Fort Cody Trading Post In North Platte – A Must-Stop On I-80
From two-headed calves to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West diorama, Fort Cody in North Platte blends history, fun, and Old West flair. Free and family-friendly.
Jul 13, 2025675 Shares11.4K Views
📍 Location And Overview
Fort Cody Trading Post is located at 221 Halligan Drive in North Platte, Nebraska, right next to Interstate 80 and Highway 83. It has become one of Nebraska’s most visited roadside attractions. With its wooden stockade-style exterior, the place looks like an Old West fort. The trading post is a mix of gift shop, museum, and outdoor display area, offering something interesting for all ages.
🏠 History And Background
Fort Cody was established in 1963by Royce Henline and Irwin “Doc” Dunlap. The original shop was smaller and located on the old US Highway 30. In 1968, the business moved to its current location near I‑80 to attract travelers on the new interstate. It has remained in the same family for three generations and continues to welcome visitors year-round.
🎭 Wild West Miniature Show & Museum
One of the main attractions inside Fort Cody is the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in Miniatureexhibit. This display contains over 20,000 hand-carved wooden figures, set up to show scenes from Buffalo Bill’s traveling shows. The exhibit runs automatically every 30 minutes, with lights, moving parts, and sound effects. The museum section also includes old posters, costumes, and real artifacts related to Buffalo Bill and the American West.
🛍️ Gift Shop And Unique Items
Fort Cody is also known for its large and colorful gift shop. Visitors can buy cowboy hats, T-shirts, toys, local snacks, books, and handmade jewelry. The shop features quirky items like a two-headed calf (taxidermy), a cowboy mannequin with an arrow in his behind, and other humorous touches that make people stop and take photos. It’s a fun place to explore, even if you’re just passing through.
🌵 Outdoor Fort Area
Behind the main building is a fenced outdoor area made to look like a frontier fort. It includes covered wagons, a log cabin, a teepee, and a jail cell. Kids and adults can walk around and take photos. In the summer, Fort Cody also hosts live music and community events in this outdoor space. The Fort Cody Summer Music Seriesbrings local bands and visitors together in a casual, family-friendly setting.
⏰ Hours And Visitor Info
Fort Cody Trading Post is open year-round. Summer hours are typically 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while winter hours may be shorter. It is closed on major holidays. There is no admission fee, and most visitors spend about 1–2 hours there. The site has public restrooms, easy parking, and is wheelchair accessible.
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