The Top 10 Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming

Set on the eastern edge of Yellowstone country, Cody is a place where Western history feels close enough to touch, and where a day’s plans can range from museum galleries to backcountry roads. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance, this quaint Wyoming town abounds with frontier history, Old West culture and must-see attractions worthy of its legendary namesake. This is the rodeo capital of the world—a place where infamous outlaws made their mark, where gold-rush ghost towns hide in the vast wilderness and where herds of wild mustangs still roam free.

Hankering for your own great American adventure? Read on for our roundup of the top 10 things to do in Cody, Wyoming.

1. Buffalo Bill Center of the West

• Where: 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody
• Highlights: This Smithsonian Affiliate institution is actually five museums rolled into one: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum and Draper Natural History Museum.
• Travel Tip: Admission is good for two days, giving you plenty of time to fully explore everything the extensive, seven-acre campus has to offer.

The spirit of the West is alive and well in the Cowboy State—perhaps nowhere more than at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. When it comes to fun things to do in Cody, Wyoming, this is a top stop for first-timers. Named in honor of the legendary Col. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the sprawling, seven-acre campus is home to five distinct museums, each offering a fascinating glimpse into life on the American frontier.

Start at the Buffalo Bill Museum to take a walk through the life of the man himself, along with other larger-than-life characters like Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull and Pawnee Bill. Learn the stories of the Native American tribes who have called this land home for millennia at the Plains Indian Museum. Explore Wyoming’s outlaw past through more than 10,000 artifacts at the Cody Firearms Museum, the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States. 

Browse one of the largest curated collections of Western art anywhere in the world at the Whitney Western Art Museum, or get a hands-on look at the dynamic landscapes, wildlife and plant life of the Greater Yellowstone region at the Draper Natural History Museum.

2. Old Trail Town

• Where: 1831 Demaris Drive, Cody
• Highlights: Home to the grave of mountain man Jeremiah “Liver-Eating” Johnson, as well as Butch Cassidy’s infamous Hole-in-the-Wall Cabin.
• Travel Tip: This seasonal experience is open daily from May 15 to September 30.

If Cody’s world-class museums offer a glimpse into the town’s storied past, Old Trail Town is an opportunity to step back in time to experience the Wild West firsthand. This immersive, historian-recreated village is among the most iconic of Cody, Wyoming attractions, comprising 26 heritage structures dating from 1879 to 1901. 

These aren’t replicas—every building at Old Trail Town is an original historical structure, carefully disassembled and moved from locations across Wyoming and as far away as Montana. Stroll down the dusty Main Street to the Hole-in-the-Wall Cabin, a one-time hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. Visit the grave of legendary mountain man Jeremiah “Liver-Eating” Johnson. Explore a blacksmith’s shop, livery stable and one-room schoolhouse—each one central to day-to-day life on the American frontier.

Not only can you take a closer look at the buildings themselves, but the street you’re strolling down is just as significant; in this very spot, Buffalo Bill first drew up plans for the town that would one day bear his name.

3. Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant

• Where: 1192 Sheridan Avenue, Cody
• Highlights: Enjoy free live performances by the Cody Gunfighters on the front porch of the Irma Hotel, held nightly, Monday through Saturday from June to September.
• Travel Tip: Opt for one of the hotel’s historical rooms for a taste of authentic Old West hospitality.

Buffalo Bill proclaimed The Irma Hotel & Restaurant “just the sweetest hotel that ever was” when it first opened its doors in 1902. More than a century later, not much has changed at this beautifully restored historic property on Sheridan Avenue. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel has long been Cody’s go-to destination for hearty dining (their prime rib is famous for a reason), classic cocktails and, for out-of-towners, a comfortable place to hang your hat in for the night.

Named after Buffalo Bill’s youngest daughter, The Irma abounds with historic charm. Take in thrilling reenactments of the town’s Wild West heyday on the front porch on summer evenings, courtesy of the Cody Gunfighters. Pull up a stool at the priceless cherrywood bar—a gift to the Old West showman from none other than Queen Victoria herself. And keep your eyes peeled for spectral sightings—with so much history, it’s perhaps unsurprising that The Irma is frequently listed among the most haunted places in the Cowboy State.

