Fall in LOVE with Tombstone, Arizona
“The town too tough to die”
Tombstone, Arizona is an iconic western town that was founded in 1879 and became a booming silver-mining town. The town is best known for the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral, which took place on October 26, 1881, and has been the setting for a number of movies, including the classic western “Tombstone” starring Kurt Russell. The town is home to several historic hotels, saloons, and other buildings that were built during the town’s silver rush days. Tombstone also has a number of museums, including the Tombstone Courthouse, State Historic Park, and the Boothill Graveyard Museum.
I had been to Tombstone a half a dozen times, but my husband had never been, so we decided to take a quick 3 day stop on our way to Texas from California. It is only about 20-30 minutes out of the way, south of the I-10 freeway, and we were so glad we decided to stop. Here is what we did and a few other things to do while you are in this cute little iconic town:
Top 10 things to do in Tombstone
- Visit the legendary O.K. Corral and watch a reenactment of the Gun fight.
- Take a tour of Boot Hill Graveyard.
- Visit Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.
- Learn about the town’s history at TheTombstone Courthouse State Historic Park.
- Take a Stagecoach Tour around the town.
- Take a ghost town tour or a nighttime tour at The Birdcage Theatre.
- Explore Allen Street and shop at all the little boutiques.
- Explore the museums such as the Tombstone Epitaph Museum, The Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, and The Rose Bush Museum.
- Take a picture with the “Tombstone” sign.
- See a show at Wyatt Earp’s Oriental Saloon Theatre.
Places to stay in Tombstone
If you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting Tombstone, AZ, there are some great options available. The following is a list of current hotels or motels in the area:
Landmark Lookout Lodge
781 N Highway 80, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Pool – Pet Friendly – Non Smoking – Air Conditioning
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Katie’s Cozy Suites
114 S 4th Street, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free WIFI – Lounge Area – Single Level Property
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The Tombstone Motel
502 E Fremont Street, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Pet Friendly – Air Conditioning – Connecting Rooms Available
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The Tombstone Grand Hotel
580 W Randolph Way, Tombstone AZ, 95638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Pool – Non Smoking – Air Conditioning
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Trail Rider’s Inn
13 N 7th Street, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Pool – Pet Friendly – Air Conditioning
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Tombstone San Jose House
1 N 5th Street, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Non Smoking – Kitchenette – Air Conditioning
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Allen Street Inn
101 E Allen Street, Tombstone AZ, 85638
Free Parking – Free WIFI – Air Conditioning
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There are also a number of RV parks and campgrounds, as well as charming bed and breakfasts in the area that offer a more homey atmosphere. We stayed in a cute little campground at the end of Allen Street called The Stampede RV Park. It was reasonably priced and even had a cafe onsite. Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to have a great time in Tombstone!
Places to eat in Tombstone
When you visit Tombstone, AZ, you’re going to want a few great places to eat.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is a popular spot for a great burger or steak. It also has a beautiful boutique in the basement with plenty of era-correct clothing if you want to play the part in this little town’s history. Follow a centrally located spiral staircase down and be amazed at all the unique items for sale down there!
If you’re looking for a more casual spot, The Longhorn Restaurant offers a variety of American food. It is one of the iconic four corner restaurants in the center of Allen Street. Once inside, You’re sure to enjoy a nice quiet sit down meal in one of their several rooms.
Diagonally across from the Longhorn Restaurant, The Crystal Palace is an elaborate saloon that takes you right back to the good old Tombstone days! With it’s enormous and elaborate bar, to it’s stage with bands and live music, you’re sure to have a great time meeting new people and dancing the night away! Make this a must-see spot at least one night while you are there.
Places to Shop in Tombstone
If you’re looking for places to shop while visiting Tombstone, there are a few great options. The Bird Cage Theatre gift shop is a great place to pick up souvenirs and keepsakes, such as jewelry, books, art, and more. The Tombstone Trading Post is a great spot to pick up souvenirs, including t-shirts, hats, and other apparel. Spur Western Wear is a great place to find all kinds of western wear, including boots, hats, and leather goods. Lastly, the Tombstone Drug Store is a great place to pick up all kinds of basics and necessities, such as snacks, toiletries, and even medicine. I hope this helps you find the perfect place to shop while visiting Tombstone!
Most popular event weekends
There are a few popular event weekends in Tombstone, Arizona that are sure to offer something for everyone. The first is the annual Helldorado Days celebration in October, which brings together locals and visitors alike for a five-day celebration featuring parades, a carnival, gunfights, music, and food. Another popular weekend is the Tombstone Vigilante Days in February, which includes re-enactments of the town’s notorious gunfights, a parade, a carnival, and more. And lastly, Doc Holli-Days in August and Wyatt Earp Days on Memorial Day weekend has lots to do including a chili cook-off! No matter what time of year you visit Tombstone, there’s sure to be an event that will make your visit memorable. For a complete list of upcoming events in town be sure to visit the website here: www.DiscoverTombstone.com
Our 3 day itinerary while visiting Tombstone
Day 1
We started our day at the famous Bird Cage Theatre, where we took a tour to get an insight into the wild west days. After that, we ventured over to Boot Hill Graveyard, where we were able to learn more about the people who have lived in Tombstone. In the afternoon, we took a guided tour of the OK Corral, and got to see the infamous gunfight site. Then that evening, we went to Big Nose Kate’s Saloon for some good old western atmosphere and yummy food
Day 2
Spend the morning exploring the streets of Tombstone, checking out the various museums and shops, including the Rose Tree Garden Museum and Epitaph Museum. Afterwards, we took a walk through “Old Tombstone Western Town” and visited the Historic Courthouse and museum, to learn more about the town’s history. We finished off the day with a show at Wyatt Earp’s Oriental Saloon and Theatre.
Day 3
Our last day we spent doing a bit more shopping and taking photos. We visited several of the art galleries and talked to a few of the locals. Since Jason bought himself a real custom fitted cowboy hat, I wore mine too that I bought in Tombstone about 15 years ago. It was fun walking around the town in our western wear and traveling back in time for the day.
There’s so much more to do in Tombstone if you want to stay longer than 3 days. I think a week would be a perfect amount of time to explore not only the town, but the area that surrounds it. I know there are some mines to explore, although I’ve never personally visited any of them. Whatever you choose to do, make Tombstone a stop on your bucket list if you find yourself traveling the I-10 freeway through the Tucson area. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan on going back. Here’s a collection of other photos we got if you’re interested in seeing more. Happy Trails!
