You'll dig this old mining town with a modern edge
Just 13 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border in the southwest corner of Arizona, you can sense Bisbee's mining heritage everywhere you turn. Founded as a gold, silver, and copper mining outpost in 1880, the town maintains many of its original buildings today. Set among the Old West architecture and Victorian-style houses are plenty of modern art galleries, independent shops, and eateries to discover. A Bisbee vacation rental is a perfect home base for exploring the great outdoors of the Mule Mountains and the Coronado National Forest (don't forget your hiking boots).
From prehistoric creatures to Art Deco opulence
For an intro to the town's history, head to the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, once the corporate headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, now affiliated with the Smithsonian. Notable town architecture includes the Muheim Heritage House, a classic Queen Anne mansion with period furnishings and picturesque gardens, and the Art Deco Cochise County Courthouse. For a favorite local photo op, stop by the Lavender Pit open copper mine. The Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site offers archaeological evidence that mammoths once roamed the area. Our Lady of the Sierras shrine is stunning against the mountainous backdrops.
Where you can summon the spirits of days gone by
Take a walk through historic Old Town to relish in the historic architecture and quirky shops. You can even take a ghost tour, or try to contact the spirits directly at a seance (if you're brave enough). You'll look chic in a hard hat when you tour the Queen Copper Mine. Jeep tours take you through the hills to neighboring ghost towns and ranches. For a day of fresh air, pack a picnic and head to the Coronado National Forest for some biking, fishing, and camping. A hike up Miller Peak is rewarded by stunning views in every direction.
That picture-perfect Southwestern landscape
If you've ever seen a postcard of the Southwest, you'll know what to expect around your Bisbee vacation rental. The area has a distinct desert-like appearance, thanks to the abundant cacti, shrubby plants, and yucca. Deep canyons rise quickly to rugged terrain, where deer, rodents, and lizards roam free. The Mule Mountains and Coronado National Forest hug the Mexican border, which you can easily see from the top of forested Miller Peak. If you're lucky you might encounter a javelina, a member of the pig family that's native to the area.