Located in the Cochise County of Arizona, Bisbee, Arizona, is a town that came to be known for its mining of copper, gold, and silver in the 1800s, earning a befitting title of ‘Queen of the Copper Camps.’ Named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, who was one of the owners of the neighboring Copper Queen Mine.
Bisbee’s location in the Mule Mountains made it a rich mining area, attracting miners from near and far and bumping up the town’s population. The passing years saw changes in mining techniques and worker agitations, eventually leading to the decline of Bisbee as a mining town in terms of population and income.
Visiting Bisbee Arizona
Bisbee took to tourism to bring back some of its lost wealth and fame to the town. Keeping with the mining theme, Bisbee became a gem for mining tourism. Today, Bisbee, Arizona, boasts of a flourishing cultural scene. It offers visitors a mix of art, history, architecture, dining, nightlife, outdoor activities, and the renowned Bisbee Queen Mine Tour.
Explore Bisbee Mining History
On the Bisbee Queen Mine Tour, visitors can delve into this town’s fascinating history and mining past. On tour, expect to look the part as visitors are dressed in a yellow slicker, with hard hats and a miner’s headlamp, as you venture into the underground to explore the mines of Bisbee Queen.
One of the main highlights of this tour is the guides who conduct them. Many guides are employees who used to work at the mines and come equipped with everything to know about mining and its history in the area.
Down Into the Bisbee Queen Mine
Once dressed, hop on board the mine train that will descend to a depth of 1500 feet. It doesn’t get more real than this. The guides share stories of what it was like working in the mines, what techniques were used, different metals and by-products that were mined, and the dangers they endured working in the mines.
The Bisbee Arizona, Queen Mine tour turns out to be an extremely informative experience. The exciting nuggets of information shared by the guides make the whole experience unique since they all speak from tremendous expertise, adding to the authenticity of the tour.
Bisbee Arizona Mine Tour Tickets
Bisbee Queen mining tours run every day for one hour. They start from the Queen Mine Tour Building, south of Old Bisbee’s Business District, off the US 80 Interchange. Tickets are only a few dollars, and the tour is worth every penny. Children under five years old are not allowed in the mine. Check the Bisbee Mine website for operating hours.
Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
Once you have soaked in the ultimate mining experience aboard the Bisbee Queen Mine tour, it’s time to explore mining history further with a visit to the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. This Smithsonian affiliate museum tells visitors the in-depth history of this mining town and the county of Cochise, suitable from 1887 when Bisbee became a mining town.
Through the museum exhibits, get an understanding of how copper became a part of the life of Bisbee, along with how it was mined. Check out the minerals display as part of the exhibit, too. Visit the Museum Store on your way out and pick up some cool souvenirs and books on mining to complete your experience at Bisbee. Website. https://bisbeemuseum.org/bm-museum.aspx
Bisbee Arizona Lavender Pit
Another interesting site to check out while in town is the Grand Canyon of Bisbee, the Lavender Pit. Located adjacent to Highway 80, this vast open pit was developed in 1950 to reach low-grade copper deposits. The hole is nearly 900 feet. Mining operations at the Lavender Pit ceased in 1974. There is a turnout with information boards that tell the story of the pit.
Where to Eat Bisbee, AZ
After exploring the mine, head to downtown Bisbee for some great food. The Quarry at 40 Brewery Ave serves up some great comfort food, and in the evenings, guests can enjoy live music that can be anything from jazz to punk rock. Jimmy’s Hot Dog Company at 938 W Hwy 92 is an excellent stop if you have kids on this trip. The specialty at Jimmy’s is Chicago-style hot dogs. Finally, the Bisbee Breakfast Club is at 75 Erie Street, Bisbee, Arizona. Serving up breakfast all day long, along with burgers and sandwiches.
Getting to Bisbee, AZ
Bisbee is 94 miles south of Tucson, Arizona, about a 1.5-hour drive. Suppose you are traveling from the Phoenix area and plan on a three-hour drive. Bisbee has many places to stay, including several historic hotels built in the early 1900s.
Some of my family went there and loved it!! They even showed a movie outside. The odd thing is that I just asked one of my daughters if she remembers it. Now that’s a sign that we visit isn’t it?
You might want to wait until the summer is over and cooler weather arrives.
I came their it was nice will be back in time
Yes, the mine tour is a lot of fun, especially if you are a history buff. The whole town is full of historic buildings.