DAY 1
Start your journey through Laramie’s art scene in historic downtown. The walkable downtown area is home to many local creatives whose work can be seen at every turn. One such artwork is visible from the free Trout parking lot on 1st Street and Garfield. Gill Street Artist Collaboration was created by 9 original artists in 2014, with additions made the year 2019. A school of fish, each painted by different artists in their own unique style, “swim” along a wall spanning the length of the parking lot. Be sure to check the view from the Garfield Street Footbridge!
Breakfast at Coal Creek Coffee Co.
110 Grand Ave.
Make your way from the footbridge to Coal Creek Coffee’s downtown location for locally roasted coffee and pastries baked from scratch. Along the way, another mural titled Many Hands Make Work Play can be seen at the First Street Plaza. Also notice Bike Racks, an installation of metal artwork in the form of colorful bike racks dispersed throughout downtown.
Works Of Wyoming
300 S. 2nd St.
On the north side of Works of Wyoming (WOW) view a large mural titled Antelope Hiding Behind a Tree. Inside you will find a gallery with a large selection of local artwork. The gallery exclusively features Wyoming-made artworks with the mission to support and encourage local artists. Purchasers and collectors will find a wide assortment of mediums to choose from, including fiber art, jewelry, leather work, paintings, photography, pottery, and woodwork.
Earth, Wind, and Fire Gallery
216 S. 2nd St.
Earth, Wind, and Fire Gallery offers a wide variety of original works including blown glass, woodworking, Native American and contemporary jewelry, paintings, and pottery. Over 400 national and regional artists display their work at this gallery, giving visitors a wide variety of art to enjoy.
Artisan’s Gallery
215 S. 2nd St.
For 28 years, Artisan’s Gallery has featured the original works of fine artists and crafters exclusively from Wyoming! Over 59 artists are featured here. Find arts and crafts of all mediums including pottery, stained glass, afghans and tapestry works, batiks, gourd works, woodworks, handmade furnishings, jewelry, stationary and gift items. As well as art, the gallery offers an assortment of Wyoming-made gourmet products.
4th Street Studios
315 S. 4th St.
4th Street Studios is another great place to find local handmade art and is unique in that the studio rotates artists and themes throughout the year. Built on the historic original site of Laramie Floral, the Victorian Greenhouse built in 1926 still stands as part of the studio to this day. Featured in the studio is Science Loves Art, an online and pop-up exhibition and events organization created to bring science and art together. Shop their kits and handmade products.
Lunch at Sweet Melissa Café
213 S. 1st St.
Sweet Melissa Café is a favorite of locals and visitors alike! Described as “Comfort Food for the Homesick Vegetarian”, their creative menu offers delicious vegetarian and international cuisine with something for everyone to enjoy. Start with an appetizer of cauliflower wings or try their Mac n Cheese of the day! Guy Fieri pays the Café a visit in Season 35, Episode 5 of the hit Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives to rave about Melissa’s vegan dishes! Follow along his culinary journey through Laramie on our Foodie Tour. Attached is Front Street, a cozy tavern with equally tasty drinks and mocktails.
Begin the Laramie Mural Tour or the Laramie Public Art Coalition Tour
Laramie has a beautiful collection of public art throughout downtown and beyond. Two great options for self-guided art tours are The Laramie Mural Tour and the Laramie Public Art Coalition Tour.
The Laramie Mural Project funded the creation of over 20 murals downtown that bring the culture and heritage of Laramie to life through art. Find an interactive map and information about individual murals on our Laramie Mural Tour page and get started on one of our recommended driving or walking routes!
The Laramie Public Art Coalition provides the Laramie Public Art Tour. The tour includes a wide variety of murals, sculpture, and metal art around town with information about each piece on their website. LPAC maintains the Laramie Mural Project and seasonally hosts maker’s events in their “Art Shed” in Optimist Park.
Dinner at The Crowbar and Grill
202 S. 2nd St.
Another restaurant visited by Guy Fieri, and a stop on our Foodie Tour, the Crowbar and Grill serves American style comfort food, boutique beers, and cocktails. Enjoy house-made pizzas and burgers ground daily, or be a little adventurous and try their Pad Thai fries.
Performance at a Local Venue
End your day with a performance from one of the three venues listed below. Check Visit Laramie’s events calendar for available shows and times!
Cooper Center for Creative Arts
1174 North 4th St
A place for all people to create without boundaries, the Cooper Center for Creative Arts gives students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and develop technical skills in several different mediums. Check the Visit Laramie events calendar and the events section of their website for upcoming Cooper Center events, including dance, music, and theatre productions.
Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts
1000 E University Ave
Located on the University of Wyoming campus, this venue hosts plays, musicals, orchestral concerts, dance performances, student productions, and much more! Located in the Buchanan Center are the Fine Arts Concert Hall, Studio Theatre, and the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance. Buy tickets through their box office.
The Gryphon Theatre
710 E. Garfield St. This historic theatre hosts events ranging in size from a community production to a national or international concert or production. The uniqueness and charm of this venue add to the experience.
