Authentic Wild West activities for all ages and a world class museum draw families to Cody, in the area of northeastern Wyoming known as Yellowstone Country.
Drive into the small city of Cody, Wyoming on July 4th, and you won’t believe the traffic. Every year, families gather here from the surrounding wide open spaces for the Cody Stampede, a celebration with parades, fireworks, and, a prerequisite for this town — rodeos. The aura of spectacle throughout Cody, strongest at this time of year, is a testament to its history: Wild West Show legend Buffalo Bill Cody founded the city in 1896, and ever since it has continued its cowboy charm. During the Stampede, cars, pick-ups, and SUVs fill streets that look like they are still meant for stagecoaches and lone riders.
Nearby are both the oldest National Park (Yellowstone opened in 1872) and the oldest National Forest (Shoshone) in the United States, available year-round for outdoor activity. Buffalo Bill himself helped create the first road between Cody and Yellowstone, and his hunting lodge just outside the park, Pahaska Tepee, is still standing and open to visitors. Cody is known today as the “Rodeo Capital of the World” with good reason, since the Cody Nite Rodeo runs every single evening in the summer months. If you’re looking for the quintessential Western getaway, this is probably a good bet, especially on the way to or from Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons.
Western History 101 at Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Besides rodeo in the summer, the centerpiece of Cody’s attractions is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Your family will want to spend at least half a day at this impressive collection of five museums, located just on the edge of downtown. All five sections of the center, the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the Draper Museum of Natural History, are family-friendly in their own way, but leading in this department is the Draper Museum. Here, the natural history of the region comes to life through interpretive exhibits of flora and fauna. The Draper Museum’s spiral design simulates a descent in elevation as visitors walk from the alpine environment of bighorn sheep and mountain goats through the forest, meadows, and down to the plains and basins.
The Draper Museum’s interactive quality is what really makes it a hit for younger children. Upon arriving, kids can pick up an Explorer’s Guide full of activities and a passport for gathering various animal stamps. They can stop in a “naturalist’s cabin” for a briefing before venturing out among the lands of the bear, moose, and wolf. One of the most interesting displays allows visitors to write comments about the presence of wolves in the Yellowstone area, and a nearby bulletin board posts many different opinions from this comment box side-by-side. Wolf reintroduction has been a heated issue, with conservationists often at odds with local ranchers, and the variety of perspectives on this animal is fascinating.
Western Art, Native Americans & More at Buffalo Bill Center
A close runner-up for kid accessibility at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the Plains Indian Museum. This museum seeks to both capture the history of native tribes like the Lakota, Crow, and Cheyenne and to emphasize that they are still alive and well today. Interactive features coexist with artifacts like ceremonial clothing, headdresses, beadwork, tools, a full-sized teepee, and a sweat lodge.
The other museums in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West are high quality as well. The Buffalo Bill Museum provides a haven for Western history buffs, displaying paraphernalia from the life and Wild West Shows of Buffalo Bill Cody. The Cody Firearms Museum houses the largest collection of American firearms in the world, while the Whitney Gallery of Western Art contains the likes of Frederic Remington and Charlie Russell.
Moseying Around Town in Cody
Cody is a wonderful town for walking, especially since historical fact and interpretation seem to happily coexist here. Fun stores, art galleries, a winery and restaurants will satisfy the window shopper, but make sure to plan a special stop at the Irma Hotel whose history is almost as old as Cody itself, since Buffalo Bill built it and named it after his youngest daughter in 1902. It’s still a working hotel and restaurant today, but even if you don’t stay long, take a peek at the priceless cherry wood bar or browse the quirky gift shop. In the summer, you might catch a free evening gunfight reenactment in front of the Irma, thanks to the Cody Gunfighters. Nightly except Sunday these enthusiastic volunteers perform lighthearted skits depicting the rough-and-tumble life in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, while stressing the importance of gun safety to the younger members of the audience.
