Sometimes, you have a unique experience in the place you are least expecting it.
For example, my husband experienced his first snowfall in Arizona. Yes, you read that correctly. He saw snow falling from the sky in a place associated with extreme heat.
We were in a small, hard to reach town in Southern Arizona at a 5, 538 ft elevation (1,688 m). This place has a population of about 5,000 and it is located in the heart of the Mule Mountains.
That little town is called Bisbee. You may have never heard about it but it is more famous than you think.
Now, you will ask what we were doing in such a remote place. That is not difficult to answer. In a way, we were following the lead of those who got established in the area, in search of riches, more than a hundred years ago.
The complex mining infrastructure and huge pits left by them are big draws to modern visitors. However, it is not only that. The town has developed a distinct character, like no other place in the United States.
Judging by the way I started this article, you can deduct that I ended fascinated with Bisbee after my visit. I want to share that fascination with you.
Here is my list of ideas on things to do in Bisbee (or reason to visit Bisbee).
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Bisbee, Arizona
Granted, Bisbee is a bit away from major population centers. However, it makes an excellent day trip from Tucson (95 miles).
It has way more character than other mining towns in the area (I am looking at you Tombstone). In other words, Bisbee is the real deal!
Below I am showing you what to do, see and ea in Bisbee.
Discover One of the Most Famous Mining Towns in the West
Bisbee was founded as a copper, gold and silver mining town in 1880. Even though thousands of sites like this exist in the world, Bisbee proved to be one of the riches producing nearly three million ounces of gold and more than eight billion pounds of copper (silver, lead, and zinc were extracted from the soil too).
Because of that, the town is known as the “Queen of the Copper Camps.”
The town’s rowdiness put it in the map too. The notorious Brewery Gulch had about 50 saloons and brothels. This bad reputation exalted it to Arizona’s hall of fame.
With its two sisters, Jerome (The Wickedest Town in the West) and Tombstone (The Town too Tough to Die), it completes the trilogy of dishonorable mining towns (that everybody wanted and wants to visit).
Bisbee fame continues to grow. In 2016, it won the title of Best Historic Small Town in both Sunset magazine and a USA Today online reader poll.
Beautiful and Colorful Old Town
The old part of the city surprised me. I love to visit small towns and this one is like no other I have seen.
The area is notable by Victorian houses and art deco buildings painted in bright and cheerful colors. The streets are walkable and the center can be explored in several hours.
What is more, small businesses offering all sorts of good can be visited. This feels like a breath of fresh air in a time when everything is so commercialized.
The main thoroughfare, Tombstone Canyon Road, is full of antiques, jewelry, and mineral stores. You will kind businesses selling quirky items, baked goods for dogs and a bicycle brothel (that is not a typo).
Plus, do not forget about the food! I am licking my fingers thinking about the delicious dishes and strong coffee I had in the area.
Join a Ghost Tour
As a good Arizonan mining town, Bisbee was a center of drinking, gambling, and all sorts of violent behavior. As expected, more than one lost its life under strange circumstances.
Locals offering ghost tours around the town’s core area can tell you everything about the characters who till this day (apparently) haunt the town and are seen now and then even though the die years ago.
Tours take place almost every day at 7:00 p.m. and last about one and a half hours. Visitors seem to enjoy these tours a lot. Therefore, join to learn more about the town’s folklore.
Book a Jeep and Golf Cart Tour
And, since we are talking about tours, there are several companies in town offering guided outings.
The Bisbee Tour Company offer 30, 60 and 90 minutes tours aboard a golf cart. They cover the main points in town and take guest to a scenic viewpoint. In addition, they offer guided hiking tours and bike rentals.
Lavender Jeep Tours offer tours around the Old Town but they can also take you to the Bisbee suburbs, ghost towns around the area, natural places and close to the border with Mexico. This company offers the opportunity to go beyond the trodden path.
Catch as Many Flies as Possible
When I was walking around the center, I noticed several buildings were decorated with big flies. That didn’t look normal, so, I said to myself: “Something is going on in here.”
