Buffalo Bill Center of the West
4.8(5.7K)google
4.8(238)yelp
Old WestHistoryArt
Overview
西部水牛比尔中心位于怀俄明州科迪，由五座博物馆和一座研究图书馆组成，专门收藏美国西部的艺术与文物，自 2008 年起成为史密森尼附属机构。五馆分别为水牛比尔馆、平原印第安人馆、惠特尼西部艺术馆、德雷珀自然历史馆和科迪枪械馆。
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 4-6 hours
Best TimeAn all-season indoor attraction, but arriving right at opening at 8:00 AM is highly recommended. Because it houses five world-class museums, an early start helps you beat the midday crowds for a more immersive experience.
Getting ThereSituated on the west side of downtown Cody, right off Sheridan Avenue (US-14/16/20). It is within a 15-minute walk from most central Cody hotels and features a massive dedicated free parking lot for drivers.
Travel Tips
- The center comprises five massive world-class museums. Your admission ticket is valid for two consecutive days; do not attempt to rush through in one day. Visit the Firearms and Western History museums on day one, and save the rest for day two.
- During summer (May to mid-Sept), the first two hours after opening at 8:00 AM are prime for avoiding tour crowds. Live presentations like the Raptor Experience run on strict, limited schedules with capped seating; check the daily timetable immediately upon entry.
- The Cody Firearms Records Office inside offers historical serial number lookups and factory records search. This specialized service is not included in standard general admission and requires separate advanced online booking and extra fees.
Reviews
Positive
- This is absolutely a world-class museum; the five distinct galleries are incredibly rich, and the ticket is valid for two consecutive days.
- The firearms museum and Western art collections are staggering in scale, with a highly modern and interactive layout.
- The center features highly knowledgeable docents, spotless upscale restrooms, and plenty of comfortable sofas for resting.
- The location is excellent, right near downtown Cody, and features a huge free parking lot that accommodates large RVs.
Heads up
- Due to the massive amount of information, you can only scratch the surface if short on time, which can lead to museum fatigue.
- The food at the on-site cafe tastes mediocre, yet it is priced as high as a fine dining restaurant, offering poor value.
- During the peak summer tourist season, the museum gets incredibly crowded and noisy around the popular exhibits.
- Items in the souvenir shop are significantly overpriced; similar Western souvenirs can be found cheaper in downtown shops.