You don't have to be a hardcore athlete to enjoy a good game of golf. It's a great way to participate in some competition and meet new friends. Golfing lets you experience nature, get some low-impact exercise, and have fun. Here are some of the best golf courses near Casper, Wyoming. 1. Three Crowns Golf Course The 350-acre site of Three Crowns Golf Course used to be an oil refinery. Today, the place is beautiful. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed it with 45 acres of native grasses and 110 acres of turf. The greens meet United States Golf Association or USGA standards, and Kentucky Bluegrass covers the fairways, tees, and roughs. This course also has 61 sand traps with white sand and eight shimmering lakes. more There's a 13-acre practice facility with a green, two additional sand traps, and a 300-yard driving range. A golf shop, clubhouse, and full-service grille are all on-site. The restaurant has a fully-stocked bar as well as a wide selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Try the Mexican BLT with spicy chipotle mayonnaise, guacamole, and a fried egg. Three Crowns Golf Course has been one of GolfWeek's Best Courses You Can Play for 11 years in a row, and Golf Magazine has added it to its Top 5 Public Golf Courses in Wyoming list three times. Its picturesque scenery makes it a popular place for weddings and other special events. 2. Paradise Valley Country Club Paradise Valley Country Club has tree-lined fairways, sand traps, and lakes. It's been open since 1956, and was renovated in 2007. It has a driving range, a golf shop, and a clubhouse. The 18-hole course has two restrooms, so you won't have to go all the way back to the beginning if you need to make a pit stop. Golf lessons are available, and members can enjoy regular tournaments. You can join the Ladies' Golf Association or the Men's Association League. Golf for couples and kids is available. There's a full-service restaurant with a variety of beers and several TVs. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Paradise Valley is private, but anyone can check out the golf course and other amenities with a temporary membership. 3. Casper Municipal Golf Course The Casper Municipal Golf Course has three nine-hole courses, so you can experience new challenges even if you've visited several times. It opened in 1929, and it has expansive views of Casper Mountain. Try the Highlands Course, the Links Course, or the Park Course. At the 19th Hole Bar and Restaurant, you can enjoy chicken nachos, prime rib, and more. These golf courses are interesting, affordable, and have beautiful views. They're ideal for meetings with business associates, special events, or relaxing walks. They also offer delicious food and great service. Whether you're a busy businessperson, vacationer, or retiree, you're sure to enjoy a fun game of golf at one of these amazing courses. Image via Flickr by Chris Urbanowicz
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
