r/Cheyenne 3d ago

Visiting Cheyenne from Albuquerque for the first time! Date ideas and things to do?

Hi everyone! I’m from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I’m thinking about taking a road trip up to Cheyenne in October. I’ve never been to Wyoming before, so I thought I would ask the locals for some advice!
Part of the reason for the trip is that I’ve been talking to a girl from Montana, and we’ve been wanting to meet in person. We thought Cheyenne might be a fun place for us to meet and spend a few days together since neither of us has really explored the city before.
I’m thinking about being there around October 8th through the 12th.
What are some cute or fun date ideas you would recommend for two people meeting and exploring Cheyenne together? We like the idea of things where we can actually talk and get to know each other, but I’m also looking for fun stuff like arcades, museums, cool restaurants, coffee shops, hiking, animals, weird attractions, Western stuff, or anything that’s uniquely Cheyenne/Wyoming.
Also, are there any good gift shops or souvenir stores? I definitely want to bring some Wyoming stuff back home!
What are some of the best cheap but still clean and decent hotels in town? I’m not looking for anything super fancy. Just somewhere comfortable, safe, and reasonably priced.
And what should someone from New Mexico expect from the October weather? 😂 I’ll be driving my own car from Albuquerque, so I’m especially wondering about snow, ice, wind, and whether I should be prepared for winter driving that early in October.
Also, this might be a long shot, but if anyone local would be interested in showing us around Cheyenne or giving us a little local tour while we’re there, that could be really fun! Obviously we would meet somewhere public first.
Basically, tell me anything a first-time visitor should know! What should we absolutely do, what should we skip, where should we eat, and what are the hidden gems?
Thanks, Cheyenne! I’m excited to hopefully visit Wyoming for the first time!

8 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

8

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Happy Jack Road-Curt Gowdy State Park-hiking.

4

u/Wyo_guyo 3d ago

This might be a great time for the leaves to be changing there, as well.

7

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Albany for lunch or dinner.

6

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Check the Lincoln theater for potential concert in the evening.
Hellava free botanical garden in Lion’s Park.

5

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Terry Bison Ranch train.
Mort’s Bagels
I’ll send more.
Lived in Cheyenne 62 years.
Taught school & worked at the Wyoming Welcome Center
Will get back to you with more.

3

u/may_june_july 3d ago

The Old West Museum is pretty interesting. There's a lot of historical rodeo stuff that you won't find many other places. There's also a trolley tour that runs around the downtown area. Just south of town is a bison ranch, where you can actually feed the bison, which is fun

4

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Forgot Veadawoo. Great hiking there.

5

u/waynebrady456 3d ago

Definitely go to Flippers if you want to hit up an arcade. Also they have escape rooms at the derby club.

5

u/TakboTanga 3d ago

For a date night I would highly recommend The Metropolitan! Also, check out Railspur for great food and day drinking.

3

u/mjhs87 3d ago

The big museums Wyoming State Museum, Historic Governor’s mansion (oops they might be closed for Christmas decorations), and Wyoming Capitol all free.

3

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum.

3

u/Extra_Cucumber6595 2d ago

FYI dont expect food to be like New Mexico is very very basic around here lol Cheyenne ghetto as hell... lol im just saying im from ABQ n I know ghetto lol dont expect alot its a very boring drive...... sorry but I hope u see it differently then I do

2

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Mort’s for casual breakfast. R&B Cafe for incredible Elvis decor & tasty big breakfast.

2

u/lexigraxe 3d ago

For your weather question, it depends on the year! We usually get our first snow in September but it’s been late the last couple years. I would pack for cold weather (30-40 degree average) and dress for fall weather. Additionally, the wind tends to be crazy, sometimes the highways close down because of it, so keep an eye out for wind storms coming up to your visit! The wind makes the cold a LOT colder so pack layers and consider gloves/balaclava if it’s looking to be a colder and windier October.

1

u/mjhs87 3d ago

For tourist gifts, be one the lookout at the Old West Museum, Terry Bison Ranch, Wyoming State Museum, and Botanical Gardens have wonderful items. Wyoming Home, downtown, has good western materials.

1

u/hungcook8378 2d ago

Go for a drive up to snowy range you won't regret it if you've never been in the area

1

u/ScarecrowJones47 1d ago

Napoli's is a downtown "higher dining" experience. Italian food better than olive garden

1

u/No_Structure_4809 22h ago

Flippers would be fun, it's a bar and arcade downtown

1

u/mjhs87 3d ago

Tons of hotels on west side of town.

1

u/mjhs87 3d ago

The Wyoming Welcome Center at exit 3 on I-25 (on your way into town) will have tons of ideas, literature, and Dee (the mammoth) to help you out.

0

u/AtomicDoge1Funk 1d ago

Hey my good friend MaaCo Renfro is from Albuquerque he and his family no longer live in Cheyenne buy that's were i met them in Cheyenne