Tombstone AZ Area

[dalenoel]

We've researched all about the Tombstone area and can see what is in the area from the private tour, mine (which I think is closed), food, drinks and shows up and down Allen St.

My question comes more to "What is really open during mid-April. I've been in AZ in July, 131'F and Quartzite in April. Q is closing down at that time and in July there is only hibernating from the heat. We will be in Lake Havasu City and Gilbert for the last two weeks of April but what is still open in the second week of April in Tombstone.

We eat simple and it seems that is Tombstone and neither of us drink much beyond Coke.

Does it close down in this time like Quartzite?
What are the 'don't miss' attractions?
Are there unknown areas that do not show up on Internet searches?

Thanks.

[Us_out_West]

We stayed at Tombstone Territories Resort halfway between Huachuca City and the city of Tombstone. Great RV Park centrally located for visiting the area in both directions. 11 miles to Tombstone and 12.5 miles to Huachuca City.

You can review our visits to Tombstone, Bisbee and Fort Huachuca starting here.

[cpd520]

We enjoyed Bisbee much more than Tombstone.

[Edd505]

NMDriver wrote:
Another nearish attraction is the Fort Huachuca Museum. You will need to show Id and get a visitors pass to access the post but the little bit of hassle is worth it if you want info on the role the fort played in the area. The museum is in the old fort area which means you must drive through almost the whole main post to get there. It is closed Sun and Monday. yelp Link

The Fort has a Buffalo Soldier museum & an Intelligence Museum both worth seeing. While in the area Old Tuscan is a western movies set that's produced 100's of movies. Kartchner Caverns was really nice and there is a State Park there, make reservations it fills fast. We stay at the park when visiting the area, Tombstones just a short drive.

[fanrgs]

We stayed at Butterfield RV Resort in Benson and day-tripped to Tombstone, Bisbee, and Sierra Vista. I would second a visit to the Ft. Huachuca Museum (I was in Army Intelligence and it is now the Intelligence School). We also enjoyed the Bisbee Historical Museum, which had great mining exhibits, with some designed by curators at the Smithsonian. We both felt that Tombstone was just another tourist trap and only stayed a couple of hours.

[NMDriver]

Another nearish attraction is the Fort Huachuca Museum. You will need to show Id and get a visitors pass to access the post but the little bit of hassle is worth it if you want info on the role the fort played in the area. The museum is in the old fort area which means you must drive through almost the whole main post to get there. It is closed Sun and Monday. yelp Link

[Padlin]

They charge you to get into Boothill in Deadwood SD too. Anything to make a $.

[pigman1]

The museum in Bisbee is definitely worth a stop. Fascinating info on the town, the area and the mines. If you decide on a Kartchner Cavern tour, reservations are a must. Get them ASAP as they fill up early and there is no admission except on a tour. Kartchner Caverns State Park is right next to the cave and reservations are recommended there too. Water and power at sites and a dump station.

[Allworth]

We stay at the Queen Mine RVP (full hookups) in Bisbee and day trip everything else. The view across the open pit from the park (a term used loosely in this case) is extraordinary. Take the tour. Several good restaurants in Old-Bisbee.

[bigorange]

I wasn’t aware the cemetery had started charging admission, but haven’t been there in several years. Not surprising. Enjoy your trip...if I was going to pay for just one thing it would be the courthouse. I’ve enjoyed it every time I’ve visited (used to be quite often with friends and family visited us, but most of our visitors now have been there already) and always see something new there. Lots of fascinating history.

[dalenoel]

Thanks for the tips. I realize most has become money making to keep the city alive. We saw the same upscale prices when we went to Oatman a couple years ago but it is still worth the trip.

I'll look more at the cave, mine, walking and walking tours. We usually will go through the stores but don't usually find anything we can't live without unless DW thinks the g'kids 'need' something.

We plan on staying at Tombstone RV Park on 80 since we have the toad and are only allowing two nights before heading up to Lake Havasu City and Cat Tail Cove.

Thanks again for the info.

