Tombstone

"The Town Too Tough To Die" was founded in 1877 as a mining camp. There were seven years of gold, silver, and total lawlessness to follow, climaxing in the famous shoot-out between Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang at The O.K. Corral. Today, Tombstone's main industry is tourism. It has several streets of vintage churches, saloons, and hotels from the 1880s.

• Tombstone Visitor Center

  phone: +1 520-457-3929
  address: 383 E Allen St

By plane

Tucson International Airport (TUS) is the closest airport to Tombstone.

By car

From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east to the city of Benson, about 1 hour away. Take Exit 303 through Benson to reach Arizona State Highway 80. Tombstone is about 40 minutes south of Benson by way of AZ-80.

By train

Benson is the nearest city with an Amtrak station. It is served by two routes: the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.

Tombstone has only one road of importance: Fremont Street, which is part of AZ-80. With the exceptions of Boot Hill Cemetery and the Ed Schieffelin Monument, the historic attractions are all easily accessible on foot.

• Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

  phone: +1 520-457-3311
  address: 223 Toughnut St
  Former county courthouse, built in 1882 and now a museum dedicated to the history of Tombstone.

• Birdcage Theater

  address: 517 E Allen St
  A former combination theater, saloon, gambling parlor, and brothel which operated from 1881 to 1889 and is now a historic museum. Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Diamond Jim Brady, and George Hearst were noted visitors. The building is said to be haunted.

• O.K. Corral

  phone: +1 520-457-3456
  address: 517 E Allen St
  Originally a small horse corral, associated with the infamous 'Gunfight at the O.K. Corral' and now a National Historic Landmark. It is the setting for a daily reenactment of the gunfight staged for tourists.

• Boothill Cemetery

  address: Hwy 80
  Many outlaws were buried here, with deaths not by natural causes. Heavily restored, entrance through the giftshop.

• Rose Tree Museum

  phone: +1 520-457-3326
  address: 118 S 4th St
  Said to house the world's largest rose tree, as well as a historical museum.

• Ed Schieffelin Monument

  address: W Schieffelin Monument Rd
  Ed Schieffelin first discovered silver in the area, which eventually led to the foundation of Tombstone. A monument stands near the site of his original claim, resembling markers used by miners.

• Helldorado DaysAn annual festival and street parade held in October.

• Tombstone Rose Tree FestivalA three-day festival held annually in early April, celebrating the blooming of the world's largest rose tree (see listing above). Events include musical and dance performances, variety shows, and a parade.

• Crystal Palace

  phone: +1 520-457-3611
  address: 436 E Allen St
  Established in 1881, this is one of the few buildings on Allen Street that survived fires that devastated Tombstone in 1881 and 1882. Virgil Earp used to have an office on the second floor. The Crystal Palace now offers decent steaks and burgers, and even good salads.

• Longhorn Restaurant

  phone: +1 520-457-3405
  address: 501 E Allen St
  In 1881 Virgil Earp was shot at this location. The original building burned down in 1942, and was replaced with this replica. The restaurant is now known for barbeque pork ribs and steak.

• Big Nose Kate's Saloon

  phone: +1 520-457-3107
  address: 417 E Allen St
  Established in 1880 as the 'Grand Hotel' and run by 'Big Nose Kate', the common-law wife of Doc Holliday. Ike Clanton and two McLaury brothers stayed here on the eve of the O.K. Corral gunfight.

• Tombstone Bordello Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 520-457-2394
  address: 107 W Allen St
  Built in 1881, this former brothel was once owned and operated by Big Nose Kate. Within easy walking distance of downtown.