I first visited Cody when I was in high school, staying at Buffalo Bill Court an old western style 'resort' with cabins, a campground, live theater where melodramas were held, chuckwagon dinners, a swimming pool and old western town including an old fashioned tavern.
Buffalo Bill Court had been built and was owned by Buffalo Bill's great grandson, Kit Carson Cody. As it happened, Kit and I met in the old saloon one day while drinking sarsaparillas, got to talking about our adventures and our afternoon meetings in the saloon became a daily thing as our friendship grew.
Sadly, Kit was killed in 2013 when the plane he was piloting crashed in Florida. His younger brother Barry also died in the crash. I'd planned another trip to Cody with my husband and intended to look Kit up but he was killed before I got a chance to return to Cody.
When I did, I found to my horror that Buffalo Bill Court was gone too. It was now a big cement parking lot. Thankfully, the rest of Cody appeared to be mostly unchanged.
The namesake of this small town would be William Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill. Scattered throughout the townscape are statues, museums, and even the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.
The other reason to check out Cody will be if you love rodeos. Since it is the Rodeo Capital of the World, you get a chance to see many prestigious competitions. Lastly, Yellowstone National Park is on the outskirts, lending Cody magnificent scenery.
Attractions America just named Cody #1 of the top 10 small town to visit in Wyoming.
ACCOMMODATIONS
My hubby had grown up out west, with the mountains in Utah literally in his back yard. He loved the west!
So I decided to forego the van camping long enough to surprise him with a stay at Bill Cody's Dude Ranch.
He was in 7th heaven.
All of the cabins are in beautiful settings and the interiors are really nice...and clean. VERY reasonably priced for the area! Oh...and a creek runs through the property.
They have a number of different cabins with different configurations. We booked early so got the Buckaroo King Cabin for 2. (It rents fast)
It was very nice with a large bathroom so suited our needs just fine. Rents from $185 to $210 per night.
But the draw was that it was a dude ranch with horseback riding, outdoor creek side Saturday night cook outs followed by a marshmallow roast - June through August.
The trail rides up into the mountains were spectacular - and I don't even like horses that much.During the trail ride you can see Buffalo Bill Reservoir and you have a meal on the trail, cooked over the fire with an overlook of Shoshone Natl. Forest.
The ranch also has an old West saloon and a dining room that serves breakfast and dinner. They'll even prepare a picnic basket for you if you want to eat out in nature.
They did offer all inclusive packages if you wanted meals included in your stay.
I absolutely loved the hand carved bar stools in the Saddlesore Saloon. All of the furniture at the Ranch is handmade.
You can also practice your roping skills on dummy steers or play a game of horseshoes.
For the kids there's pony rides and a game room with ping pong, foosball and air hockey.
You can access Bill Cody Ranch either from Yellowstone or Cody, Wyoming.
From Yellowstone's East entrance, drive 26 miles on HWY 14-16-20 and turn right onto the gravel road by the Bill Cody Ranch sign.
Just as easy from Cody. Head west on HWY 14-16-20 from Cody, drive 26 miles on HWY 14-16-20 and turn left onto the gravel road by the Bill Cody Ranch sign.
The ranch is near the East entrance to Yellowstone.
ATTRACTIONS
SOME FREEBIES & LOW COST ACTIVITIES IN CODY
FREE WALKING TOUR
Discover the remarkable history of Cody during a narrated, downloadable walking tour of the town’s historic streets. Travel Storys created this free app in partnership with Cody Yellowstone and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. You’ll discover why Cody has been named the Best Western Small Town in America and learn a lot of fun facts along the way.
While you’re at it, download the Travel Storys audio tour about the Road to Yellowstone — the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, from downtown Cody to the East entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This audio tour will accompany road-trippers on one of the most scenic drives in the West, offering history and interesting information about the region. It’s one of the most famously beautiful drives in Wyoming and was once called “the most scenic 50 miles in America” by legendary outdoorsman and President Teddy Roosevelt.
SEE BUFFALO BILL'S HUNTING LODGE
Pahaska Tepee is where Buffalo Bill Cody, AKA “The Colonel”, relaxed with friends like Teddy Roosevelt and the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1904, this hunting lodge sits just outside the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. It was called “Pahaska” after the nickname given to him by the local Native Americans, meaning “long hair.” The rustic log lodge displays many gifts given to Cody by guests. A restaurant and gift shop are housed in an adjacent building.
