Wyoming

Home to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, cattle ranches, and the oldest Rodeo in the U.S., Wyoming is a great place to visit! Wyoming may not be heavily populated, but it certainly has enough natural beauty to go around. Huge mountains rise up over the Great Plains, and the beauty of Yellowstone National Park is legendary.

Though Wyoming wasn't explored by Europeans until after 1800, Native Americans had been living there for thousands of years. It wasn't until 1890 that Wyoming had enough residents to become a state, and after that the residents fought over land rights for cattle grazing. Today, ranching is still an important part of Wyoming's economy, but energy is their most important industry now: Wyoming is a leader in petroleum and natural gas production.

Wyoming only has about 28 million residents in total (some American cities have more residents!), but the natural beauty of almost any area of Wyoming is redemption enough to be a cause for visiting. If you're passing through Wyoming or visiting the eastern portion of the state, a stop in Casper is a great choice. Visitors rank the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center as the #1 attraction in the area. Adults and teens alike love the hands-on attractions and there is enough detailed history to keep the exhibits interesting. There's a covered wagon and stagecoach simulation, and lots of exhibits with things to touch and do. Visitors to Casper will also enjoy Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site. The fort is a reconstructed military post at a major river crossing, and focuses on prehistoric peoples, Plains Indians, and ranching. Caspar also offers historic trail tours and a planetarium.

In the southeast corner of the state, Cheyenne is right on an intersection between many American cross-country highways, and is a great stopping point for travelers. Visitors rate "The Rodeo" at Cheyenne Annual Frontier Days as the number one attraction in the area. The rodeo is the oldest rodeo in the United States, and riders compete for prizes each year. If you're in Wyoming during the Annual Frontier Days it's a must-see! There's also the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum where visitors can learn about the history of the city and the Old West with exhibits like horse-drawn carriages, early automobiles, and other artifacts. If learning about the west is particularly interesting, visit Nelson Museum of the West which is packed with Western paraphernalia!

If the Yellowstone National Park is your destination, Jackson Hole is nestled right in the heart of the Teton National Forest. Jackson Hole offers TONS of great attractions, including a covered wagon cookout, horseback riding, skiing, aerial tram rides, and cultural arts – right in the middle of Yellowstone (though not a part of it!). Visitors may also love the National Museum of Wildlife Art where visitors can see some of the world's best wildlife art in a museum that looks like a natural rock outcropping! Also nearby is the Jackson Hole Rodeo Grounds, where rodeos are held almost year round.

Winter in Yellowstone offers great skiing, and skiers can stay right in Jackson Hole Ski Resort, a resort complex that includes shops and restaurants, and skiing that boasts the steepest, longest vertical slope in the U.S.! There are lots of great ski areas in Yellowstone, so find one close to your lodging and do all that there is to do!

If you're staying around or in Yellowstone, you can take the Loop Tour to see all the great sites in a short amount of time. Some tours also include activities like fishing, biking or white water rafting. In Yellowstone, some of the best attractions include the Grand Canyon, with amazing scenery and beautiful waterfalls. There is also Yellowstone Lake, where trout fishing is easy and the views are breathtaking. Old Faithful is another huge attraction. This ancient geyser is named Old Faithful because of its timeliness in erupting every day. There's also the rest of Mammoth Hot Springs, where Old Faithful is located, which has great wildlife viewing and great waterfalls. For a pleasant hike in the park, Heart Lake Loop surrounds a beautiful lake and is perfect for both hikers and anglers. The park also offers canoeing, horseback riding, camping, and white water rafting. After an exhausting day adventuring around Yellowstone, visit the Old West Dinner Cookout for a fun and entertaining dinner. Whatever your itinerary, a trip to Yellowstone is never forgotten!

Hotels.bz will see you through with a great list of budget hotels and luxury hotels with more in the middle, too!

For the best budget hotels try these gems:

Shilo Inn Hotel - Starting at $75 a night this Evansville hotel is located right near Fort Caspar. The hotel amenities include a sauna, steam room, spa and indoor pool. This hotel also features a complimentary breakfast and a roundtrip airport shuttle.
Hitching Post Inn - Starting at $79 a night this Cheyenne hotel is right near Wyoming Transportation Museum and Frontier Days Old West Museum. The hotel also features complimentary Wi-Fi.

For mid-range hotels try these great hotels:

Hilton Garden Inn - Starting at $116 a night this Casper inn has a restaurant and room service, and features an indoor pool and fitness facility.
Cheyenne SpringHill Suites - Starting at $93 a night this Cheyenne hotel is near to all the great Cheyenne tourist spots. Amenities include a fitness facility, spa tub and indoor pool. A 3-star property.
Sawmill Lodge - Starting at $90 a night this Dubois hotel is right outside Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. The hotel is family run with custom designs and a fireplace. The hotel amenities include satellite TV, jetted bathtub, beautiful views, and more!

If you're taking out all the stops, try these amazing luxury hotels with amenities to make you feel on top of the world:

Snow King Resort Hotel - Starting at $160 a night this family-friendly hotel is in the mountains and is close to the great Snow King resort. The resort features a restaurant and bar, limited room service, tennis courts, a spa with beauty services, a sauna, and more!
Cowboy Village Resort - Starting at $156 a night and close to Snow King Resort, this great little resort features single-family cabins. Amenities include an indoor pool, spa tub, fitness facility and more. The best part of this hotel is the kitchenettes and other furnishings that allow for families to stay and eat in one place!
Wort Hotel - Starting at $269 a night this hotel is close to the Snow King Resort and Jackson Town Square. The hotel has 2 restaurants, a bar, room service, a manager receiption, 2 spa tubs, a fitness facility, and so much more. A 4 star property!