Those pining for an outdoor escape can find mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, fly fishing, horseback riding and river rafting in the nearby Shoshone National Forest. Just a 50-mile drive will bring you to the iconic Yellowstone National Park, where you can spend days admiring geysers, lakes and wildlife. The Cody-Yellowstone area, which includes Powell to the north and Meeteetse to the south, also boasts three scenic byways featuring stunning landscapes. If you’re feeling daring, head to Sleeping Giant for a ziplining experience with breathtaking views of the Absaroka Mountains or zip down the area’s ski runs in the winter. Save some time for strolling through Cody’s downtown, which includes fine restaurants, art galleries, unique shopping and the historic Irma Hotel.
BUFFALO BILL CENTRE OF THE WEST:
It’s time to bring it all back to where it started with an ode to the city’s founder, William Frederick Cody, aka Buffalo Bill. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is an enormous structure comprised of 5 museums, each designed to be entertaining, educational, and exciting for all ages. Start at the Buffalo Bill Museum to take a walk through the life of the man himself, then learn the history of thousands of guns throughout the ages at the Cody Firearms Museum. See one of the largest curated collections of Western art anywhere in the world at the Whitney Western Art Museum or get a hands-on look at the natural marvels of Yellowstone at the Draper Natural History Museum.