Bisbee

The quirky charms of Bisbee are best experienced on foot. Park the car and spend the day exploring this prideful little town that was an active mining center until the 1970s. Bisbee’s creative nature is on display today in the galleries and shops that line its crooked streets. Most routes to Bisbee pass through Tombstone, giving visitors a two-for-one glimpse into Arizona’s Wild West heritage. Make it a three-fer by visiting nearby Lowell, a quizzical little place with one street staged to capture the vibe of its 1950s heyday.

Discover the Origin Story

Miners searching for copper discovered that the Mule Mountains were rich in silver and gold, too. They also found veins of turquoise that were aptly named Bisbee Blue. See how mining built this bustling city in the late 1800s at the Copper Queen Mine. Visitors get equipped with mining lanterns and helmets before taking the single-file train 1,500 feet into the mine. Tours are led by former mine workers who relive stories that may or may not be slightly reimagined. Displays at Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum recount the stories of the untamed frontier town’s heyday just as it happened. Visitors can drive just south of town to viewpoints that overlook the massive open-pit mine.

Mingle with Locals

When the mines closed, the arts community kept Bisbee from fading away as a ghost town. For generations, visitors have come to walk the historic town in search of local and regional art. Today, galleries and antique stores fill historic storefronts, each run by welcoming locals. Legendary saloons operate in the Brewery Gulch wing of town, where visitors can have a drink at St. Elmo’s and Room 4 Bar — Arizona’s oldest and smallest bars. Explore side streets (be prepared to climb a lot of stairs) to see the murals, art alleys and bungalows clinging to hillsides.

Find Unique Places to Stay

Stay the night in what once was the most opulent hotel in the region. Copper Queen Hotel is the centerpiece of Bisbee’s historic district and has kept its early-1900s elegance intact. Explore side streets to find former mining bunkhouses converted into one-of-a-kind hotels and historic homes converted into bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals. Just outside of town, Shady Dell captures the free-spirited nature of Bisbee. Rent an Airstream at this vintage trailer court and set up home base to explore this wonderful corner of Arizona.

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