinement site where more than 14,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II.

You must include this place in your bucket list if you ever visit Cody, Wyoming. Heart Mountain Interpretive Center has old photographs, artifacts, and oral histories. You can learn about the detained Japanese Americans through the records there.

You can take a walking path through the center to explore the ancient remains of the camp. You can also see the historic hospital grounds and barracks.

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