It’s More than Just an Old Mining Town

Located just 11 miles from the Mexican border and 90 miles southeast of Tucson, Bisbee is one of America’s most treasured historic towns. Here’s what makes it special.

Once the Largest City Between Houston and Los Angeles

In the early 1900s, Bisbee grew bigger than any other city between Houston and Los Angeles, with nearly 10,000 people living there during the mining boom.

The town grew quickly after becoming official in 1902. By 1910, 9,019 people lived there, making it Arizona Territory’s third-largest city.

Today, most residents are older, with an average age of 61.7 years. About 31.5% of people living there are 65 or older.

There’s a 950-ft Overlook Called the Lavender Pit

The imposing Lavender Pit, a 900-foot-deep open copper mine, dominates Bisbee’s landscape along State Route 80.

Harrison M. Lavender of Phelps Dodge Corporation gave his name to this massive pit that covers 300 acres. Miners worked here from 1950 to 1974, pulling out over 600,000 tons of copper.

You can now see the pit from a viewing area where locals used to gather to watch mining explosions.

The Copper Queen Mine Tours Take You 1,500 Feet Underground

The historic Copper Queen Mine fueled Bisbee’s tremendous growth, producing an astounding 8 billion pounds of copper throughout its operations.

The mine opened for tours in 1976, and over a million curious visitors have explored it since then. The 75-minute tour takes you 1,500 feet underground, and they’re led by former miners. Before the tour starts, you’ll get real mining gear, including hard hats and headlamps.

You’ll also ride an original mine train, stopping twice along the half-mile route to explore tunnels and learn about the mine’s past.

It’s Home to Arizona’s Tiniest Bar

Inside the historic Silver King Hotel, Room 4 Bar ranks as Arizona’s smallest bar, taking up just 100 square feet on Brewery Avenue.

Owner Danielle Martinez from Philadelphia created a cozy spot with only four bar stools and a small corner table.

Yes, there are only four seats in Room 4. You can smoke on the patio and enjoy carefully picked spirits, wine, and beer at this tiny spot that locals and tourists love.

The bar opens Thursday through Saturday, hosting live music and art shows.

The Rare “Bisbee Blue” Turquoise Was Discovered Here

Miners found beautiful Bisbee Blue turquoise while digging for copper in the 1950s at the Lavender Pit. They sometimes sneaked pieces home in their lunch boxes.

This rare gem shines with a deep blue color and unique chocolate-brown matrix pattern, making it one of the world’s most sought-after types of turquoise.

The mine’s closure in 1975 and its burial under tons of rock in 2004 have made Bisbee Blue increasingly scarce. Today, this durable, copper-rich turquoise commands premium prices in high-end jewelry, particularly stones with clear matrix patterns.

John Wayne Invested in Bisbee During the 1950s

Movie star John Wayne visited Bisbee, particularly the Copper Queen Hotel, in the 1950s, but his impact extended far beyond that. He teamed up with developer Ed Smart and bought local properties when the town started changing from a mining community to a cultural spot.

Wayne’s involvement drew other investors, including Stephen Hutchison, who later bought and fixed up the Copper Queen Hotel.

Mountain Location Means Cooler Weather Than Many Arizona Areas

At 5,538 feet up in southeastern Arizona’s Mule Mountains, Bisbee enjoys cooler weather than lower places nearby.

Mountains rising to 7,370 feet surround Bisbee, which gets nearly 19 inches of rain yearly, mostly during summer storms.

Historic District Old Bisbee Shows Off Many Building Styles

Known as the “city of 1,000 steps,” Old Bisbee’s narrow, winding streets follow natural arroyo beds, with brick-paved thoroughfares dating to 1906.

It also boasts Arizona’s richest mix of building styles per square inch, with Italianate, Gothic, Classical, Mission Revival, and Art Deco designs structures scattered throughout its 250-acre National Historic District.

Famous buildings like the Copper Queen Hotel and Pythian Castle show off Victorian architecture, while downtown packs two- and three-story commercial buildings into the tricky hillside terrain.

The Town Holds the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb Race Every October

Since 1990, Bisbee’s signature event has challenged participants to conquer more than 1,000 steps during a grueling 4.5-mile race through the historic mining town’s steep terrain.

Runners are required to climb nine historic staircases that workers built during the Great Depression, going up 1,175 feet in total. What began with 200 participants has grown into a major Arizona event, now capped at 1,500 runners to prevent overcrowding.

Bisbee’s Dark Skies Offer Amazing Views of the Milky Way

In 2024, Bisbee earned prestigious status as Arizona’s 21st International Dark Sky Community after a six-year effort. The town’s Bisbee Science Lab provides telescopes and even virtual space station tours.

You can also join monthly Pie & Sky Astronomy Nights, where local experts help you spot the Milky Way, planets, and far-off galaxies.

The Copper Queen Library Ranks as America’s Best Small Library

The historic Copper Queen Library in downtown Bisbee serves as Arizona’s oldest working library.

Since 1882, it’s won awards like “Best Small Library in America” in 2019 and the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2024. It’s beloved among locals, with 3,500 cardholders in a city of just 5,000 residents.

Aside from the books, the Copper Queen Library also hosts the San Jose Annex, historic Reverend Pritchard collection, and community programs.

How to Visit Bisbee in 2025

You can find Bisbee 90 miles southeast of Tucson at 5,300 feet up, reaching it by Highways 80 or 92. Tucson International Airport sits just 1.5 hours away.

You can stay in boutique hotels in old buildings or Victorian rental homes. RV drivers can park overnight free in Old Bisbee. Main attractions include the Queen Mine Tour, the Mining Museum (part of the Smithsonian), and the historic Copper Queen Hotel.

Watch for Border Patrol checkpoints on northbound roads since Mexico sits nearby.

This Cute Mining Town is Home to “America’s Best Small Library,” Arizona’s Tiniest Bar, and 80 Vintage Buildings