Bundle up and bring your sense of adventure—this three-day winter itinerary is your guide to experiencing Laramie through a family-friendly lens. From colorful coffee shops and hands-on museums to snowy trailheads, creative activities, and cozy dinners, each day blends outdoor fun with warm indoor escapes. Thoughtfully paced and packed with local favorites, this itinerary makes it easy to enjoy quality time together while discovering the unique charm of Wyoming’s high plains college town.
Day 1
Breakfast at Turtle Rock Coffee & Cafe
270 N. 9th St. | (307) 745-3741
Start day 1 at this colorful coffee shop near the University of Wyoming campus. The patio surrounding Turtle Rock Coffee and Café is etched with turtles, dragonflies, vines, and lizards. Challenge kids to name all the animals they can see! Inside, you will find baked pastries, breakfast burritos, waffle sandwiches, and more! Smoothies are a great option for younger kids. Adults will love their signature Cafe Richesse coffee.
University of Wyoming Geological Museum
200 N 9th St | (307) 766-2646
The UW Geological Museum is home to more than 50,000 rocks, fossils, and minerals. Greeting you outside the museum entrance is a life-sized copper T. rex sculpture. Legend has it that if you toss a pinecone in his mouth during finals week, you’ll get an A on your exams!
Kids can explore Wyoming’s rich geological history and get up close to specimens and interactive activities. Don’t miss the balcony that overlooks the museum and gets you face-to-face with Big Al, a 75-foot Apatosaurus skeleton!
Lunch at Alibi Woodfire Pizzaria
404 S. 4th St | (307) 745-9738
Alibi boasts a wood-fired menu, live music, and a great selection of draft beers. All of their pizzas are made with Caputo flour, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, local veggies whenever possible & imported meats & cheeses that are the best of their kind. These delicious ingredients sit atop a crispy crust made with their specialty aged dough.
Cross Country Skiing at Tie City Trailhead
Cross-country skiing is a great way to spend time with family and experience the beautiful alpine forests right in Laramie’s backyard. To the east of Laramie, you’ll find Tie City Trailhead, which is easily accessible from Highway 210 and a mere 15-minute drive from Laramie. The trailhead provides access to a network of scenic groomed ski and multi-use trails, all expertly maintained by the Medicine Bow Nordic Association, a non-profit organization operating in agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. See their website for additional details and trail conditions, and be sure to view their map of Happy Jack Ski Trails before embarking on your cross-country adventure.
For those seeking a more leisurely or beginner-friendly experience, a loop following Meadow, Ridge, and Alder Trails meanders through the trees and gives you a chance to take in the scenery. View our page on Cross Country Skiing for Beginners to make sure you’re properly prepared for the trip. Fast Haus Ski & Bike offers adult, junior, and children's cross-country rental packages.
Dinner at Born in a Barn
100 E. Ivinson Ave. | (307) 460-3604
Born in a Barn is known for its flavorful takes on traditional American cuisine. This family-friendly restaurant is decorated in the style of an old-school sports bar with vintage signs and memorabilia. Choose from 4 kinds of wings with 16 sauce options, 17 kinds of burgers, or their famous Barnchos made with smoked pork and a queso sauce over house-made potato chips. Kids will get a kick out of their unusual - but delicious! - PB&J wings!
Winter Lights Festival
Washington Park, 18th & Sheridan St.
If visiting Laramie during December or January, check out the Winter Lights Festival in Washington Park. Local businesses come together to build creative Christmas light displays along the park’s walking paths. Past displays have included colorful light tunnels and a tractor decorated for the holiday season!
Visiting at a different time of year? Swap this activity out for a movie night at Studio City UW.
Day 2
J's Prairie Rose
410 S. 2nd St. | (307) 745-8140
Enjoy a home-cooked meal at J's Prairie Rose, known for its fun, family-friendly atmosphere and generous portion sizes. Grab a table or take a seat at the counter to watch their talented cooks whip up your breakfast. Whether you’re craving fluffy pancakes, savory breakfast burritos smothered in green chili, or classic staples like biscuits and gravy, the menu has something for everyone in your crew.
Art and Soul Pottery
107 Grand Ave | 307-742-2021
Kids can create their own masterpieces at Art and Soul, a paint-your-own pottery studio in downtown Laramie. Choose from their large selection of pottery options and customize it using their numerous glaze colors. After firing in the kiln, you can either pick up your piece or have it mailed to you for an additional fee. Prefer to skip the wait? Try one of their mosaic options instead, which can be taken home the same day.
Lunch at Lovejoy's Bar & Grill
101 Grand Ave. | (307) 745-0141
Lovejoy's menu is a casual mix of cuisine, including burgers, steaks, and wraps. The restaurant is housed in the historic Johnson Hotel, built by John Johnson in 1900. Several TVs around the restaurant offer a bird ’s-eye view of the best sporting events! Kids will love the Cavatappi Pasta from their kid's menu.
Laramie Ice and Events Center
3510 E Garfield St | (307) 721-2161
Ice skating is a classic family-friendly winter activity. The Laramie Ice and Events Center is an indoor rink that hosts open skate times, specialty classes, and fun events. They offer rentals for both adults and children. See their calendar here for public skate times!
Dinner at Anong’s Thai Cuisine
101 E Ivinson Ave | (307) 745-6262
The immersive dining atmosphere at Anong's is fun for the whole family! The restaurant is decorated with authentic Thai artwork in a traditional Thai motif. Their food is just as authentic and prepared just as intended. While Thai food tends to be spicy, Anong's can remove the spice from any dish on their menu upon request. Kids can look forward to green tea fried ice cream and Mango sticky rice for dessert!
University of Wyoming Planetarium
10th & E Fremont St. | (307) 766-6506
Explore the wonders of the cosmos from the comfort of the indoors. The University of Wyoming Planetarium puts on educational programs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about far-away planets from educational films and live science talks. Tickets for children are only $3 when paid in cash. See here for their schedule of events!
Day 3
Snowy Range Ski Area
3254 WY-130, Centennial, WY | (307) 745-5750
First opened in 1960 as Medicine Bow Ski Area, Snowy Range is nestled in the Medicine Bow National Forest and provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Since renamed, the ski area is home to a lodge, rental shop, ski school, restaurant, gift shop, cafe, and 5 lifts with 28 runs. Snowy Range is known for being affordable and family-friendly, with reduced crowding compared to other resorts in the Western U.S.
Those without their own gear can consult the knowledgeable staff at the rental shop, who will help find the right fit. They recommend making an online rental reservation here in advance to your arrival to ensure they have your size in stock. Forget anything? The gift shop carries goggles, hats, socks, and more! There’s a run for every skill level at Snowy Range, but true beginners should consider a 2-hour lesson from an expert. Book a group or individual lesson online, available for all ages from youth to adult. There’s a “magic carpet” ride for smaller kiddos, and Pioneer Lift stops at the top of Pioneer run, a bunny hill perfect for young skiers.
Dinner at The Old Corral Hotel and Steakhouse
2750 WY-130, Centennial, WY | (307) 745-5918
The Old Corral has been serving delicious steaks since the 1940s. They pride themselves on the quality of their meat and only serve fresh, tender, grain- and grass-fed beef. Steaks are always fresh and never frozen! Reservations are recommended. Consider enhancing your trip by spending a night in one of their cozy rooms. The hotel has a rustic cabin feel while still being equipped with modern amenities.
