Bisbee, Arizona is a historic mining city that, over time, has become a unusual desert artist haven and it’s a quintessential cease on any highway journey by means of southern Arizona. Nestled into the Mule Mountains, Bisbee has a novel attraction that solely an previous western city can have. The city’s character-filled structure coupled with the vibrance of its neighborhood makes it an particularly fascinating vacationer vacation spot for each sort of traveler.
Below we share our favourite issues to do in Bisbee, Arizona, a city filled with historical past, artwork, dive bars, and out of doors journey.
All photographs courtesy of Jono Melamed
How To Get To Bisbee, Arizona
If you’re flying, the closest airport to Bisbee is in Tucson, Arizona. Bisbee is a few 1.5-hour drive from Tucson and a 3-hour drive from Pheonix, making it an incredible day journey and a good higher weekend jaunt.
If you’d like so as to add a number of different locations to your drive, look into stopping within the historic city of Tombstone or Sonoita’s wine nation, every of which enhances a visit to Bisbee fairly effectively.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Bisbee, Arizona
Boasting that it has “the most perfect year-round climate” within the States, Bisbee is a superb vacation spot regardless of the season. It is, nevertheless, nonetheless a desert neighborhood which signifies that the summer time months will be scorching in the event you aren’t accustomed to abandon life. That being mentioned, the temps are typically a stable 10 levels cooler in Bisbee than in Tucson which, in flip, is usually a stable 5-10 levels cooler than Pheonix. So, in the event you’re a desert rat like me, Bisbee in the summertime remains to be a good time.
During the summer time months, you’ll be temperatures between 60 and 90 levels on common. If warmth isn’t your factor, Bisbee is completely good within the fall and winter months, particularly in the event you’re visiting from someplace a bit colder.
In the autumn, the temperatures drop to between 50 and 80 levels and within the winter, nights begin to get a bit colder as they drop to the 30s whereas the daytime temperatures keep within the low 60s.
Top Things To Do in Bisbee, Arizona
1. Walk Through Bisbee’s Neighborhoods
One of the best issues about Bisbee is how walkable it’s. While a few of the extra residential neighborhoods are a fast drive away, Bisbee’s historic district is sort of consolidated and accessible.
There are a number of locations round city the place you may park your automobile and head out on foot to wander down the windy streets and mysterious again alleys that make Bisbee so particular. Don’t neglect to search for a few of the well-known stairs which can be scattered all through city, you would possibly discover some secret road artwork.
As you stroll by means of the distinctive neighborhoods of Old Bisbee, please be courteous of individuals’s privateness.
2. Visit the Copper Queen Mine
Step instantly into Bisbee’s mining historical past on the Queen Mine Tour, a enjoyable journey 1,500 ft into the earth. Complete with your individual arduous hat, miner’s headlamp, and a yellow slicker, you’ll see what life was like for the miners that known as Bisbee residence and study not solely the historical past of the mine but additionally the strategies used within the pursuit of useful ores.
Not for the faint of coronary heart or the claustrophobic, you’ll leap on an previous mining automobile and descend into the earth the place former mine workers information you thru numerous locations of curiosity.
3. Gaze Into The Lavender Pit
If deep darkish tunnels aren’t actually your factor, guests also can take a gander on the Lavender Pit Mine from the overlook on Highway 80. The pit, one of many largest of its variety, is an interesting look down into the earth and provides you some nice context for a way Bisbee grew to become the city that it’s.
After testing the mine, you’ll want to head over to the Bisbee Mining & Historic Museum, the place you may be taught all concerning the historical past of each mining and the city.
4. Check Out Some Live Music
I’ve been by means of a variety of small cities and I’ve by no means been wherever that had a lot nice music taking place actually on a regular basis. With a minimum of 4 open mic nights and a full schedule of native, regional, and touring acts, there’s at all times someplace to sit down and hearken to reside music in Bisbee. Local venues like The Copper Queen, The Grand Hotel, St. Elmos, The Hitching Post, The Shady Dell, and The Bisbee Social Club (simply to call a number of) have an limitless provide of occasions to maintain you movin’ and groovin’.
