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What is Tombstone, Arizona known for?
- Renowned for its Wild West history, Tombstone is a town in southeastern Arizona that is famous for being home to the likes of Wyatt Earp and his brothers and Doc Holliday.
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What attractions can visitors see in Tombstone?
- The town features an array of attractions such as the historic Allen Street, where the O.K. Corral outdoor theater performs a re-enactment of the famous 1881 cowboy gunfight.
- Visitors can also explore the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, which boasts a replica of the gallows.
- The bullet-riddled Bird Cage Theatre is another must-see, as it is said to be haunted by resident ghosts.
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1. Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Explore courtroom relics or walk through exhibits highlighting Old West justice.
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is a state park in Tombstone, Arizona that is home to and preserves the original Cochise County courthouse. Built in 1882 in a shape replicating that of a Roman cross, the Tombstone Courthouse is a magnificent two-story Victorian structure that once housed the offices of the sheriff, treasurer, and recorder, as well as the jail, and courtrooms of Cochise County. Today, the 12,000 square foot courthouse is a museum filled with artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the rich history of the territory. Exhibits in the Tombstone Courthouse include a reproduction of the courtroom and sheriff’s office, a tax license for operating a brothel, an invitation to hanging and a replica of gallows in the courtyard outside the building. The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park also features a museum, a gift shop, modern restrooms, and several shaded picnic areas.
223 E Toughnut St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-3311
2. Rose Tree Museum and Bookstore
See the world’s largest rosebush or browse books inside a historic home.
Located one block south of the historic Allen Street, Rose Tree Museum and Bookstore is a historic boarding house and family home that is dedicated to one of Tombstone's oldest families and tells the story of how they made Tombstone their home for more than six generations. The museum features an array of artifacts and memorabilia from the Robertson – Macia family and Tombstone’s early days, including several historical collections along with dioramas of both the Gunfight at the OK Corral and the Lucky Cuss Mine. The attached bookshop carries a variety of exciting books on the history and culture of the local area, and the museum is home to the world’s largest rose tree.
118 S 4th St, Tombstone, AZ 85638
3. Good Enough Mine Tour
Go underground and discover silver mining history in this unusual guided tour.
The Good Enough Mine Tour is an hour-long tour that explores the Goodenough Mine, which was owned by Ed Schieffelin and was one of 25 silver mines in the Tombstone Mining District that started the mining boom which resulted in the incorporation of the City of Tombstone. The guided tour takes a more in-depth look at original 1879 workings of the mine and teaches visitors more about 19th-century hard rock silver mining, gives them the opportunity to see what ore looked like, and learn more about how it was processed. The tour also discovers the beautiful rocks and minerals that were pulled from the earth, and historic structures and artifacts and structures dating back 130 years.
435 E Toughnut St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-3333
4. O.K. Corral
Relive the famous gunfight or visit exhibits featuring Tombstone’s legendary lawmen.
O.K. Corral is a popular attraction that relives the famous gunfight between the Earps and the Clanton-McLaury gang that took place in 1881 in the vacant lot behind the O.K. Corral. Long-Simmering friction was brought to a head, and in a fateful thirty seconds, the gunfight had left three men dead and three wounded. Capturing the imagination of filmmakers, historians, and novelists for more than 135 years, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral has been restored to its former glory, transforming from a livery to an auto corral to continue to respond to the world’s fascination with the "Old West" frontier. The O.K. Corral features a reenactment of the 30-second shootout between the Earps and the Clanton-McLaury gang, as well as a tour through the O.K. Corral® Historic Complex exhibits which include the theater, stables, museum, and more.
O.K. Corral, 326 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-3456
5. Bird Cage Theatre
Explore preserved rooms or admire artifacts in this famously haunted historic site.
The Bird Cage Theatre was a famous theater in Tombstone that operated continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for eight years from 1881 to 1889, during the height of the silver boom. Featuring a saloon, a bar, a theater, and a brothel, where the painted ladies hung from the ceiling in crib-style housings named ‘bird cages,’ the theater developed a reputation as one of the wickedest theaters between San Francisco and New Orleans. The theater was visited by many famous and infamous people during its time, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday who drank and played cards there. When the silver mines were shut, and the mining boom died down, the theatre was also closed in 1892. Today, the theater is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of the many people who were murdered there and supposedly shouting, and loud music is sometimes heard at night, and cigar smoke and whiskey can sometimes be smelled on the air. The Bird Cage Theatre offers guided night tours, which explore the “paranormal phenomena” and take in all the incredible original historical artifacts that have been perfectly preserved there since 1889.
535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-3421
6. Allen Street
Walk along wooden boardwalks and see costumed performers reenact Wild West moments.
