Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Museum with a major rail exhibitFreeFree, Monday to Saturday
Founded by the state legislature in 1895, the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne collects and shares the state's history, art, anthropology and natural history, and every exhibit, program and event is free.
- Founded in 1895
- Free admission and events
- Family Days first Saturdays
- Hands on Habitats Room
Wyoming State Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9 am to 4:30 pm; closed state holidays
- Admission
- Free
- Seasonal events
- Family Days (first Saturday monthly)
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Families and anyone exploring Wyoming history
- Best ages
- Preschool and up
- Accessibility
- The museum says it is committed to equal access and posts accessibility information on its visit page.
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(307) 777-7022
- Websitewyomuseum.wyo.gov(opens in a new tab)
Follow Wyoming State Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Wyoming State Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Cheyenne.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
The state's own museum, open to everyone for free
The Wyoming State Museum was created in 1895 by the 3rd State Legislature, only a few years after statehood. Its job is broad: to collect, preserve and interpret objects that tell Wyoming's story from prehistory to the present, across history, art, anthropology and natural history.
That mission reaches well beyond its building in Cheyenne. The museum sends traveling exhibits free of charge to libraries, schools and other museums around the state, offers online exhibits, and leads free on-site field trips for more than 4,000 students a year. Railroad visitors should know that the current exhibit list does not name a dedicated railroad gallery, so call ahead if rail history is the main reason for your visit. For a deep dive on the Union Pacific, the Cheyenne Depot Museum is about a mile away.
Wagons, wildlife and Wyoming craftsmanship
Current exhibits range from dinosaurs to Western artists. Visitors can see Wagon 99, an exhibit on Thomas C. Molesworth, the Wyoming Wildscapes natural history displays and Ghosts of War, plus temporary shows such as Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. The Hands on Habitats Room is built for younger visitors. Ask staff whether any railroad artifacts are on view during your visit.
Don’t miss
- Hands on Habitats RoomA touchable space designed with young children in mind.
- Wagon 99One of the current exhibits, and a natural way to talk with kids about how people crossed Wyoming before and alongside the railroad.
- Wyoming WildscapesNatural history displays on the landscapes and animals of the state.
First Saturdays are made for families
The museum holds Family Days on the first Saturday of every month, with activities for young children and their families, and the Hands on Habitats Room gives little ones something to touch. School groups get free field trips with scavenger hunts and hands-on activities, which shows how the museum thinks about kids year-round.
Plan your visit: tips for Wyoming State Museum
- Plan around the first Saturday of the month for Family Days.
- The museum is closed Sundays and state holidays.
- Call ahead if you specifically want to see railroad material.
- Pair your visit with the Cheyenne Depot Museum about a mile away.
State staff and volunteers
The Wyoming State Museum is run by the state, with curators for collections, exhibits, education and community engagement. It welcomes volunteers, accepts artifact donations through its collections staff, and offers free traveling exhibits to communities around Wyoming. Signing up for the museum's updates is an easy way to keep track of new exhibits.
Add the rails to your Cheyenne day
The Union Pacific Steam Shop is nearby and opens for occasional tours, the Cheyenne Depot Museum is about a mile away, and so is the Big Boy No. 4004 display. See every Wyoming train museum for more ideas.
- Union Pacific Steam Shop historic collectionCheyenne, WY · same town
- Cheyenne Depot MuseumCheyenne, WY · about 1 mi
- Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4004 exhibitCheyenne, WY · about 1 mi
- Historic Laramie Railroad DepotLaramie, WY · about 42 mi
- Colorado Model Railroad MuseumGreeley, CO · about 50 mi
- South Park Rail Society / Como RoundhouseComo, CO · about 72 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Museums like this one are full of glass cases, and little kids press right up against them the same way they press against a train window. In our book Rally does exactly that: he peers out an arched window at the sea and greets a white bird gliding by. Mom and Dad sit close. My kids still do the nose-on-the-glass thing everywhere we go. Our coloring pages include that window scene.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Wyoming: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Wyoming
- Halloween train rides in Wyoming
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Wyoming State Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Wyoming State Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Wyoming State Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Wyoming State Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- Wyoming State Museum on YouTube(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Wyoming State Museum: 20 questions for your visit
Does the Wyoming State Museum have railroad exhibits?
The museum's current exhibit list does not name a dedicated railroad gallery; it features exhibits such as Wagon 99, Wyoming Wildscapes, Ghosts of War and the Hands on Habitats Room. Call (307) 777-7022 to ask what rail artifacts are on view. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, about a mile away, focuses on the Union Pacific.
Is the Wyoming State Museum free?