DIG UP THE PAST AT THE CODY DUG UP GUN MUSEUM
Stroll through history while viewing hundreds of relic guns and other weapons at the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum. This fun and funky museum displays weapons from many periods in American history. The one thing they have in common? They all have been found buried in the ground in former battlefields, as well as farms, backyards, and wilderness areas throughout the world. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are encouraged.
ENJOY A HIKE ON CODY'S SCENIC TRAILS
Exploring by foot is a fun, fascinating, and free way to discover the best of Cody Yellowstone. So strap on your walking shoes and hike, stroll and wander downtown Cody and some of the hundreds of hiking trails surrounding the town. Cody features a variety of shops and artists’ galleries that welcome window-shopping visitors.
VISIT CODY'S FARMER'S MARKET
Cody is positively packed with restaurants offering delicious meals, so it’s no wonder the local farmers are so productive!
Take the opportunity to sample the freshest locally grown produce and meet the region’s hardworking vendors at the Cody Farmer’s Market.
The market is open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. all summer long, and from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. between October and April. The market is completely free to visit.
WATCH A GUNFIGHT IN THE STREET
I was glad to see Cody still has its gunfight in the street!
This free and entertaining shoot-out is always
listed as a “must see” on the list of things to do when visiting Cody.
Performances run Monday through Saturday (no Sundayperformances) from June 4th through September 22nd right in the street in front of Buffalo Bill’s Historic Irma Hotel. Four different 30-minute shows are rotated throughout summer and they all end in a blaze of gunfire! Crowds often swell to 500+ to stand and view this each performance. The show is free and there is limited seating on picnic tables, curbs, and rock walls - available on a first come first served basis.
The show starts at 6:00, but you will want to be in your seat by 5:50 to not miss anything!
Cody Trolley Tours offers the most comfortable way to watch the nightly show. They offer RESERVED SEATING for just $3 per chair. They put your name on a folding chair so you can arrive a moment before the show and be assured a great seat! Half the rent-a-chair profits go to gunfighter charities. Reserve your gunfight chairs, call for reservations today at 307-527-7043, or go to the Cody Trolley Tours ticket booth on the porch of the Irma Hotel as soon as you arrive in Cody to ensure the best seats in the house.
Since we'd taken the trolley ride we took advantage of the reserved seating and boy, am I glad we did as this shoot out draws a big crowd. Was definitely worth the $3 and a great view of the show.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
TAKE IN THE CODY NITE RODEO
You can't travel West without seeing a rodeo. After all, Cody is the Rodeo Capital of the World.
Cody Nite Rodeo is held nightly during the summer months of June through August in Cody.
This action-packed event showcases the skill, bravery, and athleticism of both professional and amateur riders, as they compete in a variety of exciting rodeo events, including bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping.
- Gates Open: 7:00 p.m.
- Rodeo Begins: 8:00 p.m.
It's recommended you purchase your admission tickets online to reserve your seat.
BUFFALO BILL CENTER
The Wild West comes to life in the 5 museums of the Buffalo Bill Center - Native American culture, famous cowboys and cowgirls, western art and more.
There's also hands-on experiences like a chuckwagon dinner, live birds of prey and behind-the-scenes tours.
Buffalo Bill Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, located just 50 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone.
A ticket is good for 2 days of viewing the museums and costs $23 for adults, $22 for seniors, $21 for students with a valid ID, $16 for kids 5-17 and kids under 5 get in free. Active U.S. Military also get in free. It was the best $23 I ever spent as there was so much to see and do.
BEST OF THE WEST TROLLEY TOUR OF CODY
A trolley ride Is a great way to see Cody. Cruise around town for 1 hour and see several key landmarks including the dam, Old Trail Town, the Cody Mural and Museum, and the rodeo. While you drive, your guide regales you of the history of the town including stories of the famous American soldier, Buffalo Bill, who founded Cody.
Best of Cody information book, free for each party on the Trolley Tour!
WHITEWATER RAFTING THE SHOSHONE RIVER
I've whitewater rafted the Shoshone River twice now and it was a BLAST! I took my first rafting trip with River Runners, founded in 1967 by Kit Cody. My rafting trip was compliments of Kit.
If you have time to swing a whitewater rafting trip by all means do it!
VISIT OLD TRAIL TOWN
Old Trail Town is one of the most popular family friendly western destinations and is conveniently located just off US HWY 16-20-14 on your way to the East entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
On this site in 1895, western scout and showman, William F. (“Buffalo Bill”) Cody, laid out the original town site of Cody, Wyoming, which was named in his honor.
Old Trail Town is an outdoor museum full of authentic buildings from the 1890's.
