History
Bisbee was founded as a mining stronghold in the Mule Mountains of Southern Arizona. By the early 1900’s, Bisbee was the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco with over 20,000 people. The mine’s closure in the mid-1970s ushered in a major cultural shift. A movement of free-spirits and artists were drawn to the historic downtown and settled to pursue their creative endeavors. The population now rests at 5,500 and retains a rich cultural and cosmopolitan history.
Architecture
With “the highest concentration of architecture per square inch in the state of Arizona,” according to Bob Vint in this PBS documentary, Bisbee is a living example of historical preservation mixed with modern living. The wide variety of buildings range from tiny miner shacks to romanesque revival storefronts to carpenter gothic churches and everything in between. You'll definitely want to bring your walking shoes and come ready to explore!
Nature
Nestled into the Mule Mountains in the Sky Islands region of Southern Arizona, Bisbee is the perfect playground for naturalists and outdoor aficionados. With hiking trails around the city and National Monuments just a short drive away, Bisbee is a great place to explore one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country. The region is known for its birding and is a short drive from world renowned Whitewater Draw, Madeira Canon and the San Pedro River.
Music
Live music is the heartbeat of Bisbee! From classic blues to avant garde experimental, we’ve got something for everyone. With over a dozen music venues, frequent street performers, and special events throughout the year, your visit to Bisbee is guaranteed to have an amazing soundtrack.
Shops
You won’t want to miss the dozens of unique shops in Old Bisbee. We’ve got shops for everyone! Take a stroll down Main Street and you’ll find everything from custom hats to handmade soap, artisan treasure and antiques galore. Whether you like your shopping modern or vintage, you won’t go home empty handed.
Restaurants
For such a tiny town Bisbee has an incredible variety of great food. Some of our favorite restaurants are just down the street from the Jonquil, including High Desert Market for breakfast and pastries, Thuy’s Noodle Shop for Vietnamese, Contessa’s Cantina for Mexican, and Screaming Banshee’s wood fired pizza. If you’re looking for casual fine dining, Cafe Roka can’t be beat and the Bisbee Table is perfect for all-American fare.
Mining
Bisbee became one of the richest mining sites in the world, producing billions of pounds of copper, zinc, and other minerals. Mining first began in Bisbee in the 1870s, with the Copper Queen mine. The Lavender Pit open-pit mine began in the 1905s and remained active until the mid-1970s. For additional reading on Bisbee’s mining history, check out www.bisbeeminingandminerals.com
Climate
With an average summer high of 89°, Bisbee is generally much cooler than Tucson, Phoenix, and other parts of the state. Situated at 5500’ in the Mule Mountains, we get some light snow in the winters and a summer monsoon season. Plan accordingly for your visit and bring along a warm layer, even in the summer, as temperatures drop when the sun goes down.
Stairs
Old Bisbee was built into the steep walls of Tombstone Canyon during the mining boom era and many of the houses are still only accessible by stairs. As you explore town, you’ll often find yourself wandering up and down staircases that were originally dirt paths traversed by mules. During the Great Depression, the dirt trails were replaced with stairs by WPA work crews and are now an integral part of the city. The Bisbee 1000 is an annual race up the staircases through town and also makes for a great self-guided walking tour for you to follow year round.
ART
Bisbee is a small town with a cosmopolitan vibe. When the mines closed down in the 1970s, artists moved in and brought with them the free-spirited creativity that defines the town to this day. From street art to galleries, Bisbee is a haven for creatives and appreciators alike. Whether seeking inspiration for your next project or interested in exploring the galleries, creativity abounds in Bisbee.
Tours
Take in the sights of Bisbee on a tour with local experts. From jeep tours through town or exploring underground at the Copper Queen Mine or learning about our haunted history, there are tours for all ages, abilities, and interests. Give us a call at the Jonquil and we’ll give you the resources to get you booked.
Bars
From historic dives to western saloons, Bisbee has the perfect bar for you. St. Elmo’s boasts being the oldest continuously operated bar in the state and Room 4 Bar is the smallest, with only four seats. The Quarry and the Grand are great for cocktails and live music and the patio at Old Bisbee Brewing is great for an afternoon craft beer. If you’re lucky, you might even find a pop-up bar in the backyard of the Jonquil… cheers to that!