Cowboy Towns | Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming | Yvonne's Travel Blog (2024)

Sheridan, Wyoming, is one of the best examples of the American West. Surrounded by the Bighorn Mountains, it delivers a unique cowboy vibe with a view! Conveniently located halfway between Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, the town is a great vacation destination on its own. It offers artsy historic Main Street, a magnificent backdrop of the mountains, and modern hospitality with the Old West charm. Its 46 traditional buildings are included in the National Registry of Historic Places and host dozens of unique shops, restaurants, galleries, cafes, and some of the Mountain West’s most legendary watering holes. Here are all things to do in Sheridan.

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Explore the perfect example of the American West – Sheridan, Wyoming

Like most travelers, I discovered Sheridan, Wyoming, on my way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. I am glad I took a short detour to do it. The town took me by surprise, not only with its fabulous location but also with incredible art lining up its streets.

Getting there was half the fun. The area is absolutely beautiful and practically deserted. To top it all, the roads leading to the town were dressed with miles of wild lupin! If you look for off the beaten path destinations, you will love Sheridan and the Bighorn Mountains.

  • Related: The Ultimate Itinerary to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
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History of Sheridan, Wyoming

Sheridan was founded in 1882 and named for General Philip H. Sheridan, Union cavalry leader during the American Civil War. The arrival of the railroad in 1892 and the discovery of coal stimulated the region’s growth.

As a railroad distribution point, Sheridan has acquired diversified manufacturing. Today, ranching, truck farming, flour milling, sawmilling, and oil production are local occupations.

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The city is the Bighorn National Forest headquarters, and tourism (dude ranches, big game hunting, and fishing) is an important economic asset. Learn more about the history of Sheridan here.

Sheridan, Wyoming on the Map

Sheridan is located at an elevation of 3,743 feet in Goose Creek Valley in the state’s north-central part. The city lies in the Tongue River watershed, ten miles north and east of the Big Horn Mountains.

Sheridan can be found halfway between Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore by U.S. Route 14 and 16.

Best time to visit Sheridan, Wyoming

June, August, and September are the most pleasant months in Sheridan. December and January are the least comfortable. The summers are short, hot, and mostly clear. The winters are freezing, windy, and partly cloudy.

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Why is Sheridan Special?

With a population of 18,000, Sheridan stays true to its root and delivers the undeniable charm of the Old West. You will feel it and see it everywhere you go. It remains as American as it could be.

The Sheridan’s focus on art makes the town stand out from other cowboy towns. Its mostly bronze sculptures signify the Wild West’s important aspects, from eagles and moose to fishermen and Native Americans.

What adds to Sheridan’s overall cowboy appeal is the views and the impact of the Bighorn Mountains. Within a few miles of the city, you can find a vast wilderness and an abundance of wildlife.

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  • Related: the story of Leonardo Da Vinci’s vision of the biggest horse statue in the world and how it ties to Sheridan, Wyoming; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Milan, Italy.

What to do in Sheridan, Wyoming

Historic Downtown is Sheridan’s grand centerpiece. Visitors come here for a stroll in its streets and to enjoy public art displays, historic buildings, dine or enjoy local beer.

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  • Check out: Amazing Places to Visit in Arizona

Discover Street Art

The arts play an important role in creating a special sense of place within the Historic Downtown Sheridan. The city has over 100 permanent pieces of art. It also displays pieces that are on loan and available to purchase. You will find many bronze sculptures on Grinnell Plaza and throughout downtown.

Cowboy Towns | Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming | Yvonne's Travel Blog (7)The street sculptures in Sheridan give the town a unique vibe.

Visit King’s Saddlery Museum

The Don King Museum houses over three decades of the King family’s dedication to collecting Western and cowboy memorabilia. It offers a glimpse at life in the Old West through the years. It displays everything from horse-drawn hearses, taxidermy bears, moose, and elk, and rifles and handguns from some of America’s most famous duels.

  • If you are looking to escape it all, Take a road trip to Wyoming.

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Attend a show at WYO Theater

Built as a venue for stage acts during the 1920s, the WYO Theater offers a variety of entertainment throughout the year. Family theater, musical performances, film screenings, and even traditional vaudeville variety shows are all on the schedule. This Art Deco masterpiece serves as the city’s public art project devoted to celebrating the local culture.

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Explore Trail End State Historic Site

The Trail End State Historic Site is a property of the State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails Division of the Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources. From its authentically furnished rooms to its finely manicured lawns, it displays an elegantly different aspect of Wyoming’s rich and colorful history.

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Built in the Flemish Revival style, the 13,748 square foot mansion provides a glimpse into life during the period 1913 to 1933, as seen through the John B. Kendrick family’s eyes.

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Visit the Historic Sheridan Inn

The Sheridan Inn’s significance in the US history lies primarily in its direct connection with William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who developed and sold the concept of the Inn to the railroad. As part owner, he directed hotel management and even auditioned new members for his touring company, the “Wild West” show from the front porch.

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Restaurants in Sheridan, Wyoming

Sheridan offers a wide variety of places to eat. You will find there historic bars, American bistros, ethnic restaurants, and many national brand fast-food chains.

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Do some shopping

The town’s shopping scene is centered on its historic Main Street, where many small businesses operate under vintage western storefronts. The street boasts locally owned shops selling everything from women’s apparel and accessories to cowboy boots and outdoor gear.

Sheridan also offers ranchers’ supply stores and cowboy outfitters you can only find in the West. But it’s not all belt buckles and cowboy boots. You can find contemporary apparel there as well.

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Visit Koltiska Distillery

To my surprise, I discovered a Polish connection in the American West. In the late 1800s, the Koltiska family settled in the town. It quickly became known for two things – a lust for life and a fine liqueur, handcrafted to be shared with locals in the celebration of life.

