-
Where is Bisbee located?
- Bisbee is a picturesque small town located about 2 hours from Tucson (97.7 miles via I-10 E and AZ-80 E) on the slopes of the Mule Mountains.
-
How was Bisbee founded?
- The town was founded in 1880 as the result of the rapid growth of the Copper Queen Mine, one of the world’s largest copper mines.
-
What happened to Bisbee after the Copper Queen Mine closed?
- After the mine was closed in 1975, the original miners’ Bisbee became Old Bisbee, a popular tourist destination full of quaint old buildings that now host cafés, shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Tour the Copper Queen Mine
Explore underground tunnels and learn about Bisbee’s mining past on this exciting tour.
The Copper Queen Mine is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the charming town of Bisbee, Arizona. At the turn of 20th century, it was the most productive copper mine in all of Cochise County. Its rapid development quickly brought thousands of miners and in 1880s led to the growth of the nearby town of Bisbee. Although copper mining declined in the 1930s, the Copper Queen continued to be exploited from its open pit after World War II. It was finally closed in 1985. Today, groups of tourists can take a tour of the famous mine, going deep into the belly of the mountain to try to experience the efforts and hardships old miners endured to get the copper out.
Address: 478 N Dart Rd, Bisbee, AZ 85603, Phone: 520-432-2071
2. See an exhibit at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum
Discover mining history and admire rare artifacts during your educational trip.
The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum is a small local museum that tells the story of the once thriving mining town of Bisbee through fascinating exhibits of artifacts, photographs, tools, and everyday objects. The museum is located in the former headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company in downtown Bisbee. The museum is an affiliate of the renowned Smithsonian Institution. The museum’s permanent exhibit, known as “Bisbee: Urban Outpost on the Frontier,” describes the first 40 years of Bisbee, a city built by copper. The exhibit portraits copper mining as it was experienced in Bisbee. The museum, with the help of the Smithsonian, often organizes temporary exhibits combining art and history.
Address: 5 Copper Queen Plz, Bisbee, AZ 85603, Phone: 520-432-7071
3. Visit the Lavender Pit
Look at a massive open-pit mine and enjoy unusual geological sights.
The Lavender Pit was part of the massive Copper Queen Mine, which was run by the Phelps Dodge Corporation from 1879 to 1975. In 1951 the manager of the Copper Queen Branch of Phelps Dodge, Harrison Lavender, determined that an open pit mine would be a more economical way to increase the ever decreasing copper yield. The Lavender Pit was exploited in 50-foot long shelves or benches blasted to a 60-foot depth. Every blast would break 75,000 tons of rock every afternoon. In 1975 the prices of copper dropped and even open pit mining was no longer economical, so the Lavender Pit was closed. Today, it is visited by hundreds of tourists, who can observe the giant 300-acre hole in the ground from a series of platforms built along the rim of the pit.
Address: Highway 80, Bisbee, AZ 85603
4. Go on a guided tour of The Muheim Heritage House Museum
Walk through this historic home and savor a quiet, romantic moment.
The Muheim Heritage House Museum is located in a former home of Joseph and Carmelita Muheim, which was completed in 1915. This lovely pioneer home sits on a hill overlooking Old Bisbee and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and homes on Brewery Gulch. The home is a fine example of late 19th century architecture and has been carefully restored to its original look and furnished with original period furniture. The house is a Registered National Historic site. Visitors are offered an informative narrated guided tour and the house is available for rent for special events such as weddings, celebrations, and other events.
Address: 207 Youngblood Hill Ave # B, Bisbee, AZ 85603, Phone: 520-432-7698
5. Step back in time at the Bisbee Restoration Museum
See vintage displays and explore affordable local history exhibits.
The Bisbee Restoration Museum is a free museum occupying the Fair Store building located on historic Bisbee's Main Street. The museum has three stories of galleries that hold a number of items portraying the early history of mining and ranching in Bisbee. The gallery is run by volunteers. All historic artifacts have been donated by Bisbee residents, from a copper high school diploma to a large collection of textiles that includes exquisite quilts, lavish wedding dresses, and the equipment once used to make them. The museum is a wonderful place to get the feel of life in Bisbee during its mining heyday. There is a small gift shop on the main floor.
Address: 37 Main St, Bisbee, AZ 85603, Phone: 520-249-5742
6. Visit Erie Street
Admire vintage cars and storefronts on a quick stroll through quirky sights.
Lowell, Arizona, was a small mining town that was incorporated into Bisbee in the early 1900s. Most of the town’s residential area was torn down to increase the space available for an open pit copper mine. After most of the city residents were gone, the town’s commercial district could not survive and many businesses closed, leaving a ghost town with only Erie Street, which today attracts tourists with its curiosities such as a Harley Davidson repair shop, a defunct gas pump, rusting cars, trucks, an old Greyhound bus, and a department store called Sprouse Reitz Co., with a few appliances and a pile of manikin parts. Erie Street is continually maintained and restored by Bisbee’s passionate residents, who want visitors to get the feel of a different America. There is even a working Bisbee Breakfast Club, famous for its excellent huevos rancheros.
Address: 72 Erie St., Bisbee, AZ 85603
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Pleasant weather, ideal for exploring historic streets and local galleries.
The Copper Queen Hotel – A historic and charming stay in the heart of downtown.
Tour the Queen Mine – Experience a guided underground mining tour.
Summer (June-August) – Warm days, cooler evenings, great for festivals and evening walks.
The Inn at Castle Rock – Quirky hotel with unique character and great location.
Explore Old Bisbee’s art scene – Visit galleries and vibrant local shops.
Fall (September-November) – Comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, ideal for outdoor exploring.
Bisbee Grand Hotel – Elegant historic accommodations with authentic charm.
Attend Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb – Join or cheer on participants in this unique annual event.
Winter (December-February) – Mild weather, festive atmosphere, and quiet charm.
School House Inn Bed & Breakfast – A cozy and inviting historic stay.
Visit Bisbee’s museums – Discover the area's rich history at the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum.
Map:
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: