Discover the 10 best things to do in Tombstone, Arizona, to enjoy the ultimate wild west experience.
One of the most iconic old west towns anywhere in America, Tombstone is a legendary town with a rich history and vibrant connections to the wild west.
However, due to its remote location and the decline in popularity of the western genre, most people know very little about the town these days.
So, if you want to ensure you get all the inside information to plan a perfect travel itinerary that will turn your vacation into a wild west expedition for the ages, our guide to the 10 best things to do in Tombstone, Arizona is just the article you have been looking for.
Tombstone At A Glance
Tombstone is the largest wild west town still in existence, located in southern Arizona, 70 miles southeast of Tucson, near the Mexican border.
Founded in 1877 by prospector Ed Schieffelin, it became one of the biggest boomtowns in the western United States, thanks to the abundance of silver mines surrounding it.
Having seen its population explode from 100 people to 14,000 within seven years of its founding, it then disappeared into obscurity almost as quickly when the mines shut down. By 1892, just 15 years after it was founded, Tombstone was virtually a ghost town.
Starting in 1930, renovation efforts began to restore Tombstone to its former glory. With many of its most famous locations now fully restored, the town has become a vibrant tourist destination and one of the best places to experience the wild west anywhere in the United States.
Best Things To Do In Tombstone
As we move on to our list of the 10 best things to do in Tombstone, I am going to suggest a broad range of options. These will include things to appeal to travellers of all different interests, while ensuring you have something to cover everything that Tombstone is known for.
Explore The Tombstone Historic District
The Tombstone Historic District is a section of the town that contains a number of its most iconic sites. Boasting some of the oldest buildings and most traditional wild west architecture, it is one of the best places to completely immerse yourself in the spirit of your destination.
Centred around Allen Street, sites like the Bird Cage Theatre and Schieffelin Hall give you the chance to experience life like a Tombstone local from more than a century ago.
Enjoy a show in historic surroundings, stop and cool off with a drink, or simply take a walk and soak up the culture. Then there are buildings with architecture synonymous with the time, like Tombstone City Hall and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Those interested in the supernatural will even be interested to know that the Bird Cage Theatre is considered one of the most haunted buildings in the United States.
A former brothel and gambling hall that hosted the longest poker game in history, clocking in at 8 years, maybe you can receive a visit from a spirit and get an account of the town from someone who actually lived in Tombstone during its heyday.
Designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark District in 1961, it was then added to the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1966.
Take In A Recreation Of A Historic Gunfight At The O.K. Corral
Located on the edge of the Tombstone Historic District, The O.K. Corral was a livery and horse corral that was in operation for the majority of Tombstone’s boom years. One of many corrals found within the town, what makes this one so famous is the shootout that occurred here.
In 1881, an altercation that would come to be known as the “Gunfight At The O.K. Corral” took place just outside. A deadly event, it saw a group of lawmen featuring the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday stand off against a gang of outlaws known as the Cochise County Cowboys.
While the shooting only lasted for around 30 seconds, the body count and nature of the battle led it to go down in infamy. It even spawned the critically acclaimed 1957 movie, “Gunfight At The O.K. Corral”, which was nominated for two Academy Awards.
Visitors to Tombstone will find that highly trained actors and gunmen perform re-enactments of this legendary event each day, complete with costumes and characters.
This gives you the opportunity to witness the events of the film in the actual spot where they originally took place.
Enjoy A Drink In A Wild West Saloon
There may be no sight as synonymous with the wild west as a cowboy walking into a saloon and ordering a whiskey or sarsaparilla.
Thankfully, in Tombstone this is an activity you can recreate yourself, as there are a number of saloons, many of which have been frequented by famous names from the last century.
You have Wyatt Earp’s Oriental Saloon & Theater, where famed frontier lawman Wyatt Earp worked as a faro dealer. Meanwhile, Vogan’s Alley Bar And Grill features a bowling alley and was a former place of employment for Wyatt’s brother, James Earp.
The Crystal Palace saloon may not have employed an Earp, but the offices of U.S. Deputy Marshall Virgil Earp are located on its second floor.
The Longhorn Restaurant, originally known as the Bucket Of Blood Saloon, is the oldest saloon to remain in continuous operation in the town.
With other establishments including Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, the Bella Union Saloon, and Can Can Restaurant, you will never be short of places to get something to eat or drink while soaking in the western atmosphere in Tombstone.
Pay A Visit To An Old West Cemetery
While it may seem morbid to some, a cemetery is one of the most iconic sights in the old west and visiting the final resting place of historic figures from the past can be an incredible experience. With that in mind, Tombstone has two great cemeteries you can visit.
Boothill Cemetery is the most famous of the two. Named after the many outlaws who were buried in its grounds with their boots still on, it was used for roughly 5 years, from when the town was founded until it reached capacity.
This gives you the opportunity to see the graves of many legends from Tombstone’s early years. There is also a selection of replica graves of old west icons who are buried elsewhere around the country, to offer tourists an even larger experience.
Boothill even features its own gift shop, where you can pick up drinks, snacks, and souvenirs to complete the experience.
For those seeking a slightly more authentic experience though, the Tombstone Cemetery may be a better bet. With far fewer tourists, no commercial attractions, and only genuine graves, it offers a quieter, more realistic experience of a graveyard in the old west.
