We have visited Tombstone several times, and every time it feels as if we have taken a step back in time. History truly comes alive as you walk along the same dusty street as many of the Wild West’s most notorious characters.
This 1880s silver mining boomtown was made infamous by Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the Gunfight at O.K. Corral, and a little help from Hollywood.
Tombstone has seen its fair share of devastation, but the town has a fighting spirit. As thousands of tourists visit each year, it continues to live up to its legend as “The Town Too Tough to Die”.
After visiting multiple times over the years, I’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Tombstone so that you can make the most of your time there!
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13 Fun Things to Do in Tombstone, Arizona
Table of Contents
- See the Gunfight at O.K. Corral
- Visit the Historama Theater
- Pick Up a Newspaper at the Tombstone Epitaph
- Stroll Along Allen Street
- Tour the Bird Cage Theater
- Take a Ghost Tour
- Tour the Good Enough Silver Mine
- Take a Ride on a Stagecoach
- Visit the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
- See The World’s Largest Rose Tree
- Drive by Historic Buildings
- Visit Famous Gravesites at Boothill Graveyard
- Stay at Tombstone Monument Ranch
See the Gunfight at O.K. Corral
Watching the re-enactment of the Gunfight at O.K. Corral is the biggest draw and one of the top things to do in Tombstone.
There are 3 shows daily at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Tickets go on sale at 9 am, and you must purchase them in person at the gift shop.
While waiting for the show to start, you can walk around and see the exhibits within the historic complex. You’ll find the stable with buggies, antique cowboy saddles, and supplies dating back to the 1880s.
You can stop by the old blacksmith shop and visit the Cowboy Bunkhouse, where the caretaker tended the cattle and doubled as the local undertaker.
Visit the original Corral office to learn about daily life in the Corral and about the two murders that happened here.
Visitors can also pan for gemstones in the mining sluice.
C.S. Fly’s Photo Gallery is also part of the historic complex. This is a reproduction of the original studio and boarding house, which was built on this same spot.
Camillus “Buck” Sydney Fly was a legendary early photojournalist and well-known photographer in the Old West. He also happened to serve for two years as the Cochise County Sheriff. You can see his original camera equipment and a recreation of his photo studio where he took portraits of notable figures in Tombstone.
C.S. Fly also took the only known photos of Native Americans during the time that they were at war with the United States. His photos of the negotiations between Geronimo and General George Crook are world-famous.
Many of his photos and negatives were lost in two devastating fires at his studio. The majority of those that were salvaged have been donated to the Smithsonian Institute by his wife. However, copies of many of the original photographs are on display, including those of Geronimo.
He also documented life in Tombstone and was a witness to the gunfight at O.K. Corral. The gunfight took place in a vacant lot adjacent to the O.K. Corral and C.S. Fly’s Photo Studio.
The cowboys were there waiting for Doc Holiday to return to his rented room at the boarding house when the confrontation took place. Once the shots started firing, Ike Clayton ran to take cover inside the studio. C.S. Fly was the one who disarmed Billy Clayton as he lay dying.
Big Nose Kate, Doc Holliday’s girlfriend, even watched the gunfight from her boarding house room.
They have erected life-sized figures of the eight gunfighters in the exact location of the original O.K. Corral gunfight (according to a hand-drawn map by Wyatt Earp). You can see how close they were to Kate’s window!
When it’s time to watch the re-enactment, you will be seated on bleachers at the “Streets of Tombstone Theater” where you can watch the action play out on the outdoor set.
The show was unexpectedly funny and entertaining, as well as informative. We all really enjoyed it!
During the fight, 30 shots were fired in 30 seconds, leaving 3 dead, 3 injured, 1 unharmed, and 2 who ran away. This short and swift gun battle became the most notorious gun fight in the history of the Wild West.
The guns were a bit loud during the 30-second showdown, so use caution with younger kids. Of course, that was my boys’ favorite part.
The actors did a great job, and afterward they’ll stick around for handshakes and pictures.
