Four Holiday Events Coming to Casper

Casper is a historic city in Wyoming that offers a variety of fun activities for its residents and visitors to the area. During the holiday season, you can take part in the festivities at some of the most popular local events. Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle At the end of the November, 5150' Local is putting on the first-ever Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle. The event is designed to kick off the holiday season in the city's historic downtown area, as well as support small businesses operating in the city. Many of these retailers will offer specials for Small Business Saturday, allowing you to get some holiday shopping done, while themed activities include a countdown to the lighting of the community Christmas tree and a downtown Christmas parade. more You can ice skate at David Street Station, which offers fun for the whole family. After the parade ends, the official after-party will take place at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. This portion of the event, titled Saint Nick at the NIC, lets you mingle with Santa Claus, find out the winner of the best float contest in the parade, and enjoy a variety of seasonal treats. Downtown Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting One of the top events around the holidays in Casper is the Downtown Christmas Parade, which is also part of the Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle. Along the parade route, vendors pass out complimentary cookies and hot chocolate for you to enjoy. You can also shop at the local shops and boutiques while counting down to the tree lighting ceremony. This beautiful tree is placed at the center of the ice rink at David Street Station. During the parade, you'll see impressive floats that members of the Casper community have spent weeks working on to showcase their creative talents. You may even spot Santa Claus in the parade, so be sure to keep an eye out, especially if you're attending with kids. Booze & Bacon Festival If you're a fan of booze, bacon, or both, be sure to attend the Booze & Bacon Festival on December 14. This event will take place at the Casper Events Center from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Local restaurants will provide samples of beer and liquor, as well as bacon-focused dishes that are sure to delight your palate. Attendees will vote on their favorite beer, drink, and food dish, and the winners will receive trophies. A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales for this event will benefit Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions. All food and beverage samples are included with the price of admission. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage Get into the holiday spirit by buying tickets to “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage,” a presentation that celebrates the timeless TV program and offers plenty of family-friendly fun. The show will take place on December 23 at 7:00 p.m., and it may become your family's new tradition for the holidays. As you watch Linus, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the other characters, you're sure to learn more about the true meaning of Christmas. You can revel in the spirit of the holidays at any of these Casper events. Enjoy mingling with members of your community as you take advantage of the fun festivities. Image via Pixabay.com

Whether you live in Casper or are visiting the area, it's well worth your time to explore the city's many museums. Whether you're an art lover, history buff, or nature enthusiast, there's a museum to suit your tastes. Let's take a look at some of these museums and what they have to offer. 1. The Nicolaysen Art Museum The Nicolaysen Art Museum is home to a vast art collection featuring works by artists ranging from European masters to contemporary artists from Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain region. In 2009, the Nicolaysen received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an honor reserved for only the most prestigious museums in the nation. The museum encourages participation from the community by hosting special exhibits such as art shows featuring work created by local students and the Casper Photography Association. The museum also hosts lectures and workshops, allowing visitors to learn about its diverse collection and art in general. more 2. Fort Caspar Museum At the Fort Caspar Museum, visitors can step back in time to explore a reconstructed 1865 military post. The fort once served as a major crossroads on the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, Pony Express, and transcontinental telegraph trails. The area was also once home to several tribes indigenous to Wyoming, including the Shoshone, Crow, and Lakota. Special exhibits at the museum explain how these tribes and various settlers once lived.  Special events at For Caspar include cooking demonstrations, archeological digs, and battle reenactments. At the Fort Caspar Museum Store, you'll find a variety of unique gifts including handmade Native American crafts. 3. Werner Wildlife Museum The Werner Wildlife Museum allows visitors to explore the natural wonders of Wyoming, as well as creatures that inhabit other areas of the United States, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Since its founding in 1964, the museum's collection has grown to include 400 bird, fish, and mammal specimens. The museum is also home to The Lair, an interactive learning exhibit that kids of all ages can enjoy. Visitors to the museum also have the opportunity to explore gardens, feed birds, and have a pleasant picnic. Special events at the Werner Wildlife Museum include lectures, photography classes, and live animal demonstrations. 4. Tate Geological Museum If you've ever wanted to find out what Wyoming was like in prehistoric times, the Tate Geological Museum is a must-visit. One highlight of the museum's collection is Dee the Mammoth, an 11,600-year-old Columbian Mammoth whose bones were unearthed just north of Glenrock, Wyoming. Dee was carefully reconstructed by Tate staff and is now the star of the Pleistocene exhibit. Another interesting exhibit is the  Mesozoic Marine display. During the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous eras, the land that is now Wyoming was covered with water and home to creatures such as ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and hybodont sharks. These creatures and others are now on display in the Mesozoic Marine section. These are just some of the interesting museums located in Casper. Consider a visit so you can learn about the art, history, and natural treasures of Wyoming. Image via Flickr by jabberwock

If you're visiting Casper in central Wyoming, you won't want to leave without at least exploring some of the most ruggedly beautiful nature in the West. Here are five easy day hikes near Casper where you can jog or walk the trails within an afternoon. 1. Squaw Creek Trail Squaw Creek Trail is about 2 miles southwest of Casper. It's a 3.5-mile hike from end to end for a round trip of 7 miles. It features biking and hiking trails with dog-friendly tracks. The park also houses a dog run where you can let your dog run leash-free. The park is accessible all year-round, weather permitting, and because of its easy inclines and panoramic views, it offers an easy day hike any time of year. more 2. Morad Park Loop Morad Park Loop is a short hiking trail just outside of Casper that circles around to the trailhead in just under a mile. The park is open year-round, and the trail runs right next to a section of the Platte River. You can walk your dog along the trail, and there's a picnic area to relax and enjoy the rugged landscape of Casper. Take your dog for a run in the off-leash dog area, or your family can get out on the trail on your bikes. 3. Fliprock Trail Fliprock Trail is part of Rotary Park and Casper Mountain and sits just south of Casper at the base of the mountain. Fliprock Trail is about 3 miles all the way around the loop, and it's a great trail for all different difficulty levels of hiking. The trail runs through the forest of Casper Mountain, and if you want to explore further, you can make your way to Garden Creek Falls, where you can enjoy the picturesque waterfalls or picnic in the many recreation areas. 4. Bridle Trail Split Rock Loop Bridle Trail is also a part of the Rotary Park trail system. The 5-mile trail features easy and moderate hiking spots with a 1,200-foot rise in elevation, which offers beautiful views of Garden Creek Falls. For more easy-going hiking, you can stay on the short end of the loop on the west side of the park. To hike the whole loop, plan for at least three to four hours. The trailhead is in Rotary Park, so plan for a picnic to make this an all-day event. 5. Muddy Mountain Loop Trail Muddy Mountain is another looped trail system that's situated on the southern side of Casper Mountain. The trail is about 3.5 miles around the loop and is perfect for every skill level of hiking. You can bring your mountain bike for some easy to moderate riding. Camp overnight at Muddy Mountain's camping area where your dog is welcome too, as long as you keep it on a leash. Many of these parks are local to the Casper area and part of the national and state park system. With so many easy day hikes around, you're sure to find some amazing spots for a relaxing stroll or invigorating run wherever you turn. Image via Pixabay.com