As our big 2020 trip during COVID, we decided to finally drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway from the top of Washington down to the southern tip of California. We drove from our home in Denver, Colorado to the start in Olympia, Washington, and along the way made a few stops.
Our first night was spent in Cheyenne, Wyoming, just a quick 2 hour drive from Denver. Our second day was our first real long drive, ending in Bozeman, Montana. Along the way, we stopped in Buffalo, Wyoming for lunch and a bit of exploring to break up the drive.
The town is small and quaint, and the perfect spot to spend an hour or so in the afternoon. Main street in the historic downtown looks like you stepped into a western movie. We loved the details, like these cowboy boot planters in front of a saloon.
Clear Creek runs straight through the town, and there are a variety of trails you can take if you have time for some hiking in addition to your sightseeing.
The creek is beautiful, and there were a few small bridges you could walk that took you directly over the water.
For lunch, we stopped at the Busy Bee Cafe, right in the heart of the historic downtown area. The small cafe has incredible service and great food. They also have an old school soda fountain counter in the back of the restaurant, and they make incredible sodas and milkshakes. While we were having lunch, quite a few families came in to get shakes for their kids.
Next door to the Busy Bee is the historic Occidental Hotel. The hotel has remained almost exactly as it was back in the days of the old west. It boasts many famous guests, including Buffalo Bill and Teddy Roosevelt. Everything from the lobby, to the rooms, to the saloon remains perfectly preserved in the past.
After spending a little over an hour eating and walking the downtown streets, we got back in the car to head to our final destination for the evening, Bozeman, Montana.
Wyoming is a beautiful state, and we’d love to go back and explore even more. Any tips on spots we should make sure to add to our next road trip? Let me know in the comments!
