What to do in Cody Wyoming with kids: a night out at the Cody Nite Rodeo

August 5, 2013 By

They don’t call Cody, Wyoming the Rodeo Capital of the World for nothing. Every night in Cody from June 1 through August 31, the Cody Nite Rodeo is held at Stampede Park. That’s right…every single night! This Western town is rodeo crazy, and after a night under the lights in the park with the backdrop of rocky bluffs overlooking the Shoshone River, you’ll understand why.

cody nite rodeo

The Nite Rodeo is two hours of non-stop rodeo action, from bronco riding to barrel racing to roping to bull riding, and it draws rodeo athletes from all over the West. The emcee and rodeo clown keep everyone entertained between events, and the popcorn, soda, beer, and candy flow freely (which is not to say they’re free!).

We loved that while the Nite Rodeo grandstands were filled with tourists, locals certainly made their presence known: it was easy to see that this was as much their summer tradition as it was our vacation stop. Local cowboys rode in events, local kids sat astride the bull pen fence, and local families were in attendance. We’ve been to several ‘resort town’ rodeos, and it was easy to see that the Cody Nite Rodeo is the real deal. It’s low on frills, big on true American fun.

Cody Nite Rodeo

If you go, you’ll want to get tickets ahead of time (see below) to avoid waiting in line at the ticket booths, and we recommend crossing to the opposite side of the arena from the entrance to sit in the Buzzard’s Roost section. This side is equally shaded, but overlooks the bull pens, giving kids a better view. There’s a food concession on each side, as well as restrooms.

We ate hot dogs, corn dogs, and popcorn for dinner at the rodeo (no points for a healthy meal!) and they also serve standbys such as nachos, candy, and soda. Get there by 7:30 for the best seats, and by 8 pm if you don’t care about your view. Programs sells for $7, and they’re nice but not essential to follow what’s going on.

cody nite rodeo

Be sure to have kids 12 and under participate in the Calf Scramble. This event allows kids to go down to the arena floor to chase a pair of calves around, attempting to pull a ribbon from their tails. Prizes are given and all kids have fun. (Toby won this event at his first rodeo in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but we weren’t as lucky this time around.)

Hours of operation:

: Every night, the rodeo starts at 8 pm and ends at 10 pm. Bring sweatshirts as it gets chilly once the sun dips below the bluffs!

Admission:

Tickets are $18 for adults (13 and up) and $8 for kids. Age six and under free. Tickets can be bought on-site, or bought ahead of time at a number of Cody locations, including the Buffalo Bill Village. Tickets are good for any show June 1 through August 31.

Directions:

The Nite Rodeo is located at Cody Stampede Park. It’s located at the west of town overlooking the Shoshone River at 519 W. Yellowstone Avenue.

Buffalo Bill Village Resort, Cody Wyoming

August 2, 2013 By

For families wanting a slice of Americana, Cody Wyoming is the place. Where to stay to carry out the theme of bygone days and Western charm? The Buffalo Bill Village Resort. Located in the heart of town on Sheridan Avenue, the Buffalo Bill Village is just that: a combination of motel rooms and cabins complete with a restaurant, saloon, and a Western boardwalk housing a friendly gift shop and the historic hotel building which serves as the front desk.

buffalo bill village

From the Village, families can easily access all of Cody’s downtown area on foot, for fun souvenir shopping, dining, and museum visits. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is just a short mile away, and the Cody Nite Rodeo is less than two.

Families have their choice between Buffalo Bill cabins, or rooms at either the on-site Holiday Inn or Comfort Inn. While the latter two include a continental breakfast, it’s far more fun to stay in a cabin. After all, you’re in pioneer-country, right? Don’t expect a remote location, however: Buffalo Bill Village cabins are located directly behind the Comfort Inn and are spaced closely together. That said, we had quiet evenings and no problems from neighbors. The outside of the cabins sport replica log siding, and the interior is exactly what you’d expect (and hope for!) from a Western town roadside lodging option: whimsical rodeo-patterned bedspreads and curtains, wood paneling, and basic amenities.

buffalo bill village cabins

Cabins include air conditioning, double beds, TVs, and internet connection (though it was painfully slow during my visit). We had a two-room cabin with one bathroom (shower and tub). Unfortunately, there are no mini-fridges in the rooms. However, guests are invited to a nightly reception in the historic hotel building from 5-8 pm, which includes fresh fruit, soft drinks, and other snacks. Cabin guests also have use of the motel heated outdoor pool.