Finally, I found a sign explaining the reason. In 1912, after years of battling with typhoid fever problems, the Commercial Club of Bisbee created a contest to get rid of flies. Contestants had to kill the flies and save them in order to show proof of how many they have killed.
Supposedly, the winner killed within 5,000 to 50,000 flies (as reported by the Bisbee Daily Review).
I have a lot of question concerning the contest but I have not been able to find a lot of information. For example, I cannot find facts linking typhoid to flies.
Stay at a Unique Hotel
The Copper Queen Hotel is an architectural gem and the longest continuously operated hotel in Arizona. It was constructed to provide lodging to mining investors and dignitaries.
Nowadays, the hotel is renowned for its paranormal activity (it has been featured in TV shows).
We stayed at the Bisbee Grand Hotel which features antiques, fine art, and Old West touches. No two rooms in this place are equal. We stayed in the bird room and it was quite the experience (stuffed birds served as ornaments, a little bit creepy, to be honest).
Discover the Street Art
It was interesting to find street art on different spots in town. Some paintings were nothing special but others had charged political and social themes.
Bisbee is located about 15 miles from the Mexican border. As you can imagine, the movement of people from one country to another has been a topic of conversation for many years.
You will find murals and other works along the town’s main street.
Get Absorbed by the Quirkiness
A lot of places want to show to the world how cool they are by painting its streets with colorful art. They may be cool but that doesn’t mean they are quirky, authentic and free-spirited. Bisbee is all that and more!
If I have not convinced you about the town peculiarity, the pictures below will talk by themselves
Do Not Miss the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
Do not overlook this museum! I am going to tell you why.
This place is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and it has an exhibit that looks into the lives of the settlers of the town. The displays are so interesting that I ended up reading each description.
Once precious metals were extracted from the soil, the fame of Bisbee spread like a wildfire. People from many races and countries came to the area searching for a piece of the pie.
Exhibits describe who dominated the camps and who had the lower paying jobs. All I am going to say is that they had the problems we have in the present. Sadly, we have not progressed a lot.
The mining camps were settled for gold, silver, and copper but other precious minerals were unearthed. For example, turquoise is a byproduct of copper. The museum has outstanding samples of what was taken out of the mines.
Visit Other Museums
If you are a museum fan, well, you have even more options.
You can stop by the Bisbee Restoration Museum to take a look at their collection of antiques. The many artifacts have been donated by residents.
There is the option of visiting the Muheim Heritage House. The views from this historic place are great!
Tour the Famous Copper Queen Mine
If you go to Bisbee, you have to visit the Copper Queen Mine. The development of this mine led to the growth of the town and its surrounding suburbs.
Guided tours are offers by former employees and you get to dress like a miner. We weren’t able to visit the mine because of the snow but I have heard rave reviews about it.
In addition, it is nice to stop by the Lavender Pit, an open pit copper mine located south of town. The pit is one heck of an impressive hole in the ground.
Do (or Watch) the 1,000 Stair Climb
The town is famous for a bizarre physical challenge: a five-kilometer run through the city’s 1,034 stairs. For what I read, the event gets very lively and visitors even sing to the participants while they are running.
It is up to you if you want to try some of the stairs. There are many signs pointing to them on the upper part of town.
Visit the Warren Suburb
The community of Warren is part of Bisbee but it is located south of the historic core. In this area, the most affluent characters of the mining business had their residences.
It is possible to walk around and spot houses dating back to the mining years. Plus, the suburb has shops, restaurants and coffee houses.
Have a Bacanora Shot
I have mentioned Bisbee is located very close to the Mexican border. Therefore, its neighbor Sonora has a strong influence on many cultural and culinary aspect.
In some restaurants in town, you are going to find Bacanora, a mezcal made from a specific agave species grown in certain Sonora municipalities. Give it a try if you are into trying different types of spirits.
Note: Ask for the price of a Bacanora shot before consumption. I saw places selling a shot for $15. You do not want to end up the night on a sour note when you get the bill.
