The first time I came to Arizona, my cousin decided to show my family this cute little hippie town nestled in the southern Arizona mountains.

The "B" Carved into one of Bisbee's hills
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The second I saw Bisbee, I fell in love, and did everything I could to return permanently. Turns out, that obsession was by design.

How to Change a Town's Vibes

At its inception, Bisbee was a copper mining town, and a massive one at that. In fact, it was the largest city in between El Paso and San Diego at one point in history. So how did it become a hidden gem full of artists, musicians, and hippies?

An American flag over the Copper Queen Mine
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Well, in the mid-1970s, the mines began to close, open by one. With no work to be found, local miners began relocating and selling their homes for pennies on the dollar. With rent becoming so cheap in the city, hundreds of starving artists began to take up residence in Bisbee, creating the wonderfully creative town we know today.

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Raking Up the Accolades

Bisbee has always had a reputation for being one of Arizona's favorite "hidden gems" on travel checklists, and it seems to have solidified that recently. The 2025 Arizona Travel Awards have been doled out, and Bisbee has come away with an incredibly special one.

The main street in Bisbee, AZ
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They've been named as the Best Visitor Center in the state, and for good reason. Not only are they incredibly helpful for planning an itinerary, but the center is also located within the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, adding a whole stop without ever having to travel for it. If you've never made your way down south to the Queen of Copper Camps, we couldn't recommend it enough.

[KGUN9][City of Bisbee][Visit Arizona]

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