Cody Trolley Tours provide another way to see and learn about the city while giving your feet a rest. Two lively onboard guides use photos, pass-around objects, and audio clips to enhance the 60-minute historical tour. Packages are available with admission tickets to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Passionate locals contribute so much to the culture here, that we can recommend another offbeat attraction. The Old Trail Town/Museum of the Old West is a collection of 26 authentic frontier buildings – including one used by Butch Cassidy and his gang. After seeing everything in miniature, your family will enjoy seeing the way Cody residents lived way back when.
By the way, Cody is also a popular base for adventures year round. There’s wildlife watching, especially in fall when visitors can see huge male elk sparring to get the attention of female elk, or hear elk bugling to warn competitors away. The hilly countryside is popular for scenic road trips, mountain biking and hiking. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowcoaches in Yellowstone, ice-climbing and ice skating are other ways to get around. Best yet, rates are much less than during the busy summer.
Cody Rodeo & Other Cowboy Events
Rodeo may be a somewhat controversial sport but for many people it represents a way of life. Rodeo events are based on the tasks of working cowboys and cowgirls, and nowhere are they more embraced than in Cody, which boasts the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world. The Cody Nite Rodeo pretty much guarantees that you’ll have a chance to go if you visit in the summer, and includes special children’s activities like face painting, trick roping, and chasing after young steer. The wild Cody Stampede, annually from July 1-4, is an especially lively time to participate, and if you’re not from Out West, attending a rodeo is a great people-watching opportunity.
If rodeo isn’t your family’s thing, however, other events throughout the year maintain Cody’s festive and historically conscious atmosphere. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West hosts two other major happenings: a celebration of Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads in April, and the Plains Indian Museum Pow Wow in June. The Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads program combines performances, discussion sessions, and workshops (which in the past have included yodeling and harmonica lessons). The pow wow features competitive dance, drumming, and craft vendors from various Northern Plains tribes.
For more of cowboy culture, there’s Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue from May through September, in which Miller and his band perform favorite CW favorites. Country stars come to Cody all winter, too, to perform in the locally produced “Cody Wild West Show.”
Exploring Yellowstone Country
If you have time to really explore this fascinating part of the country, then the efforts of the Park County Travel Council should not be ignored. They market the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park.
Powell houses one of the country’s most unusual, yet moving, historical testaments, the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, opened in 2011 to tell the story of the government’s wartime relocation and imprisonment — at this spot — of Japanese Americans. Memorabilia, photos and oral histories combine to bring to life the 14,000 people interred between 1942-1945. Yellowstone National Park, another must-see, is 52 miles from the East Gate and 90 minutes’ drive from the Northeast Gate. This “Yellowstone Country” resource makes lots of useful information available and easy to find. Take a look at this site for a variety of lodging outside of town, too.
Laying Your Hat in Cody
When you’re finally all tuckered out, there are many lodging options in Cody, no doubt built to accommodate all those rodeo-goers. These include both independently owned operations and well-known chains like Best Western and Holiday Inn.
A property that has earned top reviews from visitors is the Cody Legacy Inn on Mountain View Drive. And there is quite a legacy to fulfill — the co-owners of this property are Buffalo Bill’s great great granddaughter and her husband. Lodgepole pine bedframes are one of many thoughtful rustic touches put into the Inn’s design, and guests have praised the staff’s friendliness and attention to detail. Breakfast is included in the moderate nightly rates and high speed Internet, cribs, rollaways, and popular, spacious family suites — sleeping up to six — with refrigerators are available.
Other in-town lodging ideas and other practical information are available through the Cody Chamber of Commerce. Notably, Cody is also the home of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, which includes ranches from all over North America but can help you learn about what’s nearby.
And don’t forget, the country’s first National Park, first National Forest, and some of the most scenic roads and outdoor recreation opportunities in the United States are a simple drive away.
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There are so many great ranches that it is a fun challange to find the right one for you…but I have to say that the Dude Ranchers' Association website and directory are a very big help…you will find quality ranch vacations that will match what you are looking for. I recommend contacting the Association for more information.
