12 Places to Experience in Cody Yellowstone if You’re in the Mood for a Vacation with Nostalgic Vibes
As the Nation approaches its 250th birthday, this corner of Wyoming offers old-time fun
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“See the USA in Your Chevrolet” was the catchy jingle that inspired a whole generation of fun-seeking families in the ‘50s and ‘60s to road trip to epic Western destinations like Cody Yellowstone. in Wyoming. Today, those travelers — many who are now grandparents and even great-grandparents — are yearning to relive some of those childhood memories with their own families.
Prompted in part by excitement surrounding the 250th birthday of the United States as well as this year’s 100th anniversary of Route 66, travelers everywhere are rediscovering the magic of an old-fashioned road trip.
Cody, Yellowstone is an obvious vacation destination in part because the town was founded 130 years ago, specifically with travelers in mind. Visionary town founder, Buffalo Bill Cody — who became famous by introducing worldwide audiences to the American West with his flamboyant and massive Wild West Show — chose the location of the town to accommodate travelers entering Yellowstone National Park through the East by traveling the road that is now called the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. Situated 52 miles from the park’s entrance, Cody was initially a convenient stop, with hotels and camps to accommodate those early park visitors. The town quickly became a destination, though, with historic attractions like dude ranches and the rodeo.
Here are 12 ideas for travelers seeking a nostalgic vacation in Cody Yellowstone this summer:
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- Cody Nite Rodeo — Established in 1938, the Cody Nite Rodeo is the only nightly summer-season rodeo in the U.S., and travelers come from around the world to witness the pageantry and skills of the event. Many generations of children saw their very first rodeo at the town’s rodeo grounds. Modern travelers can combine a night at the rodeo with a dining and musical adventure at the Cody Cattle Company, located adjacent to the rodeo grounds.
- Yellowstone National Park’s Iconic Attractions — Travelers, be sure to watch an eruption of Old Faithful Geyser and experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where painter Thomas Moran was inspired to paint the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. That painting helped to convince the U.S. Congress to establish Yellowstone as the world’s first national park.
Nite Rodeo. Photo: Visit Cody Yellowstone.
- Scenic Byways — Five scenic byways can be found in and around Cody Yellowstone, and road-trippers seeking to make new road-trip memories with their families will find plenty of rich and endearing fodder. Two of the Scenic Byways – Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway – connect Cody directly to Yellowstone National Park. Or travelers can take the Beartooth Loop and experience the Beartooth Highway, which famous road-tripper Charles Kuralt dubbed “the most beautiful drive in America.”
- Old-fashioned cookouts — Dinner cooked slowly over an open flame is an adventure that families can experience throughout the destination. Many dude and guest ranches, such as the Shoshone Lodge & Guest Ranch, stage breakfast and dinner rides that culminate in Dutch oven meals cooked over a campfire. Just outside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, 2 Mules Chuckwagon cookouts feature steak, biscuits, beans, salads and a Dutch oven cobbler dessert, also cooked over an open fire. Inside the park, the Roosevelt Lodge features a backcountry cookout and choice of horseback ride or transportation in a covered wagon or stagecoach.
Historic Irma Hotel. Photo: Visit Cody Yellowstone.
- Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel — Located in the center of town, Buffalo Bill built the Irma Hotel in 1902 and named it for his daughter. This Victorian-style hotel is a must-stop destination for anyone interested in historic architecture and design. The hotel has hosted royalty, celebrities and political leaders, and it remains a fun and eccentric gathering place for locals and visitors alike. The Cody Trolley Tour, an hour-long history tour of the town staged in an old-fashioned trolley, departs from the hotel throughout the summer, and it is another way nostalgia-minded visitors can learn about the town’s charming and sometimes quirky history.
Old Trail Town. Photo: Visit Cody Yellowstone
- Old Trail Town — This collection of authentic frontier buildings was designed to look like an early Western town. Visitors can stroll the boardwalks and peek into buildings such as an 1885 Post Office, a schoolhouse, a saloon, and even a one-time brothel. One of the most famous buildings is the Hole in the Wall Cabin, once used as a hideout by outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
- Ice Cream — Going out for ice cream is a tradition for many vacationing families, and Cody has lovers of the sweet treats covered. Situated conveniently on Sheridan Avenue in the center of town, the Bigg Chill features traditional flavors as well as unusual flavors such as Cookie Butter Latte and Apple Cider Cranberry. Ice cream lovers can also indulge their sweet tooth at Annie’s Soda Saloon or Dairy Queen.
- Shopping — Taking home a vacation souvenir or two is another vacation tradition, and travelers can choose from a huge range of keepsakes, from fine art to candy. Notable gift shops can be found at Pahaska Tepee, Irma Hotel and the Buffalo Bill Village. Art-lovers can visit galleries such as Big Horn Galleries and By Western Hands Museum and Gallery. And a variety of candy, treats and gifts can be found at shops such as Wyoming Buffalo Company and Cowtown Candy.
- Buffalo Bill Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West — With five museums under one roof, Cody Yellowstone visitors can spend hours — or days — exploring exhibits about the destination. Particularly nostalgic among the five museums is the Buffalo Bill Museum, with exhibits showcasing the town founder’s famous Wild West Show posters, buckskin jacket, and other clothing, and his boyhood home.
- Homesteader Museum — Anyone fascinated by tales of the Old West and early pioneers will want to explore this unusual museum in Powell. Exhibits showcase the tools and techniques of early settlers. Visitors can see historic farm equipment a blacksmith shop and explore a homesteader’s home.
- Dude and Guest Ranches — These iconic destinations are scattered throughout the region, and many, such as the Bill Cody Ranch, have been welcoming guests for more than a century. Many early ranch traditions can still be enjoyed today, such as guided horseback trail rides, fishing, hiking, cookouts, and accommodations in cozy cabins.
- Meeteetse Museums— This collection of three free museums — Belden Museum, Meeteetse Museum, and Bank Museum — explores the natural, cultural, and artistic heritage of the tiny town of Meeteetse. Visitors can learn about early ranch life, a one-time silver mining town that became a ghost town, and the discovery of black-footed ferrets, thought to be extinct but rediscovered more than 40 years ago by a ranch dog named Shep.
John Sullaway has worked for years as a writer and editor for publications dedicated to camping, includingRV Business, Highways,and the2025 North American Campground Guide. A SoCal native, John enjoys spending time with his family and two dogs.
