CODY — For the second consecutive year, Cody has been named a “Top Western Town” by the editors of True West magazine. The Irma Hotel was also recognized as one of the “Best Who Slept Here” hotels for the second year in a row.

“I guess our roots are showing, but in a good way,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of the Park County Travel Council. “We embrace our Western heritage and always do our best to remain faithful to our goal of authenticity.”

Founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the town has been a destination for many generations of travelers seeking a Western experience as well as those on their way to or from Yellowstone National Park. The Cody region is known for its rodeo, dude/guest ranches, fly fishing, museums (including the Smithsonian-affiliated Buffalo Bill Center of the West) and more. In recent years the region has become well-known for its recreational offerings with hiking, camping, rock climbing and horseback riding in warm weather and skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice climbing in winter.

The Irma was built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill Cody and named after his daughter. Historic rooms include those used by Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Frederic Remington and Cody himself.

Cody has garnered numerous other awards and media accolades recently. For example, the city was named one of the top rafting destinations in the U.S. by Newsweek, Best Small Towns in the West by USA Today, Top Small Town Arts Scenes and a  top art town by Travel + Leisure. Additionally, the Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West was named the Best Art Museum in the U.S. by Newsweek. Cody’s Sippin’ Trail prompted USA Today to name Cody the Best Small Town Beer Scene.