Bisbee, Arizona: Voted The Best Historic Small Town in America

In 2016 Bisbee was voted as the Best Historic Small Town in America by USA Today, and we couldn’t agree more!

Bisbee is an old historic mining town filled with history, lurid tales, and even a few ghosts. It has also become a mecca for artists and free-spirits.

When the city’s slogan is, “Keep Bisbee weird”, then you know it’s going to be good! The town is an eclectic mix of Mayberry meets Woodstock.

What I loved about visiting Bisbee is that you can expect the unexpected. Colorful murals painted on old brick buildings, an art gallery hidden in an alleyway, and a crosswalk painted in the colors of a rainbow.

If you find yourself lucky enough to visit this living ghost town, here are 5 of our favorite things to do in Bisbee!

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5 Things to Do in Bisbee, Arizona

Table of Contents

• 1. Tour the Copper Queen Mine
• 2. Visit the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
• 3. Visit a Haunted Hotel
  • A few more of the best places to stay in Bisbee:
• 4. Admire the artwork
• 5. Stroll along Main Street
  • A few more things to do in Bisbee:
  • Best places to eat in Bisbee:

1. Tour the Copper Queen Mine

Bisbee’s claim to fame came in the form of the accidental discovery of ore. This led to an influx of prospectors and soon Bisbee became known as the “Queen of the Copper Camps”.

Bisbee became one of the richest mineral sites in the world, producing gold, copper, silver, and zinc.

At the height of production, Bisbee was home to over 20,000 residents. In fact, it was the largest town in the Southwest between St. Louis and San Francisco!

The city was thriving, however, there were bouts of unrest.

During a miner’s strike in 1917, the mining company illegally kidnapped and deported 1,300 workers to New Mexico 200 miles away.

They left them there with no money and a threat to never return.

The underground and open-pit mines supported the town of Bisbee for almost 100 years before the resources were depleted. The mine closed its doors for good in 1975.

Today one of the most popular things to do in Bisbee is taking a tour of the mine.

Visitors will don hard hats, headlamps, and yellow slickers then climb aboard the mine train to head 1,500 feet below ground.

On the tour, you will learn the fascinating history and experience what life was like working in the mines.

The tours are led by former Phelps Dodge employees that actually worked in the mines. They have a unique perspective and offer a wealth of information and personal stories.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $5.50 for kids ages 6-12 years. Children must be 6 years old to take the tour.

You may also view the Lavender Pit, an old open-pit copper mine.

The colorful terraced pit is decorated with shades of lavender, but the pit was actually named after the VP of Phelps Dodge, Harrison M. Lavender.

The pits are located just south of historic Bisbee along Hwy 80.

There is a large parking lot with a chain-link fence overlooking the pit. The scope and size of the 1,000-foot deep pit is quite impressive and worth a stop.

2. Visit the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum

When visiting Bisbee, a stop at the Mining & Historical Museum is a must. Here you’ll receive a quick introduction to the rich and fascinating history of the mining town.

This small museum is the first rural museum affiliated with the famed Smithsonian Institution.

The carefully curated rooms are filled with displays, artifacts, and interesting stories preserving the history of the town. There are even a few interactive exhibits for kids.

The second floor is dedicated to a display of minerals and gems that were produced from the Bisbee mines.

Just outside the museum, you’ll find an old mine train that your kids will love climbing on.

There are also some interesting plaques posted, like this one detailing the Bisbee Fly-Swatting Contest.

In order to help prevent the spread of Typhoid, the city held a contest to see who could swat the most flies.

Participants brought jars of dead flies to be counted and the winner for the most flies killed in the month received $10.

I pity the poor soul that had to count thousands of dead flies.

3. Visit a Haunted Hotel

The Copper Queen Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in all of Arizona.

The hotel was originally constructed by the Phelps Dodge Mining Company and first welcomed guests in 1902.

The ornate and elaborate hotel catered to investors, dignitaries, and the social elite.

The Victorian-style rooms are tastefully decorated to reflect the era, you’ll even find claw-foot tubs in most rooms.

But what really draws curious guests to the hotel is the rumors of ghost sightings and paranormal activity.

The Copper Queen Hotel is home to three resident ghosts, an old man, a young boy, and a prostitute.

The former is believed to be the ghost of Julia Lowell who entertained her clients in this hotel until her heart was broken and she took her own life in the hotel.

Guests can even stay at the “Julia Lowell Room” that has been named in her honor.

The hotel boasts an impressive guest list, hosting the likes of Marlon Brando, Julia Roberts, Nancy Reagan, John McCain, Michelle Pfieffer, Harry Houdini, and John Wayne.

Even if spending the night at a haunted hotel isn’t on your bucket list, it is still worth visiting the hotel to admire the decor and dine at 1902 The Spirit Room.

Here you’ll find the original Copper Queen menu that was served to guests in 1902, along with more sophisticated modern dishes.

The hotel’s Overlook Saloon was also listed as one of the must-visit places in Southern Arizona by the New York Times.

A few more of the best places to stay in Bisbee:

• Hotel San Ramon: Hotel San Ramon is a charming historic hotel in the middle of the city.
• Inn at Castle Rock: The Inn at Castle Rock is not your typical hotel, this inn is outfitted with themed rooms, an outdoor garden, and the Apache Springs Well that flows under the hotel.
• Bisbee Brownstone Suites: The apartment-style rooms at Bisbee Brownstone Suites are spacious with modern decor.
• Tombstone Monument Ranch: For an authentic Southwest experience, check out the Tombstone Monument Dude Ranch located about 40 minutes from Bisbee.