4. Kirwin Ghost Town Tours

• Where: Depart from Meeteetse, WY; Kirwin is located roughly 30–40 miles west, near the headwaters of the Wood River
• Highlights: A remarkably well-preserved 19th-century mining town framed by scenic views of the Absaroka Mountains.
• Travel Tip: Be prepared for a rough, bumpy dirt road from Meeteetse to Kirwin. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and be on alert for wildlife.

What if we told you one of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming isn’t actually in Cody, Wyoming? Located a short distance from nearby Meeteetse in the beautiful Absaroka Mountains, Kirwin Ghost Town transports you to Wyoming’s gold rush heyday. The once bustling company town was abandoned in 1907 after a devastating avalanche and the failure of the mine led residents to leave in search of better prospects.

The remaining land and structures tell their own beautiful, sad story. Explore what remains of the general store, mine office, cabins, boarding house and hotel, with tools and other belongings left virtually untouched since the last resident moved on more than a century ago. 

Among the more rugged Cody, Wyoming attractions, Kirwin is well worth setting aside a whole day to experience—with so much to explore, you won’t want to rush. Your best bet to see the sights? Opt for an ATV tour through the terrain, with local outfitters offering both guided and self-guided options.

5. Cody Nite Rodeo

• Where: 519 West Yellowstone Avenue, Cody
• Highlights: Enjoy roughstock events like bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, along with barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and junior rodeo events for young cowpokes.
• Travel Tip: While seating is general admission, it’s worth arriving early to snag a spot in the “Buzzard’s Roost” for a unique view directly above the bucking chutes

If the question is what to do in Cody, Wyoming, the answer has to be rodeo. After all, Cody is known as the rodeo capital of the world—and for good reason. The town is home to the Cody Nite Rodeo, the longest-running nightly rodeo in the United States.

Operating every night throughout the summer from June 1 through August 31, this can’t-miss event features a rotating lineup of traditional Western competitions for both professionals and amateurs alike, including roughstock events like bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, along with barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and more. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show begins at 8:00 pm; arrive early and you might be lucky enough to snag a seat in the “Buzzard’s Roost” directly above the bucking chutes where the riders mount their animals. You can even get a lesson in how to rope like a pro, try your skills on a mechanical bull or get your picture taken with the real deal: the famous Mongo the Bull. Come on down for an evening you won’t forget.

6. The Cody Cattle Company

• Where: 1910 Demaris Drive, Cody
• Highlights: Scoot your boots to traditional cowboy tunes, country hits and interactive live performances from award-winning musicians Ryan Martin and the Triple C Cowboys.
• Travel Tip: The Trifecta Ticket package includes dinner and show, plus admission to the Cody Nite Rodeo, located just 400 yards away.

The perfect complement to an evening of nonstop rodeo action, The Cody Cattle Company offers a premier dinner-and-a-show experience, just a stone’s throw from the Cody Nite Rodeo grounds. Gather 'round the guitar and fiddle, sing along to some Western favorites and dine on a Chuckwagon-style buffet befitting a true cowpoke.

Featuring live performances from award-winning musicians Ryan Martin and the Triple C Cowboys, the evening includes a blend of traditional Western tunes, country hits and interactive numbers. It’s the perfect pre-show for an evening of rodeo fun. The best part? With their Trifecta Ticket package, you can bundle dinner and a show with your rodeo admission—that’s two of the top things to do in Cody, WY for one great price.

7. Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tours

• Where: Depart from 1119 12th Street, Cody
• Highlights: Glimpse herds of free-roaming mustangs (and other native wildlife like pronghorn antelope) in a spectacular, high-desert landscape.
• Travel Tip: Book tours for early morning or late afternoon when the weather is cooler and horses are more active.

