Bisbee’s historic district is one of the finest examples of early 20th century American cities anywhere. Just walking around will pull you back in time more than a hundred years.
For reasons I cannot explain, Bisbee has some of the very best restaurants in Southern Arizona. Fortuitously, Bisbee also has a couple of fine old hotels. The Hotel San Ramón is one.
I have had the pleasure of staying in many historical hotels & inns, including European castles. Considering their antiquity, travelers have to decide if the experience of living temporarily in a relic is worth doing without certain modern amenities and putting up with a few quirks & inconveniences.
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Just about every time I have gone to Bisbee over the past year I have tried to dine at Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant. However, something always managed to spoil my plans…until last week.I had heard a lot of positive comments about Santiago’s as I wandered Old Bisbee taking photographs and talking with the natives. Now I know why. Just walking in the front door will put a smile on your face. The interior is light and colorful, even playful. Very Mexican in the best possible sense. Santiago’s is a happy place.
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Bisbee Enclave is a beautiful and useful website about dining, lodging, upcoming events, and things to see and do in historic Old Bisbee.
Bisbee Enclave is published by local musician Becky Reyes and local photographer Charlene Mitchell. You can view more of Charlene’s extraordinary photography at EvokingImages.com.
In this pictoral slideshow you will find colorful scenics in and around Bisbee, Arizona describing what is so unique about this old copper mining town.
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A self-guided tour of some of the unique and colorful homes, historic and otherwise around the downtown area of Bisbee
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I stayed overnight at the Eldorado Suites Hotel in Bisbee, but did not encounter any ghosts. Nor was I promised any such encounters. Lots of places in Bisbee are “said” to be haunted. The historic old Grand Hotel on Main Street, for example. Lindsey, the bartender there described to me several otherworldly “events” she had personally experienced. Spooky.
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This is a very fine historic hotel. It features a private courtyard with patio seating & BBQ in back and panoramic views of the city from its long balconies in front.
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The best thing about the Inn at Castle Rock is not the funky, yet comfortable rooms, nor the rustic café, nor even the view from the balconies. No, not even its history. These are all well & good. But the best thing about the Inn At Castle Rock is Chef Hazel.
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I was given a tour of the Inn At Castle Rock recently. What a delightful old hotel. Built for local miners in 1895 by the first mayor of Bisbee, the Inn has 14 comfortably furnished rooms, all with their own theme: Asian, Geronimo, Sultan’s Harem … you get the idea. “Eclectic” would be a gross understatement. Somewhere between quaint and quirky. But none so outlandish that I would describe it as “kinky”.
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I played golf with Gary & Gini for years. They are serious golfers. NO GIMMES. NO MULLIGANS. (Damn. Elevated my handicap from a 12 to a 22.) They have a good eye for two things golf. (1) Quality play. (2) Cheap green fees. They are now retired CPA’s but can still pinch a penny. They have recommended to me, and now you, Turquoise Valley Golf Course. I trust their judgment in such matters. I looked on the map. It was easy to figure out why Turquoise Valley is inexpensive. It’s 12 miles south of Bisbee and 12 steps to the Mexican border. Do have the good sense to stay out of Mexico. There’s a nasty little war going on across the border. … Continue reading
I had breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club. Every local I talked to recommended the place, so I felt compelled to test it out. The locals were right. Nothing fancy, but breakfast in Bisbee. Definitely. January 1, 2012 Update. Bisbee Breakfast Club just opened a new restaurant in Tucson at 4131 W. Ina Road. It will be interesting to compare their breakfasts with Old Pueblo standards such as the Blue Willow on Campbell. Neighbor Roy and I will have to check them out soon. … Continue reading
Take a tour of the Copper Queen Mine with Pete, one of the original Phelps Dodge employees at this mine. After close to 100 years of production the Bisbee mines closed in 1975.
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Copper, lots of copper, once made Bisbee the biggest, most prosperous city between St. Louis and San Francisco. The Director of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a long-time resident, shares her sense of this grand city of the Old West. Visiting Bisbee is like going back in time more than a hundred years.
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I’ve stayed overnight in Tombstone and Bisbee several times. I have not discovered any accommodations as fine as Joy’s Calumet & Arizona Guest House.
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The Copper Queen Hotel still stands majestic after more than 100 years.
Worth a look around the lobby and saloon. Relax with a drink on the front patio. Take a Ghost Tour.
11 Howell Ave.; Bisbee, AZ 85603
I have tried to dine at Rosa’s Little Italy, but circumstances didn’t allow me to make reservations. BIG MISTAKE! Rosa’s is only open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The place is packed. No reservation, no luck. I have yet to ask Bisbee locals for dining recommendations and not have them mention Rosa’s Little Italy. Next time I’m in Bisbee, I will definitely make a reservation and find out what all the fuss is about. 7 Bisbee Rd Bisbee, AZ 85603. 520-432-1331. Fridays & Saturdays: 5PM to 9PM Sundays: 5PM to 8PM
July, 2011 Is Cafe’ Roka the best restaurant in Baja Arizona? You decide. But I’ll tell you this little story. Mr. Woodry and I have been dear friends for well over 40 years. He was my first supervisor on my first job after I graduated. Since then we have traveled extensively together and experienced some of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris. One night, we stayed at the Copper Queen Hotel in Old Bisbee and made reservations to dine at what we were told was, not only the best restaurant in Bisbee, but the best restaurant in the Western World…Cafe’ Roka. To be sure, we had our doubts, but off we went with high expectations. I ordered lamb chops. Mr. Woodry ordered salmon. Both were artistically presented by an attentive waiter. The wine was excellent. Was it the best lamb chop dinner I ever had. … Continue reading
