CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne Frontier Days Midway has no shortage of festival rides. From funhouses to swinging chairs to Ferris wheels, adults and children of all ages can find joy in at least one of the contraptions set up for this week’s rodeo.
Although CFD offers attendees the option of a $40 day pass to experience every ride to their heart’s content, some families will opt to purchase tickets instead (though, on Wednesday, wrist bands are discounted to $35 for Laramie County residents for Cheyenne Day). Then it becomes a measuring game: Which rides are worth the cost of admission?
I went on 10 rides at the Midway on Tuesday to find out which of them were most deserving of my time — and screams. I’ve been obsessed with amusement rides since I was a child, and I don’t think that youthful enthusiasm has quite yet washed away. I assessed rides on multiple factors such as length, intensity and uniqueness.
However, these recommendations are not just based on my sole opinion. To be sure, I also spoke with kids and parents to find out what their favorite rides at the park are.
The following is a list of noteworthy attractions to check out at CFD.
Best family ride — Alpine Bobs

Don’t underestimate Bob. I saw the long line for this attraction and didn’t initially get the appeal — riders move around in a circle as they rock up and down along a ramp. It seemed like a leisurely joyride with decent thrills. However, looks can be deceiving.
The Alpine Bob actually bolts you around much more quickly than it appears as an outside observer. The cart also moves on a path that fluctuates between an incline and a decline, which makes you feel like you’re jumping out of the seat. The best part of the ride, though, is that it also takes you for a whirl backwards. This attraction is probably the longest I went on in terms of duration, and every second was very enjoyable.
This is a ride that can be enjoyed by a broad age group. Multiple attendees around the Midway — parents, teens and tweens — told me this was one of their favorite rides. It’s also a great option for people who aren’t into heights, as Bob races riders around at ground level.
Best ‘spinny’ ride — Zero Gravity

Everybody knows about the “spinny” rides: They’re the ones likely to result in lost phones and sunglasses, as well as knotted stomachs.
Several rides on the Midway fit into this “spinny” category, where you are spun around so fast that your brain tosses and turns. That’s how I felt with Zero Gravity, so much so that a young girl next to me asked me if I was OK as the ride was dialing down. For this attraction, riders press their backs against the inside wall of a cylinder. When the structure begins violently spinning, everyone inside hugs tightly to the wall thanks to the laws of physics.
This is the only ride I went on that made me feel physically sick; the contraption spins so fast I felt like my neck was being craned backward. As its name suggests, Zero Gravity really makes you feel like an astronaut in training to withstand the g-force.
Best overall attraction — Kamikaze

I rode this twice, just to make sure this was the attraction I was going to award the esteemed “Best Overall” title. Don’t take my word for it, though: Everyone I talked to at the park said the Kamikaze was one of the best attractions — if not the best attraction — they tried out.
After being strapped to seats, riders swing in a pendulum motion. The pendulum will often rotate upside down in a clockwork motion, but sometimes it will stop at just the right angle where you’re suspended upside down, or nearly so.
The Kamikaze may not be the fastest ride in the park, but it may be the most intimidating. It’s one of those rides you dare your parents to go on because you want to see someone freak out as they are suspended from their seat 50 feet in the air. This ride solicited the most screams on the both times I rode it. It’s also paced exquisitely; it’s not too short, but it also doesn’t outstay its welcome.
But don’t be mistaken; these three attractions are not the only rides you should check out on the CFD Midway. The following are a few honorable mentions:
- Spinout: Another “spinny” ride worth your tickets.
- Vertigo: Who doesn’t love swing rides? Also, you get a great view of the city.
- Super Shot: This is one of those “tower drop” rides not for the faint of heart. I am personally not a fan of heights, but this attraction wraps up quickly. Plus, if you’re with friends or family, snagging a photo of someone after the drop will make the ride worth it.


Attendees can purchase tickets for rides at various booths in or around the Midway. To purchase a wristband for unlimited ride access, visit the ticket office located right next to the main gate.