On a recent trip to Tucson, I spent a day traveling through the rugged hills of southeastern Arizona to check out two old western towns. Tombstone and Bisbee offer two distinct but complementary glimpses into the American Southwest. Just 30 miles apart, these former boomtowns share roots in the late 19th century. However, each has evolved in a dramatically different way. Today, Tombstone is a living monument to the Wild West, while Bisbee is a quirky arts enclave with a bohemian vibe. Together, they make for a fascinating journey through history, culture, and desert landscapes.
Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die
Tombstone, located 75 miles southeast of Tucson, offers visitors an opportunity to step back into the lawless days of the Old West. The town, known as “the town too tough to die,” was founded by a prospector named Ed Schiefflin in 1879. He left nearby Fort Huachuca, ignoring warnings that he would only find his “tombstone” if he ventured into the wilderness, and discovered rich silver ore, naming his first claim Tombstone. He eventually made 19 different claims before selling them to Consolidated Mining.
The town grew rapidly, attracting thousands of fortune seekers, followed by dozens of mines, numerous saloons, gambling and dance halls and brothels. By 1881 it had a population of 15,000, with several hundred mining claims in the area eventually producing over $40 million in silver bullion (equivalent to over $1.4 billion today). Tombstone became one of America’s most notorious frontier towns, with its legacy tied to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, the legendary 1881 shootout involving Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, and Doc Holliday. When silver prices eventually fell, the town began to die as mines were sealed shut. Today, it has been resurrected as a tourist attraction, presenting visitors with a taste of the old wild west.
Boothill Graveyard – As we entered Tombstone, we made our first stop at the Boothill graveyard, possibly the most famous old western cemetery in the world. The name comes from the number of men who died with their boots on. Weathered headstones mark the resting places of outlaws and pioneers, such as Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury, and John Heath, who was the mastermind behind the robbery that resulted in the Bisbee Massacre. Notable women are also buried here, including China Mary who ruled the town’s Chinese neighborhood. Dutch Annie, “Queen of the Red Light District,” was a popular madam who gave to many worthy causes and men down on their luck.
Once in town, we walked along the wooden boardwalks of Allen Street, where saloons, and period-costumed actors recreate the feel of a 19th-century boomtown. The O.K. Corral hosts daily reenactments of the famous gunfight, bringing the town’s dramatic history to life. We went inside the Bird Cage Theater, once a notorious gambling hall and saloon, riddled with bullet holes to this day. The fixtures are all authentic since the theater survived numerous fires. Here, we learned about the various offerings of entertainment, some of it colorful, such as masquerade balls, magic shows, comedy shows, wrestling competitions, and even drag shows. Balcony cribs were curtained rooms above the main floor used by sex workers during performances.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park – A block off Allen Street on East Toughnut Street stands the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. It is housed in the old county courthouse, a red brick building designed in the Victorian style, constructed in 1882. Inside, visitors can learn about the history of Tombstone, with exhibits exploring the town’s legal battles, mining era, ranching, famous residents, and frontier justice.
Good Enough Silver Mine – Our last stop was the Good Enough Silver Mine, Tombstone’s major silver producer, and one of many mines that were active throughout Tombstone between the late 19th century and early 20th century. Our guide was a middle aged man with a scruffy beard who looked the part of a real miner. After an introduction and history of the town, we donned hard hats and headed down the stairs to the manmade cave, it’s cool temperature offering a respite from the 100 degree heat outside. The miners followed the ore wherever it went, resulting in twisting passages in all directions both horizontally and vertically. As we followed the passages, we were occasionally led to large rooms with soaring ceilings. We learned about the intense process for mining silver, including the 12 hour working shifts by candlelight, the drilling of dynamite holes in the rock by hand, and the process for removing ore and debris.
Visitors can enjoy a multitude of other attractions while in Tombstone, including numerous restaurants and saloons, dinner theater, trolley tours, a western theme park and ghost tours. There are numerous lodging options within and near Tombstone.
Bisbee: From Mining Town to Arts Haven
After a few hours in Tombstone, we headed thirty minutes southeast to Bisbee, a unique destination in the Mule Mountains near the Mexican border with a creative spirit and a bohemian vibe. Founded in the 1880s, Bisbee became a booming mining town by the early 20th century. The area thrived on rich reserves of copper, silver, gold, zinc, lead and manganese. By 1910, the town, the largest between St. Louis and San Francisco, had a population of 20,000 people and was considered one of the most cultured cities in the west. As the industries eventually died, most of the residents left. Today, the town is significantly smaller, numbering about 5,000 people. In the mid 20th century, the town was reinvented as a tourist and arts hub, and today, its steep, winding streets and well-preserved Victorian architecture provide a striking backdrop for a thriving arts scene.
