Sheridan, Wyoming

To encourage our readers to visit this year’s winners of our Top 10 True Western Towns award, each issue will showcase the local flavor at one of these towns.

A Giving Community: Sheridan has about 20 philanthropic organizations. A local high school graduate can borrow money, interest-free, to attend college. The community also donated a million dollars over the course of a few months this past year to support a new county museum.

Breakfast Hangout: The Silver Spur on Main Street for its HUGE cinnamon rolls. What’s for Lunch?: Eight-ounce sirloin for $8.00 at Rib & Chop House in the Sheridan Inn. Dish Unique to Town: A Polish drink—Koltiska. Best Grocery Store: Bino’s Grocery on Main Street. Where can I get my organ-ically grown Beefalo?: Good Health Emporium and Better Life Natural Foods. Best Local Bars: The Mint  Bar (obviously). Bruce’s Caboose (for pool). The Pony (sports bar). Coffeen Liquors (very small and cozy). My Buddy’s Place (has a sand volleyball court). Scooters Bar & Grill (sports bar with dance floor).

Favorite Thing to Do: Go to WYO and Carriage House Theaters for the film festival on Wednesday nights.

Best Route to get to Historic Down-town: Take 5th Street exit off I-90 to Main Street and turn left on Main.

What historic sites do the schoolchildren visit?: Sheridan Inn, Kendrick Mansion and Bradford Brinton Memorial & Museum.

Who’s the local flyfishing expert?: Tom Wilcock at Fly Shop of the Big Horns. Best Flyfishing Teacher: Sam Mavrakis, whom a pond on the walking paths is named after. He offers free classes on flyfishing for children and tournaments to involve the youth. River Locals Fish at: Tongue River (shown on this page). Best Spot to View Wildlife: City Park for elk and buffalo; any road out of town.

Best Western Shops: King’s Saddlery, Bucking Buffalo Supply Co. (high-end Western), Custom Cowboy Shop, Corral West (small Western chain store), Sheridan Tent & Awning and Sheridan Leather Outfitters. And apparently everyone shops at Crazy Woman Trading Company in downtown Sheridan. Best Bookstores: The Book Shop and Sheridan Stationery.

Most Popular Local Event: Sheridan WYO Rodeo, which over 12,000 attend annually.

Best Drive on a Sunday after Church: In the spring, take U.S. 14 east to Ucross. You’ll find one of the largest blue heron rookeries.

Popular Radio Personality: Mary Jo Johnson, the Z-94 FM Noon Hour host.

What’s it like to live near the Big Horn Mountains?: Wonderful! All the best Wyoming has to offer is within 45 minutes of home: wildlife watching, fishing, hunting,  hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, hang gliding, golfing, polo (home to the first polo field in the U.S.) and historic sites.