If you really want to get to know a region of the country, it’s important to explore off the beaten path. Also, when able, do not stay at the chain hotels.

One example is visiting Newcastle, Wyoming, which is a perfect jump-off point for exploring the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, Needles Highway, and Devil’s Tower. Just to name a few.

One of the best places to stay in Newcastle is The Sundowner Inn. It’s local. It’s charming. It’s run by people who actually care about their guests and want them to have the best experience possible.

The Sundowner Inn in Newcastle, Wyoming, is the oldest continuously operational hotel in the town. Originally built in 1916, this family-owned property has been carefully preserved to maintain its historic, western charm while offering modern comforts to travelers exploring the nearby Black Hills.

This is a family-owned business.

Newcastle, Wyoming, was founded in 1889 as a frontier boomtown driven by the railroad, coal, and oil industries. Today, the seat of Weston County balances its frontier cowboy culture with active mineral extraction and regional tourism in the Black Hills.

The town still features the Antlers Hotel, a structure built in 1890 that served as the original county courthouse before being converted to lodging.

If you open a map from Newcastle and look at all that you are close to, you’ll find the town to be the perfect place to explore the wonders of eastern Wyoming and Western South Dakota.

The locals can recommend sights that are not tourist traps, but reflect the true modern culture and history of the region.

Scroll down to see Wyoming’s amazing train museum.

Inside The Cars At The Douglas Wyoming Train Museum

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods