Not Your First Rodeo? What to do on Your Next Cody Yellowstone Visit

From distinctive shopping to surprising art, unusual attractions to hidden hiking trails, there are seemingly endless things to do and see in Cody Yellowstone, if only you had the time.

First trips to this classic Western destination typically include a variety of top-flight adventures. In the town of Cody, many if not most people make it a point to experience attractions like the Smithsonian-affiliated Buffalo Bill Center of the West; stroll the highly walkable main street, Sheridan Ave.; take the Cody Trolley Tour for an hour-long interpretive experience focused on the history of the destination, eat some beef at places like the Cody Steakhouse and, if they are visiting in the summer season, attend the Cody Nite Rodeo. Most people also make a day trip or spend several days in Yellowstone National Park to drive the scenic byways, watch wildlife and stop at popular park sites like the Upper Geyser Basin (home of Old Faithful Geyser) and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

With those main attractions crossed off their vacation lists already, return travelers to the destination have lots of options for taking a deeper dive into the lesser visited, wilder and equally compelling corners of this vast, diverse and ever-surprising destination.

Here are some places to go and things to see on a return visit to Cody Yellowstone: 

Powell

Queen Bee Gardens in Powell. The small town of Powell, located about 20 minutes northeast of Cody, is a surprisingly diverse and inviting destination, with charming shops, eateries and more. Tour the garden and learn about how they harvest honey and create delectable candies. After your tour, have a light lunch at the cheery Lavender Lemon Eatery and check out their display of thoughtful gifts for purchase. 

While you’re in Powell, visit the new Mineta-Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center, which is launching its first full year of special public programming in 2025. The institute will offer events such as workshops focused on preparing daikon grown by local farms and programming centered around kimono, origami and calligraphy. 

And if you missed the Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center on your first visit, be sure to stop at the museum there as well. Heart Mountain was one of several internment camps hastily assembled to incarcerate Americans of Japanese descent after Pearl Harbor. Visitors can learn about that bleak period and the lives of those imprisoned American citizens through poignant exhibits throughout the museum. 

While in Powell, you’ll also want to stop by the Homesteader Museum, which provides a fascinating glimpse of the lifestyles of the homesteaders who settled in Powell in the early 1900s. Don’t miss the Bever Homestead – an original 1913 homestead house – and the CB&Q Burlington Northern Caboose. 

If you’re a fan of agritourism, book an tour through the Powell Chamber of Commerce. The tours include stops at Powell area farms including Arrowhead Alpacas, Enchantment Creek Apothecary and Wyoming Heritage Grains.

Meeteetse

On your second visit you should also make sure to head to the tiny town of Meeteetse south of Cody. 

A don’t-miss spot there is Meeteetse Chocolatier, the store operated by a rodeo cowboy-turned-truffle-maker. Inspired by his grandmother’s recipes, chocolatier Tim Kellogg has created an inviting space for selling his thoughtfully curated array of homemade truffles and other treats. 

If you’re a fan of old-fashioned home-style cooking walk across the street from the Meeteetse Chocolatier to the Elkhorn Bar & Grill for a hearty lunch and classic Western vibe. 

Art-lovers should be sure to visit the newly renovated Vic Payne Studio & Gallery, showcasing sculptures and creations of artist Vic Payne and other family members.

And finally, be sure to stop at Meeteetse Museums, a compelling museum with photos of one of the first ranches in the region and educational exhibits featuring the story of the discovery of the black-footed ferret, a species that was once thought to be extinct. 

Cody

Did you stop by the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum on your first visit? If not, head to this tiny upstairs museum with exhibits of guns that have been discovered on battlefields, on ranches and in backyards throughout the world 

Art fans and shoppers should also visit the Cody Country Art League in the Cody Visitor Center building. This non-profit gallery and gift shop features the work of more than 175 artists. 

If you didn’t have a beverage in the garden of the Chamberlin Inn during your first visit, be sure to fix that next time around. Few boutique hotels offer the comforting combination of charm, luxury and inventive décor as the Chamberlin Inn. We recommend the “Death in the Afternoon” cocktail, so-named because writer Ernest Hemingway stayed at the inn after he finished that manuscript. 

Stroll Sheridan Ave. and find out why USA readers voted the town as the No. 1 Small Town Beer Scene in the U.S. Cody’s “Sippin’ Trail” connects its famous welcoming breweries. Sign up for the free pass before you leave home and earn free prizes along the trail. 

If you’re a fan of history and unique museums, pop your head into the Cody Heritage Museum, with exhibits about the famous town’s early days. 

Another fascinating stop for history buffs is the Historic Cody Mural and Museum, situated in the Church of Jesus Crist of Latter-day Saints. The museum highlights adventures of the pioneers who settled the Big Horn Basin in the early 1900s. 

Ready for some outdoor adventure? If your trip takes you to Cody Yellowstone in the summer, paddle your way down the Shoshone River during a half-day rafting trip. The scenery is epic, and the chances of seeing wildlife along the shores are high. 

Or head into the backcountry on a UTV trip to the ghost town of Kirwin, McCullough Peaks, Red Lakes or Clark’s Fork Canyon. 

Horses are an integral part of the growth and culture of the American West, and the best way to experience the awesomeness of horseback riding is a trail ride. Check out the Bill Cody Ranch’s rides for a particularly scenic adventure in the Shoshone National Forest wilderness. The storied ranch is marking its 100th anniversary in 2025. 

Go shopping for fun stuff. We recommend the Wyoming Buffalo Company for house-made jerky and other treats; Cowtown Candy Company for seasonal treats and its specialty, Cowtown Crunch; and Sunlight Sports for adventure gear and terrific books about the region. 

Yellowstone National Park

During your trip to the park, carve out time to take stagecoach to the site of the park’s popular Old West Dinner Cookout. 

You probably visited the Upper Geyser Basin and saw Old Faithful erupt on your first visit. There are many more geysers in the park, though, and every one of them is spectacular. Take the Norris Geyser Basin boardwalk and see several geysers along the trail. And check out the Norris Geyser Basin Museum too. 

Make your trip to the park fun as well as informative by downloading two free TravelStorys audio tours. The Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway tour highlights the history and sites to the East Gate while the Chief Joseph Scenic Byways tour discusses the geographic anomalies and history of the road to the Northeast Gate to the park.