It is common that college towns tend to come with traditions or things you simply “must do” before leaving town after graduation. Laramie definitely comes with its very own set of “must dos,” which does a great job of showcasing the uniqueness of our little town.
1. Try Pad Thai Fries
One of the best spots in Laramie for quality bar and grill food is the Crowbar. Not only does it have the best burgers and pizza slices in town, but it is also the home of the famous Pad Thai fries. The truth is that these specialty fries aren’t for everyone, but they are definitely something that must be tried by everyone before leaving Laramie. It truly is a rite of passage into the Laramie community.
2. Dancing at The Buck
Seeing The Buck on this list might have made some of you cringe, but the fact of the matter is, The Buck is an integral part of the Laramie community and holds historic value. Much like Pad Thai fries were a general rite of passage, The Buck is a rite of passage for those that just turned 21. It wouldn’t really be an official Thirsty Thursday without a quick visit to one of the three dance floors in The Buck. While it has its downsides, The Buck is a solid place to go with some friends and spend the night dancing.
3. Throwing a Pine Cone into the T-Rex Mouth
This is one of the biggest traditions known campus-wide and it is definitely something every member of the UW community should do. The legend goes that if you throw a pinecone into the mouth of the T-Rex statue outside of the Geology building, you will have good luck on your finals. There may be no way to really tell if this actually works, but it is worth a shot trying out. So, next time you find yourself by the Geology building, grab a pinecone and give it a toss.
4. Spend a summer in Laradise
The long winters in Laramie are enough to send anyone running, but the summers in Laramie are gorgeous enough to change their minds. Not only is the weather perfect for outdoor activities like hiking Medicine Bow, but there are always fun events going on as well. For example, every year there are summer farmer’s markets, as well as street dances and live music almost weekly. Another plus is the number of people, or lack thereof, in town. Put all of these things together and you will have an unforgettable experience.
5. Attend Union Fest
Union Fest is something that happens every year and is a great way to celebrate the community of UW. It also comes at the end of the semester, which is the perfect time for a fun event like Union Fest. They host activities in the afternoon, as well as a de-stressor at night to help with the finals week stress everyone faces. Regardless of what year of college you are in, you need to stop by Union Fest before the end of your college career.
6. Eat at Sweet Melissa’s
Sweet Melissa’s is a staple in the Laramie community for the fact that it is an actual vegan/vegetarian café. Along with that unique fact, they have some really amazing food to offer as well. It may be difficult to get every member of your family on board to try a place that only serves meals without meat, but once they try it, they won’t regret it. Also, not to mention, they have some of the best chocolate cake I have had in awhile and it too is vegan.
