State Bucket List: Wyoming

Sheridan

Opened in 1907, the Mint Bar has stood since the days of ice being transported by horse. It has held many owners over the years, but very little has changed. While the Mint Bar has a distinct cowboy theme, it is welcoming of all creeds and cultures. Whether you are traveling with family or flying solo, you should add this to your itinerary.

Fort Washakie

For over 63 years, Eastern Shoshone Indian Days has been promoting the study of American Indian culture. The largest Powwow in Wyoming, ESID hosts more than 700 dancers, a tribal drum competition, and a famous relay race. This is a great way to learn about the habits of the area’s indigenous people.

Cody

This complex is comprised of five unique museums, each shining a light on a different aspect of Wyoming's history and culture. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is home to something for everyone, including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, and the Buffalo Bill Museum.

Jackson

Wyoming Balloon Company has become a state tradition, operating hot air balloon rides for decades. Trips usually start early in the morning so that visitors are able to experience a mountain sunrise from a bird's-eye view. At that height, visitors are able to look out over seven separate mountain ranges.

Saratoga

For an unforgettable dining experience, add Bella's Bistro to your bucket list. Nestled in Saratoga, Wyoming, this contemporary Italian gem, housed in a historic home, combines Old World charm with modern sophistication. Chef Tommy Orduno's fresh, in-house-prepared Italian classics and unparalleled service make Bella's a must-visit, offering an affordable yet elegant meal year-round. Find them at the corner of North First Street and Saratoga Avenue.

You can’t take a trip to Wyoming without making a stop at Yellowstone. While you are there, you will have to check out the Grand Prismatic Spring. While it may be too hot for most humans, there are several types of bacteria that live in the boiling waters, giving it a rainbow-hued appearance. In fact, the Grand Prismatic Spring made it onto our list of the Most Colorful Places on Earth.

When you aren’t taking sleigh rides among the elk, your trip to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will be best enjoyed from its ski slopes. You will be able to stay in a rustic mountain lodge with views so incredible that the resort has become a popular wedding destination.

Guernsey

You will be able to walk in the footsteps of the first settlers of the area: fur trappers and mountain men. The Oregon Trail saw an incredible influx of trade and commerce through the United States in the 1800s, and from the Wyoming stretch of the trail, you will be able to get a taste of the rich history it has to offer. Because it was such a high-traffic area, Guernsey now features permanent ruts in the earth where wagon after wagon made it's way west.

(image via Wikimedia)

Red Lodge

The Beartooth Scenic Highway is Wyoming’s highest paved road. From 10,947 feet above sea level, visitors are able to see out over the terrain through breathtaking mountain passes. The history of the area is almost as impressive as its outstanding views.

Teton County

With its purple mountain peaks and meadows filled with flowers, Grand Teton National Park seems like it was made specifically with postcards in mind. Visitors enjoy a variety of outdoor activities all year round, including horseback riding, hiking, and snowshoeing. The park is a nature lover’s dream.