Laramie, Wyoming City
City in Wyoming, known for the University
Home to the University of Wyoming, Laramie attracts hikers into the Laramie Range, history fans to the Territorial Prison Museum, and college crowds for football, campus bars, and mountain air.
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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#
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.
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.
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.
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.
December - February
-20°C to 2°C (-4°F to 36°F)
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.
March - May
-10°C to 12°C (14°F to 54°F)
Spring is volatile with late snowpack and sudden warm spells; excellent wildflower displays, but pack layers and expect frequent weather changes.
June - August
5°C to 25°C (41°F to 77°F)
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.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -12°C. The driest month with just 9 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with 45 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -12°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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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#
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
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
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.
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.
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.
