Extended Weekend Getaways By Tim Trudell
Freelance Travel Writer
From a prime rib dinner to enjoying a glass of wine with your favorite cowboy or cowgirl, Cheyenne offers a variety of date options.
Spend the day with your significant other exploring history and art. Learn about Wyoming’s history and culture with a self-guided tour of the state capitol. With the iconic state logo of a cowboy riding a wild bronco, the outdoor sculpture walk also features a bison, as well as other wildlife.
Inside the capitol, enjoy art that helps tell the state’s history, such as murals highlighting early settlers, including trappers, homesteaders and cattle drive cowboys. Of course, visitors can view the working chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Across the street, learn Wyoming’s story, from prehistoric creatures that once roamed the land, such a triceratops, to the story of its Indigenous citizens, as well as Euro-American settlers.
With galleries and studios located downtown, the city has an eclectic art scene.
Classic art mural in downtown Cheyenne. Photo by Tim Trudell
Kicking off a public mural project in 2015, the first painting set the standard for those that followed. A painting of a bison strumming a guitar, a golden eagle on the banjo and a rattlesnake joining the jam session provides a larger-than-life view on the backside of the Paramount Ballroom.
Another mural shares the story of Wyoming’s role in women’s suffrage movement. Women protesting for the right to vote strongly supports Wyoming’s history of being the first state to give women the right to vote, as well as the nation’s first woman governor.
Downtown sculptures focus on the state’s history, wildlife and culture. From cowboys riding bulls to Native Americans, as well as celebrating a family’s 150 years as barbers, Cheyenne’s sculpture walk sheds a light on the region’s story.
A popular community art campaign showcases more than 50 cowboy boot statues, each depicting unique scenes or attractions, from historic buildings to cowboys on horseback. The art remains a popular draw more than a decade later.
Cowboy boot art in front of The Wrangler. Photo by Tim Trudell
Downtown Cheyenne is home to a bevy of unique shops and boutiques. A must-stop is The Wrangler, a western clothing and boot store. With the fresh aroma of leather belts and western boots wafting in the air, the vintage store features an impressive hat collection.
Nothing says a romantic outing like an old-fashioned train ride to the middle of a field, where you can hand-feed wild bison.
Bison at the Terry Bison Ranch Resort. Photo by Tim Trudell
Terry Bison Ranch Resort opened in 1993, originally offering horse-drawn wagon rides to the pastures where the bison were grazing. However, in 2000, they laid 2.5 miles of track and started operating train tours. Open-air passenger cars allow guests to be within inches of the bison, offering them prepurchased feed pellets.
A cowboy statue in front of the former train depot. Photo by Tim Trudell
Nature lovers will enjoy hiking Curt Gowdy State Park, the nation’s largest state park. From trails taking you deep into the woods or along bluffs overlooking lakes, you’ll want to ensure you wear hiking shoes for secure footing.
While Wyoming may not be known for its wineries, Cheyenne shares its wine enthusiasm with a couple of outstanding tasting rooms.
Paramount Ballroom is located inside an old theater. Splitting time between being a coffee shop and a wine room, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. While in the wine tasting room, check out the vintage movie memorabilia, including a projector that survived a mid-1900s fire.
A short walk from Paramount, Wagonhound Wine Company is the newest addition to Cheyenne’s beverage community. With its casual decor, the wine room presents an inviting environment. Enjoy a flight of four wines, ranging from white to rose and red, along with a charcuterie of fruit, cheeses and crackers.
Converting The Lincoln from a movie theater to a small music venue opened Cheyenne’s entertainment scene to concerts that may have once skipped the city. From popular acts, such as Ice Cube, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Hairball, to newer performers, The Lincoln has become a place where acts are eager to perform.
Of course, any romantic road trip includes an intimate meal. The Albany Hotel restaurant features classic entrees, such as prime rib, Italian and burgers.
Bella Fuoco features one-of-a-kind wood-fired pizzas. With indoor and patio seating, the eatery is perfect for a date. Start your experience with toasted ravioli, followed by lasagna pizza, made with Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, basil and marinara.
A settee and vintage chair at the Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Photo by Tim Trudell
Of course, nothing tops a romantic weekend like intimate accommodations. The Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast is a historic home, set in the Victorian era, transporting guests to 1900 Cheyenne.
Once having hosted politicians and celebrities, including Buffalo Bill Cody, today, the mansion welcomes guests seeking a cozy getaway from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life.
Sausage and souffle at the Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Photo by Tim Trudell
Each morning, 2-star Michelin chef Jas Barbe, who is also the innkeeper, creates made-from-scratch dishes, such as souffles. He begins the painstaking process long before the sun rises, using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
While Cheyenne may not be your initial choice for a romantic outing, the largest city in Wyoming surprises, offering several options for an intimate getaway. From staying at a historic bed and breakfast to fine dining and a great music scene, Cheyenne is a perfect choice for a little romance.
