Exploring Tombstone AZ: Gunfight Reenactments & More

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We just got back from our first trip to Tucson, AZ. We’ve been to Arizona plenty of times in the past. Scottsdale, Williams and Flagstaff have made for fun Arizona family vacation destinations. But when we chose to go to Tucson this time, we knew we couldn’t miss an opportunity to visit Tombstone. I was a little bit overwhelmed with the different tour options, so I’ve compiled this list of my favorite Tombstone AZ things to do. Hopefully it helps you plan your day accordingly.

There is so much history in Tombstone, so we had a general idea of what we wanted to see and do while we were there. We just had no idea how many different tours and gun fight reenactments there would be to choose from. Compared to our visit to the tiny Pioneertown, Tombstone had so much more to see and do.

If you’re wondering where to stay when you visit Tombstone, check out the hotel we stayed at in Tucson. It was a great Tucson family resort.

Tombstone AZ Things To Do: Not Everything Costs Money

One thing to note is that you can go into some of the various saloons and theaters for free. But many of them have additional spaces, gunfights and/or self-guided tours that cost extra.

Tombstone is a city with a well-preserved historic district. And most attractions are located along Allen Street, which still features its original boardwalks and dirt roads.

If you want to hear a lot about the different buildings and get a good general overview of everything that makes up Tombstone, a trolley tour of the town might be the most bang for your buck. Many attractions are concentrated in the historic district and along Allen Street. On the trolley tour, a guide talks about the history of various buildings. Then you can decide which ones are worth paying to explore more.

To make the most of your visit, plan to spend at least a full day in Tombstone to enjoy the many attractions and tours available, including ghost tours, trolley tours, and historical tours.

Tombstone AZ Things to Do — My Top 3

If I was planning a trip to Tombstone, Arizona, and had to choose my top 3 Tombstone AZ things to do that cost money, I’d do the following:

• The Gunfight Reenactment at the OK Corral
• Tour the Bird Cage Theater
• Boothill Cemetery

Note that there is still a lot more to see and do for free while in Tombstone, Arizona. If you’re open to spending more money, a Good Enough Silver Mine Tour was next up on my list as another great experience in this iconic Arizona destination.

Reenactment of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

One of the most iconic Tombstone AZ things to do is to watch a gunfight reenactment at the O.K. Corral. The O.K. Corral is the site of the famous gunfight of 1881, involving Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and others. It was a defining moment in the history of the West that cemented Tombstone’s reputation as a legendary frontier town.

The reenactment brings to life the legendary shootout, which lasted just 24 seconds and involved 30 shots, letting you step back into the days of lawmen and outlaws. Daily gunfight reenactments take place at the O.K. Corral and other sites in Tombstone, offering visitors an authentic Wild West experience.

Tickets to the gunfight at OK Corral cost $10

We chose to watch the gunfight reenactment at the O.K. Corral, although there were many other gunfight reenactments we could have picked. Tickets (purchased at the venue) were $10 and included the gunfight, a 25-minute Historama presentation (part film, part diorama covering the history of Tombstone), a souvenir historic newspaper to take home, and the opportunity to visit Doc Holliday’s room and the actual gunfight site.

The reenactments at the OK Corral are done daily, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

I’m sure that all of the gunfight reenactments would be just fine, although I thought the one at the O.K. Corral was very good. The actors were great, and paying for the show is the only way to go out to the actual site of the gunfight.

Bird Cage Theater

The first place we stopped at when we arrived in Tombstone was the Bird Cage Theatre. This is a historic landmark famously known as the “wickedest and wildest night spot between the Barbary Coast and Basin Street.” Today, it serves as a museum and tourist attraction visited by people from around the world. Inside, you’ll see 140 alleged bullet holes in the walls and ceilings, offering a vivid glimpse into Tombstone’s violent past.

The main entrance (and gift shop) is free to enter. There, you can view historical artifacts, memorabilia, and photographs that capture the spirit of the Old West, along with the catwalk where ladies would dance to entice men, and the stairs and room that the enticed men would venture to once they picked a (lucky?) lady.

The lady who was working that day gave great information about the history of this building. To go on the self-guided tour of the rest of the building, you need to pay. It’s $15 for adults, $14 for kids and seniors, or $45 for the entire family.

