Discover Cheyenne: Railroad History, Gardens, and Greenway

Cheyenne offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: railroad history, historic buildings, gardens, landscapes, and recurring events. When looking for a hotel in Cheyenne, the reason for your visit may be the deciding factor. A museum visit is different from a tour with a set duration or a festival whose dates change each year. The following places and experiences can help you consider your interests alongside the time available for your trip.

Railroad History and Historic Buildings

The Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot was completed in November 1887 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The two dates mark different milestones: 1887 is the year of completion, while 2006 is the year of its later recognition.

The Cheyenne Depot Museum presents the history of the Union Pacific in Wyoming. Its exhibits include the UC&N Model Railroad, a narrow-gauge model railway built by Harry W. Brunk. If you want to see this exhibit, confirm that it is available before your visit.

The Wyoming State Capitol is also a National Historic Landmark, with historic roots dating back to 1888. Together, the Depot and the Capitol offer two distinct historical points of interest for a stay focused on architecture and regional history.

Gardens, Landscapes, and Outdoor Activities

Admission to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is free to the public. The Grand Conservatory includes a tropical plant collection, a Baroque-style orangery, and a bonsai house. These features offer different highlights: tropical plants, an orangery with Baroque design, and a dedicated bonsai house.

The interactive landscapes at Paul Smith Children’s Village include natural wetlands, gravity-powered water features, a windmill, and solar pumps. The collection ranges from wetlands and water features to the named technical elements.

As of May 2026, the Greater Cheyenne Greenway spanned nearly 50 miles, and the system continued to expand. Its length gives this landscape feature a different scale from individual installations and exhibits. Popular activities at Lions Park include canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. When planning, you can consider outdoor activities alongside gardens and history.

Planning Tours and Events

The Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley offers 90-minute “Wild West History Tours” year-round. At an hour and a half, the tour has a clearly defined duration. Check the current schedule before your trip, as seasonal schedules may change.

Cheyenne Frontier Days dates back to 1897. The recurring festival lasts ten days and features PRCA rodeo and Western entertainment. The program and dates vary each year, so check the current event details before planning your trip around it.

The tour and the festival have different time commitments: the trolley tour is listed as lasting 90 minutes, while Frontier Days is a ten-day event. This distinction can be useful when planning your hotel stay and deciding whether to make a single activity or an event date the reason for your trip.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel

Cheyenne is accessible by car via two interstate highways and by air through Cheyenne Regional Airport and the nearby Denver International Airport. Transportation services and airport policies can change; check the details of your chosen connection before departure.

Railroad history, gardens, outdoor offerings, and a possible event date provide different reasons for a stay. Focus your search on the theme that best suits your travel plans.

For the broader travel overview: Laramie.