Bisbee Restaurants
For such a small town, Bisbee has a good selection of restaurants. You will find everything from cheap eats to fine dining.
Here are some of the restaurants serving the yummiest food around:
Bisbee Breakfast Club – This restaurant served an astonishing selection of egg dishes, burgers, salads and homemade dessert. They are so popular that has expanded to cities such as Tucson and Mesa.
High Desert Cafe – The cafe prides itself on selling goof of the highest quality. They have sandwiched, salads and baked good. They have a daily dinner takeout menu.
Cafe Cornucopia – This popular option serves sandwiches, quice, soup, and salad. Their menu change with the seasons.
Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant – I am very particular about the Mexican places I recommend. For example, I do not recommend Mexican places around where I reside because none of the places are good. However, the food at Santiago’s is very tasty and satisfying. Their fajitas and chiles rellenos are super good (and huge!)
Thuy’s Noodle Soup – This place serves Vietnamese favorites at affordable prices. Fill up on pho, banh mi, and spring rolls.
Nearby Attractions
Tombstone (23 miles) – This is probably the most famous mining town in Arizona (have you heard about the O.K. Corral?) My issue with Tombstone is that it has been converted of some sort of amusement park for visitors. Many parts of the town are beautiful and there are tons to do but the genuineness is missing. The best “attraction” is the Boothill Graveyard.
Douglas (28 miles) – The border town is known for its architectural gems and easy access to green spaces. Some use it as a base to cross to Agua Prieta, Mexico.
Coronado National Monument (30 miles) – The virtually unknown monument commemorates the first organized expedition to what is considered the Southwest region of the United States. The expedition was led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado.
Sierra Vista (25 miles) – The small town serves as a base for exploring the Coronado Monument, Ramsey Canyon Preserve and San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area.
Kartchner Caverns State Park (46 miles) – This park offers the opportunity to tour a cave complex. The attraction is a bit on the pricier side. Check ticket info before visiting.
Camping in Bisbee
If you are looking for a campground to pitch your tent, you have several options.
The Double Adobe Campground has tent sites over grassy surfaces. RVs can find a place at the Double Adobe Campground, Desert Oasis Campground or Queen Mine RV Park.
If glamping sounds like a better option, consider making a reservation at the Shady Dell, a place full of vintage trailers that serve as lodging. This is one of the coolest places to stay in town. Take a look here.
Location and Weather
Bisbee is located 95 miles from Tucson. It is possible to visit as a long day trip but I recommend budgeting to stay in the area.
I visited the town as part of a road trip around Southern Arizona. I recommend staying a couple of days around Tucson before exploring towns such as Tubac, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Tombstone.
Bisbee has been called the mile high city (like Denver). Therefore, be prepared for chilly conditions all year-round. We visited in December and were welcomed by snow (something we would have never expected).
____
It is difficult for me to stop writing about Bisbee. It is a town I enjoyed a lot. If you are in the Tucson area, make some time to stop by this historical and quirky town!
Would you visit? What things to do in Bisbee would you recommend?
Pin “Things to Do in Bisbee, Arizona” for later!
Stephanie (@Vaycarious) says
What a colorful town! Literally. From the soil to the buildings. Was that a house covered in buttons? The fly story is hilarious…especially there being no connection between the flies and typhoid. 🙂 #wordlesswednesday
Ruth says
Yes, that was a house covered in buttons. I meant to include a comment but I forgot. Go figure!
Carol says
Fascinating history and still a vibrant community from all your photos. I’d love to visit and stay in your hotel. Wonder what the other rooms are called.
Ruth says
You know, I am curious about the other rooms too. I should have asked.
Sallie (FullTime-Life) says
We loved Bisbee — the quirkiness, the mine tour, the restaurants — we had a great time there.
Ruth says
I am with you! All those were great! So bad I couldn’t stay longer.
Sally's Tips 4 Trips says
What a lovely majestic hotel you found to stay in, whilst in a really interesting quirky town with its button doorways, large fly sculptures and colourful street art.
