A Guide to the Best of Laramie, Wyoming

One of our favorite things to do on a month-long stay in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was to leave town.

I wasn’t a big fan of Cheyenne, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a good base for exploration elsewhere. 

I was a big fan of Laramie, an easy Cheyenne day trip if you’re already traveling through Wyoming. I’m not sure I’d make a special trip here, but we found enough things to do in Laramie to warrant at least a full day to check out the town.

Is Laramie worth visiting?

Laramie is worth visiting for its nice dining scene and as a good base for outdoor recreation. It’s also known as the home to Wyoming’s only university and as the Gem City of the Plains.

Laramie was home to the first electric power plant in the Rockies. The city was said to resemble a gem when it was lit up at night as a result.

I thought Laramie had a lot more charm than nearby Cheyenne and was more welcoming to outsiders, too. If you’re starting in Cheyenne as we were, Laramie is a city in southeastern Wyoming’s Albany County about 50 miles west of Cheyenne.

If you’d like to take the scenic route from Cheyenne, you can ride along Happy Jack Road to get there.

How to Spend a Day in Laramie

You can spend a day in Laramie like this:

• Start at Coal Creek Coffee.
• Explore the Laramie Railroad Depot.
• Visit the Wyoming Women’s History House.
• Check out the Laramie Mural Project.
• Grab lunch at Sweet Melissa.
• Tour the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.
• Pick a museum (or two) on the University of Wyoming campus.
• Eat dinner back in downtown Laramie.
• Grab dessert at The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House.

Things to Do in Downtown Laramie

Start in downtown Laramie if it’s your first time here. It’s walkable and charming, with some great opportunities for food, entertainment, and shopping.

Note: If you think you may need a little extra to help you get started, the Laramie Area Visitor Center is located just south of downtown.

Grab a cup at Coal Creek Coffee.

I like kicking off my days with some caffeine. If you’re the same way, Coal Creek Coffee is a great place to make that happen. The cafe has been around since 1993 serving cups of coffee and sweet and salty snacks to locals and visitors. 

They also serve locally-made beer here to go with those snacks if it’s not morning when you’re there. I guess time is just a construct, too, but I was never into the kegs ‘n eggs things in college.

Check out the Laramie Railroad Depot.

The Laramie Railroad Depot has been in this spot since 1924 after the original depot burned down in 1917.

There’s a museum here that gets into the city’s transportation history and ties to the Union Pacific Railroad era. If you’re here for a tour, times are super limited.

Visit on a Monday between 9am-2pm or by appointment for a guided tour of the depot. You’ll get more information on the memorabilia, railroad tools, and related architecture from a bygone era.

Tour the Wyoming Women’s History House.

The Wyoming Women’s History House, also known as the Wyoming House For Historic Women, is dedicated to honoring the contributions of women in the state’s history. 

Wyoming is known as the equality state because it was the first state to give women the right to vote. Louisa Swain, a Laramie native, was the first woman to vote in Wyoming. 

You’ll know you’re at the modest museum when you see a bronze statue dedicated to Swain out front.

Learn more about women’s suffrage in the state from the friendly staff ready to answer any question you may have, however tough they are. It’s all free, too.

Admire the Laramie Mural Project.

Laramie has a great public art scene, and much of that comes courtesy of the Laramie Mural Project. The project started in 2011 as a collaboration between the Laramie Main Street Alliance, the University of Wyoming Art Museum, and local artists.

The city has continued to add murals since then, and you’ll find many of them in downtown Laramie.

As you walk and explore, don’t miss the Laramie Free Wall at 327 E. Kearney St. This is basically a practice area for would-be muralists that is constantly changing.

Eat at the best restaurants in Laramie.

One of the best things to do in downtown Laramie is to eat your way through this historic center. I had enough of cowboy fare during our stay in Cheyenne when we were looking for a good lunch spot, and that’s how we got to Sweet Melissa. 

This is a yummy vegetarian spot with comfort eats like meatless burgers, burritos, and veggie pasta. I got the falafel wrap and a side of their mac ‘n cheese of the day.

For burgers, pizza, or what you may come to think of as more classic Wyoming fare, here are a few that came to us highly recommended:

• Alibi Wood Fire Pizzaria & Bakery: Yep, that’s really how they spell it, Enjoy wood-fired pizza and pastries at this popular Laramie restaurant. If you’re not hungry for a full meal, they have a great small plate menu here, too.
• Born in a Barn: This downtown sports bar is likely more of what you’d expect in Wyoming. Indulge in burgers and wings on a patio that’s basically next door to Sweet Melissa, my Laramie fave.
• Lovejoy’s Bar & Grill: This local favorite is another option for classic American fare in downtown Laramie. Their meat-heavy menu features burgers and steaks, but there is some lighter fare on their lunch list if you’re here mid-afternoon.

