Tombstone, Arizona: Visit the Old West

Tombstone, the "Town Too Tough to Die," is a hidden treasure in Arizona's southeast corner. Once a booming mining town, it has become famous through numerous Western movies. Many Arizonans do not realize that these legends were born right in their own backyard, and few have ventured a visit to the once-lawless Old West camp. If you are planning a visit to Arizona, take some time to explore Tombstone and its neighbors, a mere 70 mile drive from Tucson. Spend a day or a weekend enjoying the history, the wide open area, the clean air, and the slow, relaxed pace of Tombstone.

This town of only 1,500 year-round residents attracts nearly half a million visitors every year. Very few national chains (a Circle-K gas station and a Best Western hotel being two exceptions) have a hand in the local economy. However, dozens of unique shops line the main street, which is blocked off to allow only foot traffic, and unpaved to add an authentic feel to the historic town. In addition to shopping, you can spend your time immersing yourself in the exciting history of the area. There are a number of gunfight reenactments to enjoy, ranging from the OK Corral, which offers educational information about the famous Earp/Clanton gunfight, to the more lighthearted Heldorado Town, with their Comedy Gunfight show. Boot Hill Graveyard, the historic Courthouse, and the Bird Cage Theatre all offer exhibits documenting the olden days of the region. Among some of the lesser known attractions are the Rose Tree Museum, which allows visitors to relax in the shade of a 120-year-old rose tree covering 8,600 square feet, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the oldest Protestant church in Arizona, and Schieffelin Monument, the final resting spot of Tombstone's founder, Ed Schieffelin.