Dining:

On-site dining includes QT’s Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But there are many more options within walking distance. Along Sheridan (Cody’s ‘Main Street’) visitors will find Mexican cantinas, Italian restaurants, and authentic saloons. Cody’s Irma Hotel includes a family-friendly porch menu of sandwiches and burgers (get there before 6 pm to view the nightly free Western shoot-out show in the street). A good breakfast can be found at both Granny’s (across the street from the village) and MoJoe’s (on Sheridan on the west end of town).

Buffalo Bill village

Room rates:

Call directly for cabin rates, as many ‘hot deals’ abound in the summer months: 307-587-5544

Directions:

The village is located at 1701 Sheridan. Just follow Hwy 20 into town from Yellowstone National Park to the west.

Disclaimer: We experienced the Buffalo Bill Village Resort as guests of Blair Hotels and Wyoming Office of Tourism, for the purpose of review.

Exploring Cody Wyoming’s Buffalo Bill Center of the West

July 31, 2013 By

Plan at least the majority of a day to take in Cody, Wyoming‘s Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Dubbed the ‘Smithsonian of the West’, this sprawling center in the heart of Cody is really five museums in one, plus outdoor exhibits and interactive displays.

Plains Indian Museum

Start in the Buffalo Bill Museum, which offers a complete overview of the life of William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, from boyhood to late life. There’s much more to this American icon than just his famous Wild West show: we learned about his earlier days as a scout for the U.S. army, plus his home life and inspiration for his show. Throughout the Buffalo Bill Museum (and elsewhere in the complex), interactive exhibits encourage kids to put themselves into history, try their hand at skills needed for scouting and wilderness survival, and try out saddles, lassos, and the like. There’s even a Buffalo Bill board game circa the 1950’s ready to be played. Allow at least an hour for this museum, if not more.

birds of prey presentation

Next, head to the Plains Indian Museum, where life on the American plains before and after Euro-American migration (aka Manifest Destiny) changed the shape of Native American culture is displayed in dramatic, panoramas and displays. The museum’s high ceilings and excellent lighting and sets paint a perfect backdrop to learning about these distinct tribes. Families will need 1-2 hours to see it all!

By this time, kids (and adults) will likely need lunch: the center’s cafeteria is reasonably priced with a salad bar and make-you-own-sandwich station. It also serves burgers and hot items. There’s plenty of seating indoors and outside in the beautiful grounds garden, and if you don’t need a whole meal, there’s a nice coffee bar, too. Throughout the day, keep an eye on the scheduled presentations displayed on the reader board at the entrance hub of the center, and plan you route through the museums by it: we were glad not to miss the birds of prey show hosted by the natural history museum!

center of the west

After lunch, head to the Draper Natural History Museum for displays on animals and plant life in the Greater Yellowstone area. Again, the dioramas and exhibits here are stunning, dramatic, and very well done. Interactive opportunities for learning abound here once again as well: in particular, our kids loved the ‘field station’ where they could chart geothermal activity and wildlife migration from a bank of computers and quiz stations set up throughout the museum to test their knowledge of the outdoors. This museum is multi-story (as is the Plains Indians one) so once again, allow several hours. Younger kids may not last as long, but school-aged kids would be remiss to skip anything!

Older kids and anyone who loves guns and Western history associated with firearms will want to check out the Cody Firearms Museum. We thought this museum would be smaller than the others, but it’s nearly as large! Even if you’re not a gun fan, a tour through the replica pioneer-era hardware store is worth the visit. I found the gun displays from the 1500s-1800s most interesting, though my teen loved the WWII collection.

buffalo bill's center of the west

Finally, if you’re not spent, the Photography Gallery (hosted by National Geographic) is stunning, and the Whitney Western Art Museum is well worth a tour. At the back of the art museum is a counter banked by windows overlooking the landscape where kids are encouraged to draw their own Western art.

Outside, families should check out Buffalo Bill’s boyhood home, brought to Cody from Kansas, and the Joseph Henry Sharp cabin. Outdoor shows such as the birds of prey presentation are held on the center outdoor grounds as well. At the entrance to the center is also a replica chuck wagon with cook: definitely stop to sample his fare. We ate sourdough biscuits and baked beans authentically cooked over a fire in cast-iron pots, and both were delicious.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Directly on Highway 20.

