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- So Many Things To Do In Laramie, Wyoming
Wyoming has plenty of fun and pretty towns, but Laramie is an interesting city to visit for those curious about the old American West while exploring some of Wyoming’s natural beauty. The historic downtown district has plenty of buildings that tell the story of this town’s Wild West history since it was founded in 1868.
Laramie was considered a ‘hell on wheels’ town while it was the end of the track on the Union Pacific Railroad route and drew in some unsavory, lawless characters. Today, Laramie is best known for being a university town with great outdoor recreation available thanks to its Rocky Mountain location. There are many things to do in Laramie, WY, no matter your interests.
UPDATE: 2023/09/10 09:07 EST BY LANE VASQUEZ
So Many Things To Do In Laramie, Wyoming
Travelers looking for things to do in Laramie, WY won't run out of adventures; the city has adventures for outdoors lovers, history buffs, and more.
Things To Do
Wyoming has some great places to visit, from hot springs to charming small towns and dude ranches — and Laramie has some of the best activities the state has to offer.
1 Visit The American Heritage Museum
Something interesting to do while in Laramie is to see the American Heritage Museum. Here, visitors can explore the University of Wyoming's repository of manuscripts, rare books, and the university archives.
This museum features outdoor areas to relax in, making it perfect for an afternoon stop.
Visitors will notice throughout Laramie that there is a sense of patriotic pride, including in historical locations.
2 Wyoming Women's History House
Another historic thing to do in Laramie is visit the Wyoming Women's History House. Here, guests can learn more about the achievements of 13 women from the state of Wyoming. This is a great location for anyone interested in female achievement and empowerment and is a top-rated site in the state.
- The hours for this museum are Monday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 4 PM. The museum is closed on Sundays.
3 Head To Medicine Bow National Forest
There are some great hiking trails for visitors to enjoy while exploring Laramie. One of the first stops for nature lovers in Laramie is the Medicine Bow National Forest, which features hiking, fishing, camping, waterfalls, and scenic opportunities.
Also referred to as Medicine Bow-Routte National Forest, this is a popular destination in Wyoming, providing residents and tourists ample space to enjoy the beautiful weather.
4 Snowy Range Mountains
The trails in the Snowy Range Mountains, one of WY's six, are probably some of the most popular in the Laramie area. There are over 100 alpine lakes with incredible views, and trails are well-posted here. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway makes the trails easily accessible by car. It also offers excellent skiing in the wintertime.
- Address: 3254 HWY-130, Centennial, WY 82055
5 Check Out Vedauwoo
Vedauwoo is an outdoor recreation area known for its stunning scenery and numerous activities like hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. This recreational hot spot is located about ten minutes east of Laramie, so a short drive away.
- Visitors should expect to pay $5 to access Vedauwoo.
- Address: Buford, WY
6 Happy Jack And Pole Mountains
Making up part of the Medicine Bow National Forest, Happy Jack and Pole Mountains have several great trails to explore, ranging from .4 miles to three miles. It’s also possible to cross-country ski here during the winter.
- Address: Forest Rd 719A, Laramie, WY 82070
7 Ride Horses In Laramie
There are several guest ranches in Laramie where visitors can explore the incredible, scenic landscape around the Rockies on horseback. These companies offer horseback riding tours in the area:
- Equestrian Center at Ark Regional Services
- Spur Ridge Equestrian Community
- Stonehouse Boarding
- Ranwell Equine Center
- On A String Inc.
8 Visit Historic Downtown Laramie
The downtown area is full of buildings that date back to the mid-1800s when the town was founded—Discover Laramie's interesting past as a Wild West Town on the Union Pacific Railway route.
- Address: 115 E Ivinson Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
What is Laramie Wyoming famous for? One of its highlights is the downtown area; in 2022, Laramie won an award for having a great Main Street.