Day 2
Breakfast at Turtle Rock Coffee and Café
270 N. 9th St.
This cozy coffee shop is a work of art itself. The patio surrounding Turtle Rock Coffee and Café is etched with turtles, dragonflies, vines, and lizards while the north side of the building features a mural from local artist Dan Toro. Inside you will find baked pastries, breakfast burritos, waffle sandwiches, and more! Try their smoothies or their signature Cafe Richesse coffee with your meal.
University of Wyoming Art Museum
2111 E. Willett Dr.
Spend your morning at the University of Wyoming Art museum, housed in the award-winning Centennial Complex designed by internationally acclaimed architect Antoine Predock. See art from the American west, as well as world-class collections by artists from Laramie and beyond. Their exhibits are regularly updated with new and exciting works. Stop by the Museum Store at the Visitor Services Desk near the front entrance.
Laramie Plains Civic Center
710 E. Garfield St.
The Laramie Plains Civic Center has been a destination for the arts for over 150 years. Wyoming’s first brick schoolhouse, built in 1878, now houses studios used by over 35 local artists as well as the Gryphon Theatre. While here, visit the Gorgon Gallery on the third floor which features a rotating selection of artwork. Downstairs is Ruby’s Vintage, where you can browse handmade goods and work by local artists.
Lunch at Sunshine Coffee
Before leaving the civic center grab lunch at Sunshine Coffee, Wyoming’s first zero waste coffee shop! Their menu items are crafted using locally sourced ingredients to reduce packaging and drinks are served in house mugs that get reused to reduce plastic waste. Try a bagel sandwich or sausage burrito along with something from their coffee menu.
Cooper Center for Creative Arts
1174 North 4th St.
A place for all people to create without boundaries, the Cooper Center for Creative Arts gives students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and develop technical skills in several different mediums. Gallery displays have included photography and film, sculpture, drawing, painting, fiber art, jewelry making, and more!
Begin the Historic Laramie Architecture Tour
Explore the artistry behind some of Laramie’s most notable architectural works. There are three self-guided tours on Visit Laramie’s Historic Architecture Tours page: Victorian Jewels and Other Gems, Queen Annes and Common Folks, and Grand Finale. Each tour takes you on a journey through Laramie’s rich history and architectural heritage.
Dinner at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery
320 S. 2nd St.
Altitude offers award-winning original brews and sophisticated cuisine. Their menu is made up of creative dishes, fresh cuts of beef, and their microbrews which have won over 25 awards at regional brewfests. Altitude has received national and international recognition and has been featured in Wyoming Homes and Living Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens and Via Magazine. The local brewery is also one of five listed on Visit Laramie’s Brewery Tour.
Performance at a local venue
Catch a second performance from one of the venues listed under Day 1! Check Visit Laramie’s events calendar for available shows and times.
Day 3
Breakfast at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse
107 E Ivinson Ave
The extensive drink menu at Night Heron has something for everyone, with a variety of locally-roasted coffees, teas, and smoothies to choose from. They pride themselves on serving artisanal baked goods, inviting you to “join us in savoring the art of baking”. Try their Egg, Cheese, Sun Dried Tomato, and Pesto bagel sandwich or a spicy Mayan Mocha with habanero and cayenne! Dedicated to fostering creativity in the community, Night Heron regularly hosts events for creatives such as their open mic poetry night. While you’re there, browse their large, one-of-a-kind collection of books.
Art & Soul Pottery
107 Grand Ave.
Express your creativity by painting your own pottery or making a mosaic! Art & Soul takes both walk-ins and reservations and provides you with all the materials necessary to create your own unique piece. While pottery usually takes one to two weeks to fire, they ship finished pottery to out-of-town visitors for a fee. Mosaics can be taken home the same day.
Lunch at Accomplice Mycro-Pub
301 Grand Ave
Another stop on the Laramie Brewery Tour, Accomplice has a collection of delicious beers on tap. On the menu are tasty salads, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and more! They also offer a brunch menu via The Good Egg with options like eggs, salmon, and country-fried steak.
Local Shopping
After painting your own pottery and enjoying lunch, explore local stores that offer art along with their other great items.
The Bent & Rusty
308 S. 2nd St.
Find custom jewelry, quilts, reclaimed barn wood furniture, metal work, and more at the Bent & Rusty. It’s not hard to spend hours here browsing local and handmade goods. Check out the local art section of the store for unique finds!
Aphrodite’s Emporium
312 Grand Ave.
Known for their friendly atmosphere and excellent customer service. The store has a large collection of artwork, furniture, and glassware, as well as antiques and collectible items.
Miss Etta’s Place
115 E. Ivinson Ave.
Named after the mysterious girlfriend of outlaw Butch Cassidy, Miss Etta’s is a place for artists and crafters to display and sell photography, home decor, jewelry, gifts, and more. Check out their themed Antique, Western, and Women’s and Children’s rooms.
Snowy Range Flea Market
1951 Snowy Range Rd.
A variety of vendors sell art, collectibles, antiques and more at this charming consignment shop.