Today Old Trail Town preserves the lifestyle and history of the Frontier West through a rare collection of authentic structures and furnishings. From remote locations in Wyoming and Montana these historic buildings were carefully disassembled, moved and reassembled here at Old Trail Town by Western historian Bob Edgar and friends.
Located here also are thousands of historic artifacts from the Old West and grave sites of several notable Western figures. Among them is the grave of mountain man John Johnston, who was portrayed by the actor Robert Redford in the 1972 motion picture “Jeremiah Johnson”.
Here too are original cabins used by Old West outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and a Wyoming saloon frequented by Cassidy’s “Hole-in-the-Wall Gang”. Also on this site is the log cabin home of “Curley” a Crow Indian army scout who helped guide Lt Col. George A. Custer and the U.S. 7th Cavalry to the battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. Old Trail Town exists today as a memorial to the uniquely American experience known throughout the world as “the Old West”.
The most expensive admission ticket is $12 and I thought it was worth every penny. (I actually enjoyed Old Trail Town more than I did Yellowstone.)
VISIT KERWIN GHOST TOWN
Kirwin Ghost Town is an old abandoned mining camp located in Shoshone Natl. Forest.
Kirwin is a self guided tour where YOU DRIVE on existing roads through 75 miles of really great scenery to reach the mining camp.
You will travel some rough terrain (paved roads to gravel roads to dirt roads) as you can see in the video above and you will make several water crossings. Appropriate off road vehicles (Side by Sides) and supplies are included in your rental.Total price is: One SxS (6 people) for 9 hours, $449. or less than $60 per hour or $10 per person + fees and taxes. Rental fee is per vehicle, not per person. Bookings must be done online.
They supply Coolers, Water, Jackets, Blankets, Towels, 1st Aid Kits, Rain Ponchos, Napkins
Phone Chargers, Sunscreen, Hand Sanitizer, Lotion, Portable Propane Grill, Trash Bags, Garmin InReach Satellite Texting Unit, we put GPS Waypoints -on your phone - Maps, more. They also furnish helmets for riders under 18 years of age.
Layered clothing is recommended.
GO HANG GLIDING
I was fortunate enough to have a college roommate whose brother was a hang gliding instructor so I got hooked on hang gliding early in life. It's the ultimate adrenaline rush!
You'll be glad you did! No experience is necessary as an experienced FAA certified flight instructor will take you up 3000 feet in an open cockpit hang glider, where you'll have a bird's eye view of Cody and Yellowstone.
Photos of your flight will be available for purchase.
Reservations are required. All flights are weather permitting and there is a weight limit of 220 pounds. They operate 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.
If you want to know what it's like to be an eagle soaring, this is as close as you'll get.
DINING
OUR PLACE CAFE
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Just a quaint little place but with Grandma's home cooking. The walls are covered with patches and plaques from police, firefighters, military organizations and other service organizations thanking the restaurant for supporting them - which was pretty impressive.
Breakfast and lunch served and loved by locals and tourists alike.
Great friendly staff and service.
Pricing: $
The portions are so large neither one of us could finish our meal even though the food was superb.
148 W. Yellowstone Avenue, Cody
ANNIE'S SODA SALOON & CAFE
Formerly a jewelry and drug store, Annie’s Soda Saloon & Cafe has been serving up authentic old-school milkshakes and breakfast in downtown Cody, Wyoming since 2016. Grab a stool at the counter and transport yourself to the times of old drinking a Raspberry Rattler Monday through Saturday from 7am – 5pm.
CODY CATTLE COMPANY
This is the place to go for a fun, fun, fun evening. Buffet style food that beats any buffet I'd ever eaten and live entertainment for the whole family. Service was fast and friendly.
Band was extremely talented and while western hits were their focus, they played a selection of different genres of music...western, country, swing, rock.
Good food, good service, good music, good fun!
1910 Demaris St., Cody
8TH STREET AT THE IVY
Set in historic Cody, Wyoming with beautiful mountain views this family-friendly restaurant serves come home to comfort food in a casual western environment. Located inside the Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites the 8th Street showcases quality ingredients, local beers, and a handpicked wine menu. $$-$$$
You can find the 8th Street three blocks past the world-class Buffalo Bill Center of the West on your way to Yellowstone National Park. 1800 8th Street, Cody
HUNGRY BEAR RESTAURANT
The family-run, husband-and-wife operation of Hungry Bear Restaurant focuses on homemade goodness, from omelets and other soul-nourishing breakfasts to sub sandwiches, chili burgers, wraps, pizzas, calzones, and pasta. Big portions. A favorite of the locals.
2706 Big Horn Avenue, Cody
