Places to visit in Tombstone, AZ.
There are many things to do in Tombstone, Arizona. Whether you are visiting the town for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, there are a variety of exciting attractions and fun activities for you and your family to enjoy.
If you plan a trip to Tombstone, Arizona, you have much to look forward to. The town has a rich history and many activities to enjoy during your stay.
O.K. Corral
Tombstone, Arizona, is a historical town renowned for its Wild West history. Tombstone became famous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. It was a thrilling event that helped shape the idea of right and wrong in the American Old West.
This famous shootout began in an alley between two buildings. It lasted about 30 seconds. A few guns were fired, but the real action started when law enforcement officers arrived.
They confronted the renegade cowboys. As they fired their weapons, the gunfight spilled onto the adjacent street.
The gunfight was immortalized in the 1957 film, Gunfight At the O.K. Corral, which is still one of the most famous movies in the United States.
Visitors can visit the gunfight site where the actual incident took place. There are life-sized figures placed in the same spot where the shootout occurred. You can also attend a live gunfight at the Oriental Saloon.
The Bird Cage Theatre
The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona, is an authentic tourist attraction. Initially, it was a saloon, a common place for miners to gather for a night of drinking and entertainment. Today, the building is a museum; visitors can enjoy its history and exhibits.
In the late 1800s, Tombstone was a thriving town of silver fever. During the boom’s peak, the city was known for its gambling. Several high-stakes gamblers were in town, including Billy Milgreen. Some of these gamblers stayed at the saloon all night.
Various entertainers, such as Lotta Crabtree and Eddie Foy, performed at the Bird Cage Theatre. Irish comic duos, opera singers, and national headliners were also featured.
The Bird Cage Theatre is considered to be one of the most haunted places in the state of Arizona. According to one of the managers, items are being moved around. One witness said a woman’s voice could be heard singing clearly through the balcony boxes.
Crystal Palace Saloon
The Crystal Palace Saloon is located in Tombstone, Arizona. This historic building has a long and rich history. When it opened in 1879, it was known as the Golden Eagle Brewing Company. It later became a theater, a gambling hall, and a Greyhound bus station.
In the mid-1880s, a mining crisis caused the town’s economy to falter. As a result, workers were laid off, and wages were lowered. As a result, many businesses closed.
Crystal Palace was a popular destination for entertainment. There was music every night. Guests could sit by a goldfish pond or watch a game. The building also had two bars.
The Crystal Palace was one of the first saloons in Tombstone. Despite a lack of business, the owners planned for the company to reopen. During Prohibition, they had advertisements placed in local newspapers.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is a unique museum in Tombstone, Arizona. The building is open seven days a week, except for Christmas.
Visitors can learn about the history of Tombstone through the many displays, including a recreated silver assay office. There are also exhibits detailing the life of local Chiricahua Apache tribes.
Tombstone was a boom town during the 1800s. The mines that were there produced millions of dollars in gold and silver. However, underground water forced the suspension of mining. During this time, Tombstone was known as a lawless town.
Today, the City of Tombstone manages the courthouse and its surrounding areas. Visitors can walk around the historic building and explore various rooms. It is an elegant and well-integrated Territorial Victorian structure.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is one of the best-kept secrets of Arizona. In addition to its beautiful courthouse, the park contains a museum containing historical artifacts of Tombstone.
Several rooms of the courthouse are dedicated to specific subjects. For instance, there is an exhibit about the town’s founding and a feature film on the OK Corral gunfight. Other rooms include the court clerk’s desk, filled with period items.
Good Enough Mine
If you visit the Old West town of Tombstone in Southeast Arizona, you will want to check out the Good Enough Mine Tour. This trippy silver mine has been churning out the metal and is the perfect venue for an informative tour. You can book a tour online or get a local guide to take you through the experience.
The Tombstone Consolidated Gold & Silver Mining Company was formed in 1880. Ed Schieffelin was one of the first to plunge into the mines. Several hundred mining claims were scattered throughout the area. Some of the richest ore was found south of town.
Aside from the adage that a town is named after its largest gold producer, Tombstone also served as the center of Arizona’s largest silver mining district.
In the early 80s, Tombstone was the apex of the southwest silver rush. It was the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. After the gold rush waned, the town was revitalized as a tourist attraction.