List of museums in Wyoming facts for kids

This list of museums in Wyoming is all about places where cool stuff is kept and shared! Museums are like special buildings where people collect and take care of interesting things. These things can be about history, art, science, or even nature. They let you see and learn about their collections through exhibits. This list focuses on real places you can visit, not museums that only exist online.

Exploring Wyoming's Amazing Museums

Wyoming is full of exciting museums where you can discover everything from dinosaurs to cowboys! Let's explore some of the awesome places you can visit.

Step Back in Time: History Museums

Many museums in Wyoming help us understand the past.

• The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody is a huge place with several museums in one! You can learn about Western history, Native American cultures, natural history, Western art, and even old firearms. It's a great spot to spend a whole day.

• The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in Cheyenne celebrates the famous Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. You can see old horse-drawn wagons, learn about local history, and check out pioneer items and Western art.

• The Dubois Museum in Dubois teaches you about the local Sheepeater Shoshone people, ancient rock carvings called petroglyphs, and the history of railroads and early settlers.

• The Fort Bridger in Fort Bridger is a restored 19th-century fur-trading fort. You can explore the old barracks and see what life was like back then.

• The Fort Laramie National Historic Site near Torrington was an important military fort. Its visitor center has exhibits, and you can explore the restored fort buildings.

• The Heart Mountain Wyoming Interpretive Learning Center near Powell tells an important story from World War II. It was a camp where Japanese Americans were held during the war. This museum helps us remember their experiences.

• The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Buffalo has cool displays and items that show the history of Johnson County and the frontier.

• The Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale focuses on the history of the mountain men who explored and lived in the American West.

• The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper is all about America's journey westward. You can learn about Native Americans, explorers, mountain men, and even Pony Express riders!

• The Old Trail Town in Cody is an open-air museum with over 26 historic buildings and artifacts. It's like stepping into the Wyoming frontier with old vehicles and Native American items.

• The South Pass City State Historic Site is a preserved historic town. You can see over 30 old buildings from the 1860s and 1870s when it was a busy city.

• The Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins offers tours of a former prison from 1901. It's a unique way to learn about the history of prisons in Wyoming.

Wild Wyoming: Nature and Science Museums

Discover the natural wonders and scientific discoveries of Wyoming.

• The Campbell County Rockpile Museum in Gillette has fossils, Native American artifacts, and even a video about coal mines. They also have activities for kids!

• The Devils Tower National Monument near Hulett has a visitor center with exhibits about the geology of this famous rock formation, its natural history, and its importance to Native Americans.

• The Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer has a visitor center with amazing fossil exhibits. You can see ancient fish and other creatures found in the area.

• The National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center in Dubois teaches you all about the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, including their biology and where they live.

• The Norris Geyser Basin Museum in Yellowstone National Park helps you understand the amazing geothermal features of the park, like geysers and hot springs, and the plants and animals that live there.

• The Paleon Museum in Glenrock, also known as the Glenrock Paleontological Museum, is where you can learn about Wyoming dinosaurs, fossils, and paleontology.

• The Science Zone in Casper is a hands-on museum with science and engineering displays, perfect for kids who love to experiment and explore. They even have live animals!

• The Tate Geological Museum in Casper, part of Casper College, has cool gems, fossils, and minerals.

• The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis is a must-see for dinosaur fans! It has over 30 mounted dinosaur skeletons, fossil displays, and you can even watch scientists working in the preparation lab.

Art and Creativity

Wyoming also has places to enjoy beautiful art.

• The Lander Art Center in Lander hosts many art shows throughout the year, featuring paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography.

• The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson is dedicated to fine art that features wildlife. It's a beautiful place to see amazing animal artwork.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming.

• The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper focuses on contemporary art, showing new and exciting works.

• The Robert A. Peck Arts Center in Riverton, part of Central Wyoming College, has a contemporary art gallery and outdoor sculptures.

• The Rock Springs Community Fine Arts Center in Rock Springs is another great place to see art.

• The University of Wyoming Art Museum in Laramie has both historic and modern art collections.

Unique and Special Museums

Some museums have very specific or unusual collections.

• The Cody Dug Up Gun Museum in Cody displays relic guns and other weapons from different times and places.

• The National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois has a large collection of military vehicles.

• The Quebec-One Missile Alert Facility in Cheyenne is a restored Cold War-era facility where you can learn about missile control.

• The Wyoming National Guard Museum in Cheyenne tells the story of the Wyoming National Guard.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close. Here are a few that are no longer open:

• The Old West Wax Museum in Thermopolis closed in 2010. Its displays are now at the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton.
• Tecumsah's Old West Miniature Village & Museum in Cody.
• Wyoming Children's Museum and Nature Center in Laramie, which closed in 2010.