The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show is a huge part of Cody, WY, but did you know that he actually is the reason Cody Wyoming exists? I didn’t know that, and I didn’t know that my Cody Wyoming Road Trip was going to make me fall in love with another part of the country I didn’t even know existed.
Location Is Everything For A Cody Wyoming Road Trip
Cody Wyoming sits at the top of Wyoming and to the East of Yellowstone National Park. It is a definite stop for any Yellowstone National Park Road Trip, only an hour outside of the East entrance to the park. It was the perfect place for us to stop on our Yellowstone Road Trip after visiting Montana. That’s right, it’s less than an hour from Montana.
UPDATE – Yellowstone National Park Updates
Where To Stay For Your Cody Wyoming Road Trip
The beautiful Chamberlin Inn was our home for the next 3 days, and when I say home, I am not exaggerating. The front desk attendee welcomed us and then helped with our luggage up the stairs, that’s right, there is no elevator at this hotel, and we truly felt we were staying with family. There was no hesitation in making sure our stay was comfortable and very accommodating.
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Large Rooms With Modern Amenities
The room was large with a king bed, twin bed, and a couch. The bathroom was adorable with the clawfoot tub, exposed radiator, and button lights. I loved the old-time feel with the modern updates.
For Me, Coffee Is Life
There was even a Nespresso coffee machine in the room. You all know how much I loved that, coffee is life for me sometimes.
Evening Cocktails
As you walk out of the room and down the stairs, there is a sitting room with a bar connected. The cocktails we had at the bar reminded me of how much I love Old Fashions. Maybe it was the surroundings, maybe it was the cocktail, but my old fashion felt a little more special at the Chamberlin Inn. It was made with their 3 kinds of bitters, one of the bitters was even homemade.
Ernest Hemingway Stayed Here
We enjoyed our cocktails on the beautiful grounds where we saw little bunnies roaming around and watched a beautiful sunset. On certain days they have live music and a food truck. We learned that Earnest Hemingway stayed at the Chamberlin Inn. There is a guest book where he signed in under lock and key for all visitors to view. This is truly a gem of a hotel in Cody, Wyoming.
Where To Eat On Your Cody Wyoming Road Trip
There are quite a few food choices in Cody. From steak houses to coffee shops, there is something for everyone. You can even meet some other travelers and locals at The Cody Cattle Company. They have live music, a full dinner line, and cocktails.
Live Music At The Cody Cattle Company
The band was great, they played music, did a little comedy, and really involved the crowd. I highly recommend this as one of your must-sees when in Cody Wyoming.
Great Food Is Everywhere On Your Cody Wyoming Road Trip
Everywhere we ate was amazing. We were able to eat at 5 different restaurants on our trip to Cody, and they were all amazing. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Cody Steakhouse
On our first night there we ate at The Cody Steakhouse. We started off with fried green tomatoes. For dinner, I had grilled shrimp and mashed potatoes.
My dinner companions had the meatloaf dinner and the steak dinner. Both dinners came with mashed potatoes and a couple of sides, and all of our meals came with a salad.
A Great Place For Brunch and Lunch
We had a little time before we started our busy day of exploring so we headed to the Muddy Moose Cafe. This place was recommended by the locals, and you all know I always ask the locals where to eat.
The Muddy Moose
The locals didn’t disappoint. The food at the Muddy Moose was amazing. We both got French toast and grits. Hands down the best grits I have had to date.
Another Great Dinner Choice
Another great place for dinner is Trailhead Bar. Definitely make a reservation, they were packed. The food was amazing, great service, and they even had live music. I ordered a grilled Cesar salad, and Jill ordered a mushroom Swiss burger.
What To Do On A Cody Wyoming Road Trip
The Buffalo Bill Center Of The West has five museums in one. If you show up after 1 pm, you get to sample some campfire biscuits and beans made by Cowboy Sam. And I am not exaggerating when I say these were some of the best biscuits and beans I have ever had.
Buffalo Bill Museum
See possessions of Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley and explore thrilling stories of the American West — real, fictional, or somewhere in between.
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Plains Indian Museum
Stories of Plains Indian cultures, traditions, trials, and triumphs — past and present. View timeless artifacts from the 1800s as well as modern works from today’s Native artists.
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Cody Firearms Museum
Over 10,000 artifacts and completely redesigned galleries that spark meaningful conversations for firearms enthusiasts and casual visitors.
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Draper Natural History Museum
Immersive and kid-friendly for those who love Yellowstone. Look, listen, feel — and sometimes even smell — what makes Yellowstone’s diverse ecosystems special.
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Whitney Western Art Museum
An art lover’s dream. View timeless classics from Remington, Russell, Moran, and Bierstadt or browse selections from today’s world-renowned western artists.
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Special Exhibitions
Celebrate the Park’s 150th with the exhibition Yellowstone: For the Benefit & Enjoyment of the People. And don’t miss the Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild photography exhibition, now through July 31, 2022!
Related – Road Trip Safety When Traveling
There Is So Much To Do In Cody
Rodeo Every Night
If you like the rodeo, then you will love the Cody Stampede Rodeo. Starting on June 1st, there is a rodeo every night. They start off with the National anthem, and the American Flag carried around on horseback. There are rodeo clowns, and a full rodeo experience with bronco ridings, bull riding, and more.
Old Trail Town
Want to take a trip back to the 1800s when the west was created? Then definitely head to Old Trail Town. You will get to explore cabins, stores, and even a saloon that has actual bullet holes from a gunfight. This is a must-stop for any history buff or anyone that is intrigued about how they lived back in the day.
Ghost Stories At The Irma
We were treated to a tour of the Irma Hotel. This hotel is named after one of Buffalo Bill’s daughters and is known to be haunted. There are haunted rooms, and ghost stories at every turn. The restaurant on the bottom floor has a large salad bar/buffet, and the atmosphere really makes you feel like you are back in the history where Buffalo Bill resided.
Cowboy Showdown On My Cody Wyoming Road Trip
There is a gunslinger show every night right outside the Irma hotel. You can pay for seating, but you can also show up and watch it for free. It starts at 6 pm every night.
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The Best Of The West Trolley Tour
The Cody Trolley Tour is a great way to learn all the History on your Cody Wyoming Road Trip. You will learn how and why Buffalo Bill chose Cody Wyoming to build this amazing town. You will learn all about Buffalo Bill, his kids, his wife, and his life. We learned about the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, and why he was such a treasured piece of world history.