Ruth says
If you want to stay in town, then you will have to stay in one of these unique hotels. I guess that is a plus.
Jeanna says
Sounds like an interesting place, I love small towns in remote areas. It looks like the perfect place for me to walk around and take photos. I don’t know about the bird room though, haha. I hear AZ is great for those of us who like to bike with no hills.
Ruth says
I love small towns too and seems like Arizona have tons of them. There are still several I want to visit. Not sure what is the flatter part of the state (maybe the Phoenix area?). I know there are several mountains chains scattered around.
Rhonda Albom says
Bisbee is very colorful. You can probably afford a lot of paint from all that mining money 🙂
Ruth says
That is right! It wouldn’t be fair to have this town in ruins when so much wealth was extracted from the surrounding areas.
ladyfi says
Fabulous and colourful!
Ruth says
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) says
You found one of my favorite Arizona towns! It has such character, from its rowdy history and its modern renown as an artist’s colony. Fun place to explore! It’s been a long time since I visited; thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Ruth says
I think not a lot of people make the trip down to Bisbee and that is a shame. To me, this feels like a really authentic town.
Kay Davies says
Wow! What amazing photos, and what a story Bisbee has to tell.
I remember that someone in my family visited Bisbee some years ago, but I have to check with my brothers to find out who was there.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed your photos very much and am going to send my husband a link to your page, in hopes we might visit there one day.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travels
Ruth says
Kay, hope you make it some day! I am sure you are going to enjoy the offerings of this small town.
Clint & Maria Davies says
I’m Kay’s brother and indeed, we did visit Bisbee in January, 2009, when we were on an RV adventure S.E. Arizona. Like the surprise snowfall mentioned in the original post, we awakened to a frozen water line not once, but twice. (We quickly learned to disconnect & drain overnight.)
Ruth says
So great you stopped by! Seems like Bisbee gets cold very often. I am assuming it is because of the location (surrounded by mountains).
Clint Davies says
re: Kay’s comment above. It was her brother Clint (me) who was there. Driving eastbound across Arizona from Phoenix, we didn’t notice the increasing elevation. like the snowfall surprise mentioned earlier, our RV water line froze several times (we learned to disconnect and drain overnight).
Corey @ fifi + hop says
Interesting post. I don’t know anything about Bisbee (until now), but I’ve always been fascinated by old mining towns. The Fly contest is so random! Pinning this for later in the event I make it out that way soon 🙂 #wanderfulwednesday
Ruth says
Mining towns are a favorite of mine too. I have visited some and the history behind them is fascinating. Plus, you often found weird things like the fly contest.
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says
You seriously always find the best street art in the cities and towns that you visit! I don’t think that I’ve ever heard of Bisbee, but it looks so cute and colorful! I would love to visit some of the old mines too!
Ruth says
I guess street art follows me! I was not expecting to find so many cool murals in Bisbee.
Pat says
What a wonderful and colorful town! I will have to amke a point to visit it the next time I’m in southern Arizonia.
Ruth says
I recommend if you are in the area. There is so much to see and do.
Sharon Wagner says
It definitely has the street art and the quirkiness covered. This was literally a very colorful tour of a very unique town!
Ruth says
Thanks Sharon! So bad the weather didn’t cooperate. The views from the entire town are wonderful but I wasn’t able to capture them with good light.
jill says
Oh, Bisbee is so colorful! I’ve only been in northern Arizona – Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon – where we also saw snow like your husband. Thanks for sharing – I would never had known about Bisbee had you not!
Ruth says
I love Northern Arizona but have to say the southern part has a lot of nice areas too. My next trip would be to the northern part though.
Photo Cache says
Wow, what a surprise this town is. It’s charms are right up my alley, will bookmark this in case I find myself around these parts someday.
Ruth says
Like you said, the town surprises visitors. It has a bit of everything and definitely not what you were expecting.
Sarah says
Wow, I can so envision a ghost town/western style “hold em up” scene happening here!