Story tapes allow the driver to be amused and entertained along with the troops. The website Audible.com has a selection of stories for children and families and it allows you to preview a story to see if you like the reader.
A & J Aparments are no longer a vacation rental.
Sage Mountain Villas, the area code would be (284) not (809) we have not used that area code in many many years and is now used but the Dominican Republic.
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Hello to all ! Great site. I am new here greetings to all from Poland.
These are all great options and sound like lots of fun. We've been planning to visit New Zealand and the Butterfield & Robinson vacations seem to be right up our alley.Thanks for the suggestion it sure beats me stressing over the details.
If you're looking for a place to stay try to have a look on http://www.rivierAds.com. Hope this helps.
For the bargain hunter, the beauty of Yosemite can still be enjoyed with an inexpensive stay at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. The resort is now offering <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com">Yosemite lodging</a> starting at only $39 for two nights for a yurt that can accommodate up to five people. Yosemite cabins start at only $49 for two nights for a basic cabin that can accommodate four people. With the Yosemite National Park entrance fee of $20 per car for unlimited entries for seven days, a family can spend less than $100 for two days of Yosemite-area lodging and admission to the park. These special rates are available at http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-camping-specials.html during the fall and winter season. Some restrictions apply. Yosemite Pines (http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com) is an RV resort, campground, and lodge located near Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Pines offers <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-camping-rv-tent.html">Yosemite camping</a> near Yosemite National Park with full hook-up RV and campsites. Yosemite Pines also offers Yosemite lodging and <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-cabins-yurts.html">Yosemite cabin rentals</a> near Yosemite National Park with cabin and yurt rentals. Amenities include a clubhouse, gold mine, gold panning, petting zoo, swimming pool, hiking trail, general store, children’s playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball.
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You can find information about the Caribean zone at http://www.Cahuita.cr
D.C. is incredible. I love going there for the cherry blossom festival and I have also been lucky enough to get a tour of the White House's West Wing.
The Verizon Center is a great place to see concerts, and the metro is such an easy and convenient way to get around.
I'm lucky to live just a couple hours away in Colonial Beach, a great little riverside resort town.
I always wanted to visit Jamaica with my kids (boys 7 & 12), but lots of people really discouraged me with horror stories about the safety and attitude of locals towards tourists. I was told if we decide to go just make sure we stay inside our resort. We love exploring and learning new things so this keeps me away.
Thanks,
busymom
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Claire
You can contact this tour operator in South Africa that specializes in African Safari. http://www.journeyintoafrica.co.za/
Hi. I like your story. I'm here in Växjö on a study abroad semester from SFSU. I found a nice Miyata 12 speed and totally refurbished it, including a new free wheel and brake levers. My main question is how easy it is to get on Swedish highways? I giving serious thought to riding to Copenhagen via Malmo from Växjö. I'm sure I can make an average of 80 miles a day but I would really like to just hop on a highway and tread right to Malmo. Do you know if Swedes allow riding on larger roads? I had a some problems with this in the states.
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Thank you for the interesting piece about Provence, and for giving us the courage to consider a French holiday with OUR teenagers the coming summer! It sounds like it was a great time for all. Looking forward to following your further family holidays.
The Gaylord Resort is a great place, although it's a bit far from downtown Nashville. But if you don't mind driving a bit, it's an empire unto itself and older kids can amuse themselves for hours just exploring the place.
UNLESS ITS NOT A CROWDED DAY, I THINK THE CABLE CARS ARE A MAJOR PAIN WITH TODDLERS. I WOULD WAIT TIL KIDS ARE OLDER TO GO TO THE TROUBLE UNLESS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND JOSSLE FOR A SEAT.
I ALSO THINK CROSSING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IS FUN, BUT ALSO LOST ON TODDLERS, SO UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO IT, SKIP THAT ATTRACTION OR MAYBE JUST WALK OUT A LITTLE WAYS.
