Business & Tourism

Bison on a road in Yellowstone National Park during the rut brings traffic to a halt.

Yellowstone Nearly Sets Record With 4.1 Million Visitors Through September

A robust 838,000 visitors in September pushed Yellowstone National Park visitation to more than 4.1 million in 2023, its second highest ever and an example that September is more than a shoulder month.

Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2023

Sitti’s Table In Cody Latest Wyoming Joint Featured On ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’

A place that quickly became a favorite go-to spot in Cody has found its way onto the Mayor of Flavortown’s radar. Sitti’s Table will be featured on the Food Network show “Diners Drive-Ins & Dives” on Friday.

Renée JeanOctober 17, 2023

For 50 Years, Nobody In Rawlins Goes Hungry At Michael’s Big City Steakhouse

If anyone is down on their luck, restaurant owner Michael Lujan will not send them away hungry. That’s something he learned from his parents. As part of that philosophy, Lujan serves a free Thanksgiving meal for the community. Last year, he cooked 85 turkeys.

Renée JeanOctober 15, 2023

Sheridan’s Warehouse Gastropub Founded On Supper Club Concept

The idea behind Sheridan's Warehouse Gastropub supper club concept is diners get a ticket for a four or six-course dinner with a wine pairing. During dinner, there's a show with nationally-known entertainers. The next supper club is Oct 17 & 18.

Renée JeanOctober 15, 2023

Hall of Fame sportscaster Al Michaels told CNN reporter Chris Wallace last week that he's never knowingly eaten a vegetable in his life. He's seen here eating a steak on the "Dan Patrick Show" in 2016.

Al Michaels, Who Has Never Eaten A Vegetable, Should Be Spokesman For Wyoming Beef

Of all the quotes Al Michaels is famous for, the one that caught the Wyoming Stock Growers attention was the admission last week that he has never eaten a vegetable. Now they want him to be their spokesperson.

Jake NicholsOctober 13, 2023

Raw Milk From Jackson Outlet Suspected Of Sending Two Kids To Hospital

Five people in Teton and Lincoln counties, including two children who were hospitalized, are believed to have been made sick by consuming raw milk, the Wyoming Department of Health confirmed Thursday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023

The building at 134 S. Main St. in Burns is owned by the town and, until its Monday eviction, was home to a local restaurant called The Rustic Plate.

Burns Residents Outraged As Town Council Evicts Popular Restaurant

Many of the 392 people who live in the tiny town of Burns, Wyoming, say they’re outraged that the town has evicted the popular The Rustic Plate restaurant after a lease dispute.

Leo WolfsonOctober 12, 2023

While it's not the original building of the J.W. Hugus Co. Mercantile, J.W. Hugus Restaurant & Catering is a nod to the owner's great-great-great-grandfather.

On The Road With Renee: Saratoga’s Favorite Breakfast Spot Has Roots 143 Years Deep

J.W. Hugus Restaurant & Catering named for owner’s great-great-great-grandfather, who was one of Saratoga, Wyoming's, early founding businessmen who built up the town from 1870 on.

Renée JeanOctober 09, 2023

Historic Plains Hotel In Cheyenne For Sale For $5.85 Million

After sinking $3 million into Cheyenne’s historic Plains Hotel, the hotel’s owner told Cowboy State Daily she’s run out of money to convert the hotel to an extended-stay facility.

Renée JeanOctober 08, 2023

Although it's not considered the "peak" season for tourism in and around Yellowstone National Park, the October shoulder season has become much more popular. The East Gate, shown here, is open through October, usually closing the first Monday in November.

Even In October, There Seems To Be ‘Endless Demand’ For Yellowstone Tourism

Yellowstone National Park and its gateway communities are finding October’s shoulder season becoming more of a draw for tourism and visitors.

Andrew RossiOctober 04, 2023

Setting up a tipi outside the Arapaho Ranch mansion.

Wyoming’s Arapaho Ranch, Where American Heritage Meets Italian Villa

Located just off of Highway 170 between Thermopolis and Meeteetse, the 350,000-acre ranch is home to rich Wyoming heritage and history for the Arapaho Tribe. And, of late, it’s been undergoing a revival.

Renée JeanOctober 01, 2023

Wyoming’s Retro Motel Revival Continues With Saratoga’s Riviera Motor Lodge

Riviera Motor Lodge in Saratoga, Wyoming, is close to completing an all-around outdoor-indoor upcycle that includes a nice community gathering spot by the river as well as a room-by-room renovation.

Renée JeanOctober 01, 2023

The historic and uniquely Wyoming Occidental Hotel in Buffalo.

Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel: A Western Wyoming Original, Bullet Holes And All

The Occidental Hotel is a registered museum where guests sleep in themed rooms with period Old West furniture. The adjacent saloon still has bullet holes and its original backbar imported from Scotland.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2023

Members of the Wyoming Shooting Complex Task Force met in Riverton on Wednesday to discuss the proposed complex and hear public comments.

$10 Million Wyoming Shooting Complex Must Be World-Class, Industry Insiders Say

Industry experts said Wednesday that the success of a proposed $10 million Wyoming shooting complex will hinge upon giving firearms and archery enthusiasts what they want and building a world-class facility.

Mark HeinzSeptember 27, 2023

Study Blames Men Eating Beef For 50% Of Harmful Gas Emissions

Wyoming's beef industry is questioning a recent Tulane University study that claims American men ages 50-65 eat so much beef that if they stopped, greenhouse gas emissions would drop by as much as 50%.

September 24, 2023

A 307 First steel silhouette of a Pony Express rider installed between Casper and Shoshoni.

Giant Steel Silhouettes Making Drivers Double-Take Their Way Across Wyoming

A growing collection of giant steel cowboys, dinosaurs and locomotives along Wyoming's highways are nods to the Cowboy State’s Western heritage and a reminder to think 307 First.

Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2023

The Ferris Mansion at 607 W. Maple St. in Rawlins, Wyoming.

From Ruin To Regal, A Wyoming Family’s Mission To Save The Ferris Mansion

A showpiece when it was built in 1903, the Ferris Mansion in Rawlins had fallen into ruin when the Lubber family bought it in 1979. It took 25 years to restore it to its regal roots.

Renée JeanSeptember 23, 2023

The old railroad depot is one of the jewels of downtown Rawlins, Wyoming.

Rawlins Residents Scoff At YouTuber's Criticism Of Town

Rawlins' residents rolled their collective eyes at a so-called YouTube "influencer" and his criticism of their town in his video entitled, "I went to the worst place to live in Wyoming." They all know a town that is a great place to raise a family and comes together to help those in need.

Renée JeanSeptember 23, 2023

A truck hauling sand drives through Yoder, Wyoming. It's one of up to 150 a day that haul sand through the town.

Yoder Covered In Sand As 100+ Trucks Hauling Frac Sand Blast Thru Town Every Day

Between 100 - 150 trucks roll into the the town of Yoder, Wyoming, every day hauling sand to be used in hydraulic fracking operations. Although it's dusty and loud, people aren't complaining because many well-paying jobs have been created.

September 22, 2023

Of the 413 stores Kroger and Albertsons plans to sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers are 12 Wyoming Albertsons outlets.

Who Is C&S Grocers, Which Is Buying 413 Stores Across US, 12 In Wyoming?

C&S Wholesale Grocers, buying 413 stores as part of a proposed $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons — including 12 in Wyoming — is one of the largest grocery wholesalers in the U.S.

Renée JeanSeptember 20, 2023

The Herbert Hoover couch looks like it should be sitting on a curb as trash instead of having an honored place in the historic Occidental Hotel. It was once owned by President Herbert Hoover, and popular lore has it the rips and tears in it were caused by fishhooks Hoover would keep in his pockets.

That Old, Ripped Couch At Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel Was Herbert Hoover’s

That worn-out and ripped couch in the Occidental Hotel’s library will never be repaired or replaced. It was owned by President Hoover, and legend has it the rips were caused by fishing hooks in his pockets.

Renée JeanSeptember 17, 2023

The wagyu beef raised on the Hawks Hill ranch near Cody, Wyoming, grade out in the top 1% of beef on the planet. That has a lot to do with the ranch's meticulous care in protecting its small herd's genetics.

Wyoming Ranch Produces Premium Wagyu Beef That Scores In Top 1% On The Planet

Hawks Hill Ranch outside Cody, Wyoming, may only have 22 head of wagyu cattle, but the premium boutique ranch produces beef with a marbling score of 12, ranking it in the top 1% of beef on the planet.

Wendy CorrSeptember 16, 2023

The lobby at the Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, is eclectic, elegant and 100% Old West Wyoming.

At Wyoming’s Historic Occidental Hotel, The Ghost Gets Into Bed With You

Those who work at the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo have heard guests tell a lot of spooky stories about their stay, and not just its famous ghost child Emily. There's one ghost who gets into the bed while you're sleeping.

Renée JeanSeptember 16, 2023

A hemp crop west of Powell was grown during the first season for the crop in Wyoming in 2021.

Draft Bill Would Kill Wyoming’s Fledgling Hemp Growing Industry

To address concerns about synthetic delta-8 THC in cannabis products, a draft bill would also ban all hemp in Wyoming, killing the state’s fledgling hemp growing industry.

September 15, 2023

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