Cody Tourist Attractions
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The little town of Cody, founded by "Buffalo Bill" (Colonel William F. Cody), lies on the western edge of the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming, an area rich in raw materials, where the land begins to rise to the Absaroka Range in the Rockies. It is a good base from which to visit Yellowstone National Park. The well preserved old town center, once the domain of cowboys and prospectors, is now crowded, particularly in summer, with tourists anxious to experience something of the atmosphere of the old Wild West.One of the oldest buildings in the town center is the Irma Hotel (12th and Sheridan Streets), built by Buffalo Bill in 1902 for his daughter.On the west side of the town (West Yellowstone Highway) is the Old Trail Town, with 24 old buildings dating from the 1980s and 90s of the 19th C that give some impression of Wild West life.
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Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep is perhaps one of the more unusual visitor attractions around. For those particularly interested in seeing stuffed and mounted wild sheep, be sure to stop in at the main offices in Cody, WY. Also featured is a movie on wild sheep and a gift shop for that perfect fuzzy present for the folks back home.
Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center
The Buffalo Bill Dam was originally called the Shoshone Dam, but the name was changed in 1946. The dam is 350 feet high and features a visitor center. The Buffalo Bill Dam is located 5 miles West of Cody, WY. It was built in 5 years, from 1905 to 1910.
Buffalo Bill Statue
The Buffalo Bill Statue is located on the grounds of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Cast in bronze, the statue features Buffalo Bill at age 30 on horseback on a plinth of pink granite. The statue was commissioned in the early 1920's and had a proposed cost of $250,000, a very large amount of money at the time.
Cody Chapel Murals Information Center
The Cody Chapel has a mural on the ceiling that depicts the early life and times of the Mormons in the Wyoming region. Edward Grigware painted the mural in 1951. The Cody Chapel is located at the LDS church at 17th and Wyoming Avenue. There is a visitors center on site.
Cody Nite Rodeo
This longtime Cody tradition should be high on the visitors "to do" list when visiting Cody, WY. Every evening in the summer the cowboys and cowgirls come out and strut their stuff in performances of cattle roping, barrel riding, and bull riding. The Cody Nite Rodeo has been in operation for over 60 years.
Historic Wyoming Territory Old West Miniature Village
If all the other museums have overwhelmed you with larger than life style displays, then the Historic Wyoming Territory Old West Miniature Village in Cody is the spot to visit. Depicted in intricate detail in miniature is the history of the Old West from the 1600's to the 1800's.
Trail Town
Fans of Buffalo Bill will find Trail Town in Cody quite interesting. The complex of twenty-six restored buildings from 1879- 1901 provides an insight as to life at the turn of the century. The Rivers Saloon, the Burlington Store and the Hole in the Wall Gang's cabin are three highlights of note.
