USA Today readers name Cody ‘Best Small Town’  — again

CODY (WNE) — For the second consecutive year, Cody has been named one of the Best Small Towns in the West by readers of “USA Today.”

Founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the town has been a destination for many generations of travelers seeking a Western experience as well as those on their way to or from Yellowstone National Park. The area is noted for its rodeo, dude/guest ranches, fly fishing, museums and more.

“A lot of visitors tell me that they could see themselves living here, and I believe that attitude is reflected in this vote,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of the Park County Travel Council. “We take pride in welcoming people from every corner of the world and displaying our Western hospitality.”

In recent years recreational offerings such as hiking, camping, rock climbing and horseback riding in warm weather, as well as skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice climbing in winter, have gained popularity.

The area has garnered numerous other awards and media accolades lately. For example, it has been recognized twice – with the top ranking in 2024 – for 10 Best Small Town Beer Scenes in the country by USA Today. The destination was also named one of the Top Rafting Destinations in the U.S. by “Newsweek,” one of the Best Small Towns in the West by USA Today, Top Small Town Arts Scenes and a  Top Art Town by “Travel + Leisure.” Additionally, the Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West was named the Best Art Museum in the U.S. by “Newsweek.”

Recently Cody was named for the second consecutive year a “Top Western Town” by the editors of “True West” magazine. The Irma Hotel was also recognized as one of the “Best Who Slept Here” hotels for the second year in a row.

This story was published on April 14, 2025.