THE EXPLORATORIUM SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR A COLD, FOGGY OR RAINY DAY – IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR LITTLE ONES TO RUN AROUND AND PUSH, PULL AND POKE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
if you're in Scotland you have to try the national dish, haggis, just don't tell your children what it is! It's actually quite delicious. Scots often refer to dessert as pud or pudding, but they mean the entire gamut of dessert items, not just pudding.
I think it's important to get out of the city and go into the country if you get the time. Check the calendars to see where a Scottish game might be where there will be bagpipers, the tossing of the caber, and all kinds of interesting Highland games. They take place throughout the spring and summer throughout the country and are well worth a detour.
I'd skip Poble Espanyol in Barcelona — way too touristy — unless you want to take advantage of the kids crafts activities.
Kids adore Gaudi's crazy Sagrada Familia, the high-spired church that soars above the skyline. Pay to take the elevator up and then climb down the tight spiral staircase – your kids will be thrilled.
Barcelona;s beachfront was developed during the Olympics, it's now a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with the kids after too much busy city-touring.
Another great kid pleaser is the aerial tram ride up to Montjuic where older kids may enjoy the Olympics museum or a quick stop in the Miro museum.
Villa Cosmica
Villa Cosmica is located on the south side of Puerto Vallarta, far away from the noise, where only the sound of wild birds and the whispering of the waves colliding in the ocean will awaken you every morning. Enjoy this 5 bedroom house, where all bedrooms surround a beautiful swimming pool with a Jacuzzi for 10 people and the most marvellous view to the bay is just a glance away from you. All the bedrooms have air conditioning, also our T.V. room with a game table and SKY cable at your service. Our living room, in the center of the villa is open to the breeze, under a beautiful palapa roof with a small bar to pamper all your senses.
Bedrooms: 5 Sleeps: 10 Baths: 6
Floors: 2 Parking Space: 2 Year Built: 2007
Size of Unit: 450 sq. mts.
Period Nightly Weekly Monthly
Jan 6, 2009 – Apr 30, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2009 – Nov 15, 2009 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2009 – Dec 17, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2009 – Jan 5, 2010 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
Jan 6, 2010 – Apr 30, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2010 – Nov 15, 2010 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
http://www.pvrpv.com
Gay Friendly Puerto Vallarta
Nestled between the lush jungle greenery of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the sparkling waters of one of the world’s largest bays, The Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta has earned an international reputation as one of the best Gay tourist cities in the world.
Being a port city and a destination for many cruise lines including RSVP and Atlantis, Puerto Vallarta is tolerant and abundant with all things gay.
The center of the activity is the charming section of old town known as The Zona Romantica. Here you will find cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and lovely white washed buildings rich with Spanish architecture. Many gay owned and gay friendly businesses including restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries for every pallet and taste, fill the narrow streets of this splendid fishing village.
Coming Events
There are no scheduled events.
Most tourists spend their day on the gay beach. With its white sand and raging surf Playa Los Muertos is the place to be and be seen. Find a deck chair, sit back and relax and let the friendly servers indulge you with great cocktails and yummy food while you unwind and watch whales and dolphins frolic in the blue ocean waters. If beaching is not for you, Puerto Vallarta offers many gay tours to fill your days. Bay cruises, horseback riding through the jungle, bike rides along the Rio Cuale and canopy tours are just a few of the many activities available.
Late afternoon the roof top bars of the gay hotels offer entertainment and a place to enjoy and view spectacular sunsets. These lively spots are crowded with beautiful men and women drinking, laughing and sharing their stories. After the sun sinks into the ocean, it’s time for dinner. From internationally recognized 5 star restaurants to small local eateries Puerto Vallarta is a foody’s delight. At last count, Puerto Vallarta boosted over 1100 restaurants of every description. Haute cuisine to meatloaf, the list of places to dine is extensive and wonderful.
Being a top gay destination, Puerto Vallarta offers more gay bars and dance clubs than most mid-sized American cities. Cantinas, martini bars, stripper and drag shows and fabulous dance clubs await you. As some of the clubs serve until 6am, most are not busy until 1am, so it is advisable to take that all important ¨Disco nap¨ before heading out.
