This is what I learned about this little town I live in. It’s amazing! There are so many things to do here that if I was vacationing I would absolutely come to Cody! Especially if I lived overseas or in a big City. Yellowstone is only 52 miles away.  What seems like a hour drive takes about two. The landscape is so gorgeous that you really don’t want to drive very fast or you may miss it. There are many things to see along the way too.

The Smith house. Weird but absolutely fascinating to see. Your driving along in the Wapiti Valley and taking in the mountain vistas. The views are phenomenal,  when all of a sudden looming to the left of you, sitting on a hill is this weird monstrosity of a house.  The Smith Mansion.

And you’re thinking WTH is that? If your wondering the same thing here is some information about the Smith house. I found Sunny Larsen’s web site, very interesting to know that she is in the process of restoring it.

The History- Francis Smith began construction  of the mansion in 1973 with a dream. He wanted  to create a home that would naturally fit into the beautiful Wapiti Valley, ie: all wood and majestic. Well, Mr. Smith died in 1992 while working on the mansion and it was not finished and stood for a long time untouched. His granddaughter, Sunny Larsen is the new owner and is currently restoring the Mansion. She has created the Smith Mansion Preservation Project. Amazing! Click on the picture above and read more about the Smith Mansion Preservation Project.

Ok, back to the story. As I was researching Cody I found out that Cody has a little more than 800,000 visitors each and every year. Visitors that stay in Cody for one – ten days just to take in the views and visit Yellowstone. That is a lot of people! I’ve run into people regularly, who when they find out that I actually live here start asking me a ton of questions. Where is the best place to eat? How long does it take to tour the museum? Where’s the post office?

Well, now it was my turn to ‘play tourist’ and ask the questions. I literally drove all over Cody visiting all the hotels, motels, restaurants, gift shops, white water rafting shops and smoke shops. I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which is absolutely lovely, I visited all the city parks and I drove up the NorthFork Hwy through Wapiti Valley to the east gate of Yellowstone and renewed my seasonal pass.

I met some lovely business owners who were more than happy to show me around and offer me vital information,  and then I  had some business owners and employees who were so busy yapping with their co-workers or on their cell phones who completely ignored me without any kind of acknowledgment that they ever saw me. Interesting.

I didn’t mention the negative things in my book,  giving the place the best write up, as minimal as it was, that I could. I focused on the positive highlights and avoided the personalization of my visit as much as possible.

Yes, it has been an adventure and a fun one at that. As for the Amazon Publishing process? Well, it was difficult at first but somehow I got through it. The next one will be much easier I’m sure. The next one? Yes, I will be doing a Red Lodge Visitor Guide, a Northfork Hwy tour and then the big one, Yellowstone Visitor Guide book. I’m stoked! Hopefully it won’t take me 4 or so months to get it done!

About Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide - This book was created for Amazon Kindle users and app users who prefer to carry their libraries in their pocket or have their books ever ready on the desktop, laptop, iPhone, iPad or Android. The Kindle form makes it so easy for readers to navigate throughout the book to find the information they need fast.

The Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide book is a handy little reference guide for anyone that is new to Cody. If you want to go sightseeing but don’t know where to begin, I highlighted all of Cody’s attractions. The book has vital information about each place, a short narrative describing what they will see or do, with phone numbers and addresses of each place. The only thing missing in the book is a map of Cody, but, I am working on breaking up the major sections of Cody and will update the book before the 2012 vacation season starts. So a digital map will be available.

Sometimes the unexpected happens, like a tire blowout or engine trouble. If you need a mechanic, the Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide will help you to find one fast! The Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide is a handy dandy little reference guide showing you all that Cody has to offer. Stuck without a RV spot? Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide can help you with that! Need a cheap place to lay your head? Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide will tell you the best spots in town. Want something old and historical? How about a 5 star uppity up hotel? A wonderful updated historical Inn? Yup! Got that too.

The Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide leaves out very little, except the local fishing hot spots! But, that will also be available in the 2nd edition, Spring of 2012. (Working on that)

So, if a Cody Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park trip is in the cards for you, pick up Cody Wyoming Visitor Guide and start planning your trip. Map out the many attractions and historic sites you will not want to miss.

On Sale Now at Amazon.com

Aside from it’s historical significance and mouth watering food, the Irma Hotel and Restaurant is best known for it’s Cherry Wood Bar. Currently valued at $100,000+ the famous bar was a gift given to Buffalo Bill from Queen Victoria in 1900. 

Queen Victoria was a friend and a fan of Buffalo Bill. She valued and admired Buffalo Bill’s charisma and generosity as he put on Wild West shows free of charge for the orphans of Great Britain and France. His stunning and awe inspiring shows where quite the adventure of the day, drawing in mass crowds overseas with his daring western stunts. Buffalo Bill gained many fans and admirers as they witnessed the stunning – never before seen - Native American horse manuvers and gallent performances.

The Cherry Wood bar was made in France and then transported to New York by steamer. From New York it traveled by rail car to Red Lodge Montana. From Red Lodge it traveled 2 weeks over mountains and rivers on a horse pulled freight wagon before it was finally delivered to Buffalo Bill in Cody. Quite the trip in those days.

In the early days, the Irma Hotel’s restaurant was once a bar room that featured billiards, booze and cards. The bar room is gone and has been replaced by a stunning dinning area that offers you a full relaxed dinning atmosphere. The popular Prime Rib Buffet (the best in town) is served during the summer season and has something for every taste bud. You can also enjoy the breakfast and lunch buffet before you set out for Yellowstone National Park.

