If you’re looking your next family-friendly vacation destination, Casper, Wyoming is the place for you. Located in the middle of The Cowboy State, Casper is easy to get to and has lots of activities for kids of all ages. Whether your kids love to ski, swim, learn or simply relax, there are endless activities the whole family will enjoy on your Wyoming vacation.
Read about all the ways to have fun in Casper during winter below...
1. Play in the snow
Casper Mountain has lots of options for winter activities, including downhill skiing and snowboarding at Hogadon Basin Ski Area. When you come, don’t worry about bringing gear - there is a rental shop at the lodge. Not a skier? You can still play in the snow. Try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking or snowmobiling.
2. Hike to a frozen waterfall
Sitting at the bottom of Casper Mountain is Garden Creek Falls. In the winter, the waterfall turns into a perfectly frozen ice sculpture. A short walk (only about 10 minutes, perfect for the kids) from the parking area at Rotary Park will take you to the base of Garden Creek Falls. And while you can snowshoe to the waterfall, you’ll also be able to walk to it with a good pair of snow boots.
3. Enjoy museums
Soak up Casper’s indoor offerings with culture and history at local museums.
A local favorite is the Tate Geological Museum, which is the home of Dee – a Columbian mammoth – and Lee Rex, the first T-rex found in Wyoming to stay in Wyoming. Additional museums perfect for the kids are the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (free), Fort Caspar Museum, Casper Planetarium, Werner Wildlife Museum and the Science Zone. They'll also enjoy the Discovery Center at the Nicolaysen Art Museum.
4. Swim, relax and enjoy
Located indoors, the Casper Family Aquatics Center offers a warm escape from the outdoors. This 23,500-square-foot facility features zero-depth entry, a lazy river, two waterslides, a four-lane lap pool, hot tub and party room. They also offer towel rentals, making it easy to enjoy the water without packing your own towels on vacation.
5. Discover downtown
Downtown Casper has shops for everyone, including the kids. One of the top must-visit stops is Rialto Soda Fountain, where everyone can enjoy an old-fashioned soda. Other downtown shops include Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters, WyoMade (perfect for souvenirs) and Wind City Books.
6. Catch a movie
Enjoy the show and let your imagination carry you away at Casper’s movie theaters, including Studio City Stadium Cinemas and East Studio City Mesa + ARQ.
7. Casper Ice Arena
Take a spin on the ice at the Casper Ice Arena, one of the premier ice facilities in the Rocky Mountain region. It offers public skating daily, as well as a variety of programs, including skating classes, figure skating, hockey, curling and private rentals.
8. Go bowling or roller skating
Partake in a little friendly competition at any of Casper’s three bowling alleys: Boomtown Blast, El Mark-O Lanes and Galloway's Pub & Bowling Alley. Tap into your inner child at Casper’s Wagon Wheel roller skating rink. With top 40 music, a light show, arcade and an inflatable slide, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy a day of family fun together.
9. Get a sweet treat
Donells Candies has been crafting delicious chocolates and candies that Casper can’t get enough of, for more than 60 years! Taste test the various homemade flavors of ice cream and snag a truffle or chocolate turtle. Frosted Tops, also located downtown, offers specialty cupcakes, macarons, cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate bombs and more. Wind City Sweets & Treats handcrafts unique flavor combinations for every hungry palette. Plus, they offer a wide range of gluten-free options. For sourdough, head to True Bakery, a 100% sourdough bakery. Using only organic, locally sourced ingredients they make all of their goodies from scratch, mixed and shaped by hand.
Want to learn more and start planning your trip to Casper, Wyoming? Start here.