9 Visit The University Of Wyoming
This university was established in 1886, and the campus grounds are worth exploring during a visit. While visiting during the fall, try and catch a college game at the War Memorial Stadium.
- Address: 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071
10 Explore Artisans' Gallery
There are a number of galleries in Laramie where local art from across Albany County is celebrated and exhibited. There are murals downtown that can be explored by visitors too.
This gallery features nearly 59 fine artists and crafters from Wyoming, including Mark McNierney, Jeffrey Hummel, Paul Tweedy, Jenaie Schlump, and countless others.
- 215 S. 2nd St.Laramie, WY 82070
11 View Gallery West & Frame
Another great spot for viewing local art is Gallery West & Frame. Here, tourists can explore local artists and their work, much of which is based on the stunning mountains surrounding Laramie. Wyoming is home to some of the nation's most beautiful mountain ranges (Pinedale is a gateway to the largest of them), so expect to see many pieces in this gallery influenced by them.
- 121 E. Ivinson Ave. Laramie, WY 82070
12 The University Of Wyoming Art Museum
The next spot to head to for those wanting to view art is the University of Wyoming's Art Museum. Here, visitors to Laramie, Wyoming, can view world-class art and objects by regional, national, and international artists.
- 2111 E. Willett Dr. Laramie, WY 82071
Laramie is filled with art galleries, which someone may want to spend a few hours at. Therefore, doing an art gallery "crawl" could be fun, heading to each one in a single day.
13 Best Time To Visit Laramie
Laramie has outdoor recreation available all year round, so the best time to visit will depend on what visitors hope to do. In general, the most popular time of year for visitors is in the summer and the fall, but the winter has its perks too.
Summer temperatures can range between the mid-40s to the mid-80s, and it's a great time to enjoy some hiking, mountain biking, and camping. The Laramie Farmer’s Market is a popular attraction during this time of year on a Friday afternoon.
Fall temperatures can range from the mid-40s to the mid-60s, and is also a popular time of year to visit for outdoor recreation; travelers love to see the changing colors of the season.
It’s a big time of year for hunting and fishing. It’s also football season, so a great time of year to catch a game at the University of Wyoming War Memorial stadium. Winter temperatures range from the teens to the mid-40s, and is a great time to visit for snow sports. The snowy range ski area is a great place to visit.
14 Best Ways To Get Around Laramie
There are a number of ways to get around Laramie. Taxi and Uber are some of the most popular options, and here are two local taxi companies available.
Snowy Range Taxi, LLC
- Address: 82070, Laramie, WY 82070
Laramie Taxi
- 1856 W Harrison St, Laramie, WY 82072
Car rental is also possible from the regional airport in Laramie as well as Toyota of Laramie Car Rental. There is also a free on-call public transportation service called SafeRide which is available to locals, students, and staff of the University of Wyoming as well as visitors to the city.
It operates late at night and on weekends and can be contacted through the SafeRide App or can be contacted by phone. The University of Wyoming also operates a free bus service during the weekday, and schedule and route information can be accessed on their website.
The historical downtown area is a great place to explore on foot as there are many attractions, restaurants, and breweries to visit in this area. Renting a bike or e-scooter is also a popular option for visitors exploring the town.
15 Where To Eat In Laramie, Wyoming
From big American breakfasts to steakhouses and bars, there are plenty of places to grab great food and drinks in Laramie and also get a taste of the town’s Western hospitality.
Great Breakfasts in Laramie
- J's Prairie Rose, The Good Egg - Laramie, Turtle Rock Coffee & Café
Fabulous lunches in Laramie
- Born In A Barn, Sweet Melissa, Crowbar & Grill
Delicious dinners in Laramie
- Wyoming's Rib & Chop House-Laramie, Lovejoy's Bar & Grill, Cavalryman Steakhouse
Great coffee shops in Laramie
- Coal Creek Coffee Uptown, Grounds Internet & Coffee Lounge, Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
Fun bars in Laramie
- Buckhorn Bar & Parlor, Front Street Tavern, Bud's Bar
16 Where To Stay In Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie has plenty of hotel and motel options close to all the action in the city.
