Discover Sheridan: History, Museums, and Outdoor Trails

Sheridan is a destination for families who want to combine historic urban culture with outdoor experiences. The downtown area features historic buildings, museums tell stories of the American West, and the trail network offers opportunities to experience the local flora and fauna. During rodeo week, live music and family-friendly events are added. Choosing a vacation rental or vacation home can therefore be sensibly guided by whether you prefer to spend your days focusing on culture, exploring downtown, or following outdoor trails.

Historic Sheridan and Vibrant Downtown

The Sheridan Main Street Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is officially known as Sheridan Main Street Historic District #164. Sheridan's historic downtown includes 46 buildings that have been added to this register. The historic buildings on Sheridan's Main Street also include more substantial brick and stone structures built between 1910 and 1920, which visitors can see on the walking tour.

The historic downtown also includes dozens of unique shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés. Public art projects make every corner a celebration of the local culture. For families, this part of Sheridan can make up a varied part of the day: you can focus on the architecture, plan a gallery visit, or choose between different dining stops without shifting the trip's thematic focus to nature experiences.

The history of individual houses and theaters also gives Sheridan its distinctive character. Trail End State Historic Site 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. Trail End primarily uses original objects from the house and family to convey everyday life, entertainment, interior design, technological change, and ranching in the Northern Plains in the early 20th century. The WYO Theater began its history in 1923 and opened as the Lotus.

Museums with Regional Stories

The Don King Museum focuses on collections related to the American West. These include horse-drawn hearses, taxidermied animals, as well as rifles and handguns. The Museum at the Bighorns is located in Sheridan at 171 N. Main St., Ste 107. There, you can see all 28 official portraits of the titleholders of Miss Indian America. These varied museum experiences also make Sheridan interesting for trips where multiple generations are meant to find their own cultural points of connection.

Trails, Views, and Wildlife Watching

Sheridan's trail network offers opportunities to see local flora and fauna, including the well-known elk and bison at Kendrick Park. Kendrick Park also includes a municipal swimming pool. Nearby, the Kicking Horse Trail is suitable for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The Soldier Ridge Trail offers a 360-degree view across Wyoming. The Hidden Hoot Trail is a 3-mile loop through shaded canyons and wetlands.

The trails represent different ways to experience Sheridan and its surroundings: the Kicking Horse Trail combines hiking, cycling, and horseback riding as possible interests, while the Soldier Ridge Trail puts the view at the center. Canyons and wetlands shape the landscape experience on the Hidden Hoot Trail. When planning your day, choose the trail according to your desired focus and keep the individual offerings in mind as separate excursion destinations.

Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Travel Itinerary

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Sheridan, you can first determine which experiences should define your stay. If you are planning several days outdoors, the different characteristics of the trails mentioned can influence your daily and excursion planning.

For a trip focused on events, rodeo week offers its own special appeal: downtown then features live music and family-friendly events.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to expand your research beyond Sheridan, you can also include Clearmont and Ranchester in your travel planning.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sheridan.