It’s hard to think of an image more emblematic of the American West than the horse. Just 20 miles east of Cody, the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area is home to a thriving herd of wild mustangs, who roam free across Wyoming’s stark badlands, rugged canyons and rolling foothills. 

If you’ve never seen them before, you’re in for a treat. Book a Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tour with Cody Wyoming Adventures and venture into the unspoiled wilderness with the help of an expert local guide. Glimpse wild mustangs in their natural habitat, learn about the history of wild horses in the area and marvel at the natural beauty of this incredible landscape. 

As with many things in life, timing is everything: book your tour for either early morning, around sunrise, or late evening, around sunset. Herds are more active during these cooler parts of the day, and amateur photographers will appreciate the added beauty of golden hour for capturing these magnificent creatures in action.

8. Cody Dug Up Gun Museum

• Where: 1020 12th Street, Cody
• Highlights: Explore Wyoming’s gunslinger past through a collection of over 1,000 relic firearms archaeologically recovered from local historical sites.
• Travel Tip: Open seasonally from May through September, this free museum operates on a donation basis and is walkable to The Irma Hotel.

Cody, Wyoming was once the stomping ground of outlaws, mavericks and renegades, so it’s no surprise that firearms have played an outsize role in its history. Take an unvarnished look at the town’s gunslinger past at the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum. Open seasonally from May through September, this free museum features a unique collection of more than 1,000 relic firearms, most of them displayed in the same rough-and-ready condition they were found.

Take a deep dive into the history of firearms in the Wild West. Learn how they have evolved from early American eras like the Gold Rush and War of Independence to the Civil War and Indian Wars, all the way through to the roaring 20s. Marvel at rare finds like a 50-caliber Smith carbine and brass-barreled pistols, and learn the stories of how they came to be in the museum’s possession from curator and owner Hans Kurtz.

9. Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center

• Where: 1539 Road 19, Powell, WY
• Highlights: Learn about the stories of over 14,000 Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated here during World War II through interactive exhibits.
• Travel Tip: Download the Heart Mountain Augmented Reality Experience app, which virtually reconstructs original camp buildings at 16 designated stops using your smartphone’s camera.

There’s more to the history of Cody, Wyoming than just the Wild West. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center tells the story of the more than 14,000 Japanese Americans forcibly removed from the West Coast and incarcerated at Heart Mountain following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Explore immersive exhibits featuring historic photographs, original writings and oral histories from survivors. Walk through a full-scale replica of the cramped barracks where ordinary American citizens spent more than three years unjustly incarcerated. And use the Heart Mountain Augmented Reality Experience app to view the camp as it would have looked during its operation, with AR renderings of original camp buildings at 16 designated stops—a powerful testament to this sobering chapter in American history.

10. Cody Trolley Tours

• Where: Depart from the front porch of the Irma Hotel, 1192 Sheridan Avenue, Cody
• Highlights: The tour includes stops at the Irma Hotel, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town and the Cody Nite Rodeo grounds.
• Travel Tip: Tours sell out quickly during peak season. Bundle your ticket with admission to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for added value.

Glimpses of the Cowboy State’s Old West heritage are never far away. In Cody, connecting with Wyoming history is as easy as hopping on the trolley. Cody Trolley Tours is a local, family-owned business that offers a convenient way to experience top Cody, Wyoming attractions through an hourlong, 22-mile narrated tour of the town’s fascinating history and contemporary charms.

Hop on board just out front of The Irma Hotel and let an expert local guide show you around. Stops along the way include Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town, the Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir and the Cody Nite Rodeo grounds. Trolley tours run multiple times per day, with seats booking up quickly during peak season, so book early to avoid disappointment. Better yet, bundle your ticket with admission to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for an unforgettable Cody experience at exceptional value.

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Follow the Spirit of the West to Cody, WY

From world-class museums to action-packed nightly rodeos, the variety of things to do in Cody, Wyoming truly captures the spirit of the American West. Whether you're exploring the life of Cody’s namesake at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West or venturing out to see wild mustangs in the splendor of McCullough Peaks, come discover why Cody is  an essential stop on any Wyoming itinerary—start planning your adventure today.