Eighth in series of posts about traveling in Colorado & Wyoming.
Looking for the Old West in Cheyenne includes railroads. After being enthralled by “Big Boy” we headed to Cheyenne’s restored train depot and depot square located at 121 W. 15th St. There you can see freight trains up close as they pass by the station.
Boots, statues, and brewery in Cheyenne recall Old West
The Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot, built in 1886-1887 of rose and white sandstone, is a delight to the eye. No wonder it’s widely acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful railroad stations in North America. A National Historic Landmark, the Depot houses a visitors center, a museum, and a brewery/restaurant. The brewery is aptly named, “The Accomplice” with a nod to the outlaw gangs of yesteryear.
Cheyenne Depot Square and the restored Depot are impressive by their clean, well-kept appearance. Statues of people in period dress and a collection of over-sized boots enhance the ambiance. The inviting plaza is the site for community events and concerts. City workers were busy planting flowers throughout the Depot as we were walking by.
Depot Museum highlights Old West Cheyenne’s Railroad History
When looking for the Old West in Cheyenne, visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum. it tells the story of Cheyenne’s beginnings during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, the Union Pacific Depot and the Union Pacific Railroad. You can view the Union Pacific Main Yard from the Coupler addition on the west end of the Depot. Trains still pass by the depot and tracks run over the city streets much more than what we see in New England. Trains definitely have a strong presence in this part of the country.
You’ll get a kick out of these cowboy boots!
When you visit Downtown Cheyenne, and especially Depot Square, you can’t help but notice the colorful boots. Twenty-five tall boots are referred to as the “talk of the town” as they are part of a free audio tour. “These Boots are made for Talking” was a fund-raising project to benefit the Cheyenne Depot Museum. They were sponsored by local businesses and auctioned off. Each boot is unique and painted by area artists. The theme of the project is “If this boot could talk, what story would it tell?”
Cowboy boot #15 at Cheyenne Depot Plaza Cowboy boot #18 at Cheyenne Depot
In a way, they do talk via your cell phone. A brochure available in the Visitors Center or online has a map and photos of the boots. Each boot has a number.
When you call 307-316-0067, and when prompted enter the number of the boot followed by the #key. Then you’ll hear the artist’s narrative about the boot. You’ll find more photos and information about the boots here.
Gunslingers “shoot-up” Cheyenne in mock gunfights
Gunslinger Square is the seasonal site of gunfights, western skits, and other Wild West activities. Find the fun at 15th & Pioneer, a short walk from the Depot. All of the shows are family-friendly, fun, and exciting. Every performance begins with a safety demonstration. Click here for more information.
What’s a cowboy town without a saloon?
As we were visiting the Depot at dinner time, we decided to check out the brewery/restaurant found in one end of the building. There is a patio in the front facing Depot Plaza. As it was a tad chilly, we opted for an indoor hightop. There we had a view of the tracks and the occasional freight train that passed by. It was a great experience.
According to its website, The Accomplice Beer Company brewery strives to be your accomplice on your beer adventures. They offer their own beer as well as guest taps. What is different about this brewery was that it is “self-serve.”
The hostess issues you a card. You place the card in the slot of the tap of the beer that you want. Grab a growler or glass or in a size you want, and fill as you wish. The card tracks the beer you pour and charges by the ounce. If there isn’t a server near by, you can ring a bell if you need assistance. The self-serve tap area is called “The Beer Shrine.” As you can see, they have 14 taps to choose from.
The food is good. The beer is better. It is quite the experience. It’s not only the self-pouring, but also watching other people using the shrine.
Get a taste of Cheyenne’s history with a Trolley Tour
Building detail in Cheyenne that evokes western heritage Buildings in Cheyenne, Wyoming near the restored depot
Departing from the Depot, the seasonal Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Wild West Tours are a great way to get an overview of Cheyenne’s rough and tumble past and a feel for the historic landmarks. The tours begin with tales of the railroad and wild beginnings from gunfights to brothels and vigilantes. You can see where the gunfights occurred and where Wild Bill Hickok was married.
The weekday trolley tours operate as a loop tour. You can disembark at any of the stops, then hop back on the trolley when it comes back by in 90 minutes. See this interactive map for information about the museums and sites that the trolley stops at. Refer to the schedule for stops & times.
You can buy tickets on this website or at the Depot. Or, you can call 307-778-3133 to purchase advance tickets by credit card.
As far as accessibility, each trolley accommodates two wheelchairs and has lifts.
Our trolley driver is a great ambassador for Cheyenne. She is full of vitality and enthusiasm for the history of the city. She provides lots of anecdotes and details as she drives from site to site. We wished that we had the time to visit some of the places we passed.
It was a Monday and some attractions, like the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Emporium, are closed every Monday.
Tips for visiting Cheyenne, Wyoming
A lot of the activities are seasonal. Be sure to visit Cheyenne.org which has a wealth of information about touring the city. Download or request guides from Cheyenne.org and the Wyoming Tourism Bureau. The guides can help you can find out when attractions are open and to plan your visit.
What isn’t readily apparent on the website, or by buying tickets online, that for a few more dollars you can buy a Trolley Plus pass that includes entrance to some of the museums along the tour. So, look into the combination rate when buying tickets. Several couples, including us, weren’t aware of this.
Please note, if you buy your tickets online, unless they change the process, you have to still physically pick them up at the Visitors Bureau in the Depot to give to the Trolley driver.
f you can only go once, go for Cheyenne Frontier Days at the end of July. That’s when they pull out the stops as far as cowboys then and now.
Whenever you might go, we highly recommend the Trolley Tour. And budget time to visit at least some of the stops along the way.