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Winter in Casper can be a gorgeous time of year. When the first snow falls fresh and blankets your neighborhood with a layer of shimmering white, it can be absolutely magical. However, it doesn't take long for the beauty to turn on you, leaving you cold and riddled with cabin fever. You are desperate for a vacation but are saving your money, and time off, for the classic summer vacation. Compromise with your wallet by planning a staycation at one of the following hotels. 1. La Quinta Inn Casper Casper has a lot of fun to offer, and museums are one of its most abundant activities. Stay at La Quinta Inn and enjoy a good night's rest, a complimentary breakfast, and maybe a soak in the spa before enjoying a day of educational fun! You'll be practically equidistant from the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, the Tate Geological Museum, the Werner Wildlife Museum, and the Fort Casper Museum. Take the family on a museum tour and end at the Casper Planetarium for an out-of-this-world look at the galaxy and all it has to offer. more 2. Ramada Plaza & Conference Center by Wyndham Casper Perhaps museums are a little too slow of a pace for your family. Maybe you need a little excitement during the winter lull. If that's the case, check in to Ramada Plaza by Wyndham and get ready to immerse yourself in an adventure. Race against the clock and work with your family to find clues and solve puzzles to escape a tricky situation. With three escape room locations ( Escape 307, Into the Vortex Escape Rooms, and Nearby Wind Escapes) and multiple scenario options at each location, you'll be sure to find a few challenges up your family's alley. Afterward, relax in the pool and spa area at the hotel as a reward for a job well done. 3. Travelodge by Wyndham Casper Though it may be the dead of winter, you and your family can certainly pretend it's the middle of summer by going to an indoor water park. Stay at Travelodge and trade the pool at the hotel for an entire center full of water-based fun. Enjoy Casper Family Aquatic Center's 23,500 square feet, which include water slides, lap pools, a lazy river, and hot tubs. Enjoy relaxation and feel refreshed as your kids burn off all that stored up energy. If a water park doesn't pique your interest, take the family to the roller rink and boogie the night away, or get competitive at the bowling alley. Whether you're looking for a relaxing or exciting break during the cold winter months, Casper proves you don't have to go far from home to feel like you're on vacation. Enjoy free breakfast, cable, Wi-Fi, and in most cases, indoor pools and spas before and after a day full of fun with the family. Most hotels are even pet-friendly, so even the four-legged family members can enjoy the adventure too. Don't break the bank or waste your hard-earned time-off during the dreary winter months; choose a cost-effective staycation the entire family will enjoy. Image via Flickr by sipes23

Winter may strike dread into the hearts of some, but not you! You love the brisk, chilled air and want to make the most out of the snowy season. If you've already rolled up an army of snowmen, gone sledding down the local hills, and had your fill of snowball fights, perhaps a ski trip is the next winter activity to cross off the list. Casper, Wyoming, has a good number of options for the novice or advanced skier in you. Hogadon Basin Ski Area Located on Casper Mountain, Hogadon Basin Ski Area is the closest ski destination to Casper, so you won't have to travel far for your snowy adventure. With 28 different trails, you're sure to find the perfect slope for your experience level. There is also a terrain park for those wishing to show off their skills and tricks. Hogadon Basin Ski Area offers season passes, daily tickets, group rates, and race programs. Don't know how to ski? No problem — The Hogadon Basin Snowsports School can help with lessons for all ages. If you're hungry after a day of shredding the slopes, stop by the food court in the lodge before you leave. more Snowy Range Ski Area In Laramie, nestled into the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Snowy Range Ski Area is a bit farther than Hogadon but well worth the trip. With 33 trails of varying difficulty, Snowy Range Ski Area certainly offers what its name suggests — range. Snowy Range offers day passes or season passes. It also offers Mountain School for those wishing to advance their knowledge or those who need to begin by learning how to put skis on. If you've been to Snowy Range in the past, you may remember the licensed child care center. Now it's a free-to-use space called Kid's Corner that's open to everyone but requires a parent or guardian to be present. Snowy Range offers a cafe, bar and grill, and coffee shop but does not offer lodging. You won't have to look too far, however, and some hotels even offer shuttles to the base. Meadowlark Ski Lodge If you're looking for a cozier, more rustic vibe, Meadowlark Ski Lodge is the place for you. Located in Ten Sleep, within the Big Horn Mountains, Meadowlark feels like a getaway without having to go very far. Wake up each morning looking out onto Meadowlark Lake at Meadowlark Lake Lodge; picturesque nature will give you the breath of fresh air you needed and allows you to escape into nature. The lodge offers a small menu of homemade foods for when you need to refuel between runs. Meadowlark Lake Lodge also offers hiking, fly fishing, and wildlife viewing and photography if you need a break from the slopes. The Ski Lodge offers 14 trails,  and while it has fewer options than the aforementioned ski areas, Meadowlark Ski Lodge's selection of runs will not disappoint. All three locations offer rentals, but Meadowlark also offers snowmobile rentals for yet another activity to add to the fun. Wyoming offers endless amounts of winter fun, and with lodges that offer other activities besides skiing, you'll be able to plan the perfect getaway catered to your family or friends. Image via Flickr by Traveloscopy

Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming, but it's our first choice when it comes to celebrating Christmas. We've put together this short guide to some of the holiday activities in our area so you don't miss your chance to enjoy this season more than ever. more Do Some Holiday Shopping Bundle up and head downtown during the months of November and December to take advantage of the city's best seasonal retail deals. Major chains like Macy's, Best Buy, Target, Kohl's, and Dick's Sporting Goods will help you with all of your holiday gift staples, but don't stop there. Local specialty stores will give you the chance to purchase unique gifts ― visit stores like Floral Rhino and Wind City Books to find hidden treasures. For the ultimate holiday shopping experience, go inside Sierra West's dedicated Christmas store. There are dozens of Christmas-themed rooms decorated with trees, ornaments, and more. Check Out Christmas in Wyoming Enjoy the best display of Christmas lights in Casper on the west side of the city. The show takes place at a single residential home, but it's achieved statewide fame over the past few years. Visit in your car to get an extra bonus ― tune your car radio to 98.1, and the lights will be synced to the music for a spectacular audiovisual feast. The display uses LED lights to keep electricity costs low, and the family accepts donations to help fund charity organizations. Visit the event's website to see the 2018 schedule and to view videos of the show in action. Attend The Royal Holiday Ball Visit the Nicolaysen Art Museum (known locally as “The Nic”) on Dec. 1 to participate in the Royal Holiday Ball. This is a children's holiday party with a princess theme that will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Scheduled events include dancing, singing, storytelling, and coloring. There will also be plenty of holiday-themed treats for adults and children alike to enjoy. Tickets cost $30 for child party goers and $5 for chaperones. The Royal Holiday Ball will be attended by multiple princesses in costumes, so make sure your child gets the chance to take a photo with all of them. Go to Holiday on the Homestead Go to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center on Dec. 8 and be ready to get creative. Bring your family and friends so everyone can enjoy making handcrafted Christmas ornaments while listening to live music. If you're an especially talented chef, consider joining the gingerbread contest to pit your confectionery skills against the best in Casper. If you bring your kids to Holiday on the Homestead, they're sure to enjoy the temporary train exhibit — it may not be the Polar Express, but it's the next best thing. This is a daytime event that will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Casper's annual November Christmas Parade may have already come and gone, but there are still plenty of holiday-themed activities to enjoy this winter. Start with these options to kickstart your Christmas. https://www.flickr.com/photos/tabor-roeder/23412242435/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Phil Roeder

Having fun with your family is always a great way to spend the day, and if you live in or near Casper, Wyoming, you'll be happy to know there are lots of places that offer a family-friendly experience everyone can enjoy. Whether your family likes adventures, exploring something new or learning about the world around us, there's something for every type of family in this city. more Of course, deciding where to go can be a tedious process that normally requires extensive research to find out the best places for family fun. Luckily, we've taken the labor out of finding the best place to spend time with your family in Casper. Below, we've broken down three places where we think you and your family will have a blast together. Whether your kids are curious, adventurous, or explorers at heart, everyone will find something they like on our list. The Science Zone Starting things off, for those too curious to sit still, you'll want to consider The Science Zone located directly in Casper. Here, you'll get to discover all of the amazing things that make up the world we live in. Explore exotic and strange animals of the past and present, build incredible structures like a proper engineer, and even go hands-on in a scientific lab. Whether your kids want to learn something new or discover something completely unheard of, you won't get much cooler than The Science Zone. 5150 Rock Gym If adventure is what you desire, you and your family have to check out the 5150 Rock Gym. Bring the entire family and experience rock climbing without the need to hike up a mountain. You'll be taken on a tour of the facility and be shown the ropes to properly climb so you can have the best experience possible. It's even great if you're looking for somewhere to work out, hence the gym moniker. All in all, the 5150 Rock Gym is one of the best places in the area for a day filled with family fun. Hogadon Basin Ski Area Located 11 miles south on Casper Mountain, the Hogadon Basin Ski Area is one of the best places to bring the family and have some fun in the winter months. You'll have your choice of either skiing or snowboarding, regardless of how much experience you have. This is what makes this ski resort so family-friendly. If you decide to visit in the summer or fall, there's a runner's trail where you and your family can work up a sweat. Regardless of what time of year you visit, you're sure to have an amazing time. As you can see, it's clear any of these places will provide an amazing experience for you and your family that's fun-filled and quite enjoyable. No matter what your family is into, whether it be adventures, exploring, or learning something new, Casper offers some of the best attractions you'll find in the entire state of Wyoming. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonasb/5571080053/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Jonas B