Why This Arizona Town Deserves More Attention

Founded in 1880, Bisbee, Arizona, quickly boomed as a mining town, with its southwestern energy still strong today. Although its major copper mine shut down in the 1970s, the town continues to draw in around 50,000 visitors each year who are eager to experience its mining spirit for themselves. A thriving festival scene, cozy speakeasies, and lively comedy clubs offer plenty to enjoy beyond its mining history as well. If you are looking for the most authentic side of Arizona in 2025, Bisbee is the place to be.

Old Bisbee Neighborhood

One of the most historic parts of Bisbee is the Old Bisbee Neighborhood, located in the town’s southwest. Many visitors describe this part of town as having a European atmosphere due to the cobblestone paths and narrow streets that were once part of the miners’ boomtown. The main streets in this neighborhood include Main Street, Brewery Avenue, Tombstone Canyon Road, and Naco Road, which are lined with bakeries, shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

In addition to its local businesses, there are several important landmarks to visit in the Old Bisbee Neighborhood, the first being the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. The museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian, allows visitors to explore the town’s copper mining past and its role in the country’s industrialization through interactive exhibits. The Copper Queen Library, on Main Street, is another significant part of Bisbee’s History. Established in 1882, this library is the longest continually operating in the state and has received several highly esteemed library awards. Meanwhile, at the Bisbee Restoration Museum, travelers can view a collection of historic artifacts from Bisbee families over the years, ranging from textiles to a copper high school diploma. If you are craving a sweet treat while exploring Old Bisbee, consider making a pit stop at either Bisbee Good Cakes on Main Street, the town’s oldest bakery.

Copper Queen Mining Tour

One of the best ways to truly experience Bisbee’s mining history is on the Copper Queen Mining Tour, which takes you through an authentic late 19th-century mine. Also located in Old Bisbee, it makes the perfect stop after exploring the neighborhood. Equipped with hardhats, safety vests, and mining headlamps, tour guests will descend 1,500 feet into the historic Queen Mine, where guides will share history and stories about the miners who once worked here. Travelers will explore the majority of the tunnels on the mine’s original underground train. During one stop, however, passengers will get to disembark from the train and walk about 300 feet through one of the tunnels, strolling along the dirt path where the miners walked. Another one of the stops will allow passengers to climb up 36 steps for a brief challenge. In total, the train ride is about a half-mile round trip and lasts about an hour.

Annual Events & Festivals

Throughout the year, Bisbee hosts all kinds of quirky events and festivals. From March 17th through the 20th of this year, travelers can attend the Burnerella Bisbee Arts Takeover, which features four days of music, art, dance, and self-expression at the Jonquil Motel. For the Fourth of July, visitors can expect an extremely patriotic festival in town, complete with parades, picnics, dances, spring contests, and fireworks. If you love Elvis Presley, you’ll want to visit Bisbee in August during the Elvis in Bisbeeland event. Here, travelers can come dressed as Elvis and enjoy live music from Sabrina Solo, a one-woman band. On the Saturday after Labor Day, Bisbee also hosts the annual Blues in Bisbee Festival, which will feature eight hours of blues music, food trucks, and vendors. Another art event takes place during the second weekend of October during the Plein Air Festival. Here, artists compete for prize money, brightening up the city by painting the town’s historic architecture vintage streets, staircases, and colorful homes.

Restaurants & Nightlife

As the sun starts to set, your adventure is just getting started in Bisbee. For a cherished local restaurant, consider dining at Bisbee's Table, a rustic-style dining spot along Main Street that is renowned for its burgers, sandwiches, and artisan pizzas. If you are looking for a good laugh, you can grab a drink at Chuckleheads Bisbee Bar & Comedy Club. Situated along Brewery Avenue, this bar features both local and touring comedians. For a speakeasy-inspired experience, travelers can grab a hand-crafted cocktail at Bisbee Social Club, a cozy basement bar with a velvet-draped entrance and a spacious lounge.

Final Thoughts

Bisbee is far from an ordinary dusty southwestern town. Its preserved mining history offers a fascinating underground experience, while its event calendar, filled with art festivals, Elvis Presley tribute events, and more, keeps things exciting year-round. The Old Bisbee Neighborhood is another testament to how the town has preserved its heritage for generations to come. Whether it is history, art festivals, or handcrafted cocktails that draw you in, Bisbee guarantees the adventure you are seeking.