If you are a fan of the 1993 Tombstone movie depicting the gunfight at OK Corral and the Earp’s legacy, you can tour the Mescal Movie Set where it was filmed in the nearby town of Benson.
Visit the Historama Theater
Your ticket to the gunfight also includes admission to the Historama Theater. It is located next door to the O.K. Corral and is a great place to brush up on your Tombstone history.
The Historama theater consists of a large-scale rotating diorama. The show is narrated by the legendary actor, Vincent Price. He delves into the area’s history, highlighting several major events that shaped this mining town.
The setup seems a bit hokey, but the show was informative and held my kids’ attention the majority of the time. There are sound and multimedia effects that keep it engaging.
I am a bit of a history nerd, so I really enjoyed learning more about Tombstone beyond just the gunfight at O.K. Corral. The show is about 25 minutes long and is worth seeing. Check at the front desk for daily showtimes.
Pick Up a Newspaper at the Tombstone Epitaph
The Epitaph is Arizona’s oldest newspaper and is still published today.
You can visit the print shop and museum and read the original reports of the gunfight in 1881.
If you purchase a ticket to the O.K. Corral gunfight, you can also receive a copy of the original 1881 newspaper reporting about the gunfight.
You can tour the print shop to see the different machinery and printing presses used over the years.
You’ll also learn more interesting historical facts, like how the editor of The Epitaph is the one responsible for the capture of Geronimo.
Stroll Along Allen Street
The town of Tombstone is still relatively small but has grown to include residential housing, retail shops, businesses, and restaurants.
However, Allen Street has been preserved to reflect life in the 1880s. The dirt street is closed to traffic and is short enough to explore on foot.
Many of the original buildings were burned during multiple fires that raged through the town. They have since been rebuilt to look just as they did during those lawless days of the Wild West.
You’ll even see cowboys roaming the streets dressed up in boots, spurs, and holsters. They are kind enough to stop and chat or pose for a picture. This guy was so fun and was trying to teach my son how to do a tough cowboy face!
If you’re lucky, you may even catch a free gunfight show in the middle of Allen Street.
The residents of Tombstone are passionate about preserving the history and heritage of their town, and it shows.
The O.K. Corral Historic Complex is located on Allen Street, but there are also several other notable spots worth checking out along this dusty main street.
Crystal Palace Saloon
During its peak, Tombstone was home to over 100 saloons. The Crystal Palace Saloon, originally known as the Golden Eagle Brewing Company, was one of Tombstone’s very first saloons.
Wyatt Earp was a regular patron at the Crystal Palace, and US Deputy Marshal Virgil Earp had an office above the saloon.
This historic saloon is a fun place to grab a bite to eat or get a cold drink.
Hotel Tombstone
Hotel Tombstone is a historic hotel at the end of Allen Street. On the main floor is a small restaurant and general store. This is a great place to pop in and grab a quick lunch.
We thought their pizza and homemade pie were pretty good. They also have a gift shop and an arcade room in the back that my boys enjoyed.
Undertaker’s Espresso Bar & Doc Holliday’s Saloon
The Undertaker’s Espresso Bar once served as the city’s morgue and undertaker’s office.
It was built in 1879 and is considered one of the oldest buildings in Tombstone. It survived fires and floods and features some of the original structure, including the wood floors.
During its operation, hundreds of bodies were processed here. There is even a trap door where they would store the bodies to keep cool before being processed. It’s no surprise that this is considered one of the most haunted buildings in Tombstone!
It is located next to the Bird Cage Theater, and there is actually an underground tunnel that goes between the two buildings. I’m sure that came in handy with the 26 murders that took place in the theater!
Doc Holliday’s Saloon is next door to the old morgue. This building originally served as the funeral parlor and viewing room.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon stands where the Grand Hotel once stood. The hotel was one of the finest and most luxurious in the West, but after being open for only 2 years, it was destroyed in a devastating fire.
Not much remains of the Grand Hotel, except for the long bar that you can now find at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.
Big Nose Kate was a prostitute (allegedly the first in Tombstone) and long-time girlfriend and common-law wife of Doc Holliday.