While the vast majority of gay travelers are from Canada and the United States, Vallarta, recently has seen an increase in gay tourists from Europe and as far away as Australia. Gay men and women world wide are discovering and falling in love with the little spot of paradise that is Puerto Vallarta, making it Mexico’s and perhaps the world’s, gay mecca.
It’s good to be gay and it’s great to travel to such a gay friendly resort town. Puerto Vallarta beckons and embraces its gay tourists and it will be a spot you will return to often.
Agree that the skiing is absolutely terrific – the tram to the top of the mountain makes this resort absolutely awesome top to bottom. But I think there is one level of skier/rider who would have trouble – the advanced beginner or beginning intermediate. There isn't as much terrain to select for this group. But it's a resort that you definitely have to experience at least once – and you might get hooked and never want to go anywhere else!
It's important to start 'em young! Of all the family vacations you can pick that can last through the decades, skiing is the very best. When the kids are little you get a break because they're having fun in ski school. When they're older and more accomplished you can ski together. When they're teens and are whizzing past you, you can still ride up the chairlift with them and have them to yourself in the condo. Then when they're in college, you get to spend quality time with them on the slopes and in the condo because you're buying your lift ticket. It's a family vacation that can continue on as a tradition until you're too old to strap on a pair of skis…
i think many accidents occur when new teen or young men (and sometimes women) who are not very experienced are out with their much-more experienced pals. They get talked into trying a part of the mountain that is too much for them and then they try to keep up. They get themselves into trouble that way and often are injured.
If you are looking into hostels and you are a family, call the hostel to get a sense of the character of the place. We went to a hostel once with our elementary age kids(not in a ski area) and it was filled with young 20 somethings and teens having lots of fun – smoking pot in the parking lot, partying, etc. Even though some hostels have family rooms, if the place is full of kids it can be uncomfortable. Some hostels do have older visitors and more families, so it pays to ask.
Don't forget to plan some time to see some of the other attractions in Monterey, like the aquarium, which has an amazing sea horse exhibition coming up and take a drive to Point Lobos to hike around and Big Sur to see some of California's most spectacular coastline. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur.
Great advice and some fun ideas for new places to try. thanks for sharing your family secrets!
All of Wyoming is a great destination with kids, but my family especially loved this place because it is really a unique bit of the Old West. Definitely worth a detour!
Hello People,
I Just joined up and am trying edit my profile but i can't see the button!! probably staring me in the face lol
thanks guys
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The 25-year-old tour company Wildland Tours has a family vacation package for 2009. It will be a great multi-generational adventure for folks who like whales, puffins, comfortable hotels, and the many wonders of Newfoundland.
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Hello People,
Just joined! I'm liking it around here 🙂 hopefully i can contribute something to the forum in future.
G
Great article- I am a resident of oregon and my family and I enjoy the coast and central oregon. Oregon has some of the best fishing in the northwest and such a diverse climate to choose from year round. The weather is very tempermental and almost impossible to plan around so bring a rain coat and sunglasses. I think this article gave a pretty good overview of everything that Oregon has to offer.
Sunriver Resort is a quality organization with a great reputation in Oregon. I have been to sunriver probebly 10 times since moving to Oregon and we have used the resort 7 times to book vacation rental accomodations. I highly recomend them and also visiting Sunriver.
Good hotel in a great location.
I find it to be a good value hotel, breakfast facilities are one of the best i have seen. Room is great for people on a budget who want the amenities and cleanliness of a 5 star. I'm very happy with our choice.
Hello Cassiano!
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Just wanted to add that we're on Central Daylight Time and now open at 9:30 am (Holiday World) and 10:30 am (Splashin' Safari). In 2009, we're introducing the World's Tallest Water Ride, Pilgrims Plunge, plus the new (free) HoliWatch program which will help separated family members find each other during their visit.