Hours of operation:

8 am to 6 pm daily May 1-September 15. Off-season hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily.

Admission:

Expect to pay $25 for adults and under $15 for youth. Kids five and under free. Considering the vast amount of museum space, we found this pricing to be a deal…provided you stay most of the day.

Directions:

The Center of the West is located at 720 Sheridan Ave in Cody. Sheridan Avenue is Cody’s ‘Main Street’, so you can’t miss it coming through town from either direction.

The Amaz’n Jackson Hole Maze

July 28, 2010 By

All-American fun at the Amaze’n Maze!

45 E Snow King Avenue
Jackson, WY

There’s no shortage of family fun to be had in Jackson, WY, but if you visit in the summer months, it may be easy to overlook the Amaze’n Jackson Hole Maze, located across from the Snow King Ski Resort. A local business with a very homegrown feel, this beloved Jackson institution is one part maze, one part water play, and three parts kid-heaven.

What makes this maze unique are the fun challenges added: kids (and adults) can enter the elaborate wooden maze and explore at their own pace, can try a timed challenge (get out in under 3 minutes and you win a free pass), a series of challenges, or can join group play with each guest armed with a super soaker water gun.

Naturally, my kids chose the latter, which gave them 15 minutes of free reign water play in the maze with about 10 strangers. (Kids who opt to go in without water guns cannot be squirted.) The maze is equipped with water filling stations that even my five-year-old could easily operate and raised platforms which could be used as sentry stations. (One such platform is used as an observation deck only, and is off-limits for water gun fire.)

Bottom line: The Amaze’n Jackson Hole Maze is based on a simple premise of good, old-fashioned fun your kids will love.

Tip: Young kids may want to sit out the water gun fight option if they’re at all fearful of getting lost or completely soaked (both will occur). The good news is that parents can direct younger kids from the observation deck and talk to them if they get lost!

Date last visited: July 4, 2010

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes from Hwy 191/89.

Admission Prices: $7 without a super soaker, $9 with a super soaker (multi-entrance packs available).

Hours of Operation: Seasonal. When we went, hours were 10-6 pm daily. Call for exact hours.

Food Services: Snack foods and cold drinks are sold on premises.

Bathrooms: Public restrooms across the street at the city park.

Website: None.

Phone: (307) 734-0455

Directions: From Highway 26 (89), take S. Cache Street into downtown Jackson until you reach Snow King Drive. Turn left. The maze will be on your left.
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A Pit Stop a Day (Day 14): Grand Teton Horseback Ride

July 10, 2010 By

Setting off on our 1 hour trail ride through the Tetons.

On Day 14, we treated Nate and Calvin to a horseback ride through the Tetons (something they’d been wanting to try since Glacier National Park). Luckily, Colter Bay Village has stables on-site, making it easy!

We made reservations at the Activities Center near the Colter Bay Village store (be sure to sign up ASAP: we signed up the night we arrived and got the last three slots for the entire weekend). For our 9 am ride, we were told to be at the stable at 8:45. Our ‘wranglers’ were very friendly and experienced horsemen and women, and took us through the ropes. We were each told which horse we’d be riding (they decide based on temperment, experience of the rider, age, etc) and mounted one by one.

It took about 20 minutes to get everyone on their horse and lined up, then we set off down a narrow trail for our 1 hour ride. The horses were well trained, and everyone (even my kids…first time riders) easily managed their horse. We followed our wrangler single-file (another wrangler made up the rear) and they told us information about the surrounding area and the horses as we rode.

The wranglers made sure to keep family groups together.

The ride took us past a great view of the Tetons, a small pond where you can often spot moose (we didn’t) and the side of Jackson Lake (where we saw Toby canoeing with Grandma). The kids enjoyed the experience of controlling their own stead, and had fun bonding with their horses (named Quarter and Chuck Norris…mine was Claire).

The one hour ride was just about enough for us. Much longer, and we’d get sore and the kids might have gotten bored. The scenery was beautiful, and being horseback afforded a different view (not to mention new trails). We’d definitely do it again!

Note: Kids have to be eight years old to ride. Younger kids can ride a pony in the stable area (with an adult present). Backpacks are not permitted, and you’ll want to move things from back pockets (or the saddle will do it for you en route).

Extra Tip: Bring water. We made the mistake of thinking we’d have no place to put it, but the wranglers issue saddle bags and/or water bottle holders for those who ask for them. The trail meanders through some exposed sections of valley, and the morning was warmer than we anticipated!