She supposedly got her nickname for being a gossip and sticking her nose in other people’s business.
Today, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is named as one of the best Old Western Bars in the United States. The food is pretty good and you can enjoy live music with your meal.
Campbell & Hatch Billiards and Saloon
The Campbell & Hatch Billiards and Saloon is where Morgan Earp was fatally shot in the back through the window of the door while playing billiards.
Friends of the slain cowboys at the O.K. Corral gunfight were exacting their revenge. Two months earlier, they ambushed Virgil and left him maimed.
The original building was burned, rebuilt, and then closed during the Prohibition era. Today, it is a Western antiques store and gift shop.
Tour the Bird Cage Theater
One of the most infamous buildings in Tombstone is the Bird Cage Theater. In 1882, the New York Times referred to this lusty den as the “wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast“.
The Bird Cage Theater originally opened its doors in 1881 and aspired to be a family-friendly venue. This didn’t necessarily appeal to the rough mining crowd and soon earned its lewd reputation.
It was open 24 hours a day for nine years straight until the mines flooded and they were forced to close the doors and board it up.
The Bird Cage was named for the 14 cribs or “bird cages” that lined the upper floor of the theater. This is where the soiled doves would entertain the men.
Today, visitors can view the bird cages with their original red velvet drapes and furnishings.
It is estimated that there were 26 deaths and 16 gunfights in the theater during the 9 years that it was open. There are over 140 bullet holes throughout the building, several of which can be found right in the foyer.
Visitors are free to step into the main foyer of the theater to take a peek at the bullet holes and see Tombstone’s only remaining bar in its original building.
You can even see the original 9-foot painting of Fatima. She was a famous Belly Dancer who performed at the theater in 1881, and gifted them with this painting.
The Bird Cage is Tombstone’s only historic landmark found in its original state. Unlike many of the buildings that were ravaged by fire, the Bird Cage was preserved and is still adorned with many of the original fixtures, drapes, gambling tables, and a grand piano.
If you would like to see the theater room and bird cages, you’ll need to purchase admission for the self-guided tour. We thought it was interesting and worth a visit!
You’ll be able to step back into the theater to see the original hand-painted stage and the bird cage cribs.
It is also a museum of sorts with countless relics and historic artifacts, including the original Faro table where Doc Holliday played and dealt, and the stirrup from Doc Holliday’s saddle.
The most famous artifact at the Bird Cage Theater, and perhaps the most famous in Tombstone, is the Black Moriah.
This is the original Boothill hearse. It transported all but 6 of Boothill Cemetery’s permanent residents to their final resting place, including the victims of the OK Corral gunfight. The wagon is trimmed in 24k gold and sterling silver and is estimated to be worth around $2 million today.
The Bird Cage was more than just a theater, it was also a saloon, a gambling hall, and a brothel.
If you head down to the basement, you’ll find the Poker Pit. This is where the longest poker game in history was held. It was played 24 hours a day for 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days. The buy-in was $1000, and you can still see the original poker table where the game was played.
The Bordello rooms are also in the basement and were frequented by Wyatt Earp and his mistress (and future wife), Sarah Josephine Marcus. She worked as a prostitute under the names “Sadie Jo” and “Shady Sadie”.
The Bird Cage Theater is also a hot spot for paranormal activity and has been touted as the “Epicenter of the Paranormal” by The Travel Channel.
The History Channel has also referred to the Bird Cage Theater as “Ground Zero for the Paranormal“. Nightly ghost tours are available with a family-friendly evening show and an adults-only night show.
Take a Ghost Tour
In a town notorious for murder, there is no shortage of ghost stories! We enjoyed taking a ghost tour to learn about Tombstone’s darker history.
We booked this family-friendly walking ghost tour and really enjoyed it. It’s fun to experience the town after the tourists leave and the sun goes down.
Our tour lasted about an hour and took us to several locations around town. We started at the Tombstone Courthouse, where you can see a reproduction of the gallows in the courtyard.