READ MORE: Fort Collins, Colorado, tops the list of my favorite day trips from Cheyenne. We visited five times!

Feed your sweet tooth.

There are all kinds of cute spots around Laramie to satiate that sweet tooth. Our pick was The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House, a gourmet cupcake shop with decor as bespoke as its treats.

We grabbed four cupcakes, including a vanilla rose option that was one of the more unique sweets I’ve ever snacked on.

Get there early enough and you may be able to grab an oopsy cupcake, a combo they didn’t mean to make that day but is likely delicious anyway.

You can also grab some roast beef here which felt off-brand.

If you need more options, there’s always room for ice cream. Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop proves there’s always room for gelato and sorbetto, too. If you’re vegan, they have that covered, too, with homemade versions sans dairy.

Explore Laramie nightlife.

We didn’t stay in Laramie late enough during our visits to explore the nightlife, so I’m relying on the advice of strangers (or new friends?) for this one. I’m too old to hang around a college town at night, people. 

Here are some options if you’re not old like me:

• The Cowboy Saloon & Dance Hall: If you’re here for the country western vibes, this is your best bet. Expect live music, dancing, and a heck of a lot of cowboy hats Wednesday through Saturday nights.
• The Library Sports Grille & Brewery: This brewpub isn’t open super late, but it’s a popular gathering place in Laramie, especially during big games. I think that means football.
• Roxie’s on Grand: This one is also an eatery, but it’s more known for the drinking. The food doesn’t get high marks, so seriously, come for the drinks. Each night has its own drink special. Expect dance parties on Friday and Saturday nights.

Outside of Downtown Laramie

The town’s historic downtown is great, but there are more things to see in Laramie further afield. You’ll just need to get in your car to make that happen, but that’s expected when you’re exploring the best of Wyoming.

Admire the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument.

You’ll probably see this one on the way into Laramie anyway, so you may as well pull over for a closer look. 

Fun fact: The monument is the highest point on Interstate 80 at 8,878 feet above sea level. 

The monument sits at a rest area just east of the city center. It was dedicated in 1959, Lincoln’s 150th birthday, in honor of a president who supported progress in transportation.

You can read some interpretive signage while you’re there about the history of this spot, including more on the artist.

Tour the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

This former federal penitentiary at 975 Snowy Range Road is known for housing Butch Cassidy at one point, so expect exhibits that present both sides of the outlaw.

Some people liken him to Robin Hood. I’ll let you decide on that!

It’s all self-guided for much of the year, but there is plenty to read as you walk through. You don’t need to buy tickets ahead of time but watch for closing times. Admission tickets are sold up to about an hour before closing.

Exhibits outside tell the story of how the prison became an agricultural research facility. This was less interesting to me than the prison itself, but the interpretive trail outside is nice if you arrive on a sunny day. 

See Wyoming’s only university.

The University of Wyoming has been holding down the fort as the state’s only university since 1886.

The campus is worth a stroll to see the grounds and impressive architecture if that’s all you have time for, but the school has a great reputation as a research institution. That means this is where you’ll find the best museums in Laramie.

Visit the dinos at the University of Wyoming Geological Museum. 

This was our pick among the university’s excellent museums. It was free to wander around for about an hour learning about dinosaurs found in the region and precious gemstones.

Fun fact: We also learned that the triceratops is the state dinosaur.

Pick and choose from more of the university’s stellar museums.

The University of Wyoming doesn’t just know dinosaurs. There are quite a few more museums for you to choose from while in Laramie, especially when you’re seeking activities on a rainy day. These are some of the best free things to do in Laramie.

Here’s a rundown of the museums at the University of Wyoming:

• University of Wyoming Art Museum: This one showcases a diverse collection of art with a particular focus on the American West.
• University of Wyoming Insect Gallery: Dive into the tiny world of the only research collection of insects in the state. 
• University of Wyoming Anthropology Museum: Explore exhibits on Native Americans from around the country at this anthropological museum.
• University of Wyoming Planetarium: See a show or immerse yourself in exhibits about the cosmos in the basement of the Physical Science building.
• University of Wyoming Museum of Vertebrates: Discover the diversity of vertebrates with this extensive collection of around 11,800 specimens.
• American Heritage Center: This center serves as the university’s archives. See a variety of historical documents and rare books on your visit here. 

Get more museum time at the Laramie Plains Museum.

I know I just threw a lot of learning at you, but there’s one more Laramie museum that’s worth a visit, even if it’s just to admire the 19th-century architecture outside. The Laramie Plains Museum operates out of the historic Ivinson Mansion. 

