How The West Was Once Tour from Phoenix | 4-days, 3-nights

Day 1:

After an early breakfast, our tour heads south into the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, surrounded by towering saguaro, volcanic peaks, and endless horizons. The first stop on this western trip is the Amerind Museum. This hidden gem was established in 1937 to foster and promote knowledge and understanding of the Native Peoples of the Americas through research, education, and conservation. Located among the wonderful rock formations of Texas Canyon, the Amerind Museum enhances our Native American experience with native plants and birds in the solitude of the high desert. As we continue the day, our next highlight will be a tour of Fort Bowie. Fort Bowie Historical Site commemorates the bitter conflict between Chiricahua Apaches and the U.S. calvary. This 19th century outpost provides insight into the “clash of cultures,” a young nation in pursuit of “manifest destiny”, and the foraging culture fighting to preserve its existence. For more than 30 years, Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida.

Our day ends in the historic mining town of Bisbee. Nestled 6,000 feet in the Mule Mountains, Bisbee is the picturesque county seat of historic Cochise County. It was founded in 1880 and quickly became a prosperous urban center, driven by a booming mining industry that thrived on the area’s rich reserves of copper and precious metals. Despite becoming the most cultured city in the Southwest, the rough edges of the mining camps could still be found in notorious Brewery Gulch, with its booming saloons and shady ladies.

Overnight at historic Copper Queen Hotel, or nearby Bisbee, AZ hotel

Day 2:

Known as the “Town Too Tough to Die”, Tombstone was home to famous outlaws, pioneers, miners, cattlemen, and cowboys of the old West. The most famous were Wyatt Earp and his brothers, who originally came as mining investors but soon became lawmen to protect their investment. Big Nose Kate’s Saloon and the Bird Cage Theatre were the “wickedest” nightspots in the West. Our expert guide will tour you through the Tombstone Courthouse and the famous Boot Hill Cemetery.

The day ends with a return to Bisbee, but not before a visit to Fairbank, the hub for trains bringing supplies to and from Tombstone. Silver and other valuable ore from the Tombstone mines were delivered via Fairbank to the stamp mills at Contention City and Charleston. By 1886, the town had only a steam quartz mill, general store, butcher shop, restaurant, saloon, Wells Fargo office, railroad depot, stage coach station, and about 100 residents. Abandoned a hundred years, it is now a desert ghost town.

Overnight at historic Copper Queen Hotel, or nearby Bisbee, AZ hotel

When visiting in May, our group will experience “Wyatt Earp Days”, where the streets of Tombstone come to life with gunfights, western skits, and an 1880’s fashion show to celebrate the legendary Wyatt Earp.

When visiting in October, Tombstone will be celebrating its annual Helldorado Days where our small group will be treated to Wild West shows, live music, and Old West reenactments

Day 3:

Today will showcase Southern Arizona’s emerging wine production, with some of the best wines of the West. We’ll visit two of the most beautiful vineyards in the region for a flight of wine tasting. After enjoying the delicious drinks, we continue west to Tubac, where an incredible collection of artists and craftspeople have created the world famous Tubac Artist’s Colony. From coppersmiths to hand-crafted jewelers, this small community is where art meets history – don’t worry, they ship worldwide!

After wine tasting and modern art, we will step back in time and visit the Mission of San Xavier del Bac, a National Historic Landmark which was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. It’s the oldest intact European structure in Arizona and its interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. After exploring San Xavier, we will check into our historic Tucson hotel, the Arizona Inn. A hosted farewell dinner will be shared to celebrate How The West Was Once and reflect on the events that shaped the colorful history of the Southwest.

Stay Tucson Inn & Suites, or nearby Tucson, AZ hotel

Day 4:

Your expert guide will greet you in the morning to explore Tucson, also referred to as “The Old Pueblo”. Derived from the O’odham Cuk Son, the Spanish word Tucsón means “at the base of the black hill”. This historical meaning points to volcanic rock that covers the hill known as Sentinel Peak; locals call it “A” Mountain. We’ll have time to visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, an interactive outdoor museum, zoo, and garden that combines live animal exhibits and demonstrations with botanical gardens. Afterwards, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in Old Tucson. In the afternoon, we’ll begin our return back to the Valley of the Sun.