Date last visited: July 2010.

Distance off the interstate: About 30 minutes from Hwy 89.

Bathrooms: Pit toilets located at the stables. Be sure to go before trail riding!

Costs: One hour rides cost $35 per person. (Canoe rentals, which Toby did instead with his grandparents, are $18/hour.)

Food Services: None. Two restaurants (one cafeteria-style) are located nearby in Colter Bay Village.

Directions: The stables are just past the tent village at Colter Bay Village Resort. From anywhere in the park, take Teton Park Road to Colter Bay, and follow the signs.

Up Next: We drive from Grand Teton National Park to Utah and enjoy a stay at Westgate Park City.

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 13): Hidden Falls Hike, Grand Teton NP

July 9, 2010 By

Calvin poses along the Hidden Falls hike.

On Day 13, we set off from Colter Bay Village Resort to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point on Jenny Lake.

This two mile (each way) moderate hike culminates near the Jenny Lake ferry boat shuttle dock on the far side of Jenny Lake, where the trail climbs up from the lake, following swift-moving Cascade Creek to Hidden Falls. From there, hikers can continue .5 mile to Inspiration Point, which overlooks Jenny Lake.

Inspiration Point truly is inspiring, but then again, so is the whole hike. From the very start of the trail, you enjoy a stunning view of the Tetons, rushing streams, kayakers on the lake, then a beautiful waterfall.

Toby (age 5) got a bit tired on the return trip, but in general, this is a great hike for families. You’ll want to grab a hand or carry very little ones on the short section of trail leading up to and at the falls (and further up to Inspiration Point…see below), but otherwise, the terrain is easy to manage.

Nate records his experience on the Pit Stops for Kids’ Cam:

Note: The last part of the hike (from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point) is very steep and fairly dangerous. The trail hugs the side of the granite, exposing hikers to drop-offs in some places and rocky in all places. We didn’t take our five-year-old (instead, he stayed at Hidden Falls with his grandmother).

Extra Tip: The hike is beautiful, but if your group isn’t up for the full two miles (each way), there is the option of taking the ferry boat shuttle across Jenny lake. From there, you need only hike .2 miles to Hidden Falls (additional .5 to Inspiration Point).

View from Inspiration Point.

Date last visited: July, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: About 30 minutes from Hwy 89.

Bathrooms: Full bathrooms at the picnic area (see below).

Food Services: None on-site. There is a picnic area at the far end of the Leigh and String Lakes parking lot (right on String Lake). The kids swam there (but I found the water to be freezing!)

String Lake picnic and swimming area.

Directions: From Teton Park Road, take the North Jenny Lake Junction and park at the Leigh and String Lakes trailhead. If you opt for the ferry boat ride, continue on Teton Park Road to the South Jenny Lake Junction.

Up Next: We take a horseback ride through high alpine forests!

Need to catch up? Find all ‘A Pit Stop a Day’ posts by searching ‘a pit stop a day’ in the search box!

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 12): Colter Bay Village, Grand Teton

July 8, 2010 By

Toby carts luggage into our double room cabin.

Day 12 found us crossing the national park border from Yellowstone to Grand Teton to check in at Colter Bay Village Resort.

Located within the park boundary and managed by Grand Teton Lodge Company (go through them when booking), Colter Bay Village Resort comprises of a campground, tent village, and cabin village clustered around the shore of Jackson Lake. The resort also includes a marina, visitor’s center, store, horseback riding stables, and two restaurants. There is lake access along the marina.

Kayaks for rent along the marina.

The moment we arrived and found our double cabin (one bedroom on each side of a shared bathroom (fits 6), we knew the kids were going to love this place. The winding paved roads joining the various cabins were similar to those of any standard campground, which made meeting other campers, riding bikes, etc easy and fun. Plus, it probably goes without saying, since we never saw a bad view in all of Grand Teton, but the location of Colter Bay is stunning. We had a perfect view of the Tetons and Jackson Lake from the marina (just yards from our cabin).

Jackson lake with view of the Tetons (from marina).

The cabins had an air of authenticity, which we soon learned was earned: each one was salvaged from area Teton ranches and brought to their current location when the village was constructed. In the restaurants, you can find framed photos of some cabins in their original locations.

