Cheyenne, WY on the Cheap
- Melissa Nance
- Aug 29, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 18, 2019
As full time traveling RVers and penny pinchers we are always looking for ways we can experience a place on a budget. Lucky for us Cheyenne has plenty of free things to do and good cheap eats. PLUS FREE RV parking and boondocking near by.
We were able to spend several nights in the Cheyenne area, eat out, try out a brewery or two and see the sights for less than $40 for two people. Read on to learn how you can do Cheyenne on the cheap.
FREE OVERNIGHT PARKING
We started our Cheyenne road trip with FREE overnight parking plus free RV dump and water at the WY welcome center just outside Cheyenne. There were several other RVers there as well as truckers to take advantage of the free overnight RV parking. We had a good night's sleep. Other than our neighbors generator is was pretty quiet. You can find this spot at GPS
41.058400,-104.879000
The next morning we dumped our tanks and filled up with water and made the short drive of about 10 minutes into Cheyenne, WY where we enjoyed a day of free activities and cheap eats.
YUMMY CHEAP EATS
We started the day off at Cheyenne Luxury Diner which is located in an old rail car. Legend has it, the Luxury Dining Car was an operating trolley car on the streets of Cheyenne from 1894 to 1912. It has been used at the Luxury Diner since 1964.
This Cheyenne diner is rated as the number 1 restaurant by TripAdvisor. The Luxury Diner is decorated with old railroad signs and knick knacks.
They are known for their biscuits and gravy using the same recipe for 30 years. So of course we went with what they are known for. I got a half order of biscuits and gravy for $4 while Wade ordered the full order plus egg and potatoes for $7.50, which we split. The food was good and there was plenty of it. We couldn’t even eat it all. I had a coffee and Wade a water making the total with tip $17.
The Luxury Diner offers breakfast and lunch specials Monday-Friday. This was a good meal at a great price and we recommend it for breakfast!
FREE ATTRACTIONS
After a hearty breakfast we made our way to the WY State Museum. This museum is located at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. We had no trouble finding parking for the RV right behind the museum for free.
Admission is free and they are open Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and closed State and Federal Holidays.
They had lots of interesting exhibits that kept us entertained for a couple of hours. Outside they have a pair of big boots and a teepee the kids can get in.
One of our favorite exhibits was one of the original Yellowstone tourist couches. They did a great job explaining how it was used and later restored.
We both enjoyed playing in the interactive area. As the volunteer said “it’s for big kids too.” We could have spent all day playing with the watershed exhibit.
I also liked seeing this old “RV” or as they called it a sheep herding wagon. That herders and sometimes their families used to travel with their flock.
There was also great information on the dinosaurs that roamed the area including actual dinosaur bones.
This is cowboy country and you can imagine how it was in the old west here. That’s why I wanted to visit the Cowgirls of the West Museum. A small attraction maintained by local volunteers.
I found it interesting to learn more about the role that women played in the west alongside the men. There was a movie you could watch and also purchase.
Admission here is also free. And the museum is open Tuesday- Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
I really wanted to see the big boots so we went to the Depot area of downtown Cheyenne. There were a few bars and restaurants in the area but not much else.
Luckily the big boots didn’t disappoint.
As a side note I enjoyed all of the old signs around Cheyenne. It seems that the 70’s was the heyday here. But it is still a fun place to visit and you can do it on a budget.
We also stopped at the art guild. I love art and enjoy seeing local artist's work. It was here that we learned about the free art walk held every second Thursday from April through December. They have a featured artists show each month at the guild ranging from blown glass, acrylic, watercolor, 3D sculptures and photography.
There is a playground right outside the art guild should you be with children who need to burn off some energy.
BREWERIES
Wade is a hop head so we try to hit up breweries when we can. We visited two and one was definitely a favorite. At each we spent $10 for a sample plus tip. If you want to save $10 just go to the one Wade recommends.
Our first stop was Danielmark's Brewery located at 209 E 18th St, Cheyenne, WY. We had no problem finding free RV parking nearby.
This downtown Cheyenne brewery is quaint with modest indoor accommodations and fun outside seating areas in the back. We parked around the corner and had no trouble getting a seat at the bar on a Thursday afternoon. Wade tried 4 different beers. As a "hop head" he always gravitate towards the IPA's. He says "it's like drinking flowers with a great side effect."
Here is what he tried and had to say about each.
1) Starmaker Pale Ale 5.8% IBU's- 35
The stats and flavor of an IPA but the feel of a pale. Easy to drink
2) Bluesitra House IPA 6.8% IBU's- 75
Super hop-forward punch in the mouth citrus bomb. A hop-lover's dream.
3) Red Beard's Rye IPA 7% IBU's- 68
Sweet tasting rye after the coating from the Bluesitra. Totally different albeit delicious hop experience.
4) Shatter Cane DIPA 9.8% IBU's- 85
Alcohol competes with the hops too much on this one. Not as balanced as other doubles I've had.
Winner- Bluesitra Wow! Best IPA I've had in a long time.
What I liked about this place was that all the beers were named after superheroes. They even had a comic book!
And FREE popcorn!!! As penny pinching globetrotters we love free stuff especially free food.
The second brewery we stopped at was Freedom Edge Brewing located at 1509 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, Wyoming. This downtown Cheyenne brewery feels like a city dive bar but it's too new-ish to get that label.
We parked the RV across the street for free and I stayed inside and worked while Wade checked it out. Here is his experience.
I was greeted immediately on a Thursday afternoon. I ordered a 4 flight tasting and chose the following:
1) High Noon- chili ale 4.6%
Delicious chili beer with a good kick.
2) Totally Solar- orange peel wheat 5.9%
Refreshing wheat with a nice, orange peel forward taste. Can you say breakfast/tailgate beer?
3) Hulk Smash- IPA 5%
A name not befitting. An average IPA
4) 1890- IPA 6%
Mellow and malty.
Winner- Totally Solar orange peel wheat- delicious and very drinkable.
The beers were decent and I wouldn't have problem returning but if you you only have time for one Cheyenne brewery I'd go to Danielmark.
So if you want to save $10 you can just go the Brewery Wade recommends. Danielmark!
After our busy and cheap day in Cheyenne we made our way to Buford near Turtle Rock where we enjoyed a couple of days of boondocking amongst cool rock formations. Learn more about where we boondocked for free just outside Cheyenne here.
I enjoyed visiting Cheyenne, WY on a budget. There were plenty of free parking spots for RVs in the area near attractions and plenty of free things to do.
By visiting the free attractions in Cheyenne and camping for free we had money left over to enjoy a meal and check out a couple of breweries. Making our total just $37, so yes we did Cheyenne on a budget!!! Our next stop was FREE boondocking close by.
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Happy Trails,
Penny Pinching Globetrotter
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