Things to Do in Bisbee, AZ: One of My Favorites!
While Bisbee, Arizona, was once one of the biggest cities in the American West, it could’ve vanished off the map after the mine shut down in the 1970s.
Rather than becoming a ghost town, the people of Bisbee embraced its mining heritage and cultivated a quirky, artistic vibe.
Tourism became (and remains) a vital industry in Bisbee. Visitors are drawn to the town’s historic charm, unique events, and the shops, galleries, and restaurants that line its historic downtown.
Key Info on Visiting Bisbee:
- 200 miles from Phoenix
- 100 miles from Tucson
- It’s close to Sonoita’s wineries, Tombstone, and Chiricahua National Monument.
- Expect a mild climate year-round, with occasional winter snow and summer monsoon storms.
Tours Around Bisbee
Bisbee is easy to explore on your own, but if you’re looking for a guide or something extra, let me suggest these three options:
➡️ Click to Book: Bisbee Wine Tour
➡️ Click to Book: Tucson to Bisbee & Tombstone Tour
➡️ Click to Book: Bisbee E-Bike Tour
Hotels in Bisbee: Where to Stay
Bisbee is home to a variety of historic hotels and rentals. You can plug your dates into the interactive map below (which is easiest to use on a laptop or computer, rather than a cellphone) to check the rates and options for both VRBOs and hotels:
Consider The Carrick Hotel
On my most recent trip to Bisbee, I stayed in one of the historic buildings being renovated into a hotel. It’s called “The Carrick.”
It’s right in town, and features very large suites with tall ceilings and kitchens.
Here’s an aerial view of The Carrick taken as they put a brand-new roof on the building. I love that the new owners are taking such care to restore an old historic site in town!
The Copper Queen Hotel
The Copper Queen Hotel is one of Bisbee, Arizona’s most iconic landmarks, which stands as a proud symbol of the town’s rich mining history. As construction began in 1898, it was designed to accommodate visiting dignitaries, mining executives, and other affluent guests during Bisbee’s copper boom.
Today, the Copper Queen is the longest continuously operating hotel in Arizona!
Expect more historic charm than luxury at the Copper Queen. Modern amenities have been added, but the hotel retains much of its original character, giving guests a step-back-in-time experience.
Paranormal Activity
The Copper Queen Hotel is often touted as one of the most haunted hotels in Arizona. Guests and staff have reported ghostly encounters over the years, with stories of lingering spirits like a woman in a Victorian dress and a mischievous young boy.
Things to Do in Bisbee, AZ
Bisbee is home to delicious restaurants, breweries, and much more. I’ll go into those down below.
A few other ideas to check out in town:
Stroll Through Old Bisbee
Bisbee is a very walkable town. For most activities, you’ll be able to leave your car at your hotel and go on foot. Most people who visit spend their time wandering through the historic streets filled with colorful buildings, unique shops, art galleries, and cafes.
Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
Learn about the town’s rich mining history at this Smithsonian-affiliated museum.
Go Underground: The Queen Mine Tour
Take a guided tour into a historic copper mine to experience what life was like for miners.
The Bisbee Stair Climb
Challenge yourself to explore Bisbee’s famous staircases and discover hidden street art and scenic views.
More Hiking Trails
Enjoy nearby trails like the Bisbee Cross or the Mule Pass Trail for mountain views.
Visit Local Art Galleries
Bisbee is an artist’s haven with galleries showcasing everything from fine art to quirky sculptures.
Catch a Show at the Bisbee Royale
This local venue hosts movies, live music, and community events.
Ghost Tours
Join a guided tour to hear spooky tales and learn about Bisbee’s haunted history.
Lavender Pit Overlook
Drive down the highway to Lowell, AZ to get a view of the massive open-pit copper mine, a reminder of Bisbee’s industrial past.
Restaurants in Bisbee
Bisbee is home to several great restaurant options.
Cafe Roka
Cafe Roka is one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Arizona … possibly top 3.
A photographer I work with suggested it years ago, and every time I’ve gone, it’s been excellent.
The menu at Cafe Roka changes seasonally, offering a variety of dishes like fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, and innovative vegetarian options. They also have an impressive wine list with selections from local and international vineyards.
The restaurant is known for its attentive service and the quality of its food, often earning praise for the attention to detail and the use of local ingredients, including produce and meats from nearby farms.
Jacqui Patisserie
This is a favorite coffee and pastry shop, right on the the main street in Bisbee. It’s walkable from all the hotels.
There’s often a line at the ordering window when it opens. Choose a few things and split them! You won’t be disappointed.
The Bisbee Breakfast Club
You’ll find the Bisbee Breakfast Club in nearby Lowell, AZ. It’s a classic diner that’s well worth the short drive down the highway.
Brewery Gulch
Bisbee is home to a number of breweries and bars. Many of them line a part of town known as Brewery Gulch. The historic marker there reads: In the early 1900’s the rough edges of Bisbee’s mining camps could be found here in notorious Brewery Gulch with its dozens of saloons, gambling halls and crib houses.
The Old Bisbee Brewing Company
The Old Bisbee Brewing Company is a staple in the town’s social and dining scene, housed in a historic building downtown.
The brewery offers a variety of craft beers, ranging from IPAs and pale ales to stouts, porters, and lagers. Many of the beers are made with locally sourced ingredients. The selection rotates with seasonal brews.
In addition to the beer, Bisbee Brewing Company has a small but tasty food menu with options like burgers, sandwiches, and snacks that pair well with the beers.
