Attractions and Places To See around Laramie - Top 5

Laramie is rich in history. You can visit the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, a former federal and state penitentiary built in 1872, where you can walk through historic cells. Other notable historical landmarks include the Laramie Plains Museum at the Historic Ivinson Mansion, the Lincoln Monument, and the Ames Monument, a monolithic pyramid built by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Yes, Laramie offers several family-friendly options. LaBonte Park is excellent for all ages, featuring barbecue grills, a basketball court, a playground, a skate park, and a large lake. The University of Wyoming is also home to the Geological Museum, often called 'Wyoming's Jurassic Park,' with impressive dinosaur fossils like a 75-foot Apatosaurus skeleton.

The Laramie area is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. You can explore the unique rock formations and trails at Vedauwoo Recreation Area, hike or fish in Medicine Bow National Forest, or enjoy the extensive trail system at Curt Gowdy State Park. For cycling, there are routes like the Laramie River loop from the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, and for running, consider the Laramie River – University of Wyoming loop. You can find more routes in the Cycling around Laramie and Running Trails around Laramie guides.

Laramie offers a variety of hiking trails. For easy walks, the Laramie River Greenbelt Trail is a paved, six-mile path perfect for cycling and wildlife spotting. Vedauwoo Recreation Area has trails like the Turtle Rock Loop. For more challenging hikes, Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range offers breathtaking views at 12,018 feet. Curt Gowdy State Park also features numerous trails, including those leading to Hidden Falls.

Absolutely. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a stunning route that bypasses I-80, taking you past glacial lakes and quartzite peaks, reaching elevations of 10,000 feet. Please note that this byway is typically closed from mid-November to Memorial Day due to snow.

The Laramie area is excellent for wildlife viewing. Along the Laramie River Greenbelt Trail, you might spot deer, beavers, and various bird species. Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, southwest of Laramie, is a prime location to view pronghorn and diverse birdlife. Sybille Canyon, northeast of Laramie, is home to elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. You can also visit the Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuary to see over 300 wild mustangs.

The best time to visit Laramie for outdoor activities largely depends on what you want to do. Summer and early fall (June to September) are ideal for hiking, cycling, and exploring the high-altitude areas like the Snowy Range, as the scenic byway is open. Winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in areas like Happy Jack Recreation Area.

The University of Wyoming is a cultural hub. Besides the Geological Museum with its dinosaur exhibits, you can visit the American Heritage Center, which houses artifacts and archives of Wyoming's Western past. The UW Art Museum features works by local and international artists, and the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium offers stargazing and astronomical shows.

For unique natural rock formations, head to Vedauwoo Recreation Area, just east of Laramie. It's famous for its distinctive, gravity-defying rock formations, which are popular for rock climbing and offer picturesque backdrops for hiking and picnicking.

Yes, Laramie is home to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, a notable landmark constructed from local limestone in 1896. It stands as the highest cathedral in the nation and is a great photo opportunity.

Yes, there are several easy cycling routes around Laramie. The Laramie River loop from the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site and the Bike loop from Richards Park are both considered easy. For more options, check out the Cycling around Laramie guide.

The Laramie Mural Project is a vibrant initiative that showcases public art on historic buildings within the Downtown Laramie Historic District. This charming area is a popular gathering place with shops and restaurants, and the murals add a unique artistic dimension to the city's historical architecture.