[Atlee]

How can Boothill Cemetery charge folks to view the cemetery? As far as I know, it's unlawful to charge folks to visit a cemetery. How can they force folks to prove they are related to anyone buried in that cemetery? If I were distantly related to anyone there, I wouldn't pay money to see the grave site. And when we were there in 2014, the folks running the gift shop told us that. They couldn't charge folks to view the grave yard.

Also, the Gunfight at OK Coral was fought downtown. It was not fought in the OK Coral itself. Instead, it was in a then open lot next to Allen Street. The OK Coral was next to the vacant lot, facing another street.

When we were visiting Tombstone, we found it to be a large tourist thing. Everything but Boothill cost money to do. The vacant lot where the gun fight was held has now been walled off so money has to be spent to see the recreation. But I was glad I went there. I was able to walk the same streets as the Cowboys, and Wyatt and Doc, etc.

There is one other attraction I though was interesting was the Tombstone Epitaph. It was free. The original building where the paper was printed is now used as a museum by the paper. It has the old printing press, plus a lot of photos etc especially following the life of the guy who originally established the paper.

Nutinelse2do wrote:

bigorange wrote:
Agree on what’s already been said, especially Kartchner Caverns and Bisbee.

In Tombstone itself the OK Corral shootout is worth seeing and the courthouse is great for the historic perspective. There are a couple of saloons we enjoy with decent food. A few other touristy things and the Boothill Cemetery is worth a visit too and it’s free

Watch the movie before you visit...makes it a little more fun.

Boothill Cemetery is 3.oo per person now, and I think under 12 is free. Now is the time when everything is open. Not so sure in the Summer.

Lady we spoke to at the Court House/ Museum, ( Which is the only thing worth the money ), told us... plan on at least 10.00 per person, per “ attraction “, and if you’re going to eat, bump it up.

The Museum/ Court House tells the TRUE history of the area.

The walking tour is the second best, which also is factual.

The food there is not cheap, nor is anything else, but they have some very nice Western stores.

The actual place where the shoot out happened is on Hwy 80, before you turn into town.

Chiricahua National Monument is worth checking out. It will most likely be too hot to hike any time other than early morning.

Have a great trip

[Nutinelse2do]

bigorange wrote:
Agree on what’s already been said, especially Kartchner Caverns and Bisbee.

In Tombstone itself the OK Corral shootout is worth seeing and the courthouse is great for the historic perspective. There are a couple of saloons we enjoy with decent food. A few other touristy things and the Boothill Cemetery is worth a visit too and it’s free

Watch the movie before you visit...makes it a little more fun.

Boothill Cemetery is 3.oo per person now, and I think under 12 is free. Now is the time when everything is open. Not so sure in the Summer.

Lady we spoke to at the Court House/ Museum, ( Which is the only thing worth the money ), told us... plan on at least 10.00 per person, per “ attraction “, and if you’re going to eat, bump it up.

The Museum/ Court House tells the TRUE history of the area.

The walking tour is the second best, which also is factual.

The food there is not cheap, nor is anything else, but they have some very nice Western stores.

The actual place where the shoot out happened is on Hwy 80, before you turn into town.

Chiricahua National Monument is worth checking out. It will most likely be too hot to hike any time other than early morning.

Have a great trip

[bigorange]

Agree on what’s already been said, especially Kartchner Caverns and Bisbee.

In Tombstone itself the OK Corral shootout is worth seeing and the courthouse is great for the historic perspective. There are a couple of saloons we enjoy with decent food. A few other touristy things and the Boothill Cemetery is worth a visit too and it’s free

Watch the movie before you visit...makes it a little more fun.

[2gypsies1]

There's not much right in Tombstone and weekends are more active. However, plenty to do in the outlying areas.

The Queen Mine Tour is open and is in nearby Bisbee. It's highly recommended and is given by former miners. You don a yellow slicker, helmet with a light and get on the mine car for the tour. No walking needed.

http://www.queenminetour.com/

Kartchner Caverns State Park also has an excellent tour of a living cave and very professionally done. It also has a very nice campground with electric.

Lots of nice hiking in the Sierra Vista area. The Chiricahua Nat'l Monument is very unique and hiking is great.