Let me tell you a secret – my first trip to Tombstone was accidental. I was driving through Arizona with a busted AC when I saw that wooden sign: "The Town Too Tough to Die." Three hours later, I was drinking sarsaparilla at a 1880s saloon watching cowboy reenactors argue about poker debts. That's Tombstone for you – it doesn't just preserve history, it throws you headfirst into it.
Can't-Miss Tombstone Attractions
You're here for the gunfights and graveyards, right? Let's break down what's actually worth your time.
Boot Hill Graveyard
Walking through Boot Hill at sunset gave me chills. Those crooked wooden markers tell stories you won't forget. Look for the famous epitaph: "Here lies Lester Moore, four slugs from a .44, no Les, no more."
| Info Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 408 AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638 (across from CVS Pharmacy) |
| Hours | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily (last entry 5:30 PM) |
| Admission | Free (donations appreciated) |
| Parking | Free gravel lot |
| Pro Tip | Grab the $1 self-guided tour pamphlet at the entrance |
The city maintains it surprisingly well, though some markers are replicas – the original weathered ones are in glass cases near the entrance. Don't skip the small museum shack with photos of the real Billy Clanton.
OK Corral
Honestly? The gunfight show feels more like community theater than historical reenactment. But here's why you should go: the 25-minute live show happens exactly where the 1881 shootout occurred. When those blanks fire, you feel it in your chest.
What many miss: Behind the corral is Allen Street's original adobe wall with real bullet holes from the fight. Bring a flashlight to spot them in the shaded alley.
| Experience | Price | Duration | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunfight Show | $10 adults / $8 kids | 25 min | 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM |
| History Tour | $14 adults / $12 kids | 45 min | Every hour 10 AM-4 PM |
| Combo Ticket | $20 adults / $16 kids | 1.5 hrs | All day access |
Skip the overpriced gift shop – better souvenirs are found at Epitaph Museum next door.
Beyond the Gunfights: Underrated Gems
If you only do touristy things in Tombstone Arizona, you're missing half the town. These spots made me linger longer than planned.
Bird Cage Theatre
This place is creepy authentic. Original red velvet curtains, bullet holes in the ceiling, even the 1880s cigar smoke stains. Night tours ($35) are genuinely spooky – our guide swore his flashlight died every night in Room 5.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Must-See | The "cages" (private boxes where ladies entertained clients) |
| Hidden Spot | Basament poker room with 24-karat gold wallpaper |
| Hours | 9 AM - 6 PM (Night tours Fri/Sat at 8 PM) |
| Admission | $12 adults / $10 kids |
Goodenough Mine Tour
That 50°F air hitting you when you descend is pure relief in summer. Our guide Marty – whose grandpa actually worked the mine – showed us how silver veins glitter under UV light. Wear closed-toe shoes, the tunnels get muddy.
Insider Tip: The 4 PM tour is least crowded. Guides have more time for stories.
Where to Eat: No Tourist Traps
I made it my mission to find where locals eat. Skip the overpriced steak houses on Allen Street.
O.K. Cafe
This unassuming spot behind the courthouse serves the best Navajo taco I've had in Arizona. Fluffy fry bread piled with chili that tastes like someone's grandma made it.
| Dish | Price | Must-Try |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo Taco | $14 | Feeds two adults |
| Prickly Pear Lemonade | $5 | Perfect for desert heat |
| Chicken Chili | $8 (bowl) | Homemade daily |
Open 7 AM - 2 PM. Get there before 11 AM on weekends or you'll wait 30 minutes.
Practical Tombstone Tips Nobody Tells You
I learned these the hard way so you don't have to:
- Parking: Free lots on Toughnut St fill by 10:30 AM. Park at Rose Tree Museum ($3 all-day)
- Footwear: Allen Street's wooden sidewalks wreck heels. Wear boots or sneakers
- Hydration: Carry water even in winter – altitude is 4,500 feet
- Cash: Many smaller shops and tours are cash-only (ATMs charge $4 fees)
Best Photography Spot: Climb the stairs at Tombstone Courthouse for panoramic views at golden hour. The mountains turn fiery red.
Your Tombstone Itinerary Ideas
Based on how much time you have:
One Day Power Trip
- 9 AM: Boot Hill Graveyard (coolest morning light)
- 10:30 AM: Courthouse State Museum
- 12 PM: Lunch at O.K. Cafe
- 2:30 PM: O.K. Corral gunfight
- 4 PM: Bird Cage Theatre tour
- 6 PM: Margarita at Big Nose Kate's piano bar
Getting Around Tombstone
Everything's walkable within 10 blocks. Free trolleys run Allen Street but they're slow – faster to walk. Need wheels? Rent electric golf carts ($40/4hrs at Tombstone Cart Rentals).
Warning: Stagecoach rides ($15/person) are bumpy as heck. My back regretted it. Fun for photos though.
Answers to Burning Questions About Things to Do in Tombstone AZ
Is Tombstone worth visiting for kids?
Depends on their age. Under 8? Maybe skip it. Gunshots scare toddlers despite being blanks. But my 10-year-old nephew loved panning for "gold" at Prospector's Plaza ($8 per pan – they find fool's gold every time).
Best time of year for Tombstone activities?
October is prime time with Helldorado Days festival. But temperatures are perfect March-May and September-November. Summer afternoons hit 100°F – do museums then.
Can I visit Tombstone in winter?
Yes! December daytime temps average 60°F. Holiday decorations make Allen Street magical. Just know some tours close weekdays Jan-Feb.
Are Tombstone attractions expensive?
Not if you pick wisely. Focus on free/cheap gems:
- Boot Hill Graveyard (free)
- Walking Allen Street (free)
- Rose Tree Museum ($3)
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church (free donation)
Where to stay overnight?
I've tested options:
| Property | Price Range | Atmosphere | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tombstone Grand Hotel | $$$ | Luxury Western | Excellent |
| Larian Motel | $ | Basic but clean | 10-min walk |
| Allen Street B&B | $$ | Historic charm | Perfect |
Truth? Unless you're doing ghost tours, stay in Sierra Vista 25 mins away. Better rates and modern amenities.
Mistakes Tourists Make (I Did Too)
Learn from my blunders:
- Ignoring altitude: Tombstone sits at 4,541 feet. That headache? Probably dehydration + elevation
- Overbooking tours: Three back-to-back tours = cowboy burnout
- Missing the countryside: Drive 15 mins to Coronado National Forest for killer sunset views
- Buying cheap souvenirs: That $5 plastic pistol breaks before you leave town. Splurge on hand-tooled leather at Larian's ($40+)
Look, Tombstone isn't polished. Some shops feel tourist trappy. But when you're sitting on a wooden bench eating prickly pear ice cream watching a cowboy argue with the town marshal? That's magic you can't fake. It's raw, quirky American history you can touch.
My best advice? Slow down. Wander side streets. Talk to shopkeepers. That's how I discovered Ed Schieffelin's actual cabin behind the visitor center – no signs, just history hiding in plain sight.