For those who have an appreciation for truly delicious cheese and all the things that go with it, finding a top-notch cheese shop is like discovering hidden treasure. For those in that discriminating group of cheese lovers, we’ve put together a heavenly day trip through Wyoming just for you. Every stop is a gourmet market specializing in the best cheeses you’ll find in the state. Pro tip: this decadent trail can be accomplished in one day, but if you make a weekend out of it, you’ll have more time to savor every heavenly, cheesy bite.
If you're all about the cheese, taking this heavenly trail through Wyoming is the perfect way to spend the day.
One of the best parts is that it's spectacularly scenic. The first leg of the trip takes you through Yellowstone National Park. It will take about 10 hours total to drive from one end to the other, so you'll probably enjoy everything much more by splitting it into a 2-day trip.
Start out at Aspens Market at 4015 West Lake Creek Drive in the tiny town of Wilson, about 7 miles west of Jackson.
Aspens is a full-blown market, so you can get a variety of grocery items here, but the most important thing you'll find is the cheese case. It's filled with specialty cheeses from creamy and soft camembert to hard varieties like satisfyingly salty Romano.
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Your next stop is Jackson Whole Grocer at 1155 South US Highway 89 at the edge of Jackson.
Jackson Whole Grocer is more than another full-service market - it's a café, too. They serve the finest, most wholesome food in their café, made from the same products they carry in the grocery section.
They've gone all out creating a thoroughly-stocked cheese department carrying a huge selection of cheeses from around the globe such as pungent blues and nutty alpines. Since they're a complete grocery store, the resident cheese specialist can help you put together a basket filled with perfect wine, fruit, and bread pairings.
The next leg of the trip will take you through Yellowstone and up north to Cody, where you'll find Zap's Smoke Shack inside the Juniper Bar, Market, and Bistro at 1128 12th Street.
Zap's is unique for more than one reason. First, all of their products are cold-smoked right here in Wyoming. The applewood smoke enhances the natural flavor of every cheese variety from pepper-jack to provolone, Swiss, and cheddar. Another distinction is that Zap's does not have a storefront of their own, but you can buy their mouthwatering cheeses at the Buffalo Jump Winery and the Wyoming Buffalo Company as well as at the Juniper Market. All three locations are in Cody.
The Grant Street Grocery and Market at 815 South Grant Avenue in Casper is the next stop on the trail.
This charming market is located in a historic neighborhood, and proudly offers a large selection of specialty cheeses you won't find in many typical supermarkets. Fill your cheese basket with tasty treats like spicy Stilton, nutty-sweet Fromage a Raclette, or a mellow port-salut - just ask Grant Street's cheese expert what special cheeses are in stock this week.
The Wyoming cheese trail ends at Chalk N' Cheese at 209 South 2nd Street in Laramie.
This enchanting cheese shop started out carrying artisan cheeses from around the world and nothing else. When customers began requesting that they carry wine, it seemed like a natural thing to do, so wines and spirits were added to the stock, as well as a variety of delicacies that pair well with cheese such as gourmet crackers, different types of olives, and nuts.
Time your visit for a Thursday or Friday evening and you'll be able to enjoy a Chalk N' Cheese charcuterie and cheese dinner - just make sure to call ahead (307-742-1800) to reserve your spot.
What other scrumptious Wyoming cheese shops belong on the trail?