Today, the fifth generation of the settlers operates a distillery. Its entire line is a perfect blend of strong yet smooth liqueur reflecting Western traditions with a Polish twist.

  • Related: Looking to Escape it All? Take a Road Trip to Wyoming
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Have a beer at Luminous Brewer House

The Luminous taproom offers fine beers created on-site by head brewer and Sheridan native Seth Orr. The place is often rocking with live music and is frequently charged by special event energy. Learn more here.

For more on the culture of craft beer and spirits in Sheridan, visit Where Craft is King.

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Hotels in Sheridan, Wyoming

Sheridan hosts hotels, motels, and guest cottages. Accommodations can be found in town or in the Bighorn Mountains. Many hotels and motels are established in convenient locations for enjoying what the region has to offer, both locally and on the way to Yellowstone or the Black Hills.

For the taste of historic the Wild West, I suggest staying at Historic Sheridan Inn.

If you are more into nature and a true cowboy experience, check out Bighorn Mountains Ranches.

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Attractions just outside of Sheridan, Wyoming

The Brinton Museum

LOCATION

239 Brinton Rd, Big Horn, WY
open in google maps >

(307) 672-3173

The Brinton Museum in the Bighorn Mountains is a historic working ranch that celebrates the spirit of the American West. Its rare collection of Western, American, and American Indian art tells a distinctive story of America. It offers an intimate glimpse into the life and lifestyle of Bradford Brinton, a well-educated Western gentleman rancher, businessman, and avid collector.

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The Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

Located in north-central Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountains are a sister range of the Rocky Mountains. Conveniently located halfway between Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, the Bighorns are a great vacation destination in themselves.

No region in Wyoming is provided with a more diverse landscape – from grasslands to alpine meadows, clear lakes to glacially-carved valleys and rolling hills to sheer mountain cliffs. This region has it all!

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Visit the Bighorn National Forest to enjoy the multiple reservoirs, 30 campgrounds, four group campgrounds, three scenic byways, 10 picnic areas, eight lodges, many miles of streams, 189,000 acres of wilderness, 1,200 miles of trails, and much more.Activities include hiking, biking, camping, boating, fly fishing, wildlife photography, and hunting.

Cowboy Towns | Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming | Yvonne's Travel Blog (19)

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FAQs

Is Sheridan, Wyoming worth visiting? ›

Sheridan is Wyoming's emerald city. Historic downtown doors swing open to extend warm hospitality as legendary as the icons that once roamed these parts, while dramatic vistas of the Bighorn Mountains meet the serenity of wide-open spaces.

Why is Sheridan Wyoming famous? ›

#1 A Legendary Destination

Describe your destination in a few words. Sheridan is located right at the base of the Bighorn Mountains. The Old West icons and legends inevitably came through here at some point. We have been home to outlaws and icons such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and Buffalo Bill Cody.

Is Sheridan a city in Wyoming? ›

Sheridan is a city in the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Sheridan County.

Who is Sheridan Wyoming named after? ›

Sheridan, city, seat (1888) of Sheridan county, northern Wyoming, U.S., at the confluence of Big Goose and Little Goose creeks, on the east slope of the Bighorn Mountains near the Montana border. It was founded in 1882 and named for General Philip H. Sheridan, Union cavalry leader during the American Civil War.

What is the number one tourist attraction in Wyoming? ›

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

What is the underrated northern town in Wyoming? ›

At the northern tip of Wyoming, practically huddled up against the border of Montana, travelers will find the underrated 20,000-person city of Sheridan. This quaint Cowboy State city is a less crowded, welcoming spot to experience the Wild West with a walkable downtown area and easy access to the Bighorn Mountains.

What is the ethnicity of Sheridan Wyoming? ›

Table
Population
White alone, percent 95.3%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 0.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 1.4%
Asian alone, percent(a) 0.8%
57 more rows

Why are people moving to Sheridan Wyoming? ›

She said the quality of life issues are among the chief reasons for relocating as well as the friendly tax incentives Wyoming offers.

How far is it from Sheridan Wyoming to the Montana border? ›

Located 20 miles south of the Montana border, Sheridan, Wyoming is a hidden gem and a far cry from the typical tourist traps of the West.

What is Sheridan known for? ›

We're nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in business, digital media and communications, performing arts, visual arts and design, applied computing and engineering sciences, and community service studies.

What is the crime rate in Sheridan Wyoming? ›

The crime rate in Sheridan is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 19 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate.

What is a fun fact about Sheridan Wyoming? ›

The town is named after General Philip H. Sheridan, a Union Army General during the American Civil War.

Why visit Sheridan Wyoming? ›

Sheridan features a thriving, historic downtown district, with western allure, hospitality and good graces to spare; a vibrant art scene; bombastic craft culture; postcard-perfect small towns; a robust festival and events calendar; and living history from one corner of the County to the next.

What is the median household income in Sheridan Wyoming? ›

In 2022, the median household income of the 8.25k households in Sheridan, WY grew to $57,667 from the previous year's value of $52,104.

What is Sheridan famous for? ›

He is most famous for his destruction of the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, called “The Burning” by its residents. He was also the subject of an extremely popular poem entitled “Sheridan's Ride”, in which he (and his famous horse, Rienzi) save the day by arriving just in time for the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Is Sheridan Wyoming a small town? ›

At the northern tip of Wyoming, practically huddled up against the border of Montana, travelers will find the underrated 20,000-person city of Sheridan. This quaint Cowboy State city is a less crowded, welcoming spot to experience the Wild West with a walkable downtown area and easy access to the Bighorn Mountains.

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