Without a doubt, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center is a must visit during your stay in Cody. For many, the BBHC is the primary reason for coming to Cody. It is the largest western heritage museum in the world with over 250,000 visitors each year.

Four major museums are within the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum and the Whitney Gallery of Western Art are contained in the BBHC's 150,000 square feet of interior space. Open year-round, the facility Is dedicated to the history of art, technology and material culture of the American West. The BBHC is very RV accessible and has a huge parking lot; even so, there are some busy times when the lot is full. The Historical Center is open, year-round with varying hours, June through September, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. dally; October, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; November through March, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., thursday through Monday; April, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., dally; and May, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For information, call (307) 587-4771; 1-800-227-8483.

Old Trail Town & Museum of the Old West is a collection of some of the most significant old buildings in the west, including the Meeteetse River Saloon, Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall cabin and the remains of several famous Wyoming cowboys like John "Jeremiah Liver Eatin"' Johnson. The founders, Bob and Teny Edgar, are well known and respected for their knowledge of western history. Stroll along the frontier boardwalk and witness what Cody might have looked like to the original founders. Old Trail Town is open from mid-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. there is a small admission fee to view the town, which is on the West Yellowstone Highway east of the Rodeo Grounds. For more information, call (307) 587-5302.

A visit out west isn't complete without taking in a rodeo, and there's none better than the Cody Nite Rodeo. This rodeo is on every night from June 1 through August 31, beginning at 8:30 p.m. the Cody Nite Rodeo has been entertaining visitors since 1938 and is included on the championship circuit. Cody is the rodeo capital of the world, and this event offers the very best of Buffalo Bill's Wild West. There are clowns, special events for kids, and the grandstands are covered for your comfort. Cody Nite Rodeo runs almost continuously until the Grand Finale on Labor Day. Cody Nite Rodeo is produced by the Jim Ivory Rodeo Company; (307) 587-2992; 1-800-207-0744.

The special Fourth of July celebration brings on the Stampede Rodeo, July 1-4. With a purse of $240,000, this competition is the highest-paying July 4th rodeo in the world. And that means top talent and tough stock. Information and reservations can be obtained through the Cody Stampede office, PO Box 1327, Cody, WY 82414; (307) 587-5155.

There are also two other rodeos, the Senior Pro Rodeo and the Northwest College Trapper Stampede, both held at the end of the season in September.

Rodeo tickets are available at the ticket booth wagon in City Park, or at the gate after 7 p.m. all rodeos are held at Stampede Park located on the west end of Cody on the Yellowstone Highway, U.S. 14/16/20. Be sure to take in the excitement.

The lrma Hotel is one of the featured buildings of the mile-long Cody Historic Walking Tour. Built by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1902, the hotel was named for his daughter. Many downtown buildings were made from native sandstone mined in a quarry that's now under water at Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The complete tour, brochures and maps are available at the Cody Chamber.

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The Wyoming Territory Miniature Village and Museum is the largest miniature village of its kind. The exhibits depict historical scenes from the 1600s through the 1800s, using thousands of miniature figures, models and antique trains. There are displays of authentic artifacts. Native American weapons and period clothing in the museum. 

The Mormons played a significant part in the history of Wyoming. These pioneers blazed the trails and then worked tirelessly to conquer the arid soil and barren land. The Cody Mural, painted in 1951 on the domed celling of the LDS Church by Edward Grigware, depicts the events. The mural is in the Cody Mural and Visitors Center, LDS Church, 17th St. and Wyoming Ave.

Cody's summer calendar is filled with special events every week. So, no matter when you visit, there's always something special to see and do. A small selection is shown below, but be sure to check with the Chamber of Commerce for a complete list and current dates.

In the summer the Buffalo Bill Historical Center sponsors two events. Regional Native American dancing, crafts and food are the best at the Annual Plains Indian Powwow, in June. Watching the colorful traditional dances is an excellent way to gain appreciation of the Native Americans of the west. The Annual Frontier Festival, In July, is a turn-of-the-century celebration of crafts, entertainment, food, games and skills.

The biggest annual event in Cody is the Fourth of July Celebration and the Annual Cody Stampede. There are parades, rodeos, entertainment, an artisan/craft show, barn dance and fireworks. The celebration continues a tradition started In 1919.

The Winchester Gun Show, also held In July at the Cody High School, features over 250 displays of collectible firearms and products representing western history (90 percent are dedicated to Winchester products). The Winchester Arms Collectors Association has over 4,000 members, and the show generates national interest.

Summer's end signals the time for the Buffalo Bill Celebrity Shootout where celebrities join locals in shooting competitions. The August event is held at the Cody Shooting Complex located north of town of wyoming 120.

- J Zumbo -