Attractions

Gunslingers & Saloons: in Search of The Wild West

As portrayed in novels, movies, and TV shows, the shootout has come to epitomize the Wild West, and nowhere is this great American phenomenon more glorified than in Tombstone, where the star attraction is the famous O.K. Corral, 308 E. Allen St. (tel. 520/457-3456; www.ok-corral.com), site of a 30-second gun battle that has taken on mythic proportions over the years. Inside the corral, you'll find not only displays on the shootout, but also an exhibit focusing on local photographer C. S. Fly, who ran the boardinghouse where Doc Holliday was staying at the time of the shootout. Next door is Tombstone's Historama, a kitschy multimedia affair that rehashes the well-known history of Tombstone's "bad old days" and has a recorded narration by Vincent Price. The O.K. Corral and Tombstone's Historama are open daily from 9am to 5pm, and admission is $5.50 (free for kids 5 and under); for $7.50, you can visit both attractions and take in a shootout reenactment almost on the very site of the original gunfight.

If you aren't able to catch one of the staged shootouts at the O.K. Corral (daily at 2pm), don't despair -- there are plenty of other shootouts staged in Tombstone. In fact, all over Arizona there are regular reenactments of gunfights, with the sheriff in his white hat always triumphing over the bad guys in black hats. However, nowhere else in the state are there as many modern-day gunslingers entertaining so many people with their blazing six-guns as in Tombstone. Shootouts occur fairly regularly around town between noon and 4pm. Expect to pay $5 for any of these shows. For a little fun and games, try to catch the Tombstone Cowboys shootout at Helldorado, Fourth and Toughnut streets (tel. 520/457-9035). These shootouts, which are staged two to three times a day, are more hysterical than historical.

When the smoke cleared in 1881, three men lay dead. They were later carted off to the Boot Hill Graveyard (tel. 520/457-3300) on the north edge of town. The graves of Clanton and the McLaury brothers, as well as those of others who died in gunfights or by hanging, are well marked. Entertaining epitaphs grace the grave markers; among the most famous is that of Lester Moore -- "Here lies Lester Moore, 4 slugs from a 44, No Les, no more." The cemetery is open to the public daily 7:30am to 6pm. A map of the cemetery is $2. Enter through a gift shop on Arizona 80.

When the residents of Tombstone weren't shooting each other in the streets, they were likely to be found in the saloons and bawdy houses that lined Allen Street. Most famous was the Bird Cage Theatre, Allen and Sixth streets (tel. 800/457-3423 or 520/457-3421), so named for the cagelike cribs (what most people would think of as box seats) suspended from the ceiling. These velvet-draped cages were used by prostitutes to ply their trade. For old Tombstone atmosphere, this place is hard to beat. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for children 8 to 18; the theater is open daily from 8am to 6pm.

When it's time for a cold beer, Tombstone has a couple of very lively saloons. The Crystal Palace Saloon, at Allen and Fifth streets (tel. 520/457-3611; www.crystalpalacesaloon.com), was built in 1879 and has been completely restored. This is one of the favorite hangouts of the town's costumed actors and other would-be cowboys and cowgirls. Big Nose Kate's, 417 E. Allen St. (tel. 520/457-3107; www.bignosekate.com), is an equally entertaining spot full of Wild West character and characters.

Tombstone has long been a tourist town, and its streets are lined with souvenir shops selling wind chimes, Beanie Babies, and other less-than-wild souvenirs. There are also several small museums scattered around town. At the Rose Tree Inn Museum, at Fourth and Toughnut streets (tel. 520/457-3326), you can see the world's largest rose tree. Inside are antique furnishings from Tombstone's heyday in the 1880s. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Admission is $5 (free for children 13 and under).

Tombstone Courthouse State Park, 223 Toughnut St. (tel. 520/457-3311; www.azstateparks.com), is the most imposing building in town and provides a much less sensationalized version of local history. Built in 1882, the courthouse is now a state historic park and museum containing artifacts, photos, and newspaper clippings that chronicle Tombstone's lively past. In the courtyard, you can still see the gallows that once ended the lives of outlaws. The courthouse is open daily from 8am to 5pm (closed on Christmas); the entrance fee is $4 ($3 between Memorial Day and Labor Day) and children 13 and under are admitted free.

At the Tombstone Epitaph Museum, Fifth Street between Allen and Fremont streets (tel. 520/457-2211; www.tombstone-epitaph.com), you can inspect the office of the town's old newspaper and learn about John Clum, the original editor of the paper. The museum is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm; admission is free.

The Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Arizona 80 and Sixth Street (tel. 520/457-3800; www.thetombstonemuseum.com), a privately owned museum that is filled with Tombstone artifacts, holds the town's most fascinating collection of artifacts and ephemera and should not be missed. Included in this impressive collection are artifacts that once belonged to Wyatt and Virgil Earp, rare photos of the Earps and the outlaws of Tombstone, and all kinds of original documents that date to the days of the shootout at the O.K. Corral. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 12:30 to 6pm; admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 to 18 ($13 for families).