Best Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming
With its thriving arts scene, historic Main Street, and magnificent mountain backdrop, Sheridan is a unique destination for those who love small towns and a slower pace of life.
Sheridan’s outdoor spaces and landmarks are also a draw for visitors, with parks, trails, ponds, creeks, and wildlife all within city limits. There’s also a massive range of activities themed around the Wild West, like polo and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo.
Trail End State Historic Site
Located in Sheridan, Trail End State Historic Site is a museum that focuses on the region’s history. It features the Kendrick mansion and a carriage house theater, surrounded by four acres of grounds.
Initially built in 1908, Trail End is a Flemish Revival mansion on a hilltop overlooking Sheridan and the Big Horn Mountains. The mansion, a fully furnished example of the style, contains thirty rooms and is open to the public for self-guiding tours.
The mansion’s main floor is dominated by a two-story, gable-roofed hall that runs across the center of the building. Its curvilinear limestone gables are typical of the Flemish Revival architectural style. Other home elements include rubbed brickwork, Neoclassical elements, and balustrades and columns.
In addition to its impressive architecture, Trail End is a fascinating museum that provides visitors with information about daily life in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its displays and exhibits feature original furnishings from the house and family, topical exhibits about changing technology, ranching on the Northern Plains, and more.
Visitors can also look closely at the mansion’s collection of antiques. Over ninety percent of the collection is original to the house and Kendrick family.
The museum’s collections are complemented by programs that help educate kids about the history of Sheridan and Wyoming. These include Kids eXtreme, Junior Curators, and Trail End Trackers. All are designed to teach children about their surroundings and to encourage them to explore their local neighborhoods.
King’s Saddlery
Located in the heart of Sheridan on Main Street, King’s Saddlery is a must-visit while in the area. This tack shop has one of the largest selections of hand-crafted saddles, bridles, ropes, reins, halters, and more that you’ll find in Western America.
Local cowboy legend Don King started making saddles part-time while working on his ranch in Sheridan. He dedicated himself full-time in 1957 to saddle and tack making, rope building, and leather tooling. He influenced many saddlemakers around the world with his unique style of tooling, which became known as the Sheridan style.
King has sold saddles to many leaders and celebrities worldwide, including Queen Elizabeth, who visited the store in the 1980s, Ronald Reagan, and many more. He also has a museum that features a collection of Western and cowboy memorabilia from across the globe.
The shop is run by Don’s sons and still operates today. Their family has been in the tack business since the 1940s.
Behind the shop is the Don King Museum, where visitors can see hundreds of saddles, wagons, coaches, Indian artifacts, guns, and a wide variety of equestrian items. This is a beautiful place to spend a few hours learning about the West’s history.
Don was a world-renowned collector of Western and cowboy memorabilia, and his collection is impressive. His collection includes everything from perfectly preserved wagons and coaches to Indian artifacts, generations of firearms, Western tack, and original artwork.
WYO Theater
If you want to experience live entertainment, WYO Theater is a great choice. The theater is known for hosting classical music, local choral groups, and touring dance companies. It also has a film festival.
This historic theater was built in 1923 and was initially called the Lotus. It was a famous vaudeville theater that entertained Sheridan residents for over sixty years. After closing in 1982, it faced demolition until the community’s strong effort saved it from destruction. The theater was renovated in the 1980s and is now a major performing arts venue in Sheridan.
The theater features a proscenium stage with wing space on each side and new sound technologies. It is also equipped with full lighting capabilities and can be configured differently.
In addition to the main WYO Theater, the theater also includes a Mars Black Box Theatre that can be used for experimental performances. The theater is equipped with acoustic diffuser panels, lighting, and sound systems and is perfect for learning all types of theater production.
Located in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, the main theater is a large and comfortable venue with seating for 483 people. It is fully equipped with a fly system, wing space on either side of the stage, and a new sound technology that allows for excellent acoustics.
If you are a filmmaker or writer, you can submit your work for screening at the WYO Film Festival. This festival is dedicated to bringing independent films to a broader audience and promoting filmmaking in Wyoming. It accepts feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos, and animation.
Kendrick Park
Kendrick Park is a popular local spot for family fun. It offers a public swimming pool, an expansive playground, and even an ice cream stand. It is also home to various summer events, including concerts and parades.
The Parks and Recreation department in Sheridan, Wyoming, is responsible for maintaining and operating many different parks and recreational facilities. In addition, it is responsible for various activities and programs, including swim lessons, basketball, tennis, and baseball tournaments.
Sheridan is an excellent city for walking and hiking, as numerous trails can be accessed through the city’s various parks. These hard-surface paths crisscross Sheridan and connect to several significant parks, displaying some of the best flora and fauna in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Sheridan has over 13 miles of walking and biking trails, giving residents and visitors various options for walking or a workout. The walking paths are well-maintained and offer an opportunity to view flora and fauna in Sheridan, such as the elk and buffalo that call Kendrick Park home.
In the summer, Sheridan hosts many concerts in the Park at Kendrick Park. These are a fun way to spend an evening with friends or family and are free to attend.
The Parks and Recreation department in Sheridan offers a variety of programs and activities for residents and tourists, including water aerobics, painting, yoga, boxing, Pilates, and karate classes. It also organizes ski trips, aerobic fitness sessions, and health and wellness activities for adults and senior citizens.
The Brinton Museum
The Brinton Museum reflects the rich culture of the Western West. It is housed in a beautiful historic building and features a stunning 19th and 20th-century art collection.
The museum also contains several nature trails perfect for hiking and viewing wildlife. There is also a restaurant on the top floor with spectacular views of the Big Horn Mountains.
This museum is located on the Quarter Circle A Ranch and has been a visitor favorite for many years. It has an extensive collection of Western art and offers students historic home tours and educational programs.
Initially built in 1892, the main house was purchased by Bradford Brinton in 1923 and renovated in 1927-28. The house is decorated as it was when the Brinton family lived here, and it has an extensive collection of books, friezes, sculptures, paintings, firearms, and other items that depict a life well lived.
A beautiful garden surrounds the main house. The museum is a must-see when visiting Sheridan, Wyoming!
It has a variety of exhibitions that change frequently. There are also long-term exhibitions that feature different aspects of the American West.
A reception gallery also displays changing exhibits from the museum’s collection. It is a great place to learn about the history of Western Art and American Indians.
The Brinton Museum reflects the rich culture and history of the Western West. It is housed on the Quarter Circle A Ranch and features a beautiful 19th and 20th-century art collection. It also contains several nature trails perfect for hiking and viewing wildlife. There is also an outdoor theater that showcases live music and movies.