Best Museums to Visit in Wyoming
Written By: Sarah Reish
Museums have captured the moments in history that have gone by that make Wyoming what it is today. From learning about the mountain men to the first established settlements, we have visited both large and small museums that celebrate the places and people who were involved in settling this land. Here are some of our favorite museums from around Wyoming.
Wyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig Site
Wyoming is home to some of the best dinosaur dig sites in the world. Located in Thermopolis, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig Site museum celebrates the fossilized history of this region. Guests can sign up during the summer months to go to the dig site and learn about archeology and the work that goes into finding the remains.
Hours:
September 15 – May 14, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
May 15 – September 14, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: The museum is family friendly and interactive. It is informative and the fact that you can sign up to actively work on a dig site is what set this museum apart and why it made it on our list of Best Museums to Visit in Wyoming!
The Frontier Auto Museum
This fun museum celebrates the golden age of the 40’s and 50’s. You will be met with neon signs, tons of cars, and more. The Frontier Auto Museum is also a coffee shop and antique store. This is a must see museum located in Gillette, Wyoming.
Hours:
Summer Hours: (June - August) Monday-Saturday 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Winter Hours: (September - May) Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: The Frontier Auto Museum is a must see museum for all. The nostalgia of walking through a museum that is created to feel like a town is unreal - ie, inside the museum are stores, diners, a salon, a laundromat and even a functioning drive in movie theater that was playing vintage movies. The combination of these displays makes this an immersive experience, which is how they landed on our Best Museums in Wyoming list.
Museum of the Mountain Man
This museum, located in Pinedale, Wyoming, celebrates the mountain men who came and explored the region during the time of the fur trade. Learn about the men who are responsible for first establishing the rendezvous prior to settlements or the establishment of towns in the area.
Hours:
Summer Hours: May 1 – Oct. 31: Everyday 9 am-5 pm
Winter Hours: November 1 – April 30 by advance appointment
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: The Museum of the Mountain Man dives into the history of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains. The museum also addresses the truths and myths of mountain men and they offer live historic workshops so you can see what the life of a mountain man was like.
Buffalo Bill Center of The West
Located in Cody, Wyoming, The Center of the West is a Smithsonian affiliate and consists of 5 museums which include the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum and the Whitney Western Art Museum. There are rotating special exhibits, currently at the end of 2021 there are two, ‘8 Seconds - Black Cowboys in America’ and ‘What Lies Beneath - Exploring Yellowstone Lake’s Mysterious Vents’.
Hours:
May 1- September 15, 8 am - 6 pm daily
September 16 - October 31, 8 am - 5 pm daily
November, 10 am - 5 pm daily
December 1 - February 28, 10 am - 5 pm Thursday - Sunday
March 1 - April 30, 10 am - 5 pm daily
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: This museum is massive, which is why your ticket is good for two days. One of the largest gun museums in the world with 10,000 artifacts, interactive displays, stunning art and more. The attention to detail used in each gallery and display are what put this museum on our list. We highly recommend visiting this museum and be sure to take your time while exploring.
Hit the road!
Let’s support our local museums, explore what makes Wyoming so amazing and enjoy the history indoors this winter. Let us know what you think of these museums and share your favorites in the comments or on social media - tag us in your posts, @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld
