A view from above in Downtown Bisbee. Photo from City of Bisbee

Historically known as the “Queen of the Copper Mines,” Bisbee, Arizona, is now a charming destination for travelers to experience history and culture.

After large-scale mining operations became obsolete, the city evolved into an artist’s colony, a tourist attraction and a relaxing place to relocate. Visitors will delight in strolling the sidewalks of this community, experiencing art galleries, small specialty shops, bookstores, cafes and local restaurants.

The City of Bisbee has evolved into an artist’s downtown, full of galleries, shops, bookstores and local restaurants. Photo from City of Bisbee

Bisbee is also home to the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, an ideal location for history buffs to learn about copper, architecture and Bisbee’s past. Many will also come to Bisbee to take the Copper Queen Mine Tour, a look into the days when copper was dominant in Bisbee’s culture.

Many visit Bisbee for the Copper Queen Mine Tour. Photo from City of Bisbee

A life of a miner has never been an easy one. Miners spend their days in darkness doing grueling labor at a menial salary. Being a miner requires much strength, endurance and willpower. The Copper Queen mine once hosted such hardworking men and today, the Bisbee mine remains open as a tourist destination.

The Copper Queen Mine was one of Bisbee’s richest mines that operated from 1877-1975. Visitors get to learn all about the mine and about the people who spent many hours within it during the Copper Queen Mine Tour. This tour allows visitors to step back into the past as they adorn a hard hat, miner’s headlamp and yellow slicker throughout the tour. Tour guides lead groups 1,500 feet into the mine and recount mining days, techniques, dangers and drama. Visitors will even get to experience first-hand what it was like to work underground.