The interiors are rustic, but comfortable. There is no air conditioning (you rarely need it this high in the mountains), but each cabin does have a heater unit. Our bathroom had it’s own hot water heater, but no bath tub (shower stall only). There are no TV units, microwaves, or fridges. Free wifi is available in the cabin check-in office and in the guest lounge located adjacent to cabin 451.

Cabin interior.

Depending on your cabin location, you may be in easy walking distance to the two restaurants, the marina, the visitor’s center, and the store. If you opt to stay in the campground or tent village instead (canvas tents with wooden porches, bunks, and communal bathrooms), you may have to drive to these amenities.

During our stay, we utilized the many hiking trails, rented a canoe at the marina to explore the lake, and took the kids horseback riding (review to come).

Note: There are two other accommodations within this side of the national park. Jenny Lake Lodge is located on Jenny Lake, and is what I’d describe as a ‘make sure your kids are on their best behavior’ type of place. Jackson Lake Lodge is more family friendly, but does not sit directly on the lake. You do have great lake views, however, and our waiters at Colter Bay told us that more wildlife can be spotted there.

Extra Tip: Nights get cold in Grand Teton! We visited in July, but still needed jackets and long pants several times. You also want to make sure to pack warm pajamas for all: the heaters work, but you are in a rustic cabin with little insulation!

Date last visited: July 3-5, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Right off Hwy 89.

Room Rates: Rates vary from $60 a night for semi-private cabins (share a communal bathroom) to $209 a night for a two-room private cabin (what we had).

Food Services: We were very pleased with the food at the resort. The Ranch House offered two ‘tiers’ of a breakfast buffet (you could opt for pastries, fruit, and cereals for $7 or a full buffet for $12…kids’ prices $5 and $7, respectively) and was very good. Dinner entrees were more expensive ($12-18 range) but the soup and salad bar option was very reasonable (and very filling). Kids’ menu prices were low. We bought food from the store for lunches, and ate at the cafeteria-style Colter Cafe Court only once: they have sandwiches, Mexican fare, and burgers in addition to a lunch take-out option.

Website: Colter Bay Village

Up Next: We hike to Inspiration Point on Jenny Lake!

Need to catch up? Read all ‘A Pit Stop a Day’ posts along our 22-day road trip by entering ‘a pit stop a day’ into our search box!

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 11): Yellowstone National Park

July 7, 2010 By

Day 11, we drove the short distance on Hwy 191 from Big Sky Resort to Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone crowds swarm the Old Faithful hub of this massive park, so after entering at the West Entrance, we drove north from the Madison hub to Artists’ Paintpots, then back-tracked to Firehole River for a wonderful swimming hole.

At Artists’ Paintpots, you’ll find a well-maintained loop trail taking you to steaming and bubbling ‘pots’ in the earth, as well as mud-holes that gurgle and spew (my kids’ favorite!). The hike is easy, and you get much closer to these interesting geothermal wonders than you can at nearby Geyser Basin (in our opinion).

Artists’ Paintpots is an easy hike for kids!

Upon reaching the top of the trail, you can see all the geothermal pools below!

Toby talks a bit about the paintpots on the Pit Stops for Kids Cam:

Once our kids were tired of being in the car (because Yellowstone is large and crowded and often doing road construction, long drives are unavoidable), we made a stop at the Firehole River Swimming Hole along Firehole Lake Drive (approach from the north, as this drive is one-way). This wonderful spot is warmed by the run-off of distant geysers, and one of the only places in the park where swimming is permitted.

Younger kids can wade and swim in the still waters of the hole, while older (more adventurous) kids will want to float a bit down the current. We did see people jumping from the rocks of the canyon upstream, but would not recommend it.

The geothermal waters combining with cold river water makes the water…less cold!

Nate still needs to ease into it!

Note: There are pit toilets at the swimming hole, but we had the kids change into swimsuits in the car instead.

Extra Tip: Pack a picnic lunch and plan to stay awhile once you’ve found a parking spot!

Date last visited: July 2, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Right off Hwy 191 or Hwy 89.

Admission Prices: Only the $25 per car National Park fee (also good for Grand Teton NP).

Food Services: Plenty in the park. None at either location described above. We ate a meal at The Lake House in Grant Village in the southern end of the park before exiting, and found it much quieter than in the central hubs.

Website: Yellowstone National Park

Up Next: We enter Grand Teton National Park and check in to the Colter Bay Resort!