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Laramie
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Laramie, Wyoming pairs Old West history, University of Wyoming culture, mountain landscapes and lively downtown streets with accessible outdoor adventures.

Railroad City and University Town

Laramie sits at roughly 7,200 feet on the high plains of southeastern Wyoming, between the Laramie Range and the Medicine Bow Mountains. Established alongside the Union Pacific Railroad in 1868, it retains the broad streets, brick commercial buildings and independent businesses associated with a frontier railway town, while the University of Wyoming gives the city a youthful, intellectual character. The university campus anchors museums, galleries, performances and sporting events, and its presence brings a steady rhythm to a city otherwise shaped by open skies, ranching country and winter weather.
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Historic Streets and Mountain Landscapes

Downtown Laramie is compact and walkable, with restored façades, cafés, bookshops, bars and local retailers gathered around the old commercial core. The Laramie Plains Museum, housed in the former Ivinson Mansion, illustrates the ambitions of early city leaders, while the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site preserves a more austere chapter of the town’s past. At the University of Wyoming, the Geological Museum, UW Art Museum and American Heritage Center add depth to the cultural scene. Beyond the built-up area, Medicine Bow National Forest opens into forests, alpine lakes, granite formations and high-country trails; Vedauwoo, a celebrated climbing and hiking area, lies east of town. Laramie’s appeal comes from this close relationship between civic history, university culture and expansive western landscapes.

When is the best time to visit Laramie?

Best: June–August · 21–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January213
February313
March520
April1030
May1640
June (best)2130
July (best)2430
August (best)2430
September1925
October1220
November320
December113

Getting to and around Laramie

How to get there

Laramie lies along Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and the western Wyoming corridor, making road travel the most straightforward way to arrive. The city has Laramie Regional Airport, but commercial flight options are limited, so many visitors use larger airports in Denver or Cheyenne and continue by road. Union Pacific freight rail passes through Laramie, while passenger rail service is not generally the practical option for reaching the city. Long-distance bus availability and schedules can change, so they should be checked before departure. A car is particularly useful for reaching mountain areas, trailheads and historic sites outside the compact central districts.

Transportation

Downtown Laramie and much of the University of Wyoming campus can be explored on foot, with cycling also practical in favourable weather. Local bus services operate in the city, although routes and frequency are more limited than in a large metropolitan area. Taxis and app-based rides may be available but should not be assumed for remote trailheads or late-night journeys. Driving is the most flexible option for Medicine Bow National Forest, Vedauwoo and dispersed outdoor destinations; visitors should check road conditions, carry suitable equipment and avoid blocking access roads or private ranch entrances. Snow, wind and ice can affect travel well beyond the city centre.

Best attractions in Laramie

Laramie’s attractions combine frontier history, university collections and access to open western landscapes. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site preserves the former penitentiary complex, where exhibitions explain prison life and nineteenth-century industry. At the University of Wyoming, the Geological Museum displays fossils and minerals from Wyoming and beyond, while the UW Art Museum presents changing exhibitions in a modern campus setting. The American Heritage Center holds extensive archival material relating to the American West, politics and popular culture, with public exhibitions offering a more accessible introduction. The Laramie Plains Museum at Ivinson Mansion evokes the city’s prosperous late-nineteenth-century society through its period interiors and collections. Downtown provides a manageable route through historic commercial architecture, independent shops and cafés, and the surrounding plains lead towards Medicine Bow National Forest and the granite formations of Vedauwoo, both outside the city and particularly appealing to hikers, climbers and photographers.

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Best landmarks in Laramie

Laramie’s landmarks reveal its development from railway settlement to territorial institution and university city. The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site is the most distinctive surviving reminder of the federal presence and penal system that accompanied nineteenth-century expansion. Ivinson Mansion, now the Laramie Plains Museum, represents the ambitions and domestic world of an influential early Laramie family. The Union Pacific Railroad Depot, associated with the city’s founding and continuing railway history, points to the transport network that gave Laramie its original economic purpose. On campus, the University of Wyoming’s historic buildings and public spaces express the importance of education to the state since 1886. Downtown’s late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century commercial façades, together with churches and civic buildings, complete a streetscape in which railway commerce, territorial society and western university culture remain visible.

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Best restaurants in Laramie

Laramie’s dining scene reflects Wyoming’s ranching culture, university population and position on a major east-west road corridor. Beef and bison appear frequently on local menus, while trout and other mountain-influenced ingredients may feature alongside familiar American cooking. Downtown is the principal area for independent restaurants, cafés, bakeries, bars and casual eateries, with student demand supporting varied and informal options. The university also brings international influences and changing seasonal rhythms, while longer-established establishments retain a western-town atmosphere. Visitors can find locally produced beer and spirits in addition to coffee and baked goods, and the farmers market offers seasonal produce and small-scale food products when operating. Dining choices are generally concentrated rather than spread across numerous districts, making the historic centre and areas near campus useful starting points for exploring Laramie’s food culture.

