Tombstone Arizona things to do

Visit Tombstone, Arizona: A Town in the Heart of the American West

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Today we talk about Tombstone, an American town of the Old West, where you can walk among old saloons and gunslingers and relive the Gold Rush and the Wild West. Here’s some information about how to organize a visit and what to see in Tombstone.

On the Way to Tombstone…

After visiting the Grand Canyon carved by the Colorado River and the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, we headed south and passed through Phoenix and Tucson. Along the way,  as we crossed the Sonoran Desert, we saw the famous saguaro cactus,  which can grow up to 70 ft tall and has a slender shape and arms, and the Organ Pipe Cactus, another cactus typically found in rocky deserts, that looks like a set of arms reaching for the sky. best things to do in tombstoneWe drove to Tombstone, in Cochise County, named after the famous Native American chief of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. Let’s not forget that Geronimo also lived here and that a quarter of Arizona is made up of Indian reservations.

Here in south-central Arizona, the climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and winters are mild during the day and cold at night. Tombstone, a small town with a little over 1,300 inhabitants, is located at about 4,600 ft above sea level and is 29 miles from the Mexican border.

Therefore, it is not surprising that 20% of Arizona residents speak Spanish as their native language, and it is also not surprising that from time to time, law enforcement checks are conducted along the road along the border.

What happened in Tombstone?

What happened in Tombstone?Tombstone was founded in 1879 and was originally famous for its silver mines, but now it attracts tourists because of its western charm and its Wild West atmosphere. Do you remember the scenes from the movies of the same name? If so, then the historic district of Tombstone will look familiar.

When walking under the wooden arcades, one may wonder if the people passing by are all characters that are part of the setting or if they are people who have dressed up for fun. Some ladies wear long dresses with lace trimmings, the gentlemen wear traditional embroidered suits, while some cowboys wearing stetsons cross the road (partially paved to maintain the dust effect) with swagger.

Tombstone’s motto is “The town too tough to die“. In fact, after centuries of history, visitors now appreciate its history, culture, and architecture.Tombstone OK CorralWe believe that this is one of the most authentic Old West towns left in the United States. History was on the streets of Tombstone by legends such as Virgil Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday 130 years ago, who were the protagonists of the shootout that took place on October 26, 1881 against bandits like Ike Clanton and the Mc Laury brothers.

This episode is remembered as the gunfight at the O.K. Corral along Fremont Street. At that time, near the rear entrance of the O.K.Corral, there was the horse shelter. The building still exists today and the entrance is located along Allen Street, the main street of Tombstone.

This area of the historic district is now the tourist and commercial heart of Tombstone where you can also find other notable buildings such as the town hall, the courthouse with the gallows for hangings, and various saloons.

Shopping in Tombstone

Tombstone Arizona things to doThe gallows and the courthouse are preserved as museums. For shopping, we recommend the Desert Eagle Trading Post (411 E. Allen St.) while Cochise Traders (439 E. Allen St.) and J. L. Silver Company (425 E. Allen St.) specialize in gifts and jewelry. For vintage photos, head to The Can-Can Old Time Photos (4tn & Allen streets). Motorcycle lovers will like the Harley Davidson store at 403 E. Allen St. There’s no shortage of dining options either.

Places to eat in Tombstone

The town’s most famous saloon is the Crystal Palace (501 E. Allen St.). Here you can enjoy sandwiches, salads, and steak, and if you have to wait to be called to the table, stop at the bar for a drink. For something more exotic, we recommend Café Margarita (131 South 5th street) where you can enjoy Mexican cuisine, such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas, in a charming setting with live music on Fridays and Saturdays.[UPDATE: The restaurant is permanently closed in 2021].

Things to See and Do in Tombstone

Things to See and Do in TombstoneWhen you go to Tombstone, you should go to the O.K.Corral Gunfight Reenactment at 326 E. Allen St. The three showtimes are 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. In the same complex, you will also find the Historama Theater where you can learn about the history of Tombstone from the time of the Apaches to modern times. Admission to the theater is included in the ticket price for the O.K.Corral attraction. There are five other museums nearby open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Tombstone Epitaph (11 S. 5th Street) is the museum of the oldest newspaper in Arizona that is in print today. Here you can find the article about the famous shooting and see how the newspaper was printed back then. Those interested in memorabilia related to the world of Wild West gunfighters should visit the Gunfighter Hall of Fame Museum (4th Toughnut St.). Some of the items in the exhibits were purchased by the museum’s owner from John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Tombstone Arizona showsTombstone 1878 underground tours (501 Toughnut Street) is a trip back in time to a mine purchased in 1878 and started up the following year. There are daily tours that offer visitors the opportunity to see a real silver mine inside. On this adventure, you will descend more than 100 feet into the Goodenough Mine and see the equipment miners used to extract silver more than a century ago. The 45-minute tour also includes an explanation of the mining process, the history of the mine, and a walking tour of just under 2 miles.

Those with more time on their hands can head to Old Tombstone Western Theme Park (339 S. 4th Street). Set in the 1880s, the shows that the cowboys put on are full of thrills, chills, laughter, stunts, and of course, gunfights! There’s also a shooting gallery and mini-golf. You can always take a walk along the city streets, go on historical tours by stagecoach or horse-drawn carriages, but for those who are more adventurous, there are tours that tell legends and ghost stories.

There is also a famous event, called Helldorado Days, which is held every year on the third weekend of October as a way to remember the O.K.Corral. There are reenactments of gunfights, street performances, and events for the whole family. Helldorado’s impressive annual parade takes place on Sunday at 11:00 am.

Two Interesting Facts about Tombstone

Tombstone Arizona fun factsThe first is that here in Tombstone, you will find the largest rose bush in the world, which was imported from Scotland in 1885. Its size, about 8,000 square feet, is quite impressive.

The second one concerns the name of the town. Tombstone was named as such as a consequence of the various shootings. Given its notoriety and the fact that it has retained the appearance of a town of the Old West, some films have been shot here, for example, “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” in 1957 with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas and “Tombstone” in 1993 with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer. Even Bob Dylan titled one of his songs “Tombstone Blues”.

Where to Stay in Tombstone

Where to Stay in TombstoneDespite the small size of the town, there are still some accommodations in the town. T. Miller’s Tombstone Mercantile & Hotel (530 E. Allen St.) has 4 elegant deluxe rooms as well as a small restaurant and a store.

If you are looking for a grand hotel, a mile away from the center of the historic district, you can book a room at the Tombstone Grand Hotel (580 W. Randolph Way). There are spectacular desert views and scenic sunsets. Rooms are equipped with modern amenities. It is an ideal location for weddings.

While you are here in the area, you should visit the Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch (895 West Monument Road). Located three miles from town, you will feel fully immersed in the Far West. It has traditional buildings, themed rooms, a saloon, and offers horseback riding, lassoing and shooting lessons, evening entertainment, and a large expanse in the heart of Cochise County.

All accommodations in Tombstone

Nearby Airports

The closest airports are in Tucson and Phoenix. Tucson is the closest of the two, about 1 1/2 hours from Tombstone. To get to Tombstone, you will take I-10 W and AZ-80 W. Meanwhile, from Phoenix it takes about 2 1/2 hours to reach Tombstone via I-10 W. Arizona is a fascinating place of enchanting natural beauty, history, Native Americans, and charming towns. What we have described in this article is just a small taste. Go and discover every corner of the state. Don’t forget to visit its most famous attraction, the Grand Canyon,  which is the reason that Arizona is called the Grand Canyon State.


Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

fam-bendandi
Marianna Licia e Paolo

There are two passions that we share: photography and traveling, especially in the United States.

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