Corrie’s Top 11 Reasons to Visit Cody/Yellowstone Country
When I mention I live in Cody, Wyoming, people are interested and wonder what there is to see and do here. Many think it is just a town you fly into or drive through to get to Yellowstone. They have no idea what a great place it is. I decided it is time for the Top 11 reasons to visit Cody/Yellowstone Country!
1. Amazing Scenery – We have everything from the most remote wilderness in the lower 48, sage brush deserts, rivers, lush valleys and Yellowstone National Park. There are two spectacular scenic drives outside of Cody, the Beartooth All-American Road and the North Fork Highway. Both are considered to be some of the most scenic drives in America.
2. History – Be sure to jump on the Cody Trolley to learn more about Buffalo Bill and a tour of the area’s historical sites, geology, wildlife and old and new west attractions. In an hour, you will get a hundred years of history! Visit the Cody Mural Visitors Center to learn about the Mormon pioneer’s life in the Big Horn Basin. Tecumseh’s Old West Miniature Village and Museum is a great treasure with a huge diorama of Wyoming and western history.
3. Yellowstone – America’s first National Park is one of the most unique places on earth. From your car, visitors can view wild animals in their natural setting. Not unlike an African safari, you can drive through the vast herds of bison in the Lamar Valley and spot a pack of wolves, coyotes or a grizzly bear.
4. Rodeo – Cody is rodeo! The Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest running nightly rodeo in the country. Contestants compete every night from June 1 to August 31st at Stampede Park. You can watch cowboys compete in roping, bareback and saddle bronc riding and the exciting event of bull riding. This is truly a night of western entertainment.
5. Western Art – There are several wonderful art galleries in Cody. You will find about every type of art from bronzes, oil paintings, watercolors, wildlife photography and furniture. The Whitney Gallery inside the Buffalo Bill Historical Center features the work of Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and Thomas Moran to name a few.
6. Dude Ranch Roots – Dude ranching got its start in the Cody area with the Valley Ranch. Today there are still several dude and guest ranches in the area catering to guests that want to experience the cowboy lifestyle. Most guests stay a couple of days to a week and are able to choose from a variety of activities.
7. Wildlife Viewing – The drive from Cody to the East gate of Yellowstone is beautiful and full of wildlife. Big Horn sheep and bison are known to hang out right on the road. Deer and elk can be spotted in the hayfields in the evenings and on the mountain ridges during the day. If you are looking carefully, you may spot a grizzly bear on the river or a moose! You may even see a fox, coyote or wolf hanging out near Pahaska Tepee, Buffalo Bill’s historic hunting lodge.
8. Buffalo Bill – No one symbolizes the American West better than Buffalo Bill. He was a man of many talents – showman, businessman, hunter and scout. He had great visions for Cody and the surrounding area. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center pays tribute to this legend with a museum solely dedicated to him.
9. Adventure – Outdoor experiences are abundant in Cody/Yellowstone Country. The area is home to tons of trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. To help plan your excursion, check out Sunlight Sports Outdoor Concierge.
10. Western Hospitality – This is cowboy country and with that comes a hospitality you may not have experienced in a while. Don’t be surprised by the relaxed and uncomplicated lifestyle of the folks you meet while visiting.
11. Music – Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue is a Branson-style family variety show. This special evening of music features Americana, bluegrass, songs of the American West and cowboy poetry in the historic Cody Theatre. You can also take in a dinner and live Western music show at the Cody Cattle Company each evening before the rodeo.
There you have it – Corrie N. Cody’s Top 11 reasons to visit Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country! Now you know why you need to plan your next vacation here!
Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!
