Cheyenne, Wyoming, offers a welcoming environment for wheelchair-bound travelers, providing rich experiences in accessibility, activities and accommodations. This vibrant city not only offers scenic beauty and culture but also actively supports and facilitates an enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Why Cheyenne Works for Travelers Using a Wheelchair
- Inclusive Accessibility: Many venues and attractions, like the Cheyenne Depot Museum and Frontier Days Old West Museum, are fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy the sights.
- Diverse Activities: From the thrilling Hell on Wheels rodeo to the unique Terry Bison Ranch, there are numerous wheelchair-friendly activities that cater to a variety of interests.
- Quality Accommodations: Hotels in Cheyenne, such as Everhome Suites, provide spacious, accessible rooms equipped with necessary amenities for comfort and ease.
The writer was hosted.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, is the place to go when you hunger for cowboys, high plains scenery and stick-to-your-ribs ranch fare.
Each year, I travel with my brother, Mark, to a fun destination. This year’s trip to Cheyenne marked a return to Wyoming for me after too many years and helped Mark finish off his goal of visiting all 50 states.
As a wheelchair traveler, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how accessible Cheyenne is.
Bring the Cowboy Boots
I picked up a cowboy hat and boots as soon as I confirmed my trip. It seemed like the logical thing to do. Giant cowboy boots can be found all around the city of Cheyenne. You’ll also see them on the feet of many locals and visitors.
Of course, cowboys and rodeos go together. Cheyenne is known for two major rodeo events:
Hell On Wheels
We went to the final night of Hell on Wheels, which runs on six Friday nights every summer. The rodeo is a qualifier for the American Contender Tournament. It brings the community together. They have a Rodeo Queen who serves throughout Hell On Wheels each summer, with a new one crowned at the end of the season.
Hell on Wheels starts with a Chuckwagon Dinner. The slow-cooked brisket is tender and delicious, as are the potatoes and cobbler, served with ice cream. After we ate, we headed to the arena. They have a ramp leading to wheelchair seating up front. The warm day had turned into a breezy night, but we witnessed a beautiful sunset as we watched the cowboys and cowgirls of all ages perform.
Frontier Days
Cheyenne’s Frontier Days started in 1897 and remains the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration. It takes place yearly from the third Friday until the last Sunday of July. Frontier Days attracts country music celebrities who perform, from Dolly Parton to Toby Keith. About 250,000 people visit this celebration each year.
A rodeo is too simple an explanation for Frontier Days. It includes rodeo events, but they also have Chuckwagon Dinners, Old Frontier Town, Sidewinder Saloon, a carnival and Frontier Nights, when the concerts take place. It is all wheelchair accessible.
Save Time to Visit
I could not believe how much I was able to see and do in Cheyenne. Our adventure started by taking a trip on the Historic Trolley. The Trolley is equipped with a lift, and I had no problem getting on in my large power wheelchair. Our guide, Laureen, took us around the city to tell us all about its history.
- Wyoming’s Capitol building is a must-see. The architecture and design are exquisite, but the most impressive aspect is the access of going inside places such as the Senate Chambers and learning how women here became the first in the country to vote.
- The Frontier Days Old West Museum gives the best look into the history of this popular event. I loved all the different stagecoaches displayed. Take time to check out the unusual offerings in their gift shop.
- The Cheyenne Depot Museum downtown doesn’t take long to go through. You will find the city’s Visitors Center in there, as well as information about the Union Pacific Railroad, which came to Cheyenne in the late 19th century.
- Go to the Wyoming State Museum to learn about all the things the state has to offer, including Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.
- Our last stop ranked among my favorites. I highly recommend a visit to Terry Bison Ranch. The bison are a good show, but you’ll find many other animals here. The place is wheelchair accessible. They even have ADA cabins for rent. The trolley has a ramp that came down for me to ride up and park in so I could enjoy the tour.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you don’t see a ramp or elevator in a place, just ask. Everywhere we went had one, but you might have to go around the corner or in the back of the building.
A Lot More Than Steak
Before my arrival in Cheyenne, I expected it to be filled with steakhouses. You certainly won’t have a problem getting great beef around there, but you’ll find plenty of variety.
My favorite restaurant, and one I wish I had time to go back to try more things on the menu, is Paris West. In the middle of this cowboy-filled town, this ode to France does it right. My Chicken Pot Pie was filled with fresh vegetables and covered in a house-made crust. Mark ate a salad with grilled salmon. We ended the meal with warm cinnamon sugar beignets.
Pour Decision is a local favorite, as witnessed by the crowds. One of the reasons for its popularity is the free ice cream you get with every sandwich or burger. I ate one of those flavorful burgers, with a big portion of their tasty fries—and ice cream, of course.
If you do want that great steak, go to Currie’s Pine Bluff. My brother raves about their bacon-covered filet. Have your pre-dinner drinks in the Pine Bluff Distillery just a mile away. We did a tasting of their whiskeys and gin. The Ryed Bourbon won my taste buds. They also offer a selection of unusual cocktails.
We tried a different breakfast place each day. Here are my recommendations on what to order:
- Down Home Diner -Go for the omelets with all the fillings you want.
- Luxury Diner -The Giant Cinnamon Roll is scrumptious, with plenty to share.
- Paramount Coffee -This old theater is worth a look, and they pour great drinks, whether you want their chai, latte or a cocktail. Pair it with a warm croissant for breakfast.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Check before you go out to eat. We found a lot of restaurants in Cheyenne closed on Sunday afternoon and evening.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Everhome Suites Cheyenne. It is the biggest wheelchair accessible room I’ve ever had and could have easily slept seven. It contained a small kitchen with a coffee pot, microwave, full-size refrigerator and dishwasher. I loved the automatic light in the bathroom, which had a shower seat and was large enough to move around in my chair.
Other Cheyenne hotels with wheelchair accessible rooms include:
- Little America Hotel & Resort
- SpringHill Suites
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
- La Quinta Inn
- Towne Place Suites
- Staybridge Suites
SheBuysTravel Tip: Hotels book up quickly in Cheyenne during Frontier Days. If you want to come during that time, make your reservations well in advance.
Cheyenne’s location
Cheyenne, Wyoming, does have a small regional airport, but your best option is to fly into Denver, Colorado. That’s what we did. I came in from Champaign through Chicago, and my brother flew directly from San Francisco. From Denver, we rented a van with a ramp from Mobility Works.
The drive from Denver to Cheyenne is an easy one on the highway. It only takes about an hour and a half to get there. Lyft and Uber both operate within Cheyenne, but they do not have WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Service) at this time.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Stop and check out the creative murals throughout the city.
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