Wyoming is overflowing with history, as evidenced by the many museums you’ll find in every corner of our great state and all places in between. Visiting any one of them is not only educational but fascinating as well. They are the places that have preserved the past, allowing a glimpse of Wyoming as it used to be. You could spend years searching out and visiting every interpretive center, gallery, and exhibition hall in the Cowboy State but if you’re looking for a shorter list of must-see museums, these 10 are the ones that should go on your bucket list.
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West, 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody
Katie P/TripAdvisor Buffalo Bill Cody is more than a legend in these parts, so it’s natural that a center devoted to memorializing him and his bigger-than-life Wild West lifestyle is located in the town bearing his name. In addition to all things Buffalo Bill, you’ll also see western art, Native American artifacts from the plainsmen of northern Wyoming, and a whole lot more.
- Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, 4610 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne
alpw/TripAdvisor If you missed Cheyenne Frontier Days (the biggest outdoor rodeo and one of the oldest around), you can catch the spirit any time of year at this museum. There’s a huge collection of wagons and horse-drawn carriages, tons of western art, historical exhibits, activities, and events all connected to Cheyenne’s Frontier Days.
- National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, 1501 North Poplar Street, Casper
DancingNoDancing/TripAdvisor If you’re the type who would rather experience history instead of reading about it, this is the museum for you. Amazing exhibits throughout the 27,000 square feet of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center realistically depict pioneer life, Native American culture, the Pony Express, and so much more.
- Wyoming Frontier Prison, 500 West Walnut, Rawlins
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Learn all you ever wanted to know about the seedier side of Wyoming’s history at this prison that’s been converted into a museum. In addition to touring the cells, solitary confinement, and the Death House, you might also witness some spooky paranormal activity as the Wyoming Frontier Prison is said to be haunted. Click here to read more in our full article.
- The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road, Big Horn
The Brinton Museum/TripAdvisor Located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, you’ll probably want to spend as much time outside of this museum as inside it. Once you do make it in, you can spend hours perusing historical and contemporary artwork (both Western and Native American), books, historic documents, and exquisite American Indian and Old West artifacts.
- Sweetwater County Historical Museum, 3 East Flaming Gorge Way, Green River
Jasperdo/Flickr Housed at this museum is the priceless history of the two most important towns in the county: Rock Springs and Green River. Here, you’ll learn more about the significant trails that led to and through the area, the transcontinental railroad, and more. After your visit, you’ll understand better why it’s been said that these two towns played a crucial role in the history of all of Wyoming.
- Museum of the Mountain Man, 700 E Hennick Street, Pinedale
Phil B/TripAdvisor This museum is all about the age of the trapper in Wyoming. Focusing on the Fur Trade Era as much as the days of homesteaders, the exhibits and artifacts tell the intriguing tale of mountain men and renowned trappers.
- Sheridan County Museum, 850 Sibley Circle, Sheridan
Sheridan County Museum/TripAdvisor Many cultures and events shaped the history of Sheridan County, and they’re all represented here at the county museum. From ranching to mining, Native Americans to the military, the railroad, timber production, and more, you’ll learn all about the people and events that made Sheridan County what it is today.
- National Museum of Wildlife Art, 2820 Rungius Road, Jackson
Mindy McAdams/Flickr Carved into the side of a cliff, this museum building alone is a work of art, as are the entire grounds. Inside, you’ll find an extensive and stunning collection of artwork depicting wildlife from all around the world. Go here to learn more from our full article.
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center, 110 Carter Ranch Road, Thermopolis
Small Living Big World/YouTube With over 30 mounted skeletons, rare fossils, and an on-site dig going on, this is probably the closest you’ll come to a real-life Jurassic Park. Learn more in our full article here.
What Wyoming museums do you love to visit?
Katie P/TripAdvisor
Buffalo Bill Cody is more than a legend in these parts, so it’s natural that a center devoted to memorializing him and his bigger-than-life Wild West lifestyle is located in the town bearing his name. In addition to all things Buffalo Bill, you’ll also see western art, Native American artifacts from the plainsmen of northern Wyoming, and a whole lot more.
alpw/TripAdvisor
If you missed Cheyenne Frontier Days (the biggest outdoor rodeo and one of the oldest around), you can catch the spirit any time of year at this museum. There’s a huge collection of wagons and horse-drawn carriages, tons of western art, historical exhibits, activities, and events all connected to Cheyenne’s Frontier Days.
DancingNoDancing/TripAdvisor
If you’re the type who would rather experience history instead of reading about it, this is the museum for you. Amazing exhibits throughout the 27,000 square feet of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center realistically depict pioneer life, Native American culture, the Pony Express, and so much more.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Learn all you ever wanted to know about the seedier side of Wyoming’s history at this prison that’s been converted into a museum. In addition to touring the cells, solitary confinement, and the Death House, you might also witness some spooky paranormal activity as the Wyoming Frontier Prison is said to be haunted. Click here to read more in our full article.
The Brinton Museum/TripAdvisor
Located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, you’ll probably want to spend as much time outside of this museum as inside it. Once you do make it in, you can spend hours perusing historical and contemporary artwork (both Western and Native American), books, historic documents, and exquisite American Indian and Old West artifacts.
Jasperdo/Flickr
Housed at this museum is the priceless history of the two most important towns in the county: Rock Springs and Green River. Here, you’ll learn more about the significant trails that led to and through the area, the transcontinental railroad, and more. After your visit, you’ll understand better why it’s been said that these two towns played a crucial role in the history of all of Wyoming.
Phil B/TripAdvisor
This museum is all about the age of the trapper in Wyoming. Focusing on the Fur Trade Era as much as the days of homesteaders, the exhibits and artifacts tell the intriguing tale of mountain men and renowned trappers.
Sheridan County Museum/TripAdvisor
Many cultures and events shaped the history of Sheridan County, and they’re all represented here at the county museum. From ranching to mining, Native Americans to the military, the railroad, timber production, and more, you’ll learn all about the people and events that made Sheridan County what it is today.
Mindy McAdams/Flickr
Carved into the side of a cliff, this museum building alone is a work of art, as are the entire grounds. Inside, you’ll find an extensive and stunning collection of artwork depicting wildlife from all around the world. Go here to learn more from our full article.
Small Living Big World/YouTube
With over 30 mounted skeletons, rare fossils, and an on-site dig going on, this is probably the closest you’ll come to a real-life Jurassic Park. Learn more in our full article here.
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