If autumn is your favorite season, you’ll love Laramie in the fall. Changing leaves turn the area shades of red, orange, and golden yellow. Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming campus and historic downtown Laramie come alive with students, football games, and seasonal events.
Laramigos go all out for Halloween - and for good reason! The area has a rich history related to its historic buildings and roots as a “Hell-on-Wheels” town. And where there’s that kind of history, you’re sure to find ghost stories and tales of spirits from days gone by. Follow along for three days of haunts and spook-tacular events.
Day 1
Breakfast at Sunshine Coffee
731 E Custer St | (307) 314-2245
A zero-waste coffee shop located in the Laramie Plains Civic Center (the first stop on this itinerary) serving artisanal drinks and pastries.
Laramie Plains Civic Center
710 E Garfield St | (307) 745-8000
This historic building was originally constructed in 1878 as Laramie’s first school building, known at the time as the East Side School. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and repurposed as the Laramie Plains Civic Center in 1982. It now serves as a home for the arts and local organizations. While there, be sure to check out the rotating art installations at the Gorgan Gallery (Rm. 332) and visit the Gryphon Theatre, a 1926 addition to the East Side School decorated with murals by Florence Ware (theatre schedule can be found online at gryphontheatre.org).
Reports of hauntings at the Civic Center are numerous. Some tenants claim to have seen shadowy figures roaming the halls, and others report unexplained noises - screaming, drumming, and the sound of basketballs coming from gymnasiums when no one is there. Lights flicker, and items seem to move on their own. The pool in the basement is rumored to be haunted, although this has been debunked; the pool was never used due to drainage issues after its construction. Local news source Cowboy State Daily created a video documenting a paranormal investigation of the Civic Center, which can be viewed here.
Learn more:
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/10/17/wyoming-ghosts-144-year-old-laramie-civic-center-actively-used-and-actively-haunted/
Lunch at 2nd Street Deli
123 E Ivinson Ave | (307) 742-7046
A casual deli in the heart of downtown serving scary-good sandwiches, giant salads, and mac and cheese.
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site
975 Snowy Range Rd | (307) 745-6161
The Wyoming Territorial Prison operated from 1872 to 1903. During its time, the prison held many outlaws of the old west - most famously, Butch Cassidy. Now it operates as a State Historic Site and can be visited year round with guided tours available from May through September. The prison is rumored to be home to the spirit of Julius Greenwald, one of two prisoners to ever die while incarcerated there. He was a Polish cigar maker who somehow convinced the warden to allow him to continue rolling cigars in prison. Today, you can still smell phantom cigar smells when his ghost is present.
During the off-season (October through April), the territorial prison is open from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Thursday through Saturday.
Learn more:
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/10/05/ghost-stories-wyomings-cigar-making-prison-poltergeist/
https://travelwyoming.com/blog/stories/post/wyomings-infamous-haunted-prisons/
Dinner at Sweet Melissa Cafe
213 S 1st St | (307) 742-9607
Featured on Food Network’s Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives, this cafe serves vegan and vegetarian cuisine so good that even the most voracious carnivores can find something on their menu to enjoy.
Front Street Tavern
213 S 1st St | (307) 742-9607
Brought in from Hartville, Wyoming, the state’s oldest incorporated town, and constructed in Laramie over 120 years ago, this magnificent bar serves unique and tasty cocktails and mocktails.
Day 2
Breakfast at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse
107 E Ivinson Ave | (307) 742-9028
A cozy combination bookstore and cafe, perfect for curling up with your favorite fall read.
Historic Downtown Laramie Tour
Follow our self-guided Historic Downtown Laramie Tour to learn more about Laramie’s rough-and-tumble history and its beginnings as a railroad town.
The Spectacle Emporium
305 S 2nd St | (307) 745-3682
Step back in time at the Spectacle Emporium. Owner Steve Gabroski is a true old-fashioned optician, often seen dressed in a top hat and antique glasses. He makes eyewear of all kinds, including period-accurate spectacles for historic reinactors. Provided a prescription, he can create something one-of-a-kind. The walls of his store are decorated with antiques and photographs from as far back as the Old West. He’s also known for his historic knowledge and storytelling ability, including ghost stories! Strike up a conversation in this store, and you’re sure to learn a thing or two.
Tea Party at Sugar Mouse Cupcake House
321 S. 2nd Street | (307) 223-2147
The Sugar Mouse is a beloved tea room and cupcakery with a magical atmosphere. Their cupcakes come in over 20 delicious flavors, including their seasonal Halloween Cupcakes! Try their Oreo Bat, Halloween Carrot Cupcake, and the Peanut Butter Delight topped with a Reese’s pumpkin.
Book a Tea Party for lunch and savor a selection of scones, pastries, fruit, and finger sandwiches with your choice of premium tea.
