Here’s What to Do in Cody Yellowstone if You Only Have a Day
We’ll come right out and say it: one day isn’t enough time to properly play in Cody Yellowstone. But the realities of life can sometimes get in the way of playtime. With many options for outdoorsy, cultural, family-friendly, and Western-centric experiences, narrowing those adventures down to just a single day of fun is entirely doable.
So, if that’s all the time you have, here’s what to do and where to dine in this wild Northwestern Wyoming playground.
If Getting Dirty is in Your DNA
Hike, drive, or paddle the day away for a full day of outside fun
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Cody Yellowstone. You can explore over 1,100 miles of mapped hiking trails in Yellowstone or opt for numerous trails in and around the town of Cody.
For an adrenaline rush, rent a Utility Vehicle (UTV) from Treads N Trails and go off-roading in the remote locations of McCullough Peaks, Spirit Mountain, Oregon Basin, Red Lakes, Clarks Fork Canyon, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, or Kirwin Ghost Town.
Indulge in Water Activities
Enjoy the waterways surrounding Cody Yellowstone by rafting, paddling, or boating. The scenic Shoshone River offers exciting rafting trips, while Buffalo Bill Reservoir in Buffalo Bill State Park provides opportunities for boating and windsurfing.
Unwind with a Picturesque Picnic
For lunch or dinner, enjoy a leisurely picnic. Food tastes even better when you’re outside, and there are numerous places like campgrounds and parks to enjoy a picnic lunch or supper throughout the region. Cody restaurants such as Annie’s Soda Saloon & Café can pack a complete picnic for vacationers on the go.
If You Want to Immerse Yourself in Culture, History and Art
There’s a reason Cody Yellowstone has been called one of the Best Historic Towns and a top art town. This tiny town with a full-time population of only 10,000 offers a surprisingly huge array of choices for art, history and culture fans. Here are some ideas:
Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Plan to spend several hours at this world-renowned cultural and educational facility with five museums under one roof. Frequently named one of the top Western art museums, the Whitney Western Art Museum features works by famous Western artists such as Charlie Russell, Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran and many others. From a window in the museum, visitors can see the dramatic sculpture by famed sculptress Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney of Buffalo Bill Cody astride his steed. Other museums include the Plains Indian Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Draper Natural History Museum and Cody Firearms Museum.
By Western Hands Museum & Gallery. Don’t miss this non-profit attraction that showcases Western design and functional art. With galleries, exhibits and workshop space, the destination is dedicated to preserving Western functional art and design by highlighting the work of Western artists of the past and present.
Cody Trolley Tour. The one-hour Cody Trolley Tour is guided by fun and funny guides who tell stories of Cody’s Wild West past as well as some of the town’s historic landmarks.
Old Trail Town/Museum of the West. This fascinating attraction features an enclave of 27 authentic buildings that have been moved from throughout the region and restored and reassembled to mimic an Old West town. Structures include Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Cabin. There’s also a cemetery that includes mountain man Jeremiah Johnston’s grave.
Dine in Historic Ambiance
Dine at the Irma Hotel. Built by Buffalo Bill Cody and named for his daughter Irma, the Irma Hotel offers a prime rib buffet dinner that has been called the best prime rib in Wyoming. Have a pre-dinner cocktail at the Cherrywood bar in the dining room. It was gifted to Buffalo Bill by England’s Queen Victoria after he performed his Wild West Show for her Golden Jubilee.
If You Love Cowboy Culture
In Cody, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear your cowboy boots and hats with pride. In fact, we encourage it. Here are some places you’ll feel right at home in your Western attire:
Pahaska Tepee. Located near the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Pahaska Tepee was Buffalo Bill Cody’s original hunting lodge. Here he hosted royalty and other famous guests with hunts by day and tall tales in the evening. You can explore the hunting lodge, which has been carefully preserved with original artifacts. Then have lunch at the restaurant and explore the gift shop, jammed full of authentic art as well as vacation keepsakes.
Go horseback riding. Cody Yellowstone is home to the Dude Ranch Association and close to 14 dude and guest ranches. Multiple outfitters and numerous horse-centric establishments offer pony rides, trail rides or multi-day horse-packing trips perfect for multi-generational equestrian fun.
Stay at a dude or guest ranch. Located in some of the most picturesque spots throughout the region, dude or guest ranch vacations bring out the inner cowboy in everyone. Guests can fish – often in the ranch’s own private waters – as well as horseback ride, hike and simply relax in cozy cabins and lodges. Many ranch vacations are all-inclusive and include hearty meals as well as excursions to Yellowstone National Park and in the town of Cody.
Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center. The brainchild of Buffalo Bill Cody, the Buffalo Bill Dam supplies water to the town and the region’s farmers. The tallest dam in the world when it was completed in 1910, a visitor center features a variety of exhibits that show how the dam was built and illustrate the dam’s continuing importance today.
Buffalo Bill Museum. The Buffalo Bill Museum in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is chock full of artifacts and details about the storied life of Buffalo Bill Cody. The museum includes state-of-the-art exhibits as well as authentic displays about the legendary entertainer’s Wild West Show days.
Wild Bunch Show. The nightly Wild Bunch show is entertaining for the whole family, with locals dressed in old-timey costumes performing silly skits about the crazy days of the Wild West.
Cody Cattle Company. This popular chuckwagon dinner and musical show is the place to be if you love songs about the open range and authentic Western food.
Cody Nite Rodeo. Cody is the Rodeo Capital of the World, and the Cody Nite Rodeo is the only nightly summer-season rodeo out there. Fun for the whole family, the Cody Nite Rodeo features a variety of rodeo contests and performances by enthusiastic cowboys and cowgirls.
If You Want a Day of Unplugged Fun with the Kids
Families seeking a day of screen-free fun will find lots of choices in Cody Yellowstone including in-town adventures and outdoor fun along the road to Yellowstone.
Outdoor adventure. Start the day with an outdoor adventure such as fishing with a guide or on your own at the Buffalo Bill Reservoir or along one of the region’s many streams.
Sweet treats. Delight the kids with a stop at the Cowtown Candy Company, the largest candy store in Northwest Wyoming.
Ice cream. Stop at the new Bigg Chill ice cream parlor in downtown Cody. With 16 flavors including classic flavors and adventurous combinations, there’s an ice cream treat for everyone. (Pro tip for the grown-ups: try something from the Boozy Delight Series, featuring blended ice cream and a splash of spirits.)
Raptor Experience. Fun for the whole family, the Raptor Experience at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West features live raptors such as bald eagle, golden eagle and peregrine falcon. Knowledgeable staffers give audiences an up-close look at these impressive birds of prey.
Draper Natural History Museum. This is the best place for families to learn all about Yellowstone National Park – its sights, sounds and even smells. There’s even a kid-friendly scavenger hunt that leads visitors through the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Chuckwagon Dinner. Located at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, families will enjoy an authentic Dutch oven dinner with steak, biscuits, beans and a cobbler dessert. Guests can even help with the cooking if they’d like.
For even more ideas on how to experience Cody Yellowstone if you only have a day, visit www.codyyellowstone.org.
