Day 2
Fort Collins to Laramie
94 milesCross the border into Wyoming on Interstate 25 and head toward Cheyenne, stopping to stretch your legs at Wyoming Hereford Ranch (1101 Hereford Ranch Rd., 307-634-1905), one of the oldest continuously working cattle ranches in the U.S. (it was founded in 1883).
Drive into Cheyenne, the state capital, which sprung up as a Union Pacific railway stop and still retains its frontier vibe. Grab pancakes at Capitol Grille (1600 Central Ave., 307-638-3311), then pick up cowboy duds and a Stetson at The Wrangler (1518 Capitol Ave., 307-634-3048) or visit the Cowgirls of the West Museum & Gift Store (205 W. 17th St., 307-638-4994). Animal lovers can visit the Terry Bison Ranch (51 I-25 Service Rd. E., 307-634-4171), just outside of town.
Take Interstate 80 (or the more meandering and scenic Happy Jack Road) toward Laramie, stopping along the way at Vedauwoo (exit 329 off I-80). This site in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests is a rock-climbing hot spot and a good pit stop. There are easy boulders for older kids to scramble up, and little kids can explore the ancient Sherman granite formations. If you have time, hike the mostly level three-mile Turtle Rock Trail Loop.
Continue west into Laramie. For dinosaur-obsessed kids, it doesn't get any better than Big Al, an allosaurus skeleton at the University of Wyoming Geological Museum (1000 E. University Ave., 307-766-2646). Tell kids this predator roamed Wyoming 150 million years ago; the state has some of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in the U.S.
From the campus, head to historic downtown Laramie, where the Sweet Melissa Vegetarian Café (213 S. First St., 307-742-9607) serves up grilled cheese and fried banana bread with vanilla ice cream. Eat outside and watch the trains pass by, then stock up on snacks for the car at the Big Hollow Food Co-Op (119 S. First St., 307-745-3586), Wyoming's first natural-food cooperative. Afterward, visit the restored Wyoming Territorial Prison (975 Snowy Range Rd., 307-745-6161), where Butch Cassidy served time.
Check into the Vee Bar Guest Ranch ($; 2091 State Highway 130, 800-483-3227) for the night. Operated by owner Lefty Cole and his extended family, this bed-and-breakfast fills with families every summer. Kids throw horseshoes or explore the teepee near the main lodge; at night, sing along to country-and-western songs in the John Wayne Saloon.
Next Page: Laramie to Estes Park
