History & Museums

The museums feature the western photography of Charles Belden and exhibits on the endangered black-footed farrets, the grizzlies "Little Wahb" and "Big Joe," information about the Ghost Town of Kirwin and artifacts from Meeteetse's past.

Shoot the guns that won the west! From flintlock to full-auto. Instructor led experience covering history, safety and live fire. Over 50 firearms. Indoor range, kids arcade and wildlife exhibit. Indoor axe throwing.

Discounts for military and seniors.

Open daily during the summer 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

October to April – Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m to 7 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Over 40 years ago Lee Smith began building a multi-story log house in wildlife-rich Wapiti Valley by hand, a process that lasted until he fell to his death from the roof in 1992 at the age of 48. We locals have many names for that lonely, decrepit house – the Smith Mansion and Pagoda House are the kindest references. Some people just call it the Crazy House. Anyone who drives through Wapiti Valley has seen this structure perched on a hill on the south side of the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. It’s rambling five stories are accented – seemingly randomly — with protruding staircases, precarious balconies and shattered windows. Even though it never had electricity, it was the home where Smith lived with his wife and two children. In the early 1992 Smith stepped up work on the structure, creating additional meandering rooms that featured architectural accents like elk antlers and random containers made from metal scraps. His projects often took him to the roof and upper floors where he worked without safety tethers. On a windy April day in 1992, he fell and died.

Stroll through history while viewing more than thousand relic guns and other weapons from many different time periods and locations.

The Cody Heritage Museum covers the history of the town and surrounding area. Focus areas include: Town founding, early area businesses, Ranching/Farming/Agriculture, Oil & Gas/Railroads, Tourism/Rodeo/Cowboys and Early Cody Families.

The Irma Hotel has been a town institution since it first welcomed guests on November 1, 1902. Colonel William F. Cody named this Victorian-style hotel for his daughter, Irma, and today, you'll find it on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the years, The Irma has played host to royalty, political leaders, celebrities, and business magnates alike. Here, you can stay in beautifully renovated rooms that have housed some of the most famous personalities the world has ever known — or even spend the night in Buffalo Bill’s private suite. If you're feeling hungry, make your way to the dining room, where there are plenty of delicious meals on the menu. This is also where you can catch a glimpse of the hotel's priceless cherry wood bar — a gift from Queen Victoria to Buffalo Bill.

The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate housing FIVE incredible, family-friendly museums, plus a research library, under ONE roof! The Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and McCracken Research Library - connecting people to the American West through history, culture, art, natural science, authentic chuckwagon dinners, live birds of prey shows, special events, expert talks, and customized exclusive tours. Center admission is good for TWO days!

By Western Hands is an artisan gallery and exhibit hall. The mission is to educate, conserve and perpetuate Western functional art and design.