If you pay to do the tour, you’ll get to see the poker table where the longest game of poker was played, the original Boothill Graveyard hearse, and maybe a paranormal encounter as this is also one of the most haunted buildings in Tombstone.

Tombstone AZ Things to Do: Dine Somewhere With History

Allen Street is lined with historic shops and restaurants, where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the Old West atmosphere. The historic district is filled with well-preserved architecture and unique shopping experiences, making it a must-see for anyone interested in Tombstone AZ things to do.

When we visited, we ate at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. Big Nose Kate (aka Mary Katherine Horony Cummings) is famous for being a lady of the night. But she was also Doc Holliday’s girlfriend. This popular bar and restaurant in Tombstone’s historic district is known for its live music, Old West memorabilia, and awesome atmosphere.

The restaurant was once The Grand Hotel. It’s now a fun restaurant with live entertainment, free dress up pictures and a look into The Swamper’s bedroom in the possibly haunted basement.

Another restaurant with a lot of history is the Crystal Palace Saloon. Opened in 1879, it has been restored to its original glory and serves as a gathering place for those seeking an authentic Old West experience. Doc Holliday and Big Nose Kate were regulars at this saloon, and Virgil Earp had an office upstairs. The building burned to the ground in 1882. Now it’s regarded as one of the many haunted buildings in Tombstone.

For more Old West charm, the Longhorn restaurant, built in 1881, offers a variety of food and drinks, including steaks and burgers, while retaining its historic character.

Good Enough Silver Mine Tours

One thing that wasn’t on my radar at all before visiting Tombstone was doing a mine tour. We didn’t allot for it in our schedule, but now we’ll definitely have to go back because this is something my whole family wants to do.

The Good Enough Silver Mine tours take you on a guided underground tour into the original 1870s tunnels, offering a unique look at Tombstone’s mining history. The Good Enough Silver Mine, discovered by Ed Schieffelin in 1878, is located in the heart of Tombstone and played a crucial role in the founding and rapid growth of the town.

Oriental Theater

The Oriental Theater had its fair share of gambling and gunfire back in its heyday in the 1800s, including confrontations between Milt Joyce and Doc Holliday, and later with Virgil Earp.

Today it esteems itself as having the coldest beer in Tombstone. Visitors can enjoy a drink at the bar, karaoke on certain days, and live gunfights daily. Check it out when you visit because most weekdays offer free gunfights.

Tombstone AZ Things to Do: Boothill Graveyard

Boothill Graveyard, established in 1879, is the original cemetery of Tombstone where many notable figures are buried, including victims of gunfights and other violent events. The graveyard contains around 300 graves, many of which are unmarked. It’s the final resting place of Tombstone residents from the 1800s, such as Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers who were killed at the OK Corral gunfight.

One of the most famous graves is that of Lester Moore, whose epitaph reads: “Here lies Lester Moore, Four slugs from a .44, No Les, No more.” Walking around Boothill Graveyard and reading the grave markers definitely gives a glimpse of what life was like back then. The admission fee is $3, cash only, so be prepared.

Old Tombstone Western Theme Park

If you’re visiting Tombstone with kids and have a decent amount of time, you might want to check out the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park. This is another of the many Tombstone AZ things to do. The theme park is perfect for a family adventure and fun, letting visitors experience the spirit of the West with its lively attractions.

You’ll find a variety of activities for the whole family, from mini golf to a shooting range, as well as the option to pan for gold. There’s a gunfight show here, which they deem as a comedy show, and is not a historical reenactment of the gunfight at the OK Corral. For a truly memorable Old West experience, enjoy the park’s entertainment and atmosphere until sunset. There is a fee for each individual activity here.

Additional Tombstone AZ Things to Do: Ghost Tours & Bisbee

Because Tombstone is said to be such a haunted old town, there are a number of haunted tours and ghost attractions you shouldn’t miss. They all sounded great, but I think they’ll be better when my kids are a little older.

If you have more time to spare on your trip, venture over to the nearby town of Bisbee. Several people we spoke with at our hotel in Tucson suggested visiting Bisbee to do some shopping and explore the caves there. There’s even a tour that includes both Tombstone and Bisbee—just head to the link for more details.

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