Ruth says
Ha, ha! That is true. The town has appeared in movies and TV shows.
Kat @anaussieinsf says
I think there’s a Death Cab For Cutie song called Bisbee, I never knew it was an actual place. The mine and the street art look awesome!
Ruth says
Have not heard the song but it will be nice to search for it. Glad you liked the town!
Al says
It looks like an interesting place. I’ve seen snow in Arizona a couple of times, it’s fairly common in the winter in the higher elevations.
Ruth says
That is right! However, not a lot of people associate Arizona with snow.
Kathy Marris says
Bisbee looks like a good old Western town with a touch of quirkiness. The colours in the Copper Mines are so vibrant. Such an interesting place.
Ruth says
The town is as Western as it can get! I think it is a perfect place for all those who wan to get a movie like feeling.
jesh StG says
Am glad I was finally able to link up (to several sites that require a thumbnail link – it gave me an error message every time I hit the “done” button). Anyways, I have only passed AZ on our way to Utah, but this is interesting – colorful, like the South West! Am a fan of gem stones, so your images are a treat! Thanks for hosting:)
Ruth says
Oh, I know what you mean. There is a stretch of Arizona you have to pass when you are driving on the I-15. On another trip, you have to make time to stop in Arizona. You will find it very inspiring.
Sharon says
Bisbee certainly is a quirky town — and so colorful! I can see why you enjoyed your visit!
Ruth says
Thanks Sharon! I am glad I stopped by.
Photo(Geo)grapher says
Wow, what incredible city! It looks like the great place to visit
Ruth says
You are right, it is a great place to visit!
Trekking with Becky says
This is so interesting and nothing like how I’ve imagined Arizona to look. The colourful buildings are lovely, not to mention pleasant surprises. 🙂
Ruth says
I am curious, what is your idea of Arizona? I like to hear how people imagine certain places.
Magda says
Arizona is definitely my favourite state! Must explore more next time – thanks!
Ruth says
Great to hear that! Hope you can stop by Bisbee on day. I am sure you are going to love Arizona even more.
Leigh | Campfires & Concierges says
Looks like a cute little town, reminds me of Leadville, Colorado. I’ll be spending a month or more in Arizona next fall/winter, so I’ll be sure to check this out.
There’s a book series based in Bisbee – they talk about the Copper Queen Hotel – J.A. Jance is the author and it’s the Joanna Brady series.
Ruth says
Leigh, thanks for the info about the book series. I need to check those out. I will like to visit Colorado in the future. I have never been.
Allison says
Bisbee sounds like a very interesting and colorful town. I love history so visiting small towns feels like going back in time. I would absolutely visit Bisbee.
Ruth says
I agree with you. Visiting these towns is like going back in time. I think that is why I like them so much.
Natasha says
I loved this entire post Ruth! The colours of the buildings in the Old Town area are amazing, and the Fly Contest is brilliant, bonkers and fun – I would have spent hours taking lots of photos of them too. Love the variety of street art you spotted too. Beautiful photos here Ruth! – Tasha
Ruth says
Thanks Tasha! Everything is so crazy in this town! But, I guess locals and visitors like it like that. It is one of the most unique places I have visited.
Anisa says
I visited Bisbee but it was many years ago. I don’t remember much about it but I do remember it being a cute town. From your pictures it looks like it has become a lot more artsy. I would love to go back and visit to see how it has changed. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
Ruth says
I am sure locals have used arts to revitalize the town. I imagine I would find it different if I visit again.
Paula McInerney says
Great timing, some companies are talking to us about visiting Arizona, and we are certainly reading and noticing how appealing this state could be.
Ruth says
Paula, it would be great if you can visit Arizona. It is a state with a lot of diversity. You would love the cities, landscapes and gastronomy.
Anda says
I’ve heard about Bisbee, but never had a chance to visit it. We go pretty often in Arizona because my sister lives there, so I’ll add this cute town to my list too. Those minerals look gorgeous. I can’t believe all those colors! Very interesting place to visit. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Ruth says
I am sure you will enjoy this town. You have to visit Southern Arizona one day.