Step inside for exhibits on Laramie’s early school system, pioneer life, the cattle industry, and the development of Laramie. Guided tours of the mansion itself are available, too. You can pick tickets up for those at the gift shop.  

Visit the Matthew Shepard Memorial Bench.

This was the most moving stop on our trip to Laramie. The bench is here to memorialize the life of Matthew Shepherd, a gay man who was brutally murdered in Laramie in 1998.

The horrific event brought attention to hate crimes and inspired widespread activism for LGBTQ+ rights. 

There was some construction going on around the site during our visit, but the bench was still accessible. Once you get there, you’ll see an invitation to sit down and reflect or leave your own items behind.

It’s an essential stop in Laramie.

Scratch your head over Exhaling Dissolution.

I already mentioned Laramie’s mural scene as being worth your time, but there’s one more art oddity to see before you leave.

Laramie is the temporary home of Exhaling Dissolution, a public works project in the form of a giant head on the side of the road. 

I’ll admit I was a little freaked out by it at first, but I don’t hate the message. It’s meant to represent tough conversations about issues like climate change.

You can breathe a little easier now or not, depending on how freaked out you are about climate change.

Hike or bike the Laramie River Greenbelt Trail.

Laramie is a great base for outdoor activities. The Laramie River Greenbelt Trail is nearly six miles of scenic trails along the Laramie River. We love hiking in Wyoming best, but it’s a popular stretch for cycling, too.

Note: I can’t tell you the last time I rode a bicycle by choice. I think I’m due.

This is a decent spot for wildlife spotting, too. Keep your eyes open for beavers, deer, herons, and hawks. There’s plenty of fish in the river, too, if you want to catch some trout for dinner.

Drink a beer at Bond’s Brewing Company.

Bond’s Brewing Company has won all kinds of accolades for its beer. If you’re here in the summertime, taste-test their Rhuberry, a strawberry-rhubarb ale that’s just the right amount of tart. They’ll add lemonade to it if you want a refreshing shandy. 

Go on a scenic drive.

If you’re traveling to Laramie from Cheyenne, take the Happy Jack Road. This is the most accessible scenic drive around Laramie. 

If you’re here in the summertime, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is another option. Unfortunately, we were here a little too early to drive this one, but it’s also an access point for hikes in the Snowy Range Mountains.

Take a hike near Laramie.

I keep mentioning Laramie is a great base for outdoor pursuits. That’s because there are a number of good hiking trails in Laramie. 

On the way back to Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park is my favorite in the area. It’s scenic, dog-friendly, and boasts waterfall views on hikes like the Crow Creek Trail to Hidden Falls.

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, sometimes shortened to Medicine Bow National Forest, includes another hiking area that we loved almost as much. I’m talking about the Vedauwoo Recreation Area and the quintessential Turtle Rock Trail.

If you love bouldering, this is a great spot for that, too.

Finally, Laramie offers easy access to the Snowy Range Mountains. They look stunning, but they weren’t accessible just yet on our visit to Laramie. Lake Marie looks like the best of the bunch, but I’m a sucker for alpine lakes.

READ MORE: Love hiking trips? Yellowstone offers some of the best hikes in the country!

More Things to Do in Laramie

I love to hike, but I’m not usually traveling with gear that suggests I do anything at a higher intensity. I can’t tell you the last time I rode a bike in any aggressive fashion.

That means some of what we missed on our trip to Laramie involved living life with more enthusiasm. Here are a few more things to do in Laramie in case you need more variety:

• Go fishing at Mirror Lake with scenic views of Medicine Bow Peak.
• Go mountain biking along the Happy Jack and Pole Mountain Trailheads.
• Hit the slopes at the Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area.
• Meet the wild horses at the Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuary.
• Plan your trip around events like Laramie Jubilee Days to relive the Old West days or the Snowy Range Music Festival.

Where to Stay in Laramie

We visited Laramie on an easy day trip from Cheyenne, but if you’re already here, I’d rather you stay in Laramie.

You’ll get mostly chain hotels while you’re here, but a number of them are highly rated and affordable. Use the map below to browse your options for hotels in Laramie:

If you’re already visiting Wyoming, stop in Laramie.

Wyoming road trips are pretty epic, but they generally focus on the national parks within the state. I won’t pretend that staying in Yellowstone isn’t a bucket list experience, but there is something to be said about embracing the charm of Wyoming’s towns.

The Laramie area is something of a progressive enclave in a state known for its connection to cowboys and the frontier era. I loved the city as an alternative to nearby Cheyenne and for its delicious food scene, cultural pursuits, and welcoming vibes.

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