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Best bars in Laramie

Laramie’s evening life is shaped by the University of Wyoming and the compact downtown, where bars, pubs, cafés and live-music venues serve students, residents and visitors. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed conversation over local beer to busier nights linked to university events, concerts and sporting fixtures. The Gryphon Theatre is an established downtown performance venue, while other stages and campus spaces contribute music, theatre and cultural programming. Nightlife is modest compared with a major city, and entertainment schedules can vary with the academic calendar, holidays and the season. Downtown is the most practical area for moving between venues on foot, although normal late-night precautions remain sensible. Evening cultural events, public talks and gallery programmes can be as characteristic of Laramie as club nights, particularly when the university is in session.

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Best nightclubs in Laramie

Laramie’s evening life is shaped by the University of Wyoming and the compact downtown, where bars, pubs, cafés and live-music venues serve students, residents and visitors. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed conversation over local beer to busier nights linked to university events, concerts and sporting fixtures. The Gryphon Theatre is an established downtown performance venue, while other stages and campus spaces contribute music, theatre and cultural programming. Nightlife is modest compared with a major city, and entertainment schedules can vary with the academic calendar, holidays and the season. Downtown is the most practical area for moving between venues on foot, although normal late-night precautions remain sensible. Evening cultural events, public talks and gallery programmes can be as characteristic of Laramie as club nights, particularly when the university is in session.

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Best shops in Laramie

Shopping in Laramie centres on the historic downtown and the commercial areas serving the University of Wyoming and surrounding neighbourhoods. Independent boutiques, bookshops, cafés, galleries, outdoor retailers and second-hand shops give the centre a local character, while larger everyday stores are located beyond the older grid. Visitors may find Western-style clothing, locally made art, jewellery, books about Wyoming, outdoor equipment and regional food products, with some craft goods and souvenirs reflecting ranching and mountain culture. The Laramie Farmers Market adds seasonal produce, baked goods and handmade items when it is operating. The downtown streets are compact enough to browse on foot, and the University of Wyoming area offers additional cultural retail opportunities connected with campus life. Availability of specialist goods is more limited than in a large city, so shopping is best approached as part of exploring Laramie’s independent commercial scene.

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Laramie essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, museums, larger shops, restaurants and other established businesses, while cash remains useful for smaller purchases, rural stops, public facilities and occasional market vendors. ATMs are available in the city, including around commercial and university areas, but visitors heading into mountain country should obtain necessities beforehand because services become sparse outside Laramie. International travellers should notify their bank about US spending, check foreign-exchange fees and keep a small amount of cash for places where connectivity or card acceptance is limited.
Safety
Laramie is a small city, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate: secure valuables, avoid leaving belongings visible in parked vehicles and take care after dark in quiet areas. Outdoor safety is especially important. High elevation, intense sun, strong winds, cold temperatures and rapidly changing mountain weather can create risks even on familiar-looking trails, while mobile coverage may be unreliable beyond town. Check conditions before leaving, tell someone your plans, carry water and appropriate layers, and respect posted warnings and private-property boundaries. When driving outside the city, watch for wildlife, winter ice and long distances between fuel, food and medical services.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or urgent medical assistance. Give the dispatcher the exact location, particularly if an incident occurs on a forest road, trail or climbing area, and describe nearby landmarks or access roads when possible. For non-urgent police matters, use the local law-enforcement non-emergency service rather than 911. Visitors with serious medical needs can seek emergency care in Laramie, but remote outdoor areas may involve slower response times and limited mobile reception. Carry identification, travel-insurance details and information about essential medication, and do not rely solely on a phone for navigation in the mountains.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect university buildings, museums, historic sites and religious spaces as working or cultural institutions rather than photo settings alone. Do follow Leave No Trace principles, remain on permitted routes, keep clear of private land and treat wildlife as wild animals. Do allow extra distance and patience when driving in snow, wind or around livestock. Tipping is customary in many US restaurants, bars and for personal services, with the amount depending on service and circumstance; it is separate from any clearly stated service charge. Do not assume that a mountain trail is easy because it is close to town, and do not remove rocks, artefacts or historic material from public sites.
Local Tips
The city centre, the University of Wyoming campus and the historic residential areas around them make a useful first orientation, while the Laramie Plains Museum and university museums offer context before exploring the wider landscape. Downtown is most convenient for independent shops, cafés and evening venues, whereas access to forest roads and trailheads requires more planning. The Laramie Farmers Market and university events can add a local dimension when operating, but schedules are seasonal. At altitude, ordinary exertion may feel harder than expected, so build in time to acclimatise. For scenic drives, confirm road conditions and seasonal access rather than relying on summer assumptions.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haʊ-di]
GoodbyeSee ya[siː jə]
YesYep[jɛp]
NoNope[noʊp]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[pliːz/jʊr ˈwɛlkəm]
Thank youThanks[θæŋks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[ˈpɑrdn mi/maɪ bæd]
How are you?Howdy, how's it goin'?[haʊ-di, haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪn]
Fine. And you?Fine. And you?[faɪn. ænd jə]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[jə spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI don't get it[aɪ doʊnt ˌʌndərˈstænd]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseI'll take a look at the menu, please[aɪl teɪk ə lʊk æt ðə ˈmɛnju, pliːz]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[aɪ doʊnt du mɛt]
Cheers!Cheers![ʧɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'll settle up, please[aɪl ˈsɛtl ʌp, pliːz]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Get outta here![ɡɛt ˈaʊtə hɪr]
Call the Police!Call the cops![kɔl ðə kɑps]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![ɡɛt ə dɑk]
I'm lostI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
I'm illI'm sick[aɪm sɪk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'm lookin' to buy...[aɪm ˈlʊkɪn tə baɪ]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[ʤʌst ˈbraʊzɪn]
How much is it?How much?[haʊ ˈmʌtʃ]
That's too expensiveThat's steep[ðæts stip]
Can you lower the price?Can ya knock it down?[kæn jə nɑk ɪt daʊn]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[wɑts ðə taɪm]
It's one o'clockIt's one[ɪts wʌn]
Half past (10)Half past (10)[hæf pæst (10)]
MorningMornin'[ˈmɔrnɪn]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvenin'[ˈivnɪn]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɑroʊ]
1One[wʌn]
2Two[tu]
3Three[θri]
4Four[fɔr]
5Five[faɪv]
6Six[sɪks]
7Seven[ˈsɛvən]
8Eight[eɪt]
9Nine[naɪn]
10Ten[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wɛərz ðə]
What's the address?What's the address?[wɑts ðə ˈædrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me (on the map)?[kæn jə ʃoʊ mi (ɒn ðə mæp)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[wɛnz ðə nɛkst (bʌs)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[ə ˈtɪkɪt (tu ....)]

