Nestled in the southeastern corner of Arizona, Tombstone is a town steeped in history and legend. Known as “The Town Too Tough to Die,” Tombstone offers a unique glimpse into the Wild West era with its preserved buildings, historic sites, and vibrant reenactments.
The Historical Significance of Tombstone
Tombstone was founded in 1879 by prospector Ed Schieffelin, who discovered silver in the area. The town’s name originates from a warning Schieffelin received, saying he would find his tombstone rather than riches in the desert. Despite this grim prediction, Schieffelin struck it rich, and the town quickly grew into one of the wealthiest and most notorious mining towns in the American West.
Tombstone’s most famous event is the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which took place on October 26, 1881. This 30-second shootout involved lawmen Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and their friend Doc Holliday facing off against the Clanton-McLaury gang.
The gunfight cemented Tombstone’s place in Wild West history and has been immortalized in numerous films and books. As the silver mines were depleted, Tombstone’s population dwindled, and the town fell into decline. However, its rich history and iconic status led to preservation efforts, turning Tombstone into a popular tourist destination.
Today, visitors can walk the same streets as legendary figures and experience the Old West firsthand.
Things to Do in Tombstone
Allen Street – Allen Street is the main thoroughfare of Tombstone, lined with historic buildings, shops, and saloons. It’s on this street where you will find almost everything of note in the town, including the O.K. Corral. Here, you can take a stagecoach ride, see costumed characters, and pick up a few souvenirs.
O.K. Corral – The main event in Tombstone is watching the gunfight reenactment at the O.K. Corral. Tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance, but the reenactment happens 3 times each day. With your ticket purchase, you also get admission to the Historama Theater, where you can learn about the town’s history. Additionally, your ticket grants you entrance to the Epitaph building, home to Arizona’s oldest continuously published newspaper. The building displays historic printing presses, original newspaper editions, and insights into journalism in the Old West.
Bird Cage Theatre – The Bird Cage Theatre is a former theater and gambling hall that operated 24/7 during Tombstone’s boom years. Here, you will find original bullet holes, historic photographs, and tales of its ghostly inhabitants – 26 people allegedly died there!
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park – One block away from Allen Street on Toughnut Street is the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, which is the original county courthouse. The museum houses period artifacts and photographs and has reconstructed rooms from the town’s heyday.
Good Enough Mine Tour – Another site along Toughnut Street is the Good Enough Mine Tour, where you can explore one of Tombstone’s original silver mines with a guided tour that takes you underground and discusses mining techniques and the life of a miner.
Boothill Graveyard – Away from the main drag, though not far, is Boothill Graveyard, the final resting place of many of Tombstone’s most infamous characters. In the cemetery are the graves of the Clanton and McLaury brothers, and other notable figures from Tombstone’s past.
Best Places to Eat in Tombstone
The Longhorn Restaurant – We opted to eat dinner at The Longhorn Restaurant. With our three little girls, this seemed like the best option when considering the alternatives. The restaurant is located in one of Tombstone’s oldest buildings and offers a mix of traditional American and Southwestern cuisine. The restaurant was great for our family.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon – Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is named after Doc Holliday’s legendary companion and offers a lively atmosphere and Old West decor. You can expect standard American fare, including burgers and sandwiches.
Crystal Palace Saloon – The Crystal Palace Saloon is a historic saloon that dates back to the 1880s, offering a glimpse into Tombstone’s past with its period furnishings and decor. Similarly, you will find steaks, seafood, and classic pub fare.
*These saloons do allow kids, so they are an option for families; we just opted for something a little bit more family-friendly.
Places to Stay
Chain hotels are hard to come by in Tombstone. There are plenty of boutique hotels and a few Airbnbs as well. We opted for a cabin at Katie’s Cozy Cabins, and it turned out great! It was just within walking distance, and since Allen Street is closed at most intersections, we were happy to be able to walk.
*Important Note*
Nearly everything in Tombstone closes by 5 pm and doesn’t open until 10 am or even 11 am the following day.
We arrived in town early afternoon and had not yet eaten lunch but didn’t want to miss the gunfight. We purchased the 3 pm tickets and then headed to the Historama Theater before the gunfight. When the gunfight ended at 3:45, we went to the Longhorn to grab a late lunch/early dinner.
When we finished our meal and headed back to Allen Street around 5 pm, nearly everything was already closed! We intended to get an early start the next morning but also promised the girls we would buy them shirts and…cap guns! So, we had to stick around the next morning until the shops started opening up.
With all that said, saddle up and head to Tombstone to walk in the footsteps of legends and immerse yourself in the storied past of the American frontier.
