17 Must-Do Summer Entertainment and Interactive Experiences
Sure, the weather may be chilly right now, but we’re already thinking about another amazing summer in Cody Yellowstone. After all, this is only place in the world where you can see Buffalo Bill Cody perform a perfect pirouette, hear the haunting call of an American kestrel named Freyja, observe the stylized athleticism of brave bronc riders and chuckle at not-so-subtle antics of gun-toting good guys and bad guys.
When summer arrives in northwestern Wyoming, so do the cowboy crooners, the rodeo performers, the actors, and the interpreters. And they all come ready to share their talents and passions with you. So if a trip to Cody, Wyoming is part of your upcoming summer vacation plans, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 18 must-do summer activities to check out during your visit!
A Quick Note Before We Get Started
Safety is always top of mind here in Cody Yellowstone. That’s why we’re proud to let you know that all of Cody’s live entertainment and interactive attractions have implemented Covid-related protocols to keep guests safe. If you have any questions or concerns, we suggest reaching out to the attractions you’re planning on visiting directly.
Okay, here’s what you can expect this summer!
The Cody Nite Rodeo
(Photo:@jane.seibert.photography)
It’s not a summer in Cody Yellowstone without a visit to the Cody Nite Rodeo. With nightly performances all summer long, this patently Western experience was inspired by Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show more than a century ago.
The Wild West Spectacular
(Photo: @TheCodyTheatre)
For six weeks every summer, audiences are wowed by the Wild West Spectacular. This musical extravaganza explores the legend of Buffalo Bill Cody and has been a hit with locals and visitors alike. The production, featuring talented dancers and singers from around the region, is celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2021.
The Cody Cattle Company
What’s better than dinner and a show? The Cody Cattle Company offers up daily chuckwagon dinners and live musical performances by award-winning musician Ryan Martin and the Triple C Cowboys band.
The Legendary Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue
A summer in Cody without a visit to the Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue is hardly a summer at all! This mighty musical show is hosted by the charmingly self-deprecating Dan Miller, who, along with his talented band, have been entertaining Cody audiences for more than 15 years. Family-friendly and fun, fun, fun! This hour-long production includes songs, comedy, and cowboy poetry.
Live Music in Yellowstone National Park
Looking for a one-of-a-kind venue to take in your next concert? How about in the wide-open spaces of Yellowstone National Park? Several of the park hotels offer live musical entertainment on select days throughout the summer.
The Wild Bunch Gunfighters
The Wild Bunch Gunfighters put the “wild” in “Wild West”! This free, family-friendly show is performed outside the famous Irma Hotel throughout the summer. The performers entertain audiences with Western-themed good guys/bad guys skits that feature gunfights and a strong gun safety message.
Concerts in the Park
Every Thursday evening throughout July and August, the free Concerts in the Park series takes place at the City Park bandshell. Fun, family-friendly, and sure to get your toes tapping, these concerts are always a hit, whether it’s your first time or your 50th!
Famous and Infamous Women of the West
If you love live performances, you’ll want to check out Famous and Infamous Women of the West: Cody Monologues. This one-act play staged at the Studio Theatre at CCPA for two weeks in August tells the stories of some of the more colorful women of Cody.
Draper Museum Raptor Experience
(Photo: Center of the West)
Get an up-close look at some of Wyoming’s most recognized predators at the Draper Museum Raptor Experience. This live raptor education program, which takes place at one of five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, is sure to captivate guests of all ages.
By Western Hands Museum & Gallery
At By Western Hands Museum & Gallery, you can watch artists at work during live demonstrations and workshops staged by some of the region’s most talented artists — including furniture-makers, leather-workers, and metalworkers. By Western Hands is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Western design and craftsmanship.
Heart Mountain Pilgrimage
Taking place every July, the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage showcases the heart-wrenching history of the Heart Mountain Confinement Site, where thousands of Japanese-American were confined during World War II. Staged by Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center, the multi-day event includes special exhibits, films, lectures, and tours.
Cody Trolley Tour
The one-hour interactive Cody Trolley Tour features guides in period costumes who tell the story of Cody while passing historic sites like the Buffalo Bill Dam and the Irma Hotel.
Scout Saddle Company
At the Scout Saddle Company, you can watch a master saddler hard at work in a replica of a 1920s saddle shop. Located within the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, watching these saddlers create functional works of art is a fascinating experience.
Buffalo Bill Museum Exclusive Guided Tours
(Photo: Center of the West)
Want a more in-depth look at the Center of the West? Enjoy the Buffalo Bill Museum Exclusive Guided Tours. These private experiences feature a knowledgeable guide who recounts the remarkable life and times of Buffalo Bill Cody while guiding you through the Buffalo Bill Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Cody Firearms Museum Exclusive Guided Tours
(Photo: Center of the West)
On a Cody Firearms Museum Exclusive Guided Tours, your small group is taken through the Cody Firearms Museum on a private tour. Here, you’ll have a chance to see more than 10,000 artifacts on display in recently redesigned galleries at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Scenic Boat Tours
On a two-hour Scenic Boat Tours of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, you’ll learn about the region’s history, geology, and wildlife.
Live National Park Service Ranger Talks
Over at Yellowstone National Park, a wide variety of live ranger talks take place all summer long. There are a wide range of topics covered, including the park’s geothermal features, history, and wildlife.
And that’s only a taste of everything waiting in Cody Yellowstone this summer. The only thing missing, is you! It’s never too early to start planning your summer getaway. To get started, check out everything there is to see and do right here in Cody Yellowstone.
We’re looking forward to seeing you here this summer!
