Family Vacations in Wyoming: Cody

Named for its founder, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, this is one town in the country where the West lives on. Cody, Wyoming, is a bit of a bug in amber, with wooden boardwalks fronting its historic storefronts on Sheridan Avenue, the city's main drag. Sure, minivans have replaced horse-drawn wagons, and modern development has not passed over Cody entirely, but the culture here still smacks of the Old West in many ways.

The city bills itself as the "Rodeo Capital of the World," and it's tough to argue. It's the only city in the country that has a rodeo every night of the week, all summer long: the Cody Nite Rodeo. With a population of about 9,000 people, Cody is not a big city by any means, but it shines in comparison with its similarly sized peers.

Cody Wyoming.
The terrain around Cody, Wyoming, is remarkably varied, running the gamut from
rolling hills to red rocks to evergreen-laden mountains.

The 300,000-square-foot Buffalo Bill Historical Center, for instance, is a world-class museum with five distinct wings dedicated to Native Americans, natural history, Western art, firearms and "Buffalo Bill" Cody himself. Outdoor recreation is also big in these parts. The Shoshone River runs right through town, and there are mountainous destinations in its backyard, including Yellowstone National Park just 52 miles to the west.

The West just isn't Wild without its cowboys, and what's a cowboy without a rodeo? Click on the next page to read about the Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo.

Cody Information

Address: Visitor Center
836 Sheridan Ave.
Cody, WY
Telephone: 307/587-2777

To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:
  • Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
  • Wyoming State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Wyoming, as well as other recreational activities.
  • Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.