Bisbee is located about a half-hour south of Tombstone and is easy to tack on in the same visit. If you do visit Tombstone, be sure to check our guide for the Best Things to do in Tombstone.

4. Admire the artwork

As the mines shut down, many of the residents left Bisbee in search of new jobs.

The historic district soon began to draw in free spirits who were looking for an inexpensive place to settle and embark on their artistic endeavors.

Around almost every corner you’ll find murals and colorful creative expressions.

Our favorite is this outdoor art museum tucked into an alleyway.

You can find the installation just north of the Copper Queen Hotel near 26 Brewery Ave in between a tattoo parlor and the Seance Room.

There is a wide variety of murals painted on buildings throughout the town. I love the whimsical bohemian vibe that it brings to the atmosphere.

The tasteful works of art and graffiti are part of the Lowell Americana Project. Their vision is to transform the city into a living piece of art.

If you’re looking to stop into a gallery, Belleza Fine Art Gallery is located in a renovated space on the historic Main Street.

The gallery features artists from around the world and is also famous for the cookies they have been serving to guests for the past 15 years.

*Related post: If you’re planning to drive through Tucson on your way to Bisbee, check out these 10 Fun Things to do in Tucson!

5. Stroll along Main Street

One of my favorite things to do in Bisbee is just wander the streets. And a stroll down Bisbee’s historic Main Street will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

I fell in love with the European style buildings with large storefront window displays.

We stopped at an ice cream shop with vintage black and white checkered floors and beautiful transom windows.

True to Bisbee’s character, it was named “Pussycat Gelato”. Expect the unexpected.

It really was the best gelato I’ve had since Italy, and trust me I have been on a relentless search to find good gelato in the desert!

If you visit Bisbee, be sure to take a walk down this historic street!

Honestly, Bisbee is the kind of town where you can wander around with no real agenda and stumble upon the coolest finds.

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But if you’re still looking for things to do in Bisbee, here are a few more recommendations:

A few more things to do in Bisbee:

• Hike “B” Mountain: The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail up Chihuahua Hill offers spectacular views over the town of Bisbee
• Eerie Street: Eerie street is the perfect example of a world frozen in time. This commercial street is located in Bisbee’s Lowell neighborhood. As miners and their families left to find work elsewhere, businesses began to close leaving behind a ghost town. The abandoned buildings, such as an old gas station and the Sprouse Reitz Co. department store, have been preserved in time and maintained by the city. Along this street you’ll find vintage cars, original billboards and ads, and even an old greyhound bus.
• Warren Ballpark: Who would have guessed that the oldest professional ballpark in the Nation could be found in small-town Bisbee? Warren Ballpark was constructed in 1909 and has been in continuous use ever since. It has hosted everyone from hall of famers to the local high school team. This ballpark has been listed in the National Register of Historic places and holds a piece of American history.
• Golf Cart Tour: Take a guided golf cart or E-bike tour with the Bisbee Tour Company to explore the streets and learn about the city’s rich history from a knowledgeable guide.
• Copper Queen Community Library: Stop by and visit Arizona’s oldest and continuously operating community library. The Copper Queen Library received the award for the Best Small Library in America in 2019 by Library Journal.
• Bisbee Historic Ghost Walk: This family-friendly Ghost Tour chronicles the history of Bisbee as you walk through the streets and alleyways. The tour is kept lighthearted for kids and they will be fascinated to learn about the souls who love Bisbee too much to leave! Tours depart at 5:30 and last about an hour. Tickets are $15/adults and $13/kids 12 years and under.
• Muheim Heritage House: This pioneer home was constructed in 1898 and now serves as a heritage museum. The home and gardens have been restored to reflect the period and can be toured for $4.
• Brewery Gulch: During the peak of the mining days, Brewery Gulch was the notorious home of over 50 saloons and brothels. Today you can still find historic taverns, like the Old Bisbee Brewing Company. It’s a unique pocket in town that is steeped in history and makes it easy to imagine what life was like back in the day.
• Community Events: The town of Bisbee hosts many community events throughout the year. One of the more unique events is the Bisbee 1,000. The racecourse for this fitness challenge winds 4.5 miles through town and up 9 staircases, with a total of over 1,000 steps. Check the town’s website for other events.

And if you’re looking for more ghost towns in the area, check out our guide 7 of the Coolest Ghost Towns in Arizona.

Best places to eat in Bisbee:

• The Bisbee Table: The dark wood-paneled walls and black & white checkered floors create a cozy atmosphere. The food is delicious, the service great, and they even have Trivial Pursuit cards at the table to play while you wait. The menu is a little pricey. Expect to pay about $14 for a burger.
• The Breakfast Club: Located on the famed Eerie street, you’ll find this charming breakfast joint in the historic Rexall Drug building. They are famous for their all-day breakfast and homemade pies, but they also serve a delicious lunch as well.
• Café Roka: This cafe is popular among tourists and locals alike. It is located on historic Main Street in the former Tavern Bar building. The cafe has maintained the beautiful historic elements, such as the pressed tin ceiling. The dishes are made using fresh local ingredients grown on the nearby Patagonia Farm. Live Jazz is also played on the weekends.
• High Desert Market and Café: This casual cafe serves a variety of food from sandwiches and soups to quiches and pastries. Their cherry almond bread pudding is a must! Enjoy your lunch on the outdoor patio when the weather is nice, and be sure to stop at the market for handmade goods.
• Cafe Cornucopia: A favorite among locals, for its delicious food and charm.

I hope you get a chance to visit the unique and charming town of Bisbee, you won’t be disappointed! And I hope this list helps you find the best things to do in Bisbee!

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