Old Bisbee – The historic downtown area—known as Old Bisbee—is a compact area full of character, where narrow streets, staircases, and historic brick buildings create a unique atmosphere. Old Bisbee is filled with art galleries, boutiques, wine bars, vintage shops, gem and jewelry stores, cafés and historic lodges tucked into hillside buildings. Street art, murals, staircases, and hidden courtyards invite exploration, while panoramic viewpoints reveal sweeping desert vistas.
Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum – We spent an hour at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum located in Old Bisbee. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, and tells the story of Bisbee’s copper mining history, its role in the industrialization of America, and its transformation over time. The museum includes fascinating interactive displays, as well as beautiful displays of a variety of colorful minerals.
Copper Queen Mine Tour – One of Bisbee’s top attractions is the Copper Queen Mine Tour. The former copper mine allows visitors to ride a mine train 1,500 feet into the mountain and learn about the lives of the miners who built Bisbee’s fortune. The mine had produced over 8 billion pounds of copper, 77 million ounces of silver and 3 million ounces of gold prior to it closing in 1975. Above the mine is the Discover Bisbee Visitor Center, and a museum provides historic exhibits of the mining industry. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to this attraction as it was sold out, even during a light tourist day. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Lowell – We drove just outside Bisbee to the tiny ghost town community of Lowell, a place where time appears to have stopped in the mid-20th century. I have nostalgia for all things retro, and this was a perfect place to explore. Lowell was a neighborhood on the outskirts of Bisbee and thriving mining community. By the 1950’s, as open-pit copper operations expanded and encroached on the area, the neighborhood was largely abandoned. After residents relocated, much of the community was left frozen in place. Today, Lowell’s main street (Erie Street) has been carefully restored to reflect its heyday of the 1940s and 1950s. The buildings, storefronts and streets have been preserved almost exactly as they were decades ago.
While Lowell draws visitors from around the world, we were the only people present, making the ghost town label even more relevant. We walked up and down quiet Erie Street, peaking inside abandoned gas stations and retro storefronts that held classic signage, advertisements and relics like old soda vending machines. Vintage cars and buses lined the street offering a nostalgic glimpse into America’s past. The quiet, almost cinematic atmosphere makes it feel like stepping onto a movie set—and a perfect spot for photographers and instagrammers. There are some actual open establishments, including an antique store, and Bisbee Breakfast Club, a classic diner serving favorites like chicken fried steak, grilled cheese, and biscuits and gravy. Nearby, the Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court offers decked out trailers like Airstreams available to rent. On site is Dots Café and Dashes Bar serving comfort food and colorful cocktails.
Lavender Pit – The Lavender Pit is a massive former open pit copper mine located between Bisbee and Lowell off Highway 80. The pit was opened by the Phelps Dodge Corporation in 1950, and is 900 feet deep, covering an area of 300 acres. Production through 1974 totaled 86 million tons of ore, and produced 600,000 tons of copper as well as the by product of turquoise, known as Bisbee blue. A visitor parking area is located off the highway offering views directly into the pit.
Two Towns, One Memorable Journey
Visiting both Bisbee and Tombstone reveals two sides of Arizona’s frontier legacy. Tombstone is lies in a flat landscape, with wide streets and leans heavily into its Wild West identity. Bisbee on the other hand, is tucked into hillsides, with winding streets lining Victorian style stone and brick buildings. Its creative revival and hillside charm contrasts nicely with Tombstone’s theatrical, history-driven appeal. Together, they offer a rich blend of culture, history, and atmosphere. For those exploring southern Arizona, pairing these two towns creates an unforgettable journey into the past—one that still feels very much alive today.
Getting There
Getting to Tombstone and Bisbee is relatively easy. The most common route begins in Tucson, where it’s about a one hour drive southeast to Tombstone via Interstate 10 and State Route 80, passing through classic Sonoran Desert landscapes along the way. Bisbee is another 30 minutes from Tombstone, using State Route 80. Travelers can also fly into Tucson International Airport and rent a car for the drive, or arrive via Phoenix—about three hours away—for more flight options. Having your own vehicle offers the greatest flexibility to explore both towns and the surrounding region at your own pace.
Once you arrive, getting around is simple and enjoyable. Tombstone is compact and easily walkable, especially along Allen Street, where most of the town’s historic attractions, shops, and restaurants are located. Bisbee, by contrast, is more spread out and built into steep hillsides, so walking is best suited to specific areas like Old Bisbee, while driving (or using local shuttles) helps connect different parts of town. The short 30-minute drive between Tombstone and Bisbee makes it easy to visit both in a single trip.