The Classic Western Family Destination Cody is known as the Rodeo Capital of the World thanks to town founder Buffalo Bill Cody’s flair for showmanship, and the Cody Nite Rodeo – a nightly two-hour event staged every evening between June 1 and August 31 – is the only nightly rodeo in the country. The Irma Hotel was built by Cody and named it after his youngest daughter in 1902. Pahaska Tepee was Buffalo Bill’s hunting lodge where he brought his pals – including Theodore Roosevelt and the Prince of Monaco. Cody Trolley Tour is an entertaining one-hour trolley tour travels through downtown Cody and to various landmarks. Cody Cattle Company is an entertaining family-friendly dinner show celebrates the music and food of the West. Cody Firearms Experience is an indoor shooting range educates visitors about firearms through history in a fun and safe environment. There are five Scenic Byways that pass through and around Cody Yellowstone. Among them is the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, which travels from downtown Cody to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to the Northeast Gate.

Outdoor Adventures for Every Season With nearly 7,000 square miles of mountains, valleys and rivers including a large swath of Yellowstone National Park, there’s plenty of room to roam in Cody Yellowstone. There are trails for hiking, biking, riding and skiing. Climbers traverse rocky outcroppings in warm weather and frozen waterfalls in cold. Anglers enjoy world-class fishing while campers find privacy.

Museums Preserve Cultural Heritage Cody is home to the world-renowned Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Plan plenty of time to explore the five museums – Whitney Western Art Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Plains Indians Museum and Buffalo Bill Museum. Heart Mountain WW II Interpretive Center, where 14,000 Japanese-American citizens were incarcerated following Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Western history buffs will appreciate a visit to Old Trail Town/Museum of the Old West, an enclave of 26 authentic frontier buildings (one used by Butch Cassidy and his gang) and several gravesites, including that of the infamous Jeremiah “Liver Eating” Johnston – portrayed by actor Robert Redford in the 1972 self-titled film. Meeteetse Museums is comprised of the Meeteetse Museum, Charles Belden Museum of Western Photography and Bank Museum. The museums house an extensive collection of historic items and host a variety of free tours such as the Legend Rock Tour, which explores hundreds of ancient petroglyphs. The recently renovated Historic Cody Mural and Museum depicts scenes of early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Homesteader Museum in nearby Powell is a collection of exhibits showing the world of pioneers, including renovated homesteader cabins, tools, photographs and other artifacts depicting the rugged life of a Wyoming homesteader.

A Top Small Town Arts Scene Cody has added “Top Small Town Arts Scene” to its ever-growing list of national accolades with its latest ranking in USA Today’s list of 10 Best Small Town Arts Scenes. The Cody Country Art League is also a favorite stop, with pottery, photography, mosaics, jewelry and other artwork crafted by more than 200 artists. The biggest art event of the year is the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, a celebration of fine art interpreting the land, people and wildlife of the American West. Staged every September, the multi-day event includes an auction, a Quick Draw event and much more. Cody is also home to numerous art galleries showcasing paintings, sculptures, jewelry and other original pieces created by local and regional artists and photographers.

Gateway to the World’s First National Park Cody’s proximity to Yellowstone is no accident as Buffalo Bill chose the town’s location with future tourism in mind. Visitors have two park gates from which to choose, and they often take day trips using the East and Northeast gates as entrances and exits.

A Flourishing Food and Beer Scene While craft breweries are found all over the country, only Cody was named the winner of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, this time for “Best Small Town Beer Scene.” The town’s burgeoning beer scene prompted the creation of the popular Sippin’ Trail, a trail with stops at the town’s various libation locations. Visitors who download the free app can earn prizes along the way. The trail includes not only the town’s breweries but also some of the town’s popular restaurants and saloons.