Laramie, WyomingLaramie, Wyoming at a Glance
Costs: $70-120 per day - affordable college-town costs with budget lodging and dining options.
Safety: Relatively safe, college-town vibe - generally safe, occasional petty crime; campus has good security presence.
Best Time: June-September - summer and early fall offer warm days and accessible mountain trails.
Why Visit Laramie, Wyoming?
Perched on the high plains, Laramie combines frontier history with a lively college atmosphere. The University of Wyoming campus anchors arts and sports, while the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site and Ivinson Mansion recall 19th-century frontier life. Nearby Snowy Range offers alpine hiking and skiing for outdoorsy visitors, and downtown coffee shops and music venues keep evenings active. That mix of outdoor access and museum-rich history explains why many include Laramie on regional itineraries.
Best Things to Do in Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming Bucket List
Don't Miss
University of Wyoming campus - Stroll the University of Wyoming campus, visit art museum and student-run events.
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site - Tour the Territorial Prison to learn about frontier justice and prisoner stories.
Ivinson Mansion Museum - Visit Ivinson Mansion for period rooms and exhibits on Laramie’s early citizens.
Hidden Gems
Downtown Laramie Historic District - Browse boutique shops, cafés, and murals along Laramie’s historic main street.
Laramie Plains Museum - Visit the Laramie Plains Museum for regional artifacts, railroad history, and rotating exhibits.
Local craft breweries - Sample small-batch beers at downtown taprooms highlighting Wyoming ingredients and styles.
Day Trips
Vedauwoo Recreation Area - Climb and picnic among ancient granite fins at Vedauwoo, ideal for short hikes.
Snowy Range Scenic Byway - Drive the Snowy Range for alpine meadows, hiking trails, and mountain lake viewpoints.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie is best from late spring through early autumn for hiking and mountain activities in mild conditions. Winters are long, cold, and snowy because of high elevation-bring warm clothing if visiting then.
Winter
Winters are long, cold and snowy with fierce winds; outdoor travel can be difficult, but the high plains scenery and quiet trails reward hardy visitors.
Spring
Spring is volatile with late snowpack and sudden warm spells; excellent wildflower displays, but pack layers and expect frequent weather changes.
Summer
Summers are short, pleasantly warm by day and cool at night-great for backpacking, mountain biking, and escaping lowland heat, easily.
Laramie, Wyoming's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 26°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - 1° | -12° | 9 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.4h |
| February | Acceptable | -10° - 3° | -9° | 12 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | -7° - 7° | -5° | 26 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.8h |
| April | Good | -4° - 11° | 0° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 61% | 5.0 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.2h |
| May | Very Good | 1° - 17° | 6° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 4.7 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.4h |
| June | Very Good | 6° - 23° | 14° | 40 mm | some cloud | 48% | 4.4 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 15.0h |
| July | Excellent | 9° - 26° | 18° | 43 mm | some cloud | 47% | 3.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.7h |
| August | Excellent | 8° - 25° | 17° | 32 mm | some cloud | 48% | 3.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 3° - 21° | 12° | 28 mm | some cloud | 49% | 4.0 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | -2° - 14° | 3° | 23 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 4.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | -8° - 6° | -6° | 17 mm | partly cloudy | 64% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.7h |
| December | Acceptable | -12° - 2° | -11° | 11 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.1h |
How to Get to Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie is best reached by air via Laramie Regional Airport for short hops or via Denver International for international connections. There is no regular passenger rail service; buses, shuttles and private cars are the usual overland options.
Laramie Regional Airport (LAR): Laramie has a small regional airport with limited scheduled service. The airport is a short drive to the university and downtown (about 5-10 minutes); taxis and rental cars are typically used and fares are modest.
Denver International Airport (DEN): Denver is the main international gateway for Laramie (about 2-2.5 hours by car). Many visitors fly into DEN and then drive or take a shuttle/bus service to Laramie; driving time is roughly 2-2.5 hours and shuttle fares vary by provider (commonly US$30-$70 one way).
Train: There is no Amtrak service directly to Laramie; the town is on freight lines but passenger trains do not serve it regularly.
Bus: Intercity bus carriers (including services running between Denver and Cheyenne) stop in Laramie; Greyhound and regional shuttle companies provide scheduled connections. Journey times to Denver by bus are about 2-3 hours and fares vary with provider.
How to Get Around Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie is most easily reached by car from Denver or via the small local airport; once in town a rental car or local buses cover most needs, while downtown and the campus are easily walkable.
- Taxi / airport transfer (US$10-US$35) - Short taxi rides from Laramie Regional Airport get you into town quickly (5-10 minutes). For groups, pre‑booked shuttles or rental cars can be more economical.
- Car rental (US$40-US$90/day) - A car is the most convenient way to explore Laramie and the surrounding Snowy Range and Medicine Bow areas. Winter driving can be challenging; check forecasts and road conditions.
- Intercity bus / shuttle (US$20-US$70) - Regular shuttles and bus services connect Laramie with Denver, Cheyenne and other regional centres. Buses are affordable and a common alternative to driving; schedules are less frequent on weekends.
- Local bus (US$1-US$3) - Laramie offers local transit with routes serving the university, downtown and residential areas. Useful for students and short trips but with limited evening service.
- Taxi / rideshare (US$5-US$30) - Taxis and limited rideshare cover local journeys; availability may drop late at night so plan ahead for returns from events or late flights.
- Walking - Laramie’s downtown and the University of Wyoming campus are compact and very walkable for visitors staying centrally.
Where to Stay in Laramie, Wyoming
Budget
Near University of Wyoming - $50-90/night
Affordable motels and student-focused rentals near the University of Wyoming. Good for short stays and tight budgets.
Budget motels and inns in Laramie - Affordable, close to campus
Airbnb rooms and studios - Cheap private rooms and apartments
Mid-Range
Downtown / University - $110-160/night
Stable mid-range options include national chains near the university and downtown, popular with visitors and families.
Hampton Inn Laramie - Reliable mid-range chain near campus
Comfort/Quality Inn Laramie - Comfortable rooms, breakfast included
Luxury
Scenic outskirts - $170-300/night
Laramie has few large luxury hotels; upscale stays are boutique lodges or private rentals outside town.
Boutique lodges and upscale rentals - Limited luxury cabins and suites
Premium guesthouses around Laramie - Few high-end branded hotels available
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Laramie, Wyoming’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie’s nightlife is driven by the university: bars, casual live-music venues and student-focused events dominate the scene. Expect lively evenings at a handful of downtown bars and campus events rather than a dense club district. If you want concerts or larger touring acts, watch for university and local venue listings to catch special shows.
Shopping in Laramie, Wyoming
Shopping in Laramie mixes small independent stores, university-area shops and essential big-box retailers. You’ll find bookstores, outdoor-supply shops and eateries catering to students and locals rather than large luxury boutiques. For major shopping trips, regional hubs a drive away offer more variety.