America's Ultimate Wild West Destination Is An Arizona City Full Of Unique Activities, Shops, And History

Immersing yourself in history is entirely possible by traveling to destinations with a storied past. One place where you can experience a forgotten time is Tombstone, Arizona. Located about an hour and 15 minutes southeast of Tucson, this city was founded in 1877. This was also around the time that silver was discovered in the area, putting Tombstone on the map. The hype fizzled out before 1900, but rather than becoming a ghost town (the fate of countless other mining towns in the Grand Canyon State), Tombstone rose from the ashes. Thanks to its cultural significance and array of unique activities and shops, it offers one of the best "cowboy core" vacations in the American West.

Your gateway to all this and more is East Allen Street in Downtown Tombstone. Featuring 19th-century architecture, this spot is where you can engage in retail therapy. At The Branding Iron, you can purchase western-style clothing, cowboy boots, and hats, allowing you to engross yourself in your Tombstone getaway. Likewise, the street is the site of various gift shops, including Lilly's Tombstone Memories, where you can search for the perfect souvenir to take home. East Allen Street is also where you'll find the illustrious O.K. Corral, ranked on Tripadvisor as the top attraction in Tombstone.

In October 1881, iconic American figure Wyatt Earp; his brothers, Virgil and Morgan; and another man, Doc Holliday, were all involved in a deadly altercation at the O.K. Corral. The foursome battled their foes, the local Clanton-McLaury gang. Visitors can witness how this incident unfolded by attending an action-packed gunfight reenactment at the O.K. Corral. Tripadvisor reviewers commend this attraction, with one individual writing, "The actors are great and so much fun, they go above and beyond and we love it! I could honestly watch this show all day!"

Available daily, tickets for this 30-minute show can be purchased onsite. In addition, the O.K. Corral features several exhibits and Tombstone's Historama, all of which provide historical context about life and death in Tombstone. The three men who died during the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury, are all buried at Tombstone's cemetery, Boothill Graveyard.

It's open daily, and visitors who are eager to explore can do so for a small fee. Unsurprisingly, Tombstone's cemetery, Boothill Graveyard, is a paranormal hotspot. Established in 1878, some visitors to the site have reported seeing Clanton there. Tombstone is treasured by history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike.

If you're afraid of ghosts, you might want to think twice about visiting Tombstone. Once plagued with violence, many of the city's landmarks are reportedly haunted. However, if the prospect of a supernatural encounter excites you, you've come to the right place. Back on East Allen Street is another must-see Tombstone attraction: the Bird Cage Theater  (sometimes spelled the Bird Cage Theatre). Built in 1881, this establishment was a hub for nefarious activity, including gambling. In fact, the Bird Cage Theater famously hosted an eight-year poker game. Visitors can partake in a self-guided tour of this historic site.

Brimming with relics from its heyday and untouched by modernity, it's described by multiple Tripadvisor reviewers as a time capsule. Formerly a brothel, the Bird Cage Theater is the site of several alleged murders, including the confirmed homicide of a sex worker named Margarita. Some believe that certain former employees and patrons never really left. For those who are brave enough, the Bird Cage Theater hosts a nightly ghost tour with tickets available onsite.

Another option is Tombstone Terrors: Ghosts and Gunslingers of the Wild West. This tour, available to book online, leads attendees to haunted locations around Tombstone with a guide who divulges eerie accounts of supernatural happenings. This includes Big Nose Kate's Saloon. Built in 1880 as The Grand Hotel, it's said that a spirit of "The Swamper," a late janitor, has stuck around there. Open daily, this is also a popular place to grab a bite to eat, so stop by for a burger, pizza, and other tasty classics.

Whether you yearn to relive history or find the paranormal enthralling, you don't want to miss out on experiencing Tombstone. There are plenty of other distinct attractions to fill your time. For instance, you can take a 45-minute underground tour of the Good Enough Silver Mine. "Fascinating look into the history, minerals and mining processes as well as the day to day work of a miner," described one Tripadvisor reviewer. You can book a tour through Good Enough Silver Mine's website. Another fascinating landmark is the Rose Tree Museum, featuring the largest rose tree in the world.

While you can plan a road trip to Tombstone (parking is readily available around town), you could also fly to Tucson International Airport (TUS). The airport welcomes non-stop flights from cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Phoenix (a three hours' drive from Tombstone). Rent a car to make the brief journey from Tucson to Tombstone, or take a shuttle provided by Arizona Sunshine Tours. If you do skip the rental, Tombstone is extremely walkable. To get across town, you can always use a ride-share app.

As for lodging, Katie's Cozy Cabins is near Tombstone's best attractions, including the O.K. Corral. Nightly rates for its rustic log cabins start at $99. Hotel Tombstone is on East Allen Street, and stays are typically under $200 a night. To avoid crowds, take note that the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce advises travelers to plan their visit during the weekdays. For similar destinations in Arizona, read about the Wild West town with donkeys and shootout reenactments and the picturesque haven for artists once called the "Wickedest Town in the West."