Sheridan combines a distinctive historical heritage with museums, events and nearby trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sheridan, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: local history and culture are just as prominent among the things to see as the trails in the surrounding area.
Historic Downtown and Main Street
The Sheridan Main Street Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982; its official name is Sheridan Main Street Historic District #164. On a walk along Sheridan’s Main Street, visitors can see distinctive historic brick and stone buildings constructed between 1910 and 1920. The materials and period of construction thus give the district’s historic name a tangible context as you stroll.
Sheridan’s historic downtown includes 46 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Public art projects downtown celebrate local culture. Dozens of shops, restaurants, galleries and cafés add to the scene; individual businesses may change. If you’d like to include a particular shop or café in your plans, check what’s currently open beforehand.
During rodeo week, downtown hosts live music and family-friendly events. If these offerings are part of your reason for visiting, check the relevant event dates before making plans.
Homes, Theaters and Collections
Trail End is a house museum built in 1913 in the Flemish Revival style and was once the home of Wyoming Governor and U.S. Senator John B. Kendrick. Mostly original items from the house and family offer insights into everyday life, entertainment and interior design, as well as technological change and ranching in the Northern Plains in the early 20th century. These themes connect private life with the broader economic context of ranching.
The WYO Theater’s history began in 1923; it opened as the Lotus. The Don King Museum houses collections relating to the American West, including horse-drawn hearses, taxidermy and rifles and handguns. The collections have distinct focuses: Trail End tells the story of a home and family, while the Don King Museum brings together objects from the American West.
The Museum at the Bighorns is located in Sheridan at 171 N. Main St., Ste 107.
Trails, Wildlife and Outdoor Activities
Sheridan’s trail network offers the chance to experience local flora and fauna. This includes the well-known elk and bison at Kendrick Park; wildlife sightings can vary. Kendrick Park also has a municipal swimming pool. Check the facility’s current status before your visit.
Nearby, the Kicking Horse Trail is suitable for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The Soldier Ridge Trail offers 360-degree views of Wyoming. The Hidden Hoot Trail is a three-mile loop through shaded canyons and wetlands. You can compare the trails by their different features: the Kicking Horse Trail offers several activities, the Soldier Ridge Trail is known for its panorama, and the Hidden Hoot Trail for its loop and scenery.
These differences can help you choose the right outdoor focus for your stay. If you’re mainly interested in hiking, cycling or horseback riding, the Kicking Horse Trail offers all three options. For views across Wyoming, the Soldier Ridge Trail is the specific choice; the Hidden Hoot Trail combines a stated loop length with canyons and wetlands.
Discover more destinations: Clearmont, Ranchester.
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