Knight Hall
1000 E University Ave | (307) 766-2313
Historic Knight Hall began construction in 1940 as a solution to the University’s growing dining and housing needs. The building was constructed on what was once a burial site that was moved to make way for the university - but not all of the remains made it to their final resting places at nearby Greenhill Cemetery. Workers unearthed five bodies during excavation, and one more in 2004 when a new pipe was laid west of the building.
Knight Hall is now known as UW’s most haunted building. There are reports of strange phenomena to this day: mysterious food aromas, unexplained sounds, and moving objects. Paranormal group Haunted Xplorations even concluded after its 2012 investigation of the building that it hosts “one or more non-hostile, yet intelligent, spirits.”
Learn more:
https://ahcwyo.org/2024/12/02/designing-the-university-of-wyoming-knight-hall-stone-stories-spirits/
Dinner at the Crowbar and Grill
202 S 2nd St | (307) 460-2523
A quirky restaurant serving up classic American fare and creative dishes, including their Pad Thai Fries.
Day 3
Breakfast at 17th St. Cafe
310 S 17th St | (307) 460-2095
17th Street Cafe serves American and Southwestern-inspired food made fresh to order. Favorite menu items include their breakfast burritos and fluffy chocolate chip pancakes.
Drive to the Ghost Town of Bosler
Hwy. 30, Appx. 20 Miles North of Laramie
Bosler was once a cattle and railroad town along the Lincoln Highway. The town’s population dwindled as road traffic shifted to the newer Interstate 80. Now, abandoned cabins, an empty furniture store, and what was once the Bosler School are what remain. The school, which, at the time it was built, was known for its architecture, sits abandoned in a lonesome prairie and fascinates photographers to this day.
As much of the town is concentrated next to the highway and is privately owned, please be respectful of landowners and fellow motorists when viewing Bosler. Pull off the road to a safe distance, do not block roads, and do not trespass onto private land; while you can’t enter the buildings, much can be seen from a distance (or with a zoom lens).
Lunch at LoveJoy’s Bar & Grill
101 Grand Ave., Laramie, WY | (307) 460-1100
Lovejoy’s is housed in the historic Johnson Hotel. Built close to the original Union Pacific Depot by John Johnson in 1900 to catch the attention of rail travelers, the Johnson Hotel was considered one of Laramie’s finest. Today, Lovejoy’s serves casual American fare in a relaxed setting.
Ames Monument and the Ghost Town of Sherman
Just outside the tiny town of Buford, once known for having the smallest population in the U.S. (pop. 1), sits the 60-foot granite pyramid known as Ames Monument. Conspiracy theories state that it’s a beacon, an antenna, or full of bats - but in reality, it’s a fascinating piece of Laramie’s railroad history.
Built in 1882, the monument was designed by architect H.H. Richardson to honor the Ames Brothers for their financial contribution to the transcontinental railroad. It marks what was once the highest point on the original railroad route overlooking the ghost town of Sherman, which was abandoned when the tracks were rerouted in the 1900's.
Dinner at the Railyard
301 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY | (307) 460-1150
The Railyard in Laramie, Wyoming, offers a diverse menu featuring bold American flavors and locally inspired dishes, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
The Buckhorn Bar and Parlor
114 East Ivinson Ave | (307) 742-3554
For over 120 years, the Buckhorn has been a popular gathering spot for visitors and locals alike. The bar is widely rumored to be haunted, with employees reporting apparitions, music turning on by itself, and mysterious footsteps from the infamous second floor. The upstairs of the Buckhorn, or “The Buck” as it’s known among locals, used to be a brothel. The mysterious footsteps may be a remnant of the building’s past.
One death is known to have occurred at the Buckhorn. A man went into the men’s restroom and never came out, leaving behind an unfinished beer. Employees left a stale beer on the bar for years afterwards in his memory.
Learn more:
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/mizzou_football/a-bullet-hole-ghosts-and-a-familys-legacy-laramies-buckhorn-bar-parlor/article_fdf98482-cc17-11e9-8d31-0fb6b72fbca7.html
Spook-tacular Fall Events
October is a busy time for events in Laramie! Just a few popular yearly events are listed here; check out our events calendar for the full schedule and the most up-to-date information.
Hay Days Fall Festival at Vee Bar Guest Ranch
38 Vee Bar Ranch Road | (307) 745-7036
Live music, roping dummies, a pumpkin patch, and more at scenic Vee Bar Guest Ranch.
Kids Pumpkin Walk at Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site
975 Snowy Range Rd | (307) 745-6161
Gather your family and friends for fall fun! Bring a treat bag to fill with candy and prizes. Enjoy the pumpkin patch, Trick-or-Treat in the prison building, and more!
Flickerlight Tours at The Laramie Plains Museum
603 E. Ivinson Ave | (307) 742-4448
A thrilling story of murder, mourning, and the most macabre practices from Victorian history. This event sells out quickly, so call ahead to RSVP.
Scaramie: The Haunted Basement
121 E Grand Ave.
For over a decade, this underground haunted house has been scaring Laramigos as part of Scaramie, an annual event that brings together local businesses and the community for a night of Halloween fun.
