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Vast view of the Lavender Pit, a large open-pit copper mine in Bisbee, Arizona, featuring terraced layers in varying shades of orange, yellow, and green. The pit is surrounded by rugged mountains under a partly cloudy sky, illustrating the dramatic impact of mining on the landscape.

OLD BISBEE TOUR

Bisbee's Most Popular Tour

GALLERY

Discover the heart and soul of Bisbee with our signature Old Bisbee Tour, a journey that takes you through the vivid corridors of our town’s past and present. As the most sought-after tour in Bisbee, it offers an enchanting stroll through Old Bisbee’s unique architecture and the serpentine alleys that climb its hillsides, naturally accompanied by tales of Bisbee ghosts in several locations.

 

From breathtaking panoramas that sweep across copper-stained landscapes to the echoes of historic feats and the whispers of its colorful residents, each moment of the tour is a step through living history. You'll explore the vast open mine pits, a testament to Bisbee's rich mining heritage, where you can see the remnants of extraction techniques, rusty machinery, and vibrant minerals embedded in the pit walls. 

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The adventure continues in Lowell, where time seems to stand still among vintage automobiles, eerie cemeteries, and eclectic hotels that promise a peek into a different era. Throughout the tour, your guide—imbued with personal tales and childhood memories of growing up in Bisbee—will bring to life the stories that have shaped this community.

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Ready to experience the allure of Bisbee? Reserve your spot on the Old Bisbee Tour, and connect with the history, beauty, and spirit of a town like no other.​

View of School Hill in Bisbee, Arizona, featuring a densely packed neighborhood of colorful homes and buildings nestled on a steep hillside, with the foreground showing industrial rooftops and a scattering of trees.

Old Bisbee Tour Benefits

2 Hours | Mild | Pavement Only

$61 Adult, $55 Senior, $30 Youth, $0 Child

ITINERARY
40 MINUTES - OLD BISBEE

The tour starts on OK Street, immersing you in rich history and unique architecture. As you ascend, the guide elaborates on the street's historical significance, pausing at Joseph Muheim's house to discuss his contributions. Next, you explore Brewery Gulch, known for its blend of architecture and historical events, pausing at Muhiem's Bar for an in-depth look. You'll then move to the Lyric Theater and Central School parking lot, each offering different facets of local history and design. A stop at the Old High School provides insights into the area's educational past. The tour then ascends High Road, offering panoramic views and an extensive history lesson on Bisbee. Finally, you'll descend to Quality Hill for another layer of history and architecture before concluding on Main Street with three distinct stops that bring the area's evolving story full circle.

40 MINUTES - LAVENDER PIT

You'll then visit the Lavender Pit Lookout. Here, a mere five feet from a 900-foot-deep mine pit, the guide details mining methods and equipmentWe then move to another pit section showcasing remnants of leaching ponds. The guide explains how copper is extracted from ore through leaching, adding depth to your understanding of mining science. We also delve into the socio-cultural aspects, discussing nearby closed mining communities, the historical context of Bisbee's mining communities, and future mining prospects. This attraction offers an intricate view of mining operations, from large-scale setups to minute chemical processes, all set against the backdrop of stunning landscapes.

40 MINUTES - LOWELL

Your tour lastly visits Lowell, AZ. With 1940s classic cars and vintage storefronts, this is an ideal spot for photography. Your guide will also share insights into the historical Junction Mine operations. Next, you'll move to the Shady Dell Hotel. As you drive through its parking lot, the guide will explain the historical importance and the cultural relevance of the hotel. The lot itself is filled with classic vehicles and antique artifacts. Your tour continues to Lowell School, with its copper roof and doors. The guide will share both historical information and personal stories related to the school. Another stop is at a leaching drainage ditch and its polluted waters. The guide will share stories of how this ditch was a hub for his childhood adventures. The last attraction is a drive through the Evergreen Cemetery, a nationally registered historic site. Here, the guide will educate you on the cemetery's historical background and its significance to Bisbee.

Cindy

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The absolute BEST tour guided by Bisbee native & advocate Travis in the most classy 4X4! Still smiling from today's adventure. Booked the tour for me & my longtime Alaska friend visiting from Idaho. Travis brought Bisbee & Lowell history alive through his stories & humor. This tour will now be added to the "must do" list for my visitors.

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