Uncover The History Of Tombstone’s Silver Mining Industry
Considering silver mining was the industry that Tombstone was, quite literally, built on, no visit to the town would be complete without actually taking a trip to one of the mines yourself.
The Good Enough Mine Tour is a company that employs highly knowledgeable guides, who will take you down into the mines for a safe yet exciting experience.
See first-hand the conditions miners worked in, learn more about the history and techniques used in the mining industry during this time, and even hear stories of events that occurred in these very mines.
This will give you a true picture of what a day in the life of a miner in Tombstone would have looked like.
Go On An Adventure Outside The Town
While there is plenty to do and see in Tombstone itself, the desert landscapes surrounding the town are equally important to its wild west feel. For those who want to go on an adventure and explore these picturesque landscapes, you have a couple of options.
Those wanting to take the traditional approach should think about doing their excursion on a horse. The Tombstone Equine Company has a collection of noble stallions and is a great place to hire a horse to explore the region like a cowboy.
However, for those seeking a slightly more modern, faster paced option, why not give an ATV a try? Apache ATV Tours has a great range of ATVs and off road vehicles for hire, which are ideal for helping you explore the desert at top speed.
Learn About The Evolution Of Tombstone In The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is a historical park with a wild west theme, which contains the original Cochise County Courthouse.
Built in 1882 in the Victorian style, this two storey building was home to many of the prominent Tombstone lawmakers and keepers during its heyday.
Having been converted into a museum, it now displays a range of exhibits and artefacts designed to educate visitors on the town’s history. Meanwhile, the park itself features attractions like gallows on the spot where outlaws used to be hanged.
The park has been Listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places since 1972.
Have Some Fun At The Old Tombstone Western Theme Park
The Old Tombstone Western Theme Park is an amusement park with a wild west theme. It is designed to combine entertainment with history, to help visitors of all ages learn more about Tombstone while having fun.
You can be entertained at shows by skilled gunfighters, get a feel for some wild west weapons in the shooting gallery, take a trolley tour of the area, or dress up in traditional attire at a photo store to create a memorable keepsake, along with a whole range of other options.
All in all, it is a perfect day out for families, as well as those who want to break up the history with a little bit of carefree fun.
Examine The Exhibits At Tombstone’s Wonderful Museums
While the town of Tombstone itself is somewhat of a museum, there are also a number of wonderful establishments filled with artefacts that go into a little more detail on its history.
The Rose Tree Museum is a recreation of a late 19th century home, which gives you an idea of how daily life in Tombstone would have been. It also boasts the largest rose tree in the world, to perfectly combine history and natural beauty.
Fly’s Photography Galley contains historic photos from around the town, providing the opportunity to see famous faces in the locations around you. Meanwhile, the Gunfighter Hall Of Fame tells the story of wild west icons from Tombstone and beyond.
There are also locations like the Audie Murphy And Medal Of Honor Museum. While not specifically dedicated to the town, it is a museum which details the life of America’s most decorated World War II veteran and his Medal Of Honor.
You even have the Tombstone Art Gallery, where you can see works by some of the region’s best artists, most of which centre around American West or Native American styles.
Stop Off At Some Of Tombstone’s Most Prominent Businesses
While Tombstone is largely just a destination for tourists and wild west enthusiasts these days, it does still have a few businesses that hold importance in the wider world.
Perhaps most notably is the headquarters of the Tombstone Epitaph, which has printed Arizona’s oldest continually published newspaper since it opened in 1880.
A daily newspaper that has transformed into a publication about wild west history and culture, it features a museum that is open to the public. Here you can see various exhibits, historic articles, and pieces of traditional newspaper manufacturing equipment.
You also have the Tombstone Brewing Company, one of the highest rated breweries in Arizona. With a great selection of fresh beers and a menu of fine food to accompany them, you can see how life in Tombstone has progressed from the saloons of old.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Tombstone – Sagebrush Inn
The Sagebrush Inn is a wonderful, rustic hotel, which is perhaps the most famous in all of Tombstone. Boasting an aesthetic that perfectly blends with the town, various iconic names have stayed here through the years, including Doc Holiday, John Wayne, and Maureen O’Hara.
Located just a 5 minute walk from many of Tombstone’s most famous attractions, the property is simple, yet offers a great level of comfort and style, to ensure you have a pleasant stay throughout the duration of your trip.
Rooms feature amenities like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, and a patio, refrigerator, and satellite TV. Some rooms even have their own hot tub. The entire property is pet friendly and all guests receive access to free onsite parking.
Best Time To Visit Tombstone
The best time to visit Tombstone is between late April and mid-June. This period will ensure you have warm weather to enjoy all of the outdoor activities in the town, while avoiding the blistering heat and overcrowding that occur at the height of summer.
While rain isn’t something you would often think about in the desert, this period also helps you to avoid Tombstone’s wettest period, which runs from July to September.
Conclusion
A trip to Tombstone is an experience you will never forget and is an absolute must for any fans of westerns or American history. This article on the 10 best things to do in Tombstone should hopefully have given you all the information you need to plan a perfect travel itinerary for your visit.
From old west saloons, cemeteries, and churches to western themed amusement parks and re-creations of legendary gunfights, Tombstone has everything you need to complete the wild west experience of your dreams.
All you have left to do now is start planning things like how to get to Tombstone, how long to stay, and when to visit. That way, you can get all your attractions and accommodation booked, so you can get on with looking forward to experiencing it all for yourself, as soon as possible.
