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Page 2: Day Trip |
Where to Stay
Attractions Near Bisbee
Douglas
This border town, is just a half-hour's
drive southeast of Bisbee, via U.S. Highway 80. Agua
Prieta, the Mexican town, is just across the boundary,
offering a popular market area with curio shops,
restaurants, and plazas. The town is small enough that
you can just walk across the border for an easy morning
or afternoon of sightseeing. There's a golf course just
north of Douglas on U.S. Highway 80.
A national historical landmark, the old
Gadsden Hotel (in Douglas) is an elegant building
that was built in 1907 and -- like many other original
buildings in this region -- was destroyed by fire and
rebuilt in 1927. There's a marble staircase off the
lobby, chandeliers, two Tiffany skylights, and a stained
glass mural. The hotel is open daily, (520) 364-4481.
The Slaughter Ranch Museum (also
called the San Bernardino Ranch ) is found east of
Douglas via a gravel road. This 300-acre site became the
1884 home of John Slaughter, a former Texas Ranger, who
became the sheriff of Cochise County. He farmed the
cattle ranch for 30 years. Today it's a museum, restored
to its Victorian charm, and open Wednesday through Sunday
from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For information, phone (520)
558-2474.
Northeast of Douglas on U.S. 80 is the
Douglas Wild Animal Park, with exotic birds,
animals, and a petting zoo. For information, call (520)
364-2515.
Day Trip from Bisbee and
Douglas
Farther distant from both Bisbee and
Douglas is Portal, a small community close to the New
Mexico border, 7 miles west of Route 80 (turn west just
north of Rodeo, NM). Sixty-two miles from Douglas,
Portal is the gateway to several points of
interest, including recreation sites in the Coronado
National Forest.
Cave Creek Canyon is the site of the
Southwestern Research Station of the American Museum of
Natural History. The center has a wonderful collection of
plants and animals and is a renowned birding area with
hiking trails.
Farther down the gravel road, deep in the
national forest, is the
Chiricahua National Monument. Features of the
monument include Bonita Canyon, the historic Faraway
Ranch, and several interpretive trails, together with
camping and day-use areas. For information, phone (520)
824-3560. There are several national forest campgrounds
that can be accessed from the road to the monument, and
the ranger station in Portal has information on these and
other recreation areas.
The gravel road leads across the summit of
the Chiricahua Mountains, ending just west of the
national monument. To make the trip a circle route, take
the paved road leading west from the monument and turn
south onto Arizona Route 181. Then turn south on U.S. 181
to return to Douglas.
The shorter but less scenic route to the
Chiricahua National Monument is by this paved route (take
U.S. 191 north from Douglas and turn east on Arizona
Route 181).
Copper Queen Hotel
Drawer CQ, Bisbee AZ 85603, (520) 432-2216, or
800-247-5829
The old Copper Queen is a major historic landmark, built
just after the turn of the century during Bisbee's
greatest mining years. Around the corner is famous
Brewery Gulch and the town's Main Street is just a
half-block away. The hotel is well preserved with a fine
dining room and atmospheric saloon. There are 45 rooms
decorated in the Victorian style of these original hotels
of the pioneer West. The place reeks of history and makes
a great base for a vacation in southeastern Arizona ($$).
Bisbee Grand Hotel
61 Main Street, Bisbee AZ 85603
(520) 432-5900
Dating back to 1906, when it was constructed, burned to
the ground, and quickly rebuilt, the hotel benefits from
its 1986 restoration. There are nine rooms and two suites
upstairs, all with Victorian furnishings and decor. On
the ground floor, you'll find the Saloon, a small
theater, and the old Ladies' Parlor -- now a civilized
extension of the Saloon. Melodramas are presented in the
Bisbee Grand Theater. Continental breakfast is served to
overnight guests on the veranda or in the guest rooms
($$).
Hotel La More/The Bisbee Inn
45 OK Street, Bisbee AZ 85603
(520) 432-5131 or 888-432-5131 (reservations)
This intimate B & B inn has 18 rooms, and thanks to a
recent remodelling most rooms now have private baths. It
was called Hotel La More when it opened in 1917, having
been built by Mrs. Bedford and leased to Mrs. Kate La
More. It became the Waters Hotel around 1938, and then
was the Bisbee Inn from the 1980s. The hotel is still
moderately priced and a full American breakfast is
served. Facilities include a TV room and laundry. The
current manager is Kathleen Anderson, and the owners are
Alfred and Elissa Strati. The hotel is conveniently
located above Brewery Gulch, in the heart of Old Bisbee.
($)
The Inn at Castle Rock
112 Tombstone Canyon Road, Bisbee AZ 85603
(520) 432-7195
The long-standing B&B inn is an oddly shaped
building, under the shadow of Castle Rock, which rises
from across the road. The hillside behind the inn
features thick plantings of trees, pampas grass, roses
and other foliage. There are twelve rooms and two suites,
all with private bath. A continental breakfast is served.
This inn has its own mine shaft and several porches, and
is a great place to take children for an overnight stay
($).
Bisbee Camping
Bisbee is a great place to camp, with several RV
parks, including the Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Park
on Newell Road. There are full hookups, showers, and
laundry but no tent camping (520- 432-3091). Queen Mine
RV Park has 25 spaces, including tent sites, with showers
and laundry facilities. It's on Highway 80, next to the
Mine Tour office, near the downtown area (520-432-5006).
Shady Dell RV Park has 16 sites under the trees, at 1
Douglas Road (520-432-7305).
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