Nevertheless, Tombstone, Arizona is irresistible because of the legends, and even if I tell you not to go there, you'll probably go anyway. On my last trip to Tombstone, Arizona, I did it myself, even though I'd been there before and knew what to expect. Having said that, you'd might as well make the best of your visit. Allow one to two hours to walk down the main street, do a little shopping and visit boot hill.
Tombstone, Arizona Attractions
- OK Corral: The famous gunfight is reenacted many times daily, but you'll have to pay to see it.
- Tombstone, Arizona Historama: A 26-minute multimedia presentation recounts Tombstone history from Geronimo's Apaches to modern times.
- Tombstone, Arizona Epitaph: Visit the 1880s newspaper office and get a souvenir reprint of the 1881 Epitaph that reported the famous gunfight.
- Birdcage Theatre: Once the most famous honky-tonk in America, scene of Can-Can dances, risque performances and 16 gunfights.
- Boot Hill: Admission is free, and some of the epitaphs are fun and interesting to read, but you have to enter and leave through the gift shop.
History of Tombstone and the Gunfight
On October 26, 1881, what may be the world's most famous gunfight and the event that put Tombstone, Arizona permanently on the map started with a shouting match and ended with four cowboys dead. The saga begins when Doc Holliday has a disagreement with Ike Clanton and threatens him.The next day Clanton, now armed, goes looking for Holliday. Virgil and Morgan Earp sneak up on Clanton and pistol-whip him before he can find Holliday. Clanton ends up in court, fined $27.50 for carrying firearms in the city limits. Ike's younger brother Billy and Frank McLaury come to his aid, along with Billy Claiborne. The Earps and Holliday set out to disarm the McLaurys and Claiborne. All heck breaks loose when everyone meets in the OK Corral, and the four cowboys end up dead.