Our guide told us about the 5 outlaws who were hanged here after murdering 4 people while robbing a general store in Bisbee. He said that Tombstone is the surfing capital of Arizona, because it’s the only place where you can “hang 5”. There’s a little dark humor for you!
We also learned stories about the Chinese immigrants and the struggles they faced.
We saw the old bank with a bomb proof safe, which made it the only bank in southern Arizona that wasn’t robbed. The bank was the first commercial building in Tombstone.
After it burned down, it was rebuilt as a hospital. Today, it serves as the Tombstone Visitor Center, and there are rumors that the visitors at the visitor center are often the ghostly type!
We didn’t see any ghosts on our tour, but we did hear some interesting stories and learned some fascinating history about Tombstone!
If you enjoy ghost tours, some of our favorite cities that we’ve done ghost tours at include Savannah, New Orleans, and Salem.
Tour the Good Enough Silver Mine
Tombstone was once one of the richest mining towns in the West. The Good Enough Silver Mine was the main producer of silver in Tombstone at the time, and today it is open to visitors for tours.
Visitors can take an underground mine tour or an above-ground trolley tour to various landmarks.
During the tour, you will learn about daily life as a miner. You will see what silver ore looks like and how it was extracted.
We thought it was interesting to learn that miles of extensive mine tunnels still lie beneath the streets of Tombstone. An entrance to one of the tunnels can even be found in the basement of Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.
Take a Ride on a Stagecoach
The Wells Fargo Stagecoach line played a large role in Tombstone’s history. It was used to transport mail, money, gold, goods, and passengers.
Unfortunately, stagecoach robberies were a way of life in the 1800s. One of the more infamous robberies was when a driver and passenger were robbed and killed by a group of bandits.
Wells Fargo sent in their top detective to solve the case, but he blew it off, saying that stagecoach robberies were soon to be a thing of the past.
He quickly learned that was not the case as his stagecoach was held up at gunpoint a year later while en route to Tombstone.
We heard stories like this, as well as other interesting historical details, while taking a 25-minute narrated ride through the streets of Tombstone. It was a fun way to get the full Tombstone experience!
Tours are run by the Old Butterfield Stage Coach Tour Company. Tickets can be purchased from a booth on Allen Street near the O.K. Corral.
Visit the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Tombstone served as the county seat when Cochise County was formed in 1881. The original wooden courthouse burned down in the 1881 fire, and was replaced in 1882 by the red brick Victorian-style building that you see today. That same year, the Courthouse State Park became Arizona’s first state park.
The courthouse was in use until 1931, when the county seat was moved to Bisbee. Today, it serves as a historic museum.
The museum is rich in history and houses several exhibits, including a replica sheriff’s office, courtroom, jail, mining exhibit, and a saloon and gambling room.
In the outdoor courtyard, you’ll find a reproduction of the gallows where many convicted murderers were put to death.
Shaded picnic tables are also available on the grounds of the courthouse.
See The World’s Largest Rose Tree
Who would have guessed that the largest rose tree in the world resides in the barren desert of Tombstone, Arizona?
The story of how this rose tree came to be is actually quite remarkable. Cuttings from a Scottish rose tree were sent to a young bride from her family in Scotland when she was feeling homesick.
She planted it on the grounds of the Arcade Boarding House where she was living. Against all odds, the Scottish rose tree grew and continues to grow today.
The boarding house later became the Rose Tree Inn. Today, visitors can book an overnight stay at the inn or pay a nominal fee to see the tree and tour the small museum.
The rose tree, also referred to as “Tombstone’s Real Shady Lady”, has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and covers over 8,000 square feet.
Spring is the best time to visit when the rose tree blooms for about 6 weeks between March and April.
The museum is a replica of what the original boarding house looked like. You can walk through the rooms decorated with period pieces and see a collection of historic artifacts.
Old Tombstone Western Town
Old Tombstone Western Town is a small theme park where you can watch National Champion Gunfighters perform in Tombstone’s longest-running professional gunfight show.
The Tombstone Cowboys gunfight show is the main highlight, but they also have activities for the whole family, including mini-golf, a shooting gallery, gold panning, and a trolley tour. On Saturday nights, they even offer a haunted trolley tour.
