America The Beautiful: Laramie, WY

May 19, 2025 | 0 comments

On September 6, 1870, 70-year-old Louisa Ann Swain cast her vote in a general U.S. election from her hometown of Laramie, Wyoming, making her the first woman to vote with full civic equality to men. In a further show of progress, the first women to serve on a jury and the first female court bailiff also hailed from Laramie. While these pioneering women made history, Laramie continued with its rowdy reputation as a frontier railroad town built alongside the Union Pacific tracks. Brothels, saloons and wayward outlaws filled the dusty streets. Today, Laramie serves as home to the University of Wyoming, exuding a young hip college town vibe while effortlessly weaving in nuggets of its colorful history.

National Register of Historic Places

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Laramie’s downtown streets showcase locally owned shops, restaurants and bars alongside historic remnants of its raucous past. Female leadership is still a hallmark here, with an assortment of women-owned businesses. A noteworthy example is Laramie’s Basecamp, a camping and adventure outfitter owned by Rebecca Walsh. Founder of Hike Like a Woman, Walsh has been helping women confidently explore the backcountry for more than a decade.

Speaking of backcountry, Laramie sits on the windswept plains of the Laramie River Valley. To its west, the granite peaks of the Snowy Range Mountains rise within the Medicine Bow National Forest where clear mountain lakes and colorful wildflowers add to nature’s bounty. To the east, Vedauwoo boasts towering rock formations believed by Native Americans to have been created by playful spirits. From uncovering historic nuggets to imbibing in tasty brews or immersing yourself in the surrounding natural landscapes, Laramie presents a myriad of possibilities.

DIG INTO THE PAST

Pay your respects to Laramie’s history-making women at the Wyoming House for Historic Women, where a life-size statue of Louisa Swain stands on the plaza outside, and interior exhibits honor women paramount to the Wyoming suffrage movement. At the Laramie Plains Museum, housed in the historic Ivinson Mansion, discover its extensive collection of regional artifacts. The University of Wyoming campus houses several interesting museums, including the Geological Museum, where the skeletal remains of Wyoming’s state dinosaur are exhibited alongside other ancient residents. The University of Wyoming Art Museum exhibits world-class collections from national and international artists as well as art from the American West. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Wyoming Territorial Prison celebrates 150 years in 2022. Don’t miss the haunting cells where Butch Cassidy along with other notorious outlaws served time.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Start the day at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse, Laramie’s only used bookstore. Peruse the shelves before settling in for tasty mini quiche or panini breakfast burritos and locally roasted coffee. At Sweet Melissa’s, classic dishes are transformed into vegetarian or vegan favorites with menu offerings like plant-based burgers and cashew queso. Located on the parade grounds of historic Fort Sanders, Cavalryman Steakhouse embodies the spirit of a traditional western steakhouse serving locally sourced and expertly prepared beef and bison.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at The Sugar Mouse and Cupcake House, where British-born owner Ruth Williams began selling cupcakes to support child victims of sex trafficking in Cambodia. Today, her charming shop sells more than 20 flavors of cupcakes, British sweets and gifts. The café menu also includes traditional English lunches and cream teas. You can sample snacks from food trucks while enjoying a refreshing beer with friends new and old at Bonds Brewing. The newest in Laramie’s burgeoning beer scene, Bonds brews seasonal options like the spicy Hatch Chili Ale along with old favorites like creamy American Style Stout.

OUTDOOR FUN

Rent an ATV and go off-roading to sling a little mud along the backroads of the Snowy Range or discover the forest service roads that meander through the Medicine Bow National Forest. Hike the Lewis Lake Trail in Medicine Bow National Forest for stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Ideal for beginner or intermediate hikers, trail highlights include wildflowers and alpine lakes. If you can, time your visit for Laramie’s Jubilee Days in July to catch a live rodeo, dance in the downtown streets and embrace your inner child at on old-fashioned carnival. For the culinary brave, the Flaming Gorge Jalapeno Eating Contest kicks off the celebrations.

SPECIAL SHOPS

Stop in Martindale’s Western Store to embrace your inner cowgirl. This locally owned gem specializes in American-made products … that means cowboy boots! A fun mix of artsy treasures await at Miss Etta’s place, an artist co-op named for the mysterious girlfriend of Butch Cassidy. For creative fiber-lovers, Cowgirl Yarn boasts the largest collection of Wyoming yarns along with an assortment of knitting and crocheting gadgets. With a tag line of “We will wind your balls at Cowgirl yarn,” how can you resist?

WHERE TO CAMP

Easily accessible from Interstate 80, the Laramie KOA has more than 100 full-hookup, pull-through RV sites. Also on offer are one- and two-room cabins and tent sites. Amenities include a seasonal recreation center, laundry room, charcoal grills and picnic tables. Visit koa.com/campgrounds/laramie or call 307-742-6553 for more information. In addition, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland offer 25 campgrounds. Visit recreation.gov for more information.

This article by Terri Marshall was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.