Here are some of our recommendations for Things To Do In Bisbee, AZ plus Lodging, Dining, History, Events, and lots of photographs. You will be amazed and delighted at how little Bisbee has changed since it’s mining days, other than the mining, of course.

Colored Postcard of Bisbee, AZ circa 1905. Courtesy of Goose Flats Graphics & Publishing, Tombstone, AZ.

Colored Postcard of Bisbee, AZ circa 1905. Courtesy of Goose Flats Graphics & Publishing, Tombstone, AZ.

Things To Do

Bisbee is a mining town or was. Like many mining towns, it is situated up against a steep hill. Walking the streets of Bisbee is a journey back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Just exploring the shops, restaurants, galleries, and other establishments housed in these fine old buildings is a pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon. Visit the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and the Muheim Heritage House.

Take a Golf Cart Tour of the city. Much easier on the knees than walking and get a good dose of history to boot! There are also jeep tours of the historic district and mines.
The primary historic district includes Main Street, Brewery Gulch, OK Street, Tombstone Canyon, and much of the surrounding hillsides.
Bisbee has several fine art galleries and antique shops. A lot of folks go there just to people-watch. One might describe Bisbee’s hippy & biker inhabitants as “colorful”. The old saloons, such as St. Elmo’s along Brewery Gulch, are good places to make acquaintance with the indigenous population.

I have generally found Bisbee-ites of all stripes to be friendly and helpful. More than anything, Bisbee is a pleasant state of mind: laid-back, a little quirky, but with a definite sense of community. The people who live here really want to be here.

Bisbee’s History

Bisbee was resurrected from the ashes of the Mining Industry into an Arts Community. The Queen Mine, Bisbee’s largest employer, closed in 1975 and opened for tourism in 1976. In its hey day in the early 1900’s Bisbee was one of the largest towns between St. Louis and San Francisco. Bisbee is really two cities. The Warren District was where the employers lived and old town was the home of the miners. It is the Center of Bisbee Tourism today. Visit the Bisbee MIning and Historical Museum for a good look at Bisbee’s history. It was the Corporate Offices of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company. It sits in front of the Copper Queen Hotel, another piece of history.

The Bisbee Massacre is about a robbery in 1883 that went bad … real bad.
In 1917 one of the most egregious violations of workers’ rights was perpetrated on the people of Bisbee. It is called The Bisbee Deportation.
For other stories of Bisbee’s History visit here.

Bisbee’s Attractions

Bisbee’s main attractions are the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and the Queen Mine Tour.

Watch these videos on some of Bisbee’s Attractions.
Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and Meet Pete on the Queen Mine Tour.
Stay at the Calumet and Arizona Bed & Breakfast in the Warren District.
Have a 5 Star Hot Dog at Jimmy’s Hot Dog Company.

Eldorado Suites Hotel: Bisbee, AZ

Eldorado Suites Hotel: Bisbee, AZ

Lodging Recommendations

Hotel San Ramon, wonderfully restored, excellent service and attention to detail.
The Calumet & Arizona Guesthouse is a fine Bed & Breakfast located in the Warren District two miles south of Old Town Bisbee. In this video, you will meet Joy Timbers, the proprietor.

Eldorado Hotel Suites
The Eldorado is 12 roomy suites located on OK Street. The front suites overlook Brewery Gulch. Very comfortable.
Inn at Castle Rock. As quirky as the town itself. A fun experience.
The Copper City Inn is a fine addition to the Bisbee Hotel group. See the Review.
Other Bisbee Lodging Reviews You May Find Useful.
Bisbee Grand Hotel
Copper Queen Hotel A piece of history.

Here is a page and a map to all of our Lodging Reviews!

Dining Recommendations

Santiago's Restaurant Bisbee

The Bar at Santiago’s Mexican Restauant, Bisbee.

Bisbee has some of the best restaurants in all of Southern Arizona. Of the 9 Southern Arizona Restaurants that we rate 5-Saguaro (Best of the Best), three are in Bisbee. For our Bisbee Dining Reviews, click here.

Bisbee Slideshows

Bisbee is extremely photogenic. Take your camera and see what compelling images you can capture. See our slideshows below.

Other Bisbee Resources

Cochise County Tourism Council
Bisbee Chamber of Commerce
Bisbee Visitors Center
City of Bisbee

Reading Recommendations

First there is Miss Karen’s Favorite:
Going Back to Bisbee by Richard Shelton. It is the story of a professor’s trip back to Bisbee after many years. Scenic and memorable, if you know Cochise County, you will recognize many places.
One of Bisbee’s Best Selling authors is J.A. Jance. She has a room named for her in the Copper Queen Hotel. Jance is famous for the Joanna Brady novels, a series of books about the Sheriff of Cochise County. Ms. Jance uses Cochise County and Bisbee as a backdrop for her detective novels. Quite entertaining, especially if you know the area. The Brady novels begin with this one: Desert Heat (Joanna Brady Mysteries)