When you think Casper, Wyoming no doubt visions of wide-open landscape, the blue ribbon North Platte River, and big bows dance in your head.  Casper has long been a fly fishing travel destination and for good reason. It’s definitely one of our favorite places to fish and we can’t wait to get back there again soon. The town has somehow retained that old west feeling and its streets are lined with history. Some of the best trout fishing in the nation aside, there are a lot of things to do in Casper. Here are a few of our must-dos when we are off the water.

Hit the Ugly Bug Fly Shop and book a trip with Crazy Rainbow Fly Fishing.  

This great little fly shop has everything you need for a crazy day on the water.  Book a trip with Ty Hallock and pick up one of his original pieces of artwork to commemorate your trip. Ty has put us on some huge bows and is one of the best guides we know. If Ty is booked, fish with Addie Dees, also at the Ugly Bug. Either of these guides will ensure a great day on the water and big fish in the boat.

Buy a pair of cowboy boots from Lou Taubert’s Ranch Outfitters western store.

This store is three floors worth of amazeballs.  They’ve been in business over 80 years and literally have any type of cowboy boot you could ever dream of. Last time I was in town I bought a pair with fringe galore. I’m already daydreaming about the pair I’m going to go home with next.

Take a backstage tour, join the circus, and have a fresh cocktail at Backwards Distilling Company.

This little gem has the best cocktails in Casper. Amber Pollock and her family focus on local ingredients and the circus-inspired theme will have you circling the tent in no time flat. If beer is more your style, then head over to Frontier Brewing for live music and pour your own drafts from their own brewery.

Get schooled with a history lesson at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.

The Trails Center sits up high overlooking the city and has great self-guided free tours which give a complete picture of what our ancestors went through as they made their way across the Oregon Trail. If you’re lucky, you may even pick up a hand-tied fly as you leave.

Eat your heart out at Sherrie’s Place for breakfast, belly up to Black Bird for lunch, and end the day at FireRock Steakhouse.

If cinnamon rolls are your thing, then start the day with one of Sherrie’s famous cinnamon rolls (a family recipe), find the Black Bird food truck and try a slice of pie, and end your daywith beer can chicken glazed in Fat Tire Ale and potato chip crusted mac and cheese at FireRock.

Plan your trip to Casper, Wyoming at VisitCasper.com