Buffalo
Bill Cody is the patron saint of this town, which is
situated just east of the Absaroka Range. It's the
Wyoming gateway to Yellowstone National Park and the town
itself is a fascinating place to visit. The thrilling
route to Yellowstone is one of the great drives through
the American West: 50 miles of undiluted mountain
splendor through the Wapiti Valley and the Shoshone
National Forest -- the first designated national forest
in the U.S.
What
to See & Do
The
major attraction in town is the Buffalo Bill
Historical Center which contains not one but four
museums and galleries which began as a modest log
building and has now expanded to become one of the
nation's preeminent museum complexes. This is the place
to experience Americana in all its excitement. The
Buffalo Bill Museum is a huge collection of Bill
Cody's personal memorabilia: photographs of his life as a
Civil War soldier, pony express rider, buffalo hunter and
showman. The collection includes a fully-restored
Deadwood stagecoach and personal items from many of
Cody's contemporaries including Annie Oakley. Buffalo
Bill's clothing and show costumes are included.
The
Whitney Gallery of Western Art contains paintings
and sculptures from the likes of Remington, Russell,
Bierstadt, Moran and Wyeth. The Plains Indian
Museum houses thousands of cultural artifacts -- of
more than a century of Plains Indian history -- and a
contemporary Indian gallery plus a re-creation of an 1890
Sioux Indian camp. Finally, the Firearms Museum
presents a full history of the development of
firearms in the United States and Europe from the 16th
century to today. The Historical Center is open daily
from March through November.
Many
travelers to Yellowstone Park stay in Cody before making
the drive through the Absarokas, past the Buffalo Bill
Reservoir. There are several historic hotels, and a
good range of modern hotels and motels. Buffalo Bill
State Park located along the reservoir just west of
town offers camping facilities and day-use picnic areas.
The lake has good trout fishing, as does the north fork
of the Shoshone River. There are several private
campgrounds and RV parks in town.
Several
guest ranches are in the Cody area, with some in the
national forest. These include the Hunter Peak Ranch, 23
miles from Yellowstone boundary with accommodations
ranging from rustic cabins to rooms in the main lodge.
Castle Rock Ranch is 17 miles southwest of Cody on Hwy.
291 in the Southfork Valley of the Shoshone River. There
is a large lodge with pool, private rooms; activities
include the usual riding plus cookouts, river fishing and
llama treks in the mountains. For reservation numbers,
see below.
Where
to Eat
The
historic Irma Hotel, with restaurant and saloon,
is one of the most nostalgic places to eat in Wyoming.
The hotel was built by Bill Cody for his daughter and the
ambiance is authentic. The food matches the
ambiance.
Two
of the best places in the area to eat are out of town:
Goff Creek Lodge has a restaurant and lounge in
the Wapiti Valley, via Hwy. 14/16/20. The meals are
Western-style and they're huge. Absaroka Mountain
Lodge is farther along the same highway, 12 miles
from the Yellowstone gate with a rustic log lodge and
excellent food.
Irma
Hotel
192 Sheridan Ave., (307) 587-4221
A Cody original, built by Buffalo Bill for his daughter
in 1902 -- then and now the town's social focal point.
The rooms are large comfortable, all with private bath.
The dining room features a carved cherrywood back-bar,
sent over as a gift from Queen Victoria, and serves
excellent home-cooked meals including prime rib ($ to
$$).
The
Lockhart Bed and Breakfast Inn
109 W. Yellowstone Ave., (307) 587-6074
Another place to stay with a historic focus, this was the
home of author and world traveler Caroline Lockhart.
Well-restored and furnished with antiques, this B and B
also features private baths and an all-you-can-eat
breakfast ($$).
Hunter
Peak Ranch
(307) 587-3711
A guest ranch in the Shoshone National Forest, 65 miles
NE of Cody, with cabins and lodge rooms, private baths,
family-style meals, riding, etc. Open Memorial Day to
Labor Day, also for fall hunting.
Castle
Rock Ranch
(307) 587-2076
17 miles SW of Cody in the Southfork Valley, this is an
adventure center with many activities including llama
treks and kayaking. There are full lodge facilities and
private rooms. 412 Road 6 NS ($ to $$).
Absaroka
Mountain Lodge
Box 168, Wapiti, WY 82450, (307) 587-3963
Located 12 miles east of Yellowstone National park and
on the route from Cody, the lodge has a warm, log main
building with good dining and a rustic saloon. The
cabins are also of log construction Riding, fishing
and hiking ($$).