Corinne says
Ruth, What a colorful town! I love its name, its artwork, even, its flies!
Ruth says
The flies are pretty cool! I like them too.
Ava Meena says
Mining towns were such a part of American history, I think it’d be great to go visit one. Especially since this one is so iconic and colorful. It looks fascinating!
Ruth says
Ava, agree with you! I still have not visited the gold mining towns of California. I have to stop by them for sure.
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels says
What a quirky place! I have never heard of it before, but it seems like an interesting place to visit. I love all the colourful buildings, and also the interesting reasoning behind the fly decor!
Ruth says
I am glad you liked it! It is a very unique place. I liked everything about this town.
Birgit | Groove Is In The Heart says
Ah, wow! I love the quirkiness and bright colours. And the street art is great!
Ruth says
So surprised to find so much color in this town. It helped us to deal with the cold weather.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
Bisbee looks like suh a fun and quirky town. I especially like that doorway decorated with bottle caps/buttons (I couldn’t tell which one) but also the old-fashioned prettiness of your hotel room. I had no idea that turquoise is a byproduct of copper. I’ll have to read up on that more. #WkendTravelInspiration
Ruth says
The doorway is covered in buttons. That immediately got my attention. I think a lot of things in town are cute and well ornamented. No doubt I want to go back.
David | Travelsewhere says
What a wonderfully strange, yet endearing, town. Obviously not too rowdy these days, which I guess is a good thing. The flies are most certainly bizarre but seem to fit its weirdness. Definitely a great find Ruth!
Ruth says
Yes, it is not that rowdy anymore. Moreover, I can say it is very peaceful and quiet. All the bizarre things in here complement each other.
Vlad says
Those flies are disturbing to say the least, haha. But the hotel looks nice, I love Victorian houses. The cupcake shop is adorable, I wouldn’t have resisted not buying one….or a dozen!
Ruth says
Ahh, I guess the flies are disturbing to people who feel disgusted by them. I thought they were very funny. I mean, they look like toys (at least to me).
Nancie says
Minus the flies :), what a great place to visit. I love the street art. Your hotel room looks very cozy. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday
Ruth says
Seems like the flies are not popular with some readers :0( Maybe they are too weird.
Rajesh says
Beautiful and very colourful town.
Ruth says
Thanks Rajesh!
Lisa says
I love these colourful buildings in old town and the fly contest is very unique! Thanks for linking up to #MondaEscapes
Ruth says
Lisa, I am glad you enjoyed the post!
eileen g says
i have never heard of Bisbee, But you make a good case for why it would in best historical town. it does look worth a visit. THough I would avoid the giant flies on the walls. They are a little too real looking. yuck!
Ruth says
Really? Do you think they look real? Maybe I have not seen a lot of flies lately!
Hilary says
What a cool old town! I’d never heard of this place! I’m not so sure how I feel about GIANT flies, but I do love street art, quirky, and history! #theweeklypostcard
Ruth says
So glad you liked it! This is one of the most unique places I have visited.
Buckeroomama says
Wow, such a colorful town (in more than one sense of the word)! Thank you once again for taking time out to compile all the interesting tidbits into a post for us.
Ruth says
I am glad you find this post colorful. These are the king of places I like.
artmusedog and carol says
What a delightful place Bisbee ~ so creative and colorful ~ thanks,
Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^
Ruth says
Have a wonderful week too!
kelleyn says
What a cool and colorful town! Thanks for sharing! never heard of this place before!
Ruth says
Thanks for stopping by!
Birgitta says
Very nice photos!
Birgitta says
Very nice photo series of that colorful and cool town!
Ruth says
Glad you liked it!
Minoru says
Hi! All of things are colorful in Arizona, bothbuildings and various things of art. I enjoyed your photos very much. Thanks for sharing.
Ruth says
Yes, that is true! Arizona is full of color.