Thermopolis Weekend Getaway
Thermopolis, Wyoming is the home to Hot Springs State Park, and arguably is one of the best weekend getaways in the state. Thermopolis is touted as "Wyoming's hidden paradise", and I would have to agree. Visitors can make this their entire trip, or just a stop on the way to Yellowstone National Park. We enjoyed my birthday weekend (the big 24!) in the small town.
Where To Stay
There are a several options when determining where to stay in Thermop (as locals call it). A handful of RV parks are available for the over-the-roaders, and more vacation rentals than you would expect in this tiny town! Check them out on AirBnB and receive a discount on your first stay!
We opted to stay in a hotel, and chose none other than the Days Inn by Wyndham Thermopolis. This was a great choice for us; it doesn't get any better than a pet friendly hotel with clean rooms, a hot springs fueled spa, and a bar and restaurant on site. They also have racquetball courts and an outdoor pool! We enjoyed the hot mineral Jacuzzi each morning and appreciated the proximity to walking paths for us and our pup! Pro tip: rise early and enjoy some privacy in the Jacuzzi, because in the evenings it is a popular spot for many guests. Because this hotel is inside Hot Springs State Park, we were within walking distance of outdoor activities, hot springs houses, and the dinosaur museum.
Termy loved our little family vacation!
What To Eat
Now while I love travelling, the most important aspect of any trip is the FOOD! We found delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Remember how I mentioned our hotel had a restaurant and bar on site? Well, Friday night we "stayed in" and enjoyed amazing steaks at the Safari Club Restaurant and Lounge. This restaurant is a must-see in Thermopolis, as the owner has displayed his private collection of big game trophies throughout both the dining and lounge areas! We spent plenty of time wandering between the two and admiring the animals and photographs. As guests, we had a coupon for a free glass of wine at dinner, then moseyed over to the lounge for some post-dinner cocktails. The area is spacious, with an upper loft for a quieter atmosphere. We enjoyed a game of pool and a few peachy drinks, which was a perfect way to end our night.
On Saturday we did some local exploring, which definitely worked up an appetite. We were excited to try One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company in downtown Thermopolis, and it did not disappoint! Although more expensive than a regular burger joint, the sports bar atmosphere and amazing service put this as one of our favorite spots in the state! While Scott continued on his tour de steaks, I enjoyed a BBQ Bacon Buffalo Burger. One Eyed Buffalo brews it's own craft beers and hosts guest taps, so they have a beer for every tastebud!
Buffalo Burger for me and Steak and Shrimp for Scott at One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company
Sunday morning we packed up and decided to grab some breakfast before hitting the road. Although we had heard great things about Thermopolis Cafe, they were closed for construction, which led us to Black Bear Cafe. It was obvious this would be a good choice, as the place was packed up! The classic diner atmosphere was buzzing with locals and tourists alike. We left with a full belly from our wonderful omelette and pancakes and can't wait to go back again!
What To Do
We chose Thermopolis for my birthday trip because we wanted to enjoy hot springs without too much of a fuss, and there are plenty of options to enjoy the nature's hot tub! We explored Hot Springs State Park on Saturday morning, and it was a simple hike around natural mineral springs and over the swinging bridge.
Saturday afternoon we wanted to enjoy the springs more, so we went to Star Plunge. While the State Bath House is free, and Hellie's TePee is probably more relaxing, we opted for a more energizing time at Star Plunge. We spent $12.50 each for a day pass, and it was good for the entire day, which meant we went back after dinner and a few drinks! We found our inner kids by going down the slides and playing basketball in the outdoor pool, then embraced the relaxation with a break in the steam cave and pushing our limits in the lobster pot. There's also a few arcade games and a gift shop on site!
We spent some time exploring downtown Thermopolis after lunch at One Eyed Buffalo, and enjoyed finding little treasures in the bookstore. This is a cute main street with several restaurants and bars to choose from!
Although we didn't have time on this trip, Thermopolis is also home to the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum and Legend Rock Petroglyph Site. Visitors are able to dive deep in the history of Wyoming and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding Wind River Canyon.
We had a relaxing weekend in Thermopolis and can't wait to start planning our next trip! Let me know if you've taken a trip there and what your favorite part was!
