10 Things to do in Tombstone That You Shouldn't Miss

December 9, 2021 Joeann Galban

The very mention of Tombstone brings to mind images of the lawless Old West, gunfights at the O.K. Corral, epic feuds between the Earps and the Mclaurys and Clantons, Gold Rush fever and the promise of silver and gold. The heritage of the American West is still alive here today, where historic saloons, post offices and the famous Boot Hill cemetery stand restored and painstakingly preserved alongside more modern, tourist-focused recreations of period architecture.
Restaurants in Tombstone

1. O.K. Corral

326 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638-0047 +1 520-457-3456 [email protected] http://www.ok-corral.com
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,505 reviews

O.K. Corral

Actual site of the famous 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Subject of numerous Hollywood movies. See Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in daily reenactments. Stand where the legendary Gunfight began. Visit Doc Holliday's room. View over 100 photos of 1880s Tombstone and the Apache Geronimo taken by famous Tombstone photographer C.S. Fly. Open daily 9-5.

Reviewed By marijune27 - Bend, United States

What a great show! The actors obviously have fun and audience participation is a must!! Share in the making of history as the outlaws & in-laws fight to the bitter end!!

2. Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

223 East Toughnut Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638 +1 520-457-3311 http://azstateparks.com/tombstone/
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 981 reviews

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

Welcome to the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. Built in 1882 in the shape of a Greek cross, this two-story Victorian structure once housed the offices of the Sheriff, Recorder, Treasurer, Board of Supervisors, Jail, and Courtrooms of Cochise County. Today this 12,000 sq.Ft. Courthouse is a museum filled with the glitter and guns of those who tamed the territory. The park includes a museum, exhibits, a gift shop, restrooms and shaded picnic areas. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Cash. Museum is open daily from 9:00am- 5:00pm. Stop in for an interesting tour and/or the perfect gift!

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park in Tombstone, Arizona, preserves the original Cochise County courthouse that was built in 1882 and contains a museum featuring exhibits and thousands of artifacts relating to Tombstone's colorful and historic past. Located at 223 East Toughnut Street, the two-story red brick courthouse is an elegant example of the Territorial Victorian style of architecture and is laid out in the shape of a cross with double-hung eight-pane windows, slim chimneys, an iron spiral staircase, four square pillars on the front entrance porch and a one-story cupola or observation tower. The oldest courthouse still standing in Arizona, it once contained various county offices, including those of the sheriff, recorder, treasurer and the Board of Supervisors, as well as courtrooms and a jail. Outside, a replica gallows has been constructed in the courtyard to mark the spot where seen men were hanged for various crimes. The building served as the Cochise County courthouse until 1929 when the county seat was moved to Bisbee. The courthouse was designated as a state park in 1959 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

3. Bird Cage Theatre

6th and Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638 +1 800-457-3423 [email protected] http://tombstonebirdcage.com/
Excellent
61%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,640 reviews

Bird Cage Theatre

This one-time theater and brothel has been reincarnated as a museum.

Reviewed By Sparkyrickd

Daytime tour is pretty cool, a lot of neat historical artifacts that bring to life some of the westerns we watched as kids. The ghost tour is where its at though, from the paranormal experiences to the knowledgeable, friendly and fun ghost host Jade it is an experience anyone visiting tombstobe should have.

4. Rose Tree Museum

118 S 4th St between Allen and Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ 85638-0529 +1 520-457-3326 [email protected] http://tombstonerosetree.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 244 reviews

Rose Tree Museum

Famous for having the world's largest rose bush, this former residence has been turned into a museum.

Reviewed By curio51 - Payson, United States

The Rose Museum is a must-very nicely laid out museum of artifacts from the day. Lots of history as well. It's a lot bigger than it looks! The worlds largest and oldest rose tree is amazing and you can purchase a potted plant cut directly from it. I did so and can't wait to plant it next spring-we visited in early December.

5. Allen Street

Tombstone, AZ 85638 +1 520-457-9317 [email protected] http://www.tombstonechamber.com
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,016 reviews

Allen Street

Allen Street is the main business and Historic District/National Registry of Historic Places of the famous Old West town of Tombstone, Arizona. It's full of history having once been the main thoroughfare of Tombstone during the boomtown days, so has certainly seen plenty of sights in its time. Allen Street became famous for being at the heart of the action during the time of the Old West. It saw plenty of gunfights in its day, and continues to be the primary tourist destination for tourists and Tombstone visitors. Today, it attracts people from all over who are looking for the excitement and enchantment of the Wild West days. The first stop on any trip to Allen Street should be the Tombstone Visitor and Information Center, where people can pick up a map of the area along with all the information that they need to plan their day. After that, they can head on down the Street to see what they come across. Allen Street is home to plenty of attractions, one of the most notable being the O.K. Corral. The O.K. Corral is the site of the most famous gunfight of the Old West which took place on October 26, 1881. It has daily re-enactments of the fight and is also home to the Historama, a multimedia performance showcasing Tombstone's long and varied history. After that there's plenty to choose from, including the Tombstone Ghosts and Legends Tour, guaranteed to give everyone a chill, or the Birdcage Theatre. Visitors can ride along the dusty road on the Tucson Stage Line or Butterfield Stage Coach, and can enjoy travelling as it once was with the road being closed to all other traffic. There are lots of options in terms of food and drink as well including the Crystal Palace Saloon and Big Nose Kate's, and there are countless other souvenir and gift shops along the Street for visitors to find a memento of the day. And, the Street is an attraction in its own right, with western re-enactments often being performed by the Six Gun City Players. Allen Street is open daily and entry to the road itself is free, however admission fees and opening times are sure to vary with each individual attraction. Be sure to check with the attraction first for their terms and conditions, and it's worth checking with the visitor center if you want to know when any staged gunfights and the like will be taking place. A trip to Allen Street really gives people a chance to see what life was once like in the Old West. With plenty of attractions to choose from, as well as re-enactments of famous showdowns, visitors will truly get a glimpse into the history of the time. And, with everything so beautifully preserved it really feels like you're back in the days of the Wild West, which will appeal to history fans and general tourists alike. Allen Street is a must-see for any visit to Tombstone.