Yes. The museum says the Wyoming State Museum and all of its programs are free, and all events are free too. That makes it an easy add-on to a paid stop like the Cheyenne Depot Museum. Donations and volunteering are ways to give back if you enjoy your visit.
What are the Wyoming State Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the Wyoming State Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and closed on state holidays. It is not open on Sundays. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, if you need to call staff with questions.
Where is the Wyoming State Museum?
The museum is at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. It is about a mile from the Cheyenne Depot Museum, the Big Boy No. 4004 display and the Union Pacific Steam Shop, so it fits well into a downtown Cheyenne day.
When was the Wyoming State Museum founded?
The museum was founded in 1895 by the 3rd State Legislature, just a few years after Wyoming became a state. It collects, preserves and interprets objects from Wyoming's history, art, anthropology and natural history, covering the state from prehistory to the present day.
What is Family Day at the Wyoming State Museum?
Family Days take place on the first Saturday of every month and feature activities geared toward young children and their families. Like every event at the museum, they are free. Check the museum's events page for the theme of the next Family Day before you go.
Is the Wyoming State Museum good for toddlers?
Yes. The Hands on Habitats Room is designed for hands-on exploring, and monthly Family Days on first Saturdays offer activities aimed at young children. Galleries like Wyoming Wildscapes appeal to animal lovers. Since admission is free, a short visit with a toddler costs nothing.
What exhibits are at the Wyoming State Museum?
Current exhibits include the Hands on Habitats Room, Wyoming Wildscapes, Wagon 99, Thomas C. Molesworth, Ghosts of War and a temporary exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. The museum describes its range as everything from dinosaurs to dynamic artists. Exhibits rotate, so check the current list online.
How long does a visit to the Wyoming State Museum take?
Plan on one to two hours, depending on how long your family lingers in the Hands on Habitats Room and natural history displays. School field trips run 1.5 to 2.5 hours, which suggests how much there is to explore. The museum closes at 4:30 pm.
Does the Wyoming State Museum offer field trips?
Yes. The museum delivers free on-grounds field trips to more than 4,000 students a year, with programs such as North American Bison Culture and Travel the Oregon Trail. Many can also be taught as virtual field trips. Teachers can book through the museum's school programs page.
Is the Wyoming State Museum accessible?
The museum says it is committed to ensuring equal access for all visitors and shares details on an accessibility page under its visit section. For specific needs such as wheelchairs or sensory accommodations, call (307) 777-7022 before your visit.
Can I volunteer at the Wyoming State Museum?
Yes. The museum says there are many opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, and it lists volunteering on its About page. Contact the general line at (307) 777-7022 to learn about current openings and how to apply.
Can I donate an artifact to the Wyoming State Museum?
The museum accepts artifact donation inquiries through its collections staff, and its website has an artifact donation information page. Review the guidelines first, then contact the collections team. Railroad items with a Wyoming connection may be of interest, but the museum decides what fits its collection.
Are there traveling exhibits from the Wyoming State Museum?
Yes. The museum lends traveling exhibits free of charge to libraries, schools, museums and other cultural institutions across Wyoming. Organizations can reserve one through the museum's website. It also posts online exhibits for anyone who cannot visit in person.
Is there parking at the Wyoming State Museum?
The museum does not detail parking on its main pages. It is in downtown Cheyenne at 2301 Central Avenue, so look for nearby street or public parking. Call (307) 777-7022 if you are bringing a school bus or large group.
Is the Wyoming State Museum open on Sunday?
No. As of October 2026 the museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and closed on Sundays and state holidays. If Sunday is your only day in Cheyenne, the Cheyenne Depot Museum opens from 11 am to 3 pm.
What is Wagon 99 at the Wyoming State Museum?
Wagon 99 is one of the museum's current exhibits. The museum does not describe it in detail on its exhibit list page, so follow the link on its website for more. For kids who love trains, a wagon is a nice way to talk about how people traveled before the railroad.
Does the Wyoming State Museum have events for adults?
Yes. The museum hosts special events beyond Family Days, and all of them are free. Temporary exhibits like Voices and Votes: Democracy in America also bring new reasons to visit. Check the events page on wyomuseum.wyo.gov for the current calendar.
How do I contact the Wyoming State Museum?
Call the general inquiries line at (307) 777-7022. The museum's contact page also lists staff for education, loans and artifact donations. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, while museum galleries are open Monday through Saturday.
What railroad sites are near the Wyoming State Museum?
The Union Pacific Steam Shop, the Cheyenne Depot Museum and the Big Boy No. 4004 display are all within about a mile. The Historic Laramie Railroad Depot is about 42 miles west, and the Colorado Model Railroad Museum in Greeley is about 50 miles away.
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