Museums in Laramie range from a Victorian mansion filled with local history to university museums focused on art and geology. The Laramie Plains Museum is a strong choice for the city’s past, while the University of Wyoming Geological Museum and UW Art Museum offer free admission.
- Local history: Laramie Plains Museum, in the 1892 Ivinson Mansion.
- Railroad history: Historic Laramie Railroad Depot Museum, with volunteer-led tours.
- Geology: University of Wyoming Geological Museum, with free admission.
- Art: UW Art Museum, with free admission and rotating exhibitions.
Choosing a Laramie museum by interest
Laramie’s museums tell different stories, so choose by subject before planning your stops. For local and ranch history, start with Laramie Plains Museum; for railroads, look to the Historic Laramie Railroad Depot Museum. The university museums cover geology and art.
The University of Wyoming Geological Museum is a practical pick if you want a free museum visit with a clear focus: its collection includes a 75-foot Apatosaurus skeleton discovered in Albany County and the Allosaurus fossil known as “Big Al.” The UW Art Museum also has free admission, with rotating art exhibitions.
Laramie Plains Museum and local history
Laramie Plains Museum presents local history inside the 1892 Victorian-style Ivinson Mansion. The mansion was rescued from near demolition in the early 1970s, according to the Laramie tourism guide. Its collections include Victorian fixtures and furnishings, historic textiles and clothing, and memorabilia connected with early Laramie and ranch history.
The museum is at 603 East Ivinson Avenue. Guided mansion tours run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the last tour starting at 3:00 p.m. Each tour lasts one hour, and groups are small, with 4–7 people. Tickets are purchased at the Carriage House Gift Shop, which is open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for students and current or former military, and $25 for families.
The museum closes for tours annually after its December Holiday Open House and reopens on the first Tuesday in March; the winter interval is used for new exhibits and maintenance. For more detail on the mansion visit, see what to see at Laramie Plains Museum.
UW Art Museum and university collections
The University of Wyoming’s museums offer a choice between art and natural history. UW Art Museum features rotating exhibitions and free admission, while the Geological Museum pairs free entry with fossil displays. The Geological Museum is at 1000 E. University Avenue, on the northwest side of campus near 11th Street and Lewis Street.
The Geological Museum is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; it is closed Sundays and University holidays. If you want to combine a museum stop with time on campus, the University of Wyoming campus visit route covers other campus stops.
Planning hours, admission, and travel between museums
Museum hours and arrangements differ, so check the official site before you go. The Historic Laramie Railroad Depot Museum is at 600 South 1st Street, at 1st and Kearney Street.
It is open Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., though hours may vary, and it is also open by appointment with 24-hour notice. Laramie Plains Museum is about a 3-minute drive from Studio Lodge, a hotel in Laramie.
The depot offers free volunteer-led guided tours of approximately 45 minutes; donations are appreciated. Request a tour at least 24 hours in advance.
FAQs
Which Laramie museum is best for local history?
Laramie Plains Museum focuses on early Laramie and ranch history, with collections displayed in the historic Ivinson Mansion.
Is there a free museum in Laramie?
Yes. Admission is free at both the University of Wyoming Geological Museum and UW Art Museum.
Do you need to arrange a railroad depot tour in advance?
Tour requests for the Historic Laramie Railroad Depot should be made at least 24 hours ahead. The museum also offers visits by appointment with 24-hour notice.