Tombstone and Bisbee


Tombstone & Bisbee are two old mining towns an hour and a half and two hours southeast of Tucson. Both are major destinations in their own right.

Here the history of the Old West is palpable. Tombstone, of course, is world-famous for the 1881 Gunfight at the OK Corral. Bisbee’s old town is a classic example of a thriving mining camp that became an unbelievably prosperous little city in the middle of a vast desert.

There is no way to enjoy Tombstone and Bisbee in one day. We recommend two days at least. And if you have the time, we recommend several outstanding side trips, such as Kartchner Caverns and Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Couple of suggestions:

  • In Tombstone, you will be tempted to pay $10 per person to see the reenactment of the Gunfight At The OK Corral. Save the $10 and rent either Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp or Kurt Russell’s Tombstone.
  • If you want to know the real history of Tombstone, and not just the tourist version, call ahead for a reservation on Dr. Jay’s Walking Tour.   A two hour stroll into the town’s infamous past. Delightful! And ‘NO”. The Gunfight at the OK Corral did not happen at the OK Corral. [See our video]
  • If you’re looking for excitement, try to arrange your visit to Tombstone on a day when Tombstone Vigilante’s and Vigilettes are in the middle of Allen Street recreating the Old West: Helldorado Days; Wyatt Earp Days; Vigilante Days; etc. Check our Events Calendar.
  • In Old Bisbee, at the very least, visit the Bisbee Mining & History Museum and The  Copper Queen Mine Tour. You can view a video of each on this website. And then either walk or drive up into the hills above the old town just for the history and the view.
  • Like Tombstone, Bisbee puts on several special events during the year. Brewery Gulch Days; Bisbee Blues Festival; etc. Check our Events Calendar and try to time your visit accordingly.

Tombstone Times Monthy Publication

Our thanks to Keith Davis of Goose Flats Graphics and Janice Hendricks of the Tombstone Times for providing historic photographs of Tombstone and Bisbee. We will be using more of these priceless images in upcoming features. You can subscribe to the Monthly Tombstone Times! Receive the Tombstone Times paper edition in your mailbox for one full year. That’s 12 issues full of facts, fun and useful information from the “Town Too Tough to Die”. 1 Year U.S. Subscription – $24.00 2 Year U.S. Subscription – $44.00 1 Year Canada or Mexico Subscription-$29.00 2 Year Canada or Mexico Subscription-$56.00 1 Year … Continue reading