Allen Street is the primary business and tourist district of the famous Old West town of Tombstone and the center of the town’s many tourist attractions, such as the O.K. Corral and the Bird Cage Theatre. Featuring three blocks of shaded boardwalks lined with saloons, shops, restaurants, and bars, Allen Street's historic district is lined with beautifully reconstructed buildings that reflect what Tombstone was like during the boomtown days and exudes the excitement and enchantment of the Wild West days. Allen Street is packed with fun attractions such as re-enactments of famous showdowns at the O.K. Corral, the Tombstone Ghosts and Legends Tour at the Bird Cage Theatre, and the Historama, a multimedia performance showcasing Tombstone's long and varied history.
Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638
7. Tombstone Walking Tours
Join guided tours and hear vivid stories from Tombstone’s exciting frontier past.
Tombstone Walking Tours are guided walks around the town led by local historian Dr. Jay, who combines knowledge with his unique brand of humor which he calls ‘Edu-tainment’ to provide an exciting and scintillating experience. The highly-acclaimed stroll-through-history allows visitors to walk in the actual footsteps of the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday as they made their way to the actual site of the most famous gunfight in old west history. The tour lasts 90 minutes, and good walking shoes are recommended.
Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-9876
8. Boothilll Graveyard
Visit legendary graves and read humorous epitaphs at this quick historic stop.
The Boothilll Graveyard, also known as the ‘Old City Cemetery,’ is a small graveyard in Tombstone that was used after 1883 to bury outlaws. Named for the number of men who died with their boots on that were buried there, Boothill is the general name for any number of cemeteries generally in the American West that was the burial grounds of gunfighters who ‘died with their boots on.’ The Boothill Graveyard had a separate Jewish cemetery nearby and is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. The graveyard has up to 250 interments, including notable gravesites for Marshal Fred White, the McLaury brothers, and Billy Clanton, Jack Dunlop aka ‘Three Fingered Jack’, and China Mary aka Mrs. Ah Lum.
408 AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-3300
9. The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum
See vintage printing presses and explore Arizona’s oldest continuously published newspaper.
The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum is a monthly publication that serves as a window in the history and culture of the Old West that was founded in 1880 and is Arizona's oldest continuously published newspaper. The Tombstone Epitaph ® Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of the paper and features an array of exhibits relating to how the Tombstone Epitaph was printed in the 1880s on the original Washington hand press, and how the editor of the newspaper, John Clum, captured the Apache warrior Geronimo and why he hired the Earp brothers to defend Tombstone. Tombstone Epitaph ® Museum is located on Fifth Street between Allen and Fremont Streets behind the Crystal Palace Saloon.
The Tombstone Epitaph, 11 South Fifth Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638, Phone: 520-457-2211
10. Old Tombstone Western Theme Park
Watch live gunfights or enjoy attractions designed for fun family entertainment.
The Old Tombstone Western Theme Park is packed with attractions and tours that are suitable for the whole family, ranging from mini golf to a shooting gallery and Old West Comedy show. The theme park features a variety of Wild West Rides, famous gunfight re-enactments, Hollywood stunt shows, mini-golf and Pan-for-Gold, a shooting gallery, and an Old Time PhotoShop. The park also has several restaurants, including Cervesa's Cantina, cafés and bars, Trolley Tours of the park, and the award-winning troupe performance show in 1880s Tombstone featuring thrills called Tombstone Cowboys.
339 S. 4th Street, Tombstone AZ 85638, Phone: 520-955-3090
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Top Activities
Spring (March-May) – Warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds.
Larian Motel – A historic and cozy stay in the heart of town.
Walk through Boothill Graveyard – Visit the final resting place of Old West legends.
Summer (June-August) – Hot but great for history buffs and night tours.
Landmark Lookout Lodge – A comfortable stay with scenic views.
Experience the O.K. Corral Gunfight Reenactment – Watch a live recreation of the famous duel.
Fall (September-November) – Pleasant weather and major festivals.
Trail Rider’s Inn – A charming, Old West-style bed & breakfast.
Attend Helldorado Days – A Wild West celebration with parades and performances.
Winter (December-February) – Mild and quiet, perfect for sightseeing.
Tombstone Monument Ranch – A unique western experience with horseback riding.
Explore the Bird Cage Theatre – Visit the infamous saloon and gambling hall.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
- 2. Rose Tree Museum and Bookstore
- 3. Good Enough Mine Tour
- 4. O.K. Corral
- 5. Bird Cage Theatre
- 6. Allen Street
- 7. Tombstone Walking Tours
- 8. Boothilll Graveyard
- 9. The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum
- 10. Old Tombstone Western Theme Park