Cody city centre is the town’s historic business district, centred on Sheridan Avenue and its side streets. From a two-star property in Cody, it’s about 1.1 miles away, or roughly a 26-minute walk or 3-minute drive.
- Main street: Sheridan Avenue.
- Historic district: Cody’s downtown business district dates to the city’s founding in 1896.
- Visitor information: The Cody Country Chamber Visitor Center is at 836 Sheridan Avenue.
- Getting around: The centre is walkable, with shops, restaurants, and attractions along Sheridan Avenue and nearby streets.
Where Cody’s City Centre Is
Cody’s city centre is the historic business district around Sheridan Avenue, the town’s Main Street. Lodging, restaurants, and visitor-oriented retail extend along the avenue and its side streets, giving you a clear route through downtown.
The district dates to 1896, when William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his partners founded the town. Civic buildings and attractions are also concentrated in Central Cody: the city identifies the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Park County Courthouse, Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Cody Auditorium, and City Park among them.
For a first orientation, start on Sheridan Avenue, then use the side streets to reach nearby sites. The Buffalo Bill Boyhood Home visit guide covers another stop connected to the town’s namesake; it is about a 12-minute walk or 2-minute drive from A Wyoming Inn.
What to See Along the Main Streets
A walk along Sheridan Avenue can take in historic buildings, civic landmarks, and places associated with Cody’s founding and local history. The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce offers a downloadable Historic Downtown Cody Walking Tour, created with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Park County Travel Council.
The tour highlights the Carnegie library, Irma Hotel, and Chamberlin Inn as downtown historic sites. You can follow its route to give your walk a historical focus, or use the stops to break up time browsing the central streets.
For a deeper look at the region’s western history and culture, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is another downtown-area attraction. Its museums make it a natural pairing with a walk through the historic district.
Shops, Food, and Everyday Stops
Downtown shopping and dining are concentrated on Sheridan Avenue and its side streets. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West business directory includes Cowtown Candy Company at 1323 Sheridan Avenue, Points West Museum Store at 720 Sheridan Avenue, and Wayne’s Boot Shop at 1250 Sheridan Avenue.
The Cody Country Chamber Visitor Center is at 836 Sheridan Avenue. It provides brochures, maps, Yellowstone National Park information, and tickets to several local attractions. You can buy Wyoming State Park passes there, but not National Park passes.
Restaurants in downtown Cody serve a range of cuisines, including burgers, Thai, German, Mexican, and sushi. If you’re planning to combine a meal with a walk, Sheridan Avenue and its side streets are the district’s main places to look.
Walking and Local Transport
You can explore Cody city centre on foot, with Sheridan Avenue providing the main route between shops, restaurants, and historic sites. The central concentration of attractions also makes it practical to combine several stops in one downtown visit.
For a self-guided route, use the Chamber’s Historic Downtown Cody Walking Tour, available through the free TravelStorys app for iOS and Android. The tour was created in partnership with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Park County Travel Council.
The Chamber Visitor Center’s hours change with the season. It operates 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday from November through April; after Labor Day weekend, its fall hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, changing to Monday–Friday in October.
Summer hours begin at 8 a.m.; the schedule shifts from Monday–Friday to daily hours after Memorial Day weekend, with closing times varying before Labor Day weekend. Check the official site before you go.
A Simple Downtown Visit Plan
Start on Sheridan Avenue, where the downtown shops, restaurants, and visitor services cluster. If you need maps or information about Yellowstone National Park, stop at the Chamber Visitor Center at 836 Sheridan Avenue before heading along the historic walking-tour route.
Use the tour to connect the Carnegie library, Irma Hotel, and Chamberlin Inn, then continue through the central streets to see civic landmarks such as the Park County Courthouse, City Hall, or City Park.
You can add the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for a museum visit, or the Buffalo Bill Boyhood Home for a stop focused on Cody’s namesake.
For a more detailed museum visit, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West guide covers what to see there.
FAQs
What is considered Cody city centre?
It is Cody’s historic business district, centred on Sheridan Avenue and its side streets. The city also groups civic amenities and attractions in Central Cody.
Is there a self-guided walking tour of downtown Cody?
Yes. The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce offers a Historic Downtown Cody Walking Tour, also available through the free TravelStorys app for iOS and Android.
Where can you get maps and Yellowstone information in downtown Cody?
The Cody Country Chamber Visitor Center at 836 Sheridan Avenue provides brochures, maps, and Yellowstone National Park information. It sells Wyoming State Park passes, but not National Park passes.
What historic sites does the downtown walking tour highlight?
The tour highlights the Carnegie library, Irma Hotel, and Chamberlin Inn. It was created in partnership with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Park County Travel Council.
How can you plan for the Cody Nite Rodeo?
The Cody Nite Rodeo planning guide covers dates, tickets, and getting there.