Reviewed By Travellingphoenix64 - Phoenix, United States

You've seen the movie "Tombstone", right? Why not visit the place where that history actually happened? It's all here on Allen Street in Tombstone Arizona. There are no cars allowed on this dusty lane. Instead a stage coach or carriage can take you on a historical journey back to 1879, when a miner named Ed Schieffelin discovered a massive silver vein, and a mining camp called Tombstone was born. Or you can stroll along the wooden sidewalks, past historic places like the The Crystal Palace and The Oriental Saloon, and the bawdy (and haunted) Bird Cage Theatre (a terrific museum). You can visit the actual OK Corral, site of one of the most famous gunfights in all of western lore, stand on the actual spot where Virgil Earp was shot, see the area where Morgan Earp was killed, and visit the spot where "Curly Bill" shot Marshall Fred White. There are the amusing Ghosts and Legends of Ike Clanton's Haunted Hotel, wine tastings, plenty of shopping, and enough food and drink to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Living in Arizona, I visit the Tombstone area periodically, and I always come away with something that I didn't know before. If you're looking for a Wild West history lesson on your next vacation, give Allen Street and the "town too tough to die" a try.

6. Historic Gleeson Jail

Gleeson Road East of Tombstone, Tombstone, AZ http://GleesonArizona.com
Excellent
68%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Historic Gleeson Jail

Reviewed By authormanuelas

I knew the Gleeson prison before it got restored and now and the owner has done a great job while keeping it authentic. Worth a stop when you do the ghost town trail visiting old ghost towns around Tombstone and Bisbee. Interesting history and small little museum room attached to it.

7. Gunfighter Hall of Fame

4th and Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ 85638 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gunfighters-Hall-of-Fame/504933219675069
Excellent
80%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

Gunfighter Hall of Fame

Reviewed By mail4mjm

This small museum has an incredible number of treasured collectible items of the old west and the characters that made the history. In addition to remarkable movie set items from the Blockbuster “Tombstone” with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer there are individual displays featuring the most famous and infamous gunfighters of the old west. Authentic personal items of Billy the Kid, Johnny Ringo, Pat Garrett, John Wayne, J Wes Hardin, and of course many items from Wyatt and the Earp Family among many others. It would be a shame for anyone interested in the Wild West to miss this rather small , but extensive museum collection. The owner is a life long collector and extremely knowledgeable. The only downside to this excellent museum is the often erratic schedule of operation. It can be very unpredictable, but I sincerely urge anyone to make the visit.

8. The Saloon Theatre

109 S. 3rd St., Tombstone, AZ 85638 +1 520-457-8802 [email protected] http://www.thesaloontheatre.com
Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

The Saloon Theatre

1880's Style saloon providing quality entertainment reliving the history of the Old West. Learn about the rich and colorful history of Tombstone and Cochise County

Reviewed By 115eha - Tombstone, United States

New cast of skilled actors bring to Life the legendary gunslingers of Old Tombstone in the most informative Historical Show In town! And, it is the least expensive! Kids 6 & under are FREE, 7-14 are $4, Adults are only $8! Catch a drink beforehand next door at The Four Dueces and pose for pictures with the friendly Cow-Boys after the show. Keep an eye on your women however (or least make she brought her shotgun!)

9. The Tombstone Epitaph

Tombstone, AZ +1 520-457-2211 [email protected] http://www.tombstoneepitaph.com
Excellent
38%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 497 reviews

The Tombstone Epitaph

The office of the Old West's most famous newspaper.

Reviewed By LillyLyons - Bemidji, United States

I enjoyed visiting the Tombstone Epitaph because of the historic information and newspaper equipment - printing press and ink plates. It was no cost to visit, and an easy walk on 5th street from the main drag: Allen Street. You can purchase newspapers too. I did not know that John P. Clum started the paper.

10. Boothilll Graveyard

Tombstone, AZ 85638 +1 520-457-3300 [email protected] http://www.boothillgraves.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,780 reviews

Boothilll Graveyard

Boothill Graveyard was the Tombstone City Cemetery from 1878 to 1884. It was not called Boothill until the 1920s. Its occupants ran the spectrum of all the cultures and nationalities of early Tombstone. Cowboys who "died with their boots on" lie next to housewives, business men and women, miners, gamblers, ladies of the "red-light district" and all the famous and not so famous occupants that contributed to Tombstone's early history. By the 1920s, Boothill had fallen into ruin with many grave markers lost or unreadable. A group of citizens in Tombstone and Cochise County began the task of researching old burial records, consulting with relatives, older residents, and using all means available to identify the occupants and mark the graves properly. The task took several years and the efforts of many to accomplish. This resulted in the graveyard being restored much as it was in the early years when it was the city cemetery.

Reviewed By Hafa44 - Annapolis, United States

We really enjoyed wandering through the graves and reading the markers. Wikipedia said that Lester Moore never existed but the very nice, friendly woman who sold us the tickets assured us that he was real and that a relative had visited last year. Interesting either way. We enjoyed it so much that we did end up spending more time than anticipated although it’s something you can spend as much or as little time as you want. Do take time to go down to see the Jewish memorial as well. I’m very glad we visited!

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