For travelers looking to take in some of the countryside and Rocky Mountain views, there are some guest ranches that offer great outdoor activities to soak in all the nature surrounding the city.
Wyoming has some incredible places to stay, and Laramie doesn't disappoint.
Highly Rated Hotels In Laramie
- Room rates at Hilton Garden Inn Laramie start from $109 per night
- Amenities: Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center
- Address: 2229 Grand Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
- Room rates at Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse start from $159 per night
- Amenities: Restaurant, free parking, free Wi-Fi
- Address: 2750 WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055
Best Western Laramie Inn & Suites
- Room rates at Best Western Laramie Inn & Suites start from $80 per night
- Amenities: Free breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center
- Address: 1767 N Banner Rd, Laramie, WY 82072
Budget hotels In Laramie Wyoming
- Room rates at Days Inn by Wyndham Laramie start from $59 per night
- Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, hot tub
- Address: 1368 N McCue St, Laramie, WY 82072
- Room rates at Travelodge by Wyndham Laramie start from $44 per night
- Amenities: Restaurant, free parking
- Address: 421 Boswell Dr, Laramie, WY 82070
- Room rates at Laramie Valley Inn Hotel start from $55 per night
- Amenities: Kitchen in rooms, restaurant
- Address: 1104 S 3rd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Guest Ranches In Laramie
- Bed and breakfast with horseback ride start from $200 per person
- Amenities: fireplace, dance hall, hot tub
- Address: 4880 N. County Rd. 59, Livermore, CO 80536
- Cabin rentals at Rebel Ranch start from $118 per night
- Amenities: Hiking trails, e-bikes, mountain bikes, snowmobiles
- Address: 33 Fox Creek Rd.Laramie, WY 82070
Vee Bar Guest Ranch; Contact Vee Bar for details on cost and availability
- Amenities: hiking, fishing, river tubing, trap shooting, camping, herding cattle, hayrides
- Address: 38 Vee Bar Ranch Rd. Laramie, WY 82070
17 Tips For Visiting Laramie, Wyoming
Is Laramie Wyoming worth visiting? Residents and past visitors will agree that it is!
Laramie is the seat of Albany County in Wyoming and is mainly known for its Western history and culture. It’s also big on outdoor recreation, so one of the best things to do in Laramie, Wyoming is explore the ranches.
Laramie has guest ranches where visitors can stay to get a taste of cowboy culture and adventures on Wyoming's mountain ranges, which offer hiking in the summer and fall, and snow sports in the winter.
The city is full of restaurants, shops, and breweries to explore and things to do that help visitors develop an understanding of the great history of this city and its importance on the Union Pacific Railroad route in the 1860s.
In terms of getting to Laramie, the closest major airport to the city is Denver International Airport. From here, travelers can also get connecting flights to Laramie Regional Airport.
- Denver International Airport is also about a 2-hour and 15-minute drive away from Laramie for those who want to rent a car.
Laramie Regional Airport offers a one-direct flight to Denver at present with United Airlines/SkyWest Airlines. It’s possible to rent a car in Laramie Regional Airport with Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
- The city is accessible by car through Interstate 80, and the Greyhound bus company offers service to Laramie starting from $32.
18 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Laramie
Start off with a great breakfast from J’s Prairie Rose before taking a scenic drive to the Snowy Range Mountain for some outdoor excursions — hike some of the trails here and enjoy the view.
For lunch, head to Born in a Barn for some stand-up American burgers.
Now it’s time to explore the downtown area. Enjoy the historical main street and check out some of the gift shops, coffee houses, and breweries. For dinner, it has to be steak, so head to the Cavalryman Steakhouse for some of the best food in town. Wind the evening down with a drink in Bud’s Bar.