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Happy Birthday Bill: Celebrating The Legend At The Buffalo Bill Museum And Grave


Hours: Tue-Sun 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (November 1 through April 30)
Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (May 1 through October 31)
Admission: $5.00 adults; $4.00 seniors; $1.00 Children 6-15
Children under 5 are free

William F. Cody, or Buffalo Bill, is synonymous with the Old West and Colorado. He was born in 1846 and his Wild West shows were a huge part of the Old West. The actual grave of Buffalo Bill is located in Lookout Mountain Park and the site attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Check out the museum, the history and other great events taking place at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave – and experience the Old West and all of the history that Colorado has to offer.

Buffalo Bill Museum
The Buffalo Bill Museum is more than 3,000 square feet of the history of this legendary man. The exhibits tell the story of Buffalo Bill, his legacy and artifacts. They even have the actual Stetson hat worn by Buffalo Bill at his last performance before his death.

Sections of the museum include his time as a showman, his relationship with the American Indians, his expertise with firearms, and even a Kids Cowboy corral. This is a great place to visit year-round to learn all about Buffalo Bill.

RELATED STORY: New Exhibit Unveiled on Buffalo Bill's 155th Anniversary

Buffalo Bill's Birthday Celebration
On February 27 of every year, the Buffalo Bill Museum celebrates his birthday in style. There is typically a large party with songs, cake, games and more – plus it is all free. Previous years have included an annual Buffalo-Chip tossing contest and prizes for both adults and children.

Hiking and Trails
The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave is  very close to the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, and a mile-long mountain trail connects the two. Check out the observation deck, pay a visit to Buffalo Bill's actual gravesite and take a scenic hike through beautiful Colorado country.

buffalobillmuseum
(credit: Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave)

Pahaska Tepee Gift Shop
The Pahaska Tepee was the site of the original museum in 1921 and remains the museum gift shop and café. It has an extensive collection of Wild West souvenirs, books, artwork, toys, posters and reproductions. This is the best way to take a piece of the Old West home with you. And no visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave would be complete without a buffalo burger or a bowl of buffalo chili.

RELATED: Top Historical Sites In Denver

Hands-on Activities for Kids
The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave is ranked by the Denver Post as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the Denver metro area, and kids will delight in it as well. The museum offers a family guide online that you can download and bring with you for your visit. It will direct you to the best and most kid-friendly stops while you are there. Check out the Cowboy and Indian materials and of course bring your cameras; there are tons of great memory-making opportunities just waiting to be captured on film.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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