Overview
Laramie is a city in Southeast Wyoming. It is home to the University of Wyoming.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 6 places to eat · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Laramie
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site
This prison, now a state historic site, opened in the late 19th century held some of the region's most hardened criminals.
Laramie Plains Museum
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
A nationally designated scenic byway, Snowy Range Road is a 29-mile (46-km) drive from Laramie to Saratoga via Snowy Range Pass. There is fishing, picnicing, and hiking opportunities along the road, including a half-day …
Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls
The city's and state's biggest sporting attractions are the University of Wyoming's teams, playing eight men's sports and nine women's sports mostly in the Mountain West Conference. All sports venues are on campus—even t…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAR Laramie Regional Airport, Laramie — 4 mi away. Directions
- CYS Cheyenne Regional Jerry Olson Field, Cheyenne — 42 mi away. Directions
- DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 111 mi away (major hub). Directions
The primary access to Laramie is along Interstate 80, the main east–west corridor in the state; it's roughly an hour west of the junction with I-25 at Cheyenne. Because of the altitude and northern location, it is important to be aware of road conditions and road closures along all roads but especially I-80 as its closure can strand you. Road conditions are available on the internet at several sources including this one:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie Plains Museum
- Lunch Anong's Thai Cuisine
- Afternoon Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls
- Dinner Coal Creek Coffee Co.
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Laramie is located at very high altitude (7,200 ft/2,200 m) and due to this has considerably milder summers and more fierce winters than other US cities of comparable latitude in the upper Midwest. Because it lies east of the Continental Divide, placing it in the rain shadow of the Rockies, the climate around Laramie is very dry most of the year so travelers here should take care to drink lots of fluid and not overexert themselves immediately upon arrival to mitigate potential altitude sickness risks.
Get in
By car
The primary access to Laramie is along Interstate 80, the main east–west corridor in the state; it's roughly an hour west of the junction with I-25 at Cheyenne. Because of the altitude and northern location, it is important to be aware of road conditions and road closures along all roads but especially I-80 as its closure can strand you. Road conditions are available on the internet at several sources including this one:
In the summer months the town is also easily accessible on a smaller road (US 287) that comes up from Fort Collins, Colorado. From Denver it makes for a shorter drive than I-25/I-80, but not noticeably faster.
By plane
Laramie is also accessible from Denver International Airport (DEN). From Denver, take Interstate 25 north to Cheyenne, where it intersects Interstate 80.
By bus
Place Greyhound
Get around
Taxi
Car rental
Place Hertz
Flights will be met after hours with 24 hours advance notice. After hours return is available in Hertz lot via drop-box.
Place Enterprise
See
Do
Do Snowy Range Scenic Byway
A nationally designated scenic byway, Snowy Range Road is a 29-mile (46-km) drive from Laramie to Saratoga via Snowy Range Pass. There is fishing, picnicing, and hiking opportunities along the road, including a half-day hike to the top of the 12,013-ft (3,661-m) Medicine Bow Peak. The pass is closed in winter.
Do Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls
The city's and state's biggest sporting attractions are the University of Wyoming's teams, playing eight men's sports and nine women's sports mostly in the Mountain West Conference. All sports venues are on campus—even the golf course. The hot-button sports, as with most large universities, are typically football and men's basketball.
Eat
Eat Altitude Chophouse & Brewery
Good typical brewpub American food. Can get busy, so plan for a wait if you don't have a reservation.
Eat Anong's Thai Cuisine
Reliable, if heavily Americanized, Thai standbys.
Eat Coal Creek Coffee Co.
Coffee and pastries in a lovely old space downtown.
Eat Coal Creek Coffee Co., east
A second location towards the eastern side of town, closer to most hotels but lacks the charm.
Eat Mizu Sushi
How they get fresh fish in Laramie remains a mystery, but the results are surprisingly good. Serves a variety of both Japanese and Vietnamese dishes in addition to sushi.
Eat Turtle Rock Cafe
Popular cafe just off the western edge of the UW campus. Good place for lunchtime salads and sandwiches, particularly when the weather's nice enough to dine outside.
Sleep
University events are major draws relative to Laramie's modest population; expect limited availability and higher prices near the start of the academic year in late August and commencement in early May, as families of students descend on the town. Home football games, held on several Saturdays in the fall, can also fill hotels long in advance.
Stay Best Value Inn
Stay Holiday Inn
Opened in 2007, this hotel caters to the higher-end and business traveller with king, double queen, and suites. All rooms have a flat screen TV, microwave, and fridge. The hotel also has a business center, indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center, and wireless and wired internet.
Go next
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My experience
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