When in Cody Wyoming, make sure you stop in and tell the staff at the Irma Hotel Hello. You are welcome to browse the halls, restaurant and lounge to look at the historical architecture and capture the feel of the west as it was. The hotel offers guests true authentic rooms including Buffalo Bills original suite where he stayed after his many Wild West tours. The historical rooms have been restored and modernized for convenience and relaxation.

In addition to the Buffalo Bill Suite you could book a stay in either the Jimmy Tuff Suite, Caroline Lockhart Suite, Vern Spencer Suite or Henry Dahlem Suite. Each suite holds it’s own little piece of history. Room 35 is also frequently requested as it’s become known as the most ’haunted suite’.

The Irma Hotel has its share of disembodied footsteps, unexplained  noises and dark shapes ‘caught out of the corner of my eye’  tales from regular patrons. Apparitions have been seen in various parts of the old hotel including the dining room. Rocking chairs rock by themselves, strange voices call your name and unseen spirits walk the halls in the Irma Hotel. WAPS (Wyoming Area Paranormal Society) did two investigations on the Irma Hotel and were not disappointed.

Hold on to your hats, your wallets and your ladies.

Besides the residential spirits that roam the halls of the Irma you can find a few residential gunfighters shooting it out in the streets. Starting at 6pm, Monday thru Saturday, the Cody Gunfighters are going to thrill you with their old fashioned gunfight! Comedy and guts meet in the street as the good guys and the bad guys (and ladies too) battle it out. 

Make it a point to stop in the Irma hotel. Step into the era of older charm and grace.

Sunset House

The Sunset House always serves the best home cookin’ style food whether breakfast, lunch or dinner and is absolutely delisious!! You can find comfortable seating, friendly service, a full menu and a delicious dinner buffet. A great place for large or small parties, the Sunset House will quickly accommodate you.  Stop in for a dose of real western hospitality and home style good food.
Hours 7am – 9pm. 1651 8th St      307-587-2257

Rib & Chop Shop

I have never had a more delicious Ribeye (Pittsburgh Style) than when visiting the Rib & Chop House. Located downtown, the R&C House has a full service restaurant with outstanding customer service, cozy atmosphere and fully stocked bar. Steaks, seafood and salads are among the excellent foods served daily. My personal favorite!  1367 Sheridan Ave      307-527-7731 Reservations Suggested.

Proud Cut Saloon

Truly one of Cody s best tasting eating establishments, the Proud Cut serves everything from hearty sandwiches, hamburgers, steak, seafood and handmade potato chips! It defiantly doesn’t disappoint a healthy appetite. While your eating the western decor and old pictures depicting true western history are an additional treat.   1227  Sheridan Ave Cody     307-527-6905

Zapatas

My new favorite place for Mexican! The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and the Mexican dishes are fresh baked and outstanding. While you are waiting you receive fresh Salsa and warm chips. I don’t like red sauce so the chicken enchilada dinner was the best choice and it was delicious! Huge Margaritas too. 1362 Sheridan Ave    307-527- 7181

Cassies Supper Club

My last visit to Cassies was rather disappointing. Though mid summer, the wait was long and the food so-so. I’ve heard this in not typical and may go back to retry again. The best part of having dinner here is that you can work that meal off with dancing to live country music by West the Band. A local cowboy favorite. Tanya Tucker is know to frequent Cassies.
214 Yellowstone Hwy  307-527-5500

China Town

China Town Buffet Cody – Newly opened ChinaTown is now in Cody. The building (old Green Gables / Maxwells building) has been fully updated to include outdoor seating as well as plenty of room inside. The 3 buffets tables are loaded with all your favorite Chinese dishes.
The favorite is the all you can eat buffet featuring chicken on a stick, won tons, egg rolls, and fresh fruit for dessert. Worth the trip.
937 Sheridan Ave Cody, WY 82414 (307) 586-9798

Also located 22 miles east of Cody in Powell, Wy 151 E Coulter Ave Powell, Wy  307-754-7924 Closed Sundays and Mondays

Bubba’s Bar-B-Que

No surprises here. Bubbas offers locals and tourists alike a full service family dining restaurant featuring their scrumptious BBQ ribs, burgers and salads. Go ahead n pig out… they clean up the mess.
512 Yellowstone Ave Cody  307-587-RIBS

Breadboard

The breadboard staff is up at the crack of dawn baking bread for the daily patrons. MTO’s – Made to Order Subs can be eaten inside or picked up at the drive thru. Absolutely the best quick fix on the planet. You can choose to order small or super large subs for parties or picnics. Daily Specials are soup of the day served in home made soup bowls. Don’t forget to pick up fresh baked bagels for breakfast.
Hours 7am – When the fresh baked bread runs out. 1725 17th Street Cody 307-527-5788

Peters Cafe n Bakery

Whether you require a hot cooked meal, fresh baked goodies, hot homemade soups or low carb wraps n salads Peters Cafe is the place to visit. Located downtown Cody Peters Cafe offers quality eats at low affordable prices. You can chill out with their old fashioned ice cream too in 35 flavors.
Hours 6:45am - ?  1219 Sheridan Ave 307-527-5040

The Irma Hotel, Bar n Grill

Another local favorite for family dinning or just hangin out with friends at the all smoking Silver Saddle Salon. The Irma offers a full service Restaurant which includes a Buffet for every meal. Irma’s slow roasted prime rib is a raw mouth watering delight. Stop in at 6pm Monday – Saturday to see the Cody Gunfighters perform an re-enactment of a real western shoot out. Hours 6am – 10pm 1192 Sheridan Ave Downtown Cody      307-587-4221/ 1-800-745-4762