Discover Cody: History, Culture, and Rodeo

If you’re looking for a hotel in Cody, it’s worth considering which themes you want to shape your stay: city history and Western art, rodeo, or routes through the landscape. The sights and activities offer different experiences, so you can plan your trip around what interests you most.

City History, Museums, and Western Art

The Cody Heritage Museum covers Cody’s founding, the history of ranching and agriculture, and the development of early businesses and the tourism-based economy. It also explores the influence of the oil, gas, and railroad industries, as well as the region’s cowboy history. Its scope ranges from economic development to regional identity.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody houses five museums and a research library under one roof. Old Trail Town is located on the original townsite of Cody City, Wyoming, and includes 28 historic buildings. The two sites differ in format: one brings several museums and a library together under one roof, while the other features historic buildings on the original townsite.

At the Historic Cody Mural and Museum, a rotunda features a ceiling mural completed in 1951, depicting scenes from the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The museum also explores the contributions and challenges of the pioneers who settled the Big Horn Basin from 1900 to 1910. The DeMaris House offers a different point of interest in the city’s history: it was the first single-family home at this end of town.

By Western Hands Museum & Gallery is a craft gallery and exhibition hall devoted to Western functional art and design. This focus differs from the historical themes of the Cody Heritage Museum and the Historic Cody Mural and Museum: here, design and functional art take center stage.

Rodeo, Tours, and Other Experiences

The Cody Nite Rodeo has offered two hours of wild, family-friendly Western-style entertainment since 1938. The Cody Stampede takes place every year from July 1 to 4. Its program includes rodeo entertainment, a craft fair, food vendors, and daily parades. The dates and program details are useful distinctions when planning your trip; check the Stampede dates before you travel.

The Cody Trolley Tours bring the history of the Rocky Mountain town founded by Buffalo Bill to life with narrators, historical photographs, and audio clips. This tour focuses on the town’s history, while the rodeo events showcase another part of the Cody experience.

The Cody Firearms Experience offers instructor-led live-fire shooting sessions. The experience covers history and safety and includes more than 50 firearms. Hours vary by season: in summer, the Experience is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; from October through April, it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Check the hours before your visit.

Trails, Parks, and Scenic Byways

Cody has more than 25 developed parks and nine miles of trails. Fishing opportunities include the Shoshone River, Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Beck Lake, and Lake Creek. In addition to museums and events, trails, parks, and named fishing spots offer distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.

The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the East Yellowstone Valley, also known as Wapiti Valley, to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The route follows the river through the valley to the park entrance.

The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway branches off Wyoming Highway 120 north of Cody and heads west and north. Check road conditions and seasonal access before driving.

Discover more destinations: Powell.

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