6 Standout Main Streets In Wyoming

If you’re looking to dig a little deeper into America’s fascinating “Old West” roots, plan a trip to Wyoming. Dubbed the “Cowboy State” for good reason, Wyoming's small towns attract visitors on the lookout for authentic Western experiences. Not only do they do a great job of preserving the state's frontier character, their original old storefronts, historic hotels, and centuries-old businesses, but they also conserve a strong sense of community. To help you plan the very best Western USA adventure, read through our list of these standout Main Streets in Wyoming for unique ideas and plenty of inspiration.

Pinedale

Established in 1904 after a local rancher donated land to build a town, Pinedale grew around the region’s booming cattle operations, making it an authentic cowboy town. While one of the smaller main drags on this list, Pine Street makes up for its size with its stunning scenery. Set against a backdrop of the Wind River Range, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the western slope of these rugged mountains, including the state’s tallest, Gannett Peak.

Park along Pine Street in Downtown Pinedale and check out heritage buildings like the redbrick Sublette County Courthouse, completed in 1923. And just a block away from Pine Street, it’s worth wandering to the Museum of the Mountain Man with its fascinating displays of old rifles and beaver traps used in the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Best time to visit Pinedale? The Green River Rendezvous takes place every July with re-enactments of fur trapper gatherings from the 1880s, with unique events such as tepee raising and tomahawk throwing competitions. Though the fun takes place at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, a few miles outside of town, visitors liven up Pine Street with stays at the centrally located Sundance Motel.

Thermopolis

In addition to its impressive name (a combination of Greek words that together mean "hot city"), Thermopolis offers curious visitors plenty of interesting attractions along Broadway Street. Serving as the town’s Main Street, Broadway stretches from the Bighorn River to the western edge of the community and has seen traffic as far back as 1897, when the town was founded.

The big draw then was the hot springs, which served as the catalyst for the original settlement and continue to draw visitors to this day. Now known as Hot Springs State Park and just a few minutes from Broadway, the springs’ consistent 104 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures can be enjoyed in its public pools and the State Bath House.

Follow Broadway over the river and you’ll wind up at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, housing a sizable collection of fossils excavated from nearby sites. For a truly memorable experience, book a dig site tour where you’ll learn about fossil excavation, and even have the chance to do some digging yourself.

Broadway businesses to check out include Storyteller (they also serve great coffee), and for a tasty meal, the Thermopolis Safari Club, which serves excellent bison burgers. Make a weekend getaway of it with a stay at Best Western Plaza Hotel, with its own hot spring mineral pools, all just a short walk from Broadway.

Sheridan

Sheridan was founded in 1882 and named after General Philip Sheridan, a Union Army leader during the Civil War. Originally known for its furs, it grew rapidly after the Burlington and Missouri Railroad arrived in 1892, bringing with it coal miners, ranchers, and businesses that set up along Main Street. Major urban landmarks from this period include the famous Mint Bar, opened in 1907 as a watering hole for miners and, of course, cowboys (just look for the bucking bronco neon sign).

A must-see for fans of the Wild West is Don King's Western Museum & Saddlery, with its displays of Western saddles, ropes, and bits from the 1800s. Looking for a cool place to stay near Main Street? The Sheridan Inn, a couple of blocks from the north end of downtown, was built in 1893 and offers guest tours of the hotel. Along with its classic oak-paneled lobby, you’ll see rooms that once hosted the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody, making the stay even more memorable.

Laramie

Just 50 miles west of Cheyenne, Laramie started off in 1868 as a tent city for workers and supporting businesses during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. The town grew rapidly around the rail yards and stock yards, with the brick buildings you see today constructed after the original wood structures were destroyed by fire in the 1870s.

Named one of the best such districts in the country, Laramie Main Street generally refers to the entirety of the downtown core and includes several important historic landmarks. Must-sees include the former Union Pacific Depot, now known as Laramie Railroad Depot, home to a cool museum with displays of model trains and original telegraph equipment; and the Wyoming Women's History House with its artefacts and exhibits relating to the state (and the town’s) early role in the suffragette movement.

Cody

Wyoming’s towns don’t get any more cowboyish than Cody. Handily located 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park's east entrance, the town was founded by and named after the legendary William "Buffalo Bill" Cody in 1896. This foresight soon saw the town become a hub for oil drilling and tourism, with many of the most interesting buildings from this period still in use today.

The best can be seen on Sheridan Avenue, which serves as Cody’s Main Street. Check out the Irma Hotel, constructed in 1902 by Buffalo Bill specifically for tourists to Yellowstone. In addition to seeing the building’s well-preserved wood-clad interiors, you can eat in the original dining room and even stay a night or two (or more).

Other Cody Main Street highlights include the Cody Firearms Museum with its impressive gun collection, including legendary Colt revolvers; and the Cody Theatre, which still hosts plays in its original building dating from 1919..

Jackson

Despite its humble beginnings as a simple homestead in 1894, Jackson has become the classic depiction of an Old West town. Often referred to as Jackson Hole after the valley it sits in, this delightful town is famous for its antler arches. Set around the Town Square on Broadway (aka, Jackson Main Street), these four unique structures are big enough to walk through and are each made from 2,000 elk antlers. It’s certainly an epic selfie spot, especially at Christmas when they’re strung with festive lighting.

Other must-sees in and around Broadway include the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a downtown staple since 1937. In addition to its unique saddle stools, you can even get in some line dancing on its dance floor. The Jackson Hole Playhouse is also worth seeing. Set in an old livery stable dating from 1897, it features a regular roster of plays and musicals.

The Final Word

There’s no doubt whatsoever that Wyoming's best Main Streets provide truly authentic Old West experiences. Not only are they fun to visit, but they also serve as time capsules that clearly show how Wyoming evolved from a collection of rustic frontier outposts to one of the most dynamic regions in the country. Along the way, these six standout Wyoming Main Streets have done an incredible job of preserving the state’s Western traditions.