Want to play some music? There’s an open jam at The Grand each Wednesday evening, simply present up round 6 and do your factor.
5. Visit An Art Gallery
Take sufficient steps by means of Bisbee and also you’ll discover that there are fairly a number of artwork galleries round city. Showcasing all kinds of native, nationwide, and worldwide artists, Bisbee has made a reputation for itself as a spot the place the humanities thrive. A couple of of my favorites are:
- Belleza: a gallery in the midst of city that options the work of over 20 artists, largely painters.
- The Artemezia Foundation Museum: this historic museum contains a everlasting assortment from famend artists like Banksy and Warhol and likewise has a gallery house that’s curated seasonally.
- The Central School Project: a non-profit artwork house that usually hosts artwork occasions.
- Sam & Poe Gallery: options the work of husband and spouse Poe Dismuke and Sam Woolcott
6. Explore Erie Street
Incorporated into Bisbee within the early 1900s, the city of Lowell won’t nonetheless exist however one small slice of it has managed to outlive. Erie Street is a spot out of time. With classic autos and storefronts, the road is a well-liked vacation spot for photographers and Instagrammers seeking to get some iconic western photographs.
Need an excuse to finish up on Erie? Head there for breakfast on the Bisbee Breakfast Club after which stroll off your meal.
7. Shop in Downtown Bisbee
Downtown Bisbee has a novel assortment of domestically owned outlets and thrift shops. Here are a few of my favorites try:
- Killer Bee Honey: Reed Booth doesn’t simply have nice honey, he’s additionally a bee elimination skilled and helps people relocate bees which have determined to make a house in barely (or closely) inconvenient locations.
- Optimo Hat Works: I didn’t know hats could possibly be as stunning as they’re at Optimo. A real grasp of the craft, every hat is a novel heirloom piece that’ll follow you eternally.
- Tumbleweed Mining Company: Walter over at Tumbleweed Mining Company dyes and compresses discovered tumbleweeds and desert vegetation to create distinctive presents and jewellery.
- Bisbee Oil & Vinegar Company: Sometimes you don’t know what you’re lacking and that’s how I felt about Olive Oil as soon as I attempted some from Bisbee Oil & Vinegar.
- Patisserie Jacqui: Absolutely scrumptious pastries and baked items.
- Classic Rock Couture: This classic and vintage-inspired store has all kinds of clothes and accessories that can assist you really feel at residence in a special period.
- Miners and Merchants Antiques: A real vintage store with a very well-curated assortment of things and oddities.
8. Visit Coronado National Monument
A brief 30-minute drive from Bisbee, Coronado National Monument is residence to a number of climbing trails that may get you outdoors throughout your go to to Bisbee. While not one of the trails are very lengthy, they do supply sweeping views and interpretive kiosks that inform the story of The Coronado Expedition, a pivotal second in Arizona’s historical past.
9. Take The Mexican Border Road #61 Scenic Drive
This scenic gravel highway will take you up and over Montezuma Pass after which by means of the borderlands in Coronado National Monument. The drive boats phenomenal views of the Huachuca, Patagonia, Atascosa, Baboquivari, and Pajarito mountains in addition to the sprawling grasslands of the San Rafael Valley. As the highway snakes by means of golden hills and mesquite forests, you’ll be handled to a model of the border that not many get an opportunity to expertise.
To get to the border drive from Bisbee take AZ-80 E to AZ-92 W towards Sierra Vista. After about 20 miles, make a left on W Montezuma Canyon Rd till you end up on the high of Montezuma Pass. It’s a few 45-minute drive to the highest of Montezuma Pass.
10. Get Spooky with a Ghost Tour
Like most historic desert cities, Bisbee is understood to be haunted. If ghosts and ghouls are your factor, leap on The Old Bisbee Ghost Tour and listen to all concerning the spooky aspect of Bisbee. The strolling tour will take you throughout city, combining historic details and ghost tales when you wander the streets at evening.
Want to throw a number of drinks within the combine? The Haunted Pub Crawl will take you to Bisbee’s most haunted bars, the place you may hear about their haunted historical past over a drink of your alternative.
Into extra of a present? Head over to the Bisbee Seance Room for Magic Kenny Bang Bang’s one-man present, a present that mixes victorian parlor magic with Bisbee’s haunted historical past.
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Bisbee, Arizona
One factor that Bisbee has no scarcity of is locations to eat and drink. It doesn’t matter in the event you’re a barhopper, wine snob, or craft beer fanatic, there’s a spot for you on the town.
Drinks
St. Elmo’s is the oldest bar on the town and is positioned within the historic Brewery Gulch. This well-known dive has low cost drinks, beautiful bartenders, and a well-loved pool desk. If you’re a beer individual, you may head throughout the Gulch to Old Bisbee Brewing Company and check out some seasonal choices. I’m a giant fan of the Double Hopped IPA however have additionally been identified to order the Classic Pilsner on hotter days.
A couple of doorways down you’ll discover my favourite bar on the town, The Silver King. Why do I like The Siver King? Because it’s tiny… and by tiny I imply, it’s allegedly the smallest bar within the nation.
Over on Main Street, you’ll discover The Grand, one of many extra well-liked phases on the town, and The Bisbee Social Club, which has considerably of a speakeasy vibe.
Food
If you’re on the lookout for a meal, there are a number of choices for many palettes. Looking for some stable, domestically sourced Americana delicacies? Check out The Quarry or Bisbee’s Table, each have some actually nice choices (and burgers!)
Looking for brunch? Bisbee Breakfast Club is a tried and true traditional, with a number of areas all through southern Arizona. On the weekends, Dot’s Diner is one other good spot to seize breakfast. With some severe retro vibes, Dots is the sort of place that makes you crave a milkshake but additionally makes a imply Bloody Mary. Looking for extra of a home-cooked vibe? Mornings Cafe could have you feeling such as you’re at residence.
Trying to seize one thing easy (however superior) for lunch? Cafe Cornucopia and Boho Bisbee Tapas occupy the identical house on Main Street, switching off once they supply every menu. If you’re into vegan choices, Poco Market is the spot for you, get the quesadilla tacos and thank me later. A bit up the highway, The High Desert Cafe has an incredible choice of sandwiches and salads.
For dinner, Thuy’s Noodle Shop is without doubt one of the greatest eating places for my part, however different native favorites embody Cafe Roka for nice eating and Contessa’s for some Mexican fare. If you’re within the temper for pizza, Screaming Banshee has a few of the greatest round.
Keep in thoughts that many of the bars on the town even have a meals menu, in the event you’re not attempting to alter areas to seize a chunk to eat.
Where To Stay in Bisbee, Arizona
Since the copper growth within the early 1900’s Bisbee has at all times been a spot with loads of locations to remain, every with its personal attraction and persona. Here are a number of Bisbee inns to take a look at:
- The Copper Queen Hotel is within the heart of city and homes each a restaurant and a bar. Finished in 1902, the resort was constructed by The Copper Queen Mining Company and has a protracted historical past of well-known clientele and ghost sightings.
- The Shady Dell is a captivating spot the place you may keep in a wide range of classic trailers and buses. Uniquely embellished, The Dell is a superb place to remain in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing a bit totally different than your common resort room.
- The Bisbee Grand has a wide range of rooms, from easier extra reasonably priced ones to jacuzzi suites. If you want music, you received’t should go tremendous far because the bar downstairs has reside music virtually each evening.
- The Jonquil Motel has all of the attraction of a well-loved motel with none of the shady characters or bedbugs.
- The Object Hotel is a novel place that mixes classic procuring with hospitality and is positioned in the midst of city. Everything within the resort, from the wall artwork to the furnishings, will be bought by visitors.
- The Inn At Castle Rock was constructed within the Nineties and is residence to the historic Apache Springs Well, which impressed the primary mining claims within the space and is mainly the explanation Bisbee exists. The large porches on the entrance aspect of the constructing are certainly one of my favourite locations to drink espresso within the morning.
What are your favourite issues to do in Bisbee, Arizona? Did we miss any? Leave a remark under!
