The Historic Small Town That Every Wyomingite Should Visit at Least Once

When the travel booking giant Expedia was looking for Wyoming's Most Beautiful Town, it didn't take them long to figure out what we've known for years: Buffalo is one of the best historic towns in Wyoming. This historic small town is one that everyone in Wyoming needs to visit at least once, and it's a place that you'll want to return to again and again. What is Buffalo, Wyoming known for? Read below to see what makes this a little slice of heaven right here in the Wild West. There are so many amazing things to do in Buffalo, Wyoming! You'll have trouble leaving when the time comes.

The town of Buffalo, Wyoming, is one of the most historic towns of the American West. Once called the "most lawless town" in the Nation, Buffalo is home to the TA Ranch, where the Invaders of the Johnson County War were holed up. Here, a bloody battle on the Range was the result of angry Big Business cattlemen violently fighting against smaller farmers looking to defend their right to settle in Wyoming.

You can learn more about one of the most significant events to occur in Wyoming at Buffalo's Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. In the Museum, you'll find over 15,000 preserved artifacts from the days of the Wild West and the earliest days of Johnson County.

Walking through downtown Buffalo is like stepping back in time — it's no wonder A&E chose to set their cowboy drama, "Longmire," right here. Though the show is set in the fictional Absaroka County, much of it is set right here. In fact, the Busy Bee Cafe is one of the show's landmark locations! When a major television network sets a cowboy drama in your cafe, that says something about the hearty and delicious food you've been serving for years.

You'll find dozens of historic buildings here in Buffalo, Wyoming, like the haunted Occidental Hotel. There's even photographic evidence of President Hoover at the Hotel. Teddy Roosevelt, Calamity Jane, Buffalo Bill, and Frank Canton were also said to have been guests. The Hotel's lobby looks much like it did in the 1800s — and there are even bullet holes in the ceiling of the saloon from illegal gambling gone wrong.

Attached to the Occidental is The Virginian Restaurant. This historic dining spot is a perfect picture of the American West as it was in the 1800s, and it serves up true Western food. Be sure to stop here for one of their steaks when you visit — the Buffalo Steak is perfect if you've got a big appetite! The Virginian is open seasonally, so check the restaurant's website for reopening updates!

For the adventuresome Wyomingite, Buffalo provides the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Bighorn Mountains and the Cloudy Peak Wilderness. Whether you come for the history, the food, the mountains, or all three, one thing's for sure: Buffalo is one of the most amazing little towns in Wyoming.

Did you know that the Occidental Hotel is one of the most haunted places in Wyoming? Keep in mind that when you book your stay, you might get a visit or two from the past! Whether you're into ghostly spirits or just the kind you find at the Saloon, the Occidental is one place in Buffalo that you absolutely must see.