History of Laramie

Indigenous Plains and Mountain Country

Long before the arrival of the railway, the region around present-day Laramie formed part of the wider cultural and trading landscape of the Southern and Central Plains. Arapaho, Cheyenne, Lakota and other Indigenous peoples travelled through and used the plains, river corridors and mountain country of what is now southeastern Wyoming. The Laramie River and nearby passes provided routes through a landscape later reshaped by roads, railways, ranching and American military expansion. Place names and regional history preserve traces of the competing Indigenous, federal and commercial interests that defined the nineteenth-century transformation of Wyoming, although the city itself emerged only with the arrival of Euro-American settlement and the Union Pacific.

The Union Pacific Settlement

Laramie was established in 1868 as the Union Pacific Railroad crossed the plains during construction of the transcontinental route. The city took its name from Jacques La Ramie, a French or French-Canadian fur trader associated with the region in the early nineteenth century, although details of his life are limited and sometimes presented differently in local tradition. The railway brought workers, merchants, freight and rapid population growth, turning Laramie into an important service point in the Wyoming Territory. Its original commercial grid, broad streets and surviving nineteenth-century buildings reflect the practical needs of a railway town rather than a pre-existing colonial settlement.

Territorial Institutions and Frontier Justice

As Laramie grew, it became a centre for commerce, government and social life in southern Wyoming. The Wyoming Territorial Prison opened in 1872 and operated until 1903, housing federal prisoners and manufacturing distinctive prison-made goods, including brooms. The surviving complex, now the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, conveys the institutional side of frontier development often overshadowed by railway and ranching stories. Laramie also occupies an important place in the history of women’s political participation: Louisa Swain cast a ballot in the city in 1870, soon after Wyoming Territory extended voting rights to women in 1869. The Territory’s early experiment became part of the state’s enduring political identity.

The University Shapes the City

The University of Wyoming was founded in Laramie in 1886, four years before Wyoming achieved statehood. Its establishment gave the young city an institution devoted to higher education, research and professional training, adding a more permanent civic dimension to the transient economy of the railroad. The university expanded through the twentieth century, and its campus became a repository for art, geological specimens, archives and regional scholarship. Museums such as the Geological Museum, the UW Art Museum and the American Heritage Center connect Laramie with the natural and cultural history of Wyoming, while university events continue to influence the city’s calendar, population and public life.

Modern Laramie and the High Plains

Twentieth-century Laramie developed beyond its railway origins through education, government, ranching, retail and transport links across southeastern Wyoming. Historic commercial buildings and residential districts remain alongside newer university facilities and contemporary businesses. The city’s identity is also shaped by its setting: the surrounding high plains and nearby Medicine Bow Mountains support hiking, climbing, skiing, wildlife observation and scientific study. Rather than becoming a large urban centre, Laramie has retained the scale of a small regional city with a significant university, a substantial historic legacy and close access to public landscapes. Its present character rests on the interaction of those three forces.

Laramie in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Laramie, Wyoming

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Welcome to Laramie, Wyoming - a city rich in history and brimming with attractions. Whether you're here to explore the University of Wyoming, take a stroll through the Historic Downtown, or marvel at the beauty of the Snowy Range Mountains, Evendo is your indispensable travel companion. With detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, you'll have everything you need to make the most of your trip.

Imagine starting your day with a visit to the Laramie Plains Museum, followed by lunch at Sweet Melissa Café & Front Street Tavern. Later, you can enjoy a scenic drive to Vedauwoo Recreation Area and cap off your evening with a drink at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery. With Evendo, all this and more is just a few taps away.

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