As a professional who prides herself in understanding tourism economies and tourism communities, I routinely read information about towns, places, restaurants, and parks that are recommended as places people should visit. I agree with some, disagree with some, and want to see for myself about others. You will find certain towns that pop up on the on different lists over and over again. Bisbee, Arizona is one of those. I had never heard of it, but noticed on a map that it was not very far from Tombstone, close to where I was staying in Benson, Arizona. I was too close not to make a trip, but wasn’t sure what to expect.
The first thing I noticed about Bisbee was how high up in the mountains it is. At 5,300 feet above sea level (one of the highest places in southern Arizona), it claims to have the best climate in the state. It is not is a city like Tombstone, or a Native American community like Taos, Sedona, or Santa Fe. Instead, it’s a throwback to the 1960s’ freewheeling hippie days. Bisbee is a community filled with artisans, other retailers, restaurants, bars, and businesses galore. Built into the side of a mountain, its streets were narrow, and it could be hard to tell when I was on the street and when I was in an alley. Often, when I was in an alley, I wasn’t sure my new pickup would get through it. Luckily, I was not hauling the trailer.
The public art in Bisbee was amazing. The attention to the many artistic details is not surpassed by many communities. The town was amazingly crowded for a Tuesday in February. I probably saw just four vacant parking spaces in the entire city. In the middle of the downtown, there were musicians playing on the street. It was truly a vibrant community.
I am not sure if the Studebaker pictured here was the owner’s daily drive, or if he just liked showing it off, but it certainly caught my attention!
