Taking a vacation doesn’t mean you have to break the bank! With our abundance of inexpensive or free activities and attractions to enjoy, Casper is a great budget-friendly option for exploring the beauty of a new place and taking a relaxing break from everyday life. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for an affordable vacation in Casper: for a full list of free things to do in Casper click here!
GET HYPED ON WESTERN HISTORY
Casper, and Central Wyoming, have an overwhelming amount of touchable history. Best part? You don’t have to spend a dime to immerse yourself in it!
For a look into Wyoming's prehistoric years, add a visit to the Tate Geological Museum to your travel agenda. This free museum features fossils from various dinosaurs that roamed Wyoming many years ago, including a life sized mammoth display lovingly known as “Dee”. They also have an enticing "Walk Through Time" exhibit, which will take you back through time from the Holocene hunter and gatherers of North America all the way back to the formation of Earth.
Another great way to experience Casper’s history is by enjoying a free, self-guided walking tour in our historic downtown district, where you’ll get to see unique buildings that were built in the early 1900’s and have withstood the test of time. From saloons, blacksmith shops and prohibition-era bootleggers, our city has seen it all–read about a few noteworthy historical places downtown here.
Other free museums and landmarks in Casper include the Wyoming Veterans Museum, the Good Aviation and Veterans Museum, Independence Rock and the Werner Wildlife Museum. Spend the entire day exploring our historical museums without ever pulling out your wallet!
EXPLORE CASPER MOUNTAIN
With miles and miles of trails, campgrounds, a gorgeous waterfall, and abundant wildlife, Casper Mountain is the budget traveler’s best friend. Whether you’re looking to save money by camping rather than booking a hotel room or just want to spend the day soaking up the outdoors, Casper Mountain is one of the best places to do it. Pack a picnic to enjoy at Beartrap Meadow, check out the views at Garden Creek Falls or bring your skis and spend the day riding our beloved cross country trails. No matter what you decide, the possibilities are endless on our iconic mountain!
REVEL IN LOCAL EVENTS
Casper knows how to throw a party, and through the summer especially our town holds a plethora of free public events. From live music and Cinema at the Station at David Street Station to our monthly Art Walk and weekly Rock The Block community gatherings, there is always something fun and entertaining to do without any required entry fees. For a full list of events in Casper, click here.
Photo: Dan Cepeda, Oil City News
GO FOR A SWIM
At just five bucks for the day, The Casper Aquatics Center, Mike Sedar Aqua Park and the Marion Kreiner Pool are open through the summer in Casper and are a popular way to stay cool and have fun inexpensively. The indoor water park at the aquatics center is a hit among kids while their parents can exercise in the lap pool or relax in the hot tub. Mike Sedar Aqua Park and the Marion Kreiner Pool are both outdoor public pools that provide locals and visitors alike a great place to cool off while getting some sun. For more information on the swimming facilities and their safety guidelines, click here.
STAY WITH BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOTELS
Compared to other travel destinations, Casper has some great hotel options that won’t wipe out your vacation funds. With conveniently located lodging options all over town, you have the freedom to stay wherever you want and still maintain a strict budget. Whether you choose to stay close to downtown, or find your home away from home on the east side of town closer to some of Casper’s finest restaurants, we’ve got just the landing place for you and your family. Click here for our full list of lodging options.
With so many free things to do and affordable places to stay, you’ll be able to save some cash and plan your return trip to Casper with money to spare! For more tips and trips for your visit to Casper, get your Visitor’s Guide digitally or order a hard copy to be sent to you here–and yes, it’s free too!