Drive by Historic Buildings
Many historic buildings are scattered around Tombstone and are not just confined to Allen Street.
You can take a trolley or stagecoach tour to discover the history of these landmarks, but you can also find many of them just by driving around town.
Schieffelin Hall
While the rowdy residents of Tombstone could be found at the Bird Cage Theater, the more respectable citizens could be found at Schieffelin Hall.
Shieffelin Hall was a prominent entertainment venue that was used as a theater, recital hall, and location for town meetings.
As a side note, this is also considered the largest standing adobe structure in the Southwest.
It is here that Morgan Earp attended a performance with his brother Wyatt before heading to play billiards at Campbell & Hatch’s Saloon where he met his fate.
Tombstone City Hall
Across the street from Schieffelin Hall, you’ll find the Tombstone City Hall.
This fired red brick building has been in continuous operation since 1882 and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is still in use today and houses the mayor and city offices.
Allen English Home
Just south of Allen Street you’ll find the Allen English Home, an adobe home built in 1882.
I love reading the plaques that accompany these historic landmarks, it really makes the history come alive.
Visit Famous Gravesites at Boothill Graveyard
I was not expecting much when we visited the Boothill Graveyard, but was pleasantly surprised at how fascinating it really was.
This plot of land was originally referred to as the City Cemetery. Back then, “Boot Hill” was a common name given to graveyards where a number of gunfighters and outlaws were buried after dying violent deaths with “their boots still on”. Hence the name, Boothill Graveyard.
Here you’ll find the graves of Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury, the three victims of the gunfight at O.K. Corral.
The cemetery holds over 300 graves, but not all of the occupants were outlaws. The cemetery is the final resting place for businessmen, housewives, miners, prostitutes, gamblers, and a number of Tombstone’s residents.
The City Cemetery was closed in 1886 when the new Tombstone Cemetery was built on Allen Street.
After years of neglect, many of the grave markers were faded and unreadable. A group of interested citizens volunteered their time to research burial records. They also met with relatives and older residents to identify and properly mark the gravesites.
What made a trip to this graveyard so intriguing was the way they marked each grave with the cause of death.
Some were pretty entertaining with little rhymes, but overall it was so interesting to see what hardships they faced back then and how different our lives are today.
There is a small museum and gift shop as well. There is a small fee to enter the graveyard and you’ll receive a brochure cataloging each of the gravesites with the name, year, and details surrounding the death.
The Boothill Graveyard is located on your way out of town and is worth a stop!
There are several lesser-known ghost towns near Tombstone, check out our guide 11 of the Coolest Ghost Towns in Arizona for more information.
And if you’re planning to pass through Tucson on your way to Tombstone, check out our guide for 10 Fun Things to Do in Tucson.
Stay at Tombstone Monument Ranch
If you’re looking for the authentic Tombstone experience, I can’t recommend Tombstone Monument Ranch enough!
This dude ranch offers horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, family-friendly poker nights, and a variety of ranch activities.
It is located about 3 miles outside of Tombstone and is the perfect home base.
The ranch is designed to look like a miniature Allen Street and the front of each guest room is a faux storefront. My kids got a kick out of staying in Doc Holliday’s Dentist Office.
We absolutely loved staying at Tombstone Monument Ranch, it made our Tombstone adventure so much more memorable.
We have also stayed at the Inn History Tombstone. This boutique hotel is cute, modern, well-priced, and located only a block from Allen Street.
I would also highly recommend taking a day trip to the quirky mining town of Bisbee. Read our Bisbee Travel Guide to discover the best things to do there and find out why we loved it so much!
Many people may argue that Tombstone is a bit of a tourist trap, and it can be. However, it is such an iconic piece in the history of the Wild West and is worth a stop on your Arizona road trip!
We loved our time there and hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in Tombstone!
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I really appreciate all the effort you took to make this post and look forward to checking out Tombstone.
Thanks so much for your kind comment, I hope you enjoy visiting Tombstone!