Tombstone + Bisbee
Just over an hour south of Tucson are the two historical towns of Tombstone + Bisbee. Wild western memories + visions from the past are brought to life by creatives of the future. Experience a reversed lapse in time to a primitive desert era.
TOMBSTONE
If you’re driving from Tucson, the first town you will reach is Tombstone. When you arrive, it will seem as if you walked into an old western movie. The architecture, saloons, + horse-drawn carriages definitely add to the feel. You’ll see actors in cowboy attire on the streets who perform gunfight reenactments. Carriage rides, historical tours, + museums are also offered here. There’s countless types of shops that include Native American art, antiques, souvenirs, + more! Ice-cream shops + delicious food are everywhere as well. Tombstone is a lovely little place that will surely make your day!
WORLD’S LARGEST ROSEBUSH
Remember how I mentioned that Tombstone is quite the quirky place? Well it also happens to be home of the world’s largest rosebush! How fitting. Tour the Rose Tree Museum to learn more about the 133 year old rose bush + the history of its keepers. Later, you can see it with your own eyes. It covers approximately 5000 square ft + the trunk is around 14 ft in diameter! I went in the summer, so unfortunately it wasn’t in bloom, but oh my it was massive! It’s just so comical that of all places, the world’s largest rosebush is located in Southern Arizona!
BISBEE
Next, is the old mining town of Bisbee. This town was known for its rich mineral land, which produced high counts of gold + copper. Today, you can learn more about its past by visiting the Bisbee Mining + Historical Museum. After brushing up on the background, be sure to wander over to Bisbee’s Main Street. It’s filled with antique + thrift stores, art galleries, coffee shops, ice-cream parlors, souvenir stores, + more! When I visited, one of the first things that stood out to me was the architecture + color of the town. It’s easy to fall in love with its artistic personality + creative vibes. Even just walking down the block +interacting with the locals put a huge smile on my face!
QUEEN MINE TOUR
If you’re looking for a super interactive historic experience, I recommend the Queen Mine Tour! After you’re equipped with a yellow slicker, hard hat, + light, you travel down into the Copper Queen Mine on a little train. When you reach the first stop, you get off + explore while listening to your guide explain the history. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a tour guide who actually worked in the Copper Queen Mine! My guide told us personal stories of his coworkers + experiences I wouldn’t have known about without an inside view! The mine is cool inside, so I recommend dressing in layers to adjust to the temperatures. It’s a little over an hour of fun + life from a different perspective!
LAVENDER PIT
Lastly, right outside of Bisbee is the Lavender Pit. It’s an open pit copper mine that was in operation from 1917 to 1974. From the top to the very bottom is an enormous 850 ft drop! You’ll notice an abundance of colors in the pit, which are created from different types of minerals. Educational signs stand in front of the lookout + it’s conveniently right off Route 80 to make a quick stop!
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