The Brewing Company also hosts live music, trivia nights, and other activities, making it a popular hangout spot for locals in town and visiting tourists.
Annual Events in Bisbee
It seems like there’s always something going on in Bisbee. Here are a few of the annual events you can count on, in addition to many more local festivals and celebrations:
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Ring in the New Year with themed parties and festivities at local venues.
Alice in Bisbeeland
Billed as “the country’s most extreme 3-day cosplay event.” It’s held in April.
Weird Wild West
The annual Weird Wild West vanlife and overlanding gathering is usually held in April.
Bisbee Pride
A three-day festival in June celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with events, parade, and drag show.
4th of July Festivities
Celebrate Independence Day with a parade and fireworks.
Bisbee Bloomers Garden Tour
An annual Labor Day Weekend event showcasing gardens and home spaces across Bisbee’s neighborhoods, supporting local beautification projects.
Mariachi Festival
Held on the first Saturday in November at Warren Ballpark, featuring Mariachi performances, folklorico dancers, and food vendors.
Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb
A fitness challenge in October that takes participants on a 4.5-mile course with over 1,000 steps through scenic Old Bisbee.
A Brief History Lesson on Bisbee
Driving into town, you’ll see many links to Bisbee’s mining past.
1880s: A Mining Camp
Founded in 1880 as a mining camp, Bisbee quickly became one of the richest mineral sites in the world, producing significant amounts of copper, gold, silver, and other minerals. The area attracted miners and settlers from across the globe, transforming it into a bustling town and earning it the nickname “Queen of the Copper Camps.”
1900s: A Booming Western City
In 1902, Bisbee became the county seat of Cochise County, solidifying its status as a regional hub. By the early 20th century, Bisbee was one of the largest cities between St. Louis and San Francisco, boasting modern amenities such as an opera house, the first public library in Arizona, and electric streetcars.
1970s: Mining Collapse
The mining boom began to decline by the mid-20th century, and the last major mining operation ceased in the 1970s.
Modern Day: What Saved Bisbee
What saved Bisbee from becoming an abandoned ghost town was its ability to reinvent itself after the decline of the mining industry. When the last major mining operations ceased in the 1970s, the town faced economic uncertainty. However, its stunning historic architecture, cool climate, and picturesque setting in the Mule Mountains attracted a new wave of residents and visitors.
Artists, writers, and free spirits moved in, transforming Bisbee into a vibrant hub for creativity.
Nearby Lowell, AZ
Just down the road from Bisbee is a ghost town, turned living museum. Lowell, AZ, is like a time capsule, full of mid-20th-century nostalgia and charm.
Lowell was abandoned after the mines closed. Walking through today will bring you back in time to the 1940s and ’50s.
The heart of Lowell, Erie Street, is lined with restored facades of businesses like an old diner, gas station, and hardware store. Vintage cars are parked along the curb, adding to the illusion of life decades ago.
Best Time to Visit Bisbee: The Weather By Season
Bisbee’s climate is one of its draws, with moderate temperatures and distinct seasons. Visitors will see summer monsoon storms and winter snow. Here’s what you can expect by season:
Spring (March to May)
Spring is an ideal time to visit Bisbee, with comfortable weather and blooming wildflowers.
- Temperatures: Highs range from the mid-60s°F in March to the mid-80s°F in May. Lows are typically in the 40s°F to 50s°F.
- Precipitation: Spring is generally dry, with occasional light rain showers.
Summer (June to August)
Despite the heat, the monsoon storms can cool things off and help frow the greenery on the surrounding mountains.
- Temperatures: Highs are in the mid-80s°F to low 90s°F, while lows remain in the 60s°F.
- Precipitation: Monsoon season begins in late June or early July, bringing afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rain. These storms help cool the afternoons and replenish the landscape.
Fall (September to November)
Fall is my favorite time to visit, with warm weather and less rainfall.
- Temperatures: Highs drop from the low 80s°F in September to the mid-60s°F by November. Lows range from the 60s°F early in the season to the 40s°F later.
- Precipitation: Rain from the monsoon season tapers off in September, and the rest of fall is mostly dry.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is cooler, but still a good time to visit Bisbee.
- Temperatures: Highs are in the mid-50s°F to low 60s°F, with lows often in the 30s°F. Freezing temperatures are possible at night.
- Precipitation: Bisbee experiences occasional rain and light snowfall, though snow accumulation is rare and melts quickly.
Other Things to Do in Southern Arizona
In addition to Lowell and the things to do in Bisbee itself, I’ll suggest a few other options if you’re thinking about a Southern Arizona road trip:
- Hiking in Chiricahua National Monument, which will likely become a national park in the future (photo below).
- Visiting Los Milics, Dos Cabezas, Rune WineWorks, and the other wineries around Sonoita.
- Going underground into Kartchner Caverns.
- Driving and hiking through Saguaro National Park.
- Exploring the historic towns of Tombstone, Lowell, and Bisbee.
More Photos of Bisbee, AZ
Here are a few more photos from around town in Bisbee:
Wrap: Is Bisbee Worth a Visit?
I recommend Bisbee the same way I recommend Sedona for visitors to Phoenix. It’s twice the driving distance, but well worth the trip.
Bisbee is such a unique town, with a welcoming community, a great sense of history, and plenty of things to do. If you’re looking for a road trip, it’s a top Arizona destination, which is in close proximity to other interesting sites to see.
Say hi if you spot me in the corner at Cafe Roka having a glass of red wine 🍷
