Bisbee and Tombstone! (Holbrook: sale, hotels, theater)

[MAtheBanker]

My friend and I are going to Bisbee and Tombstone next weekend. The only thing we have planned is to go do the mine tour in Bisbee. Anyone have any other ideas? Referrals on places to stay would be appreciated, too! I can only find two hotels down there.

Thanks!

[Bondurant]

I have yet to make the trip but I've heard that Tombstone is a tourist trap and Bisbee is amazing.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

I have yet to make the trip but I've heard that Tombstone is a tourist trap and Bisbee is amazing.

Well, Tombstone IS a bit of tourist trap - but you know what, there's a reason for that - it's pretty darned cool. It feesl & looks EXACTLY the way you'd imagine an old west to to feel and look like - JUST like in the movies.

Bisbee IS cool - but feels more like an old west city than old west town - and you know what, there's a reason for that too - Bisbee was a much more important place than Tombstone and the architecture reflects that - with more and larger buildings mostly built of brick rather than wood. It reminds me very much of Cripple Creek Colorado.

BOTH are COOL - and BOTH exude history. Bisbee has more charm since it's more of an arts community than Tombstone - but I actually prefer Tombstone - I mean, these ARE the streets Doc Holiday and the Earp brothers walked. So people make a living off of that history. Nothing wrong with that.

Ken

[sierraAZ]

Here are some UNIQUE accommodations! I haven't stayed there, but I'm thinking it might be cool to do that some day... for a night that is! Or not... I was thinking the same of the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook on my recent trip, but decided to go with better creature comforts after all...

Welcome to the Shady Dell! (http://www.theshadydell.com/index.html - broken link)

I've spent the night only once in Bisbee and it was in some B & B. The big hotel in the heart of town looks cool and it's probably fine inside.

[MAtheBanker]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Well, Tombstone IS a bit of tourist trap - but you know what, there's a reason for that - it's pretty darned cool. It feesl & looks EXACTLY the way you'd imagine an old west to to feel and look like - JUST like in the movies.

Bisbee IS cool - but feels more like an old west city than old west town - and you know what, there's a reason for that too - Bisbee was a much more important place than Tombstone and the architecture reflects that - with more and larger buildings mostly built of brick rather than wood. It reminds me very much of Cripple Creek Colorado.

BOTH are COOL - and BOTH exude history. Bisbee has more charm since it's more of an arts community than Tombstone - but I actually prefer Tombstone - I mean, these ARE the streets Doc Holiday and the Earp brothers walked. So people make a living off of that history. Nothing wrong with that.

Ken

Awesome. Now, help me figure out some things to do while I'm there

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Here are some UNIQUE accommodations! I haven't stayed there, but I'm thinking it might be cool to do that some day... for a night that is! Or not... I was thinking the same of the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook on my recent trip, but decided to go with better creature comforts after all...

Welcome to the Shady Dell! (http://www.theshadydell.com/index.html - broken link)

I've spent the night only once in Bisbee and it was in some B & B. The big hotel in the heart of town looks cool and it's probably fine inside.

That is, hands down, the coolest thing I have ever seen. They don't have availability for the night we're going, though

[crazyme4878]

For Bisbee, we liked to eat at the High Desert Market (lunch or breakfast pastries), which is up Tombstone Canyon--away from downtown--by the courthouse. We also like Santiagos (I don't think I spelled that right), which is downtown, just up Brewery Gulch. They have really good margheritas! I perfer the coffee at the High Desert Market than the Bisbee Coffee Co., but many people disagree. That or they have never had the coffee at HDM. Also, if you do like coffee, we love Bisbee Coffee Roasters. They set up a table in a little alley way off of the main drag. And there is an awesome chocolatier just down from HDM. He closes for the summer, so hopefully he will be open already.

There is a nice farmers' market on Saturday mornings in the Warren section of Bisbee (they will have signs up directing you). There is usually some food and coffee being served, music playing, some artisans and a couple flea-market style booths up besides all the farmers' booths.

I just like to go through the shops in Bisbee and window shop, however, I would check the city calendar to see if there is anything special going on.

I don't have any experience with lodging, but I would choose to stay in Bisbee over Tombstone--there is more going on in Bisbee and it has a better nightlife, from what I here from my friends.

For Tombstone: We did the reenactment of shoot out at the OK corral and that was interesting enough. I have heard that the old courthouse-now state park is interesting, but I have never done it. I haven't had good food in Tombstone, although that's just my opinion. I have also done the ghost tour of the Birdcage Theater. I highly suggest that. Now, more than once someone has written here that the ghost tours there are just a marketing ploy. That may be, but.... To tour during the day, it costs $10. And really, after going through it, it seems like a waste of money. During the day, you just go through by yourself and walk by "memorabilia" from Tombstone. A lot of it is boring. The ghost tour is $20 and is guided. So you get more history behind certain objects, more history of the building and people, and some good ghosts stories too. Then you sit on the stage for 30 minutes with the lights out. For me, I just think it makes for a more interesting experience, whether the reported hauntings are true or not. However, I went the first time in the winter and it was a small group and we had a super time. The second time, I brought my mom and the group was really large and not as great, so I would request a time that had less people signed up for.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

That is, hands down, the coolest thing I have ever seen. They don't have availability for the night we're going, though

If you're interested, call them. The online calendar may be messed-up.

[crazyme4878]

The Bisbee Bluesfest is going on that Saturday: The Bisbee Blues Festival. It may be more difficult to find a room.

I hear good things about the Copper Queen hotel, too.

[dacubz]

We went to Tombstone in July, and it is true that everything costs money. There really isn't any nightlife in town, everything closes up after 5:00. Even the Saloons were empty. It was worth the trip to see the Good Enough mine, Birdcage theater, and the OK Corral. The town is cool, but only good for a day trip at best. Do not stay at the Tombstone Motel. We stayed at the Holiday in outside of downtown on the first of two days, and it was nicely accommodated with a pool. We spent day two at the Tombstone Motel, which was excellent for being within short walking distance of downtown, but the "suite" in the old building was musty, and furnished with what looked like garage sale reject furniture. The Tombstone was considerably more pricey than the Holiday Inn too, and it was lacking in all areas.

[Rogarven]

We were there two years ago. We stayed at the Letson B & B on the main street with a view of downtown. It was not particularly cheap but probably the same as the Copper Hotel. As mentioned above, the High Desert has great food and is reasonable. We like Bisbee much better than Tombstone.