bisbee mine tour reviews

Copper Queen Mine Tour

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Copper Queen Mine Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Visiting Tips (2024)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• (0.30 km) Eldorado Suites Hotel
• (0.29 km) Canyon Rose Suites
• (0.16 km) QueenMine R.V. Park
• (0.22 km) Hotel San Ramon
• (0.30 km) Letson Loft Hotel
• (0.14 km) Thuy's Noodle Shop
• (0.20 km) Bisbee's Table
• (0.22 km) Bisbee Coffee Company
• (0.15 km) Old Bisbee Roasters
• (0.29 km) Le Cornucopia Cafe

Queen Mine Tours

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Queen Mine Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Queen Mine Tours

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QUEEN MINE TOURS (Bisbee) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Queen Mine Tours

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QUEEN MINE TOURS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

City of Bisbee: Queen Mine Tours

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Anyone visiting Tucson should consider a day or overnight trip to Bisbee, which lies just 90 miles southeast. During its heyday as a mining town in the early 1900s, Bisbee was one of the richest mineral sites in the world: its mines produced copper, gold, silver, and minerals such as turquoise, malachite and azurite. It was 1975, nearly 100 years after copper was first mined here, when mining operations were no longer profitable and ceased production. With a history so deeply connected to mining, the city decided to “repurpose” the mine to keep its history alive and bring tourists to the area. A section of the famous Queen Mine was cleaned and structurally reinforced, before opening to visitors in 1976. According to the mine’s website, more than a million visitors have toured the mine since it opened. The tour takes about an hour, and reservations are recommended. Before taking the train 1,500 feet into the side of the mountain, visitors are equipped with a hardhat, a bright yellow slicker, and a miner’s lamp. The guides are former miners who share firsthand knowledge of the mine’s history and operation, and all of it is fascinating. Bring a sweater, since the temperature underground is about 50 degrees. After the tour, learn even more about mining at the nearby Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. And after that? Bisbee has fantastic art galleries, shops, restaurants, and restored Victorian neighborhoods. Don’t miss the Cochise County Courthouse, a stunning Art Deco building.

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Copper Queen Mine Tour

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

COPPER QUEEN MINE TOUR: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• (0.30 km) Eldorado Suites Hotel
• (0.29 km) Canyon Rose Suites
• (0.16 km) QueenMine R.V. Park
• (0.22 km) Hotel San Ramon
• (0.30 km) Letson Loft Hotel
• (0.14 km) Thuy's Noodle Shop
• (0.20 km) Bisbee's Table
• (0.22 km) Bisbee Coffee Company
• (0.15 km) Old Bisbee Roasters
• (0.29 km) Le Cornucopia Cafe

Queen Mine Tours

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Queen Mine Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Realtree/SEOPA Website Excellence Award - 1st Place 2018-2022

Outdoors rambler   , with ken perrotte.

• Ken Perrotte
• Jul 21, 2022

Queen Mine Tour a Highlight of Visit to Eclectic Bisbee - Experience the Inside of a Mountain

Just outside of Bisbee, Arizona, as you head south on Highway 80 toward Mexico just 11 miles away, is a massive, deep hole in the earth -- an open pit copper mine, heavily terraced as you gaze into its depths. The scope is incredible, inspiring thoughts of what this area must have looked and sounded like in the mine’s heyday.

A late spring trip to Arizona for a graduation in Tucson, about 90 miles away, offered travel opportunities. The copper mine tour was reputed to be one of the most popular activities during a visit to Bisbee, along with bar hopping, music listening, visiting museums and galleries, or touring any of the many period hotels and properties in this quirky town where eclectic cowboy meets hippie meets history.

Mine tours are popular in many destinations where the activity was practiced. I recall visiting an old gold mine in Colorado, descending deep into the earth for a miner’s perspective of the world below. I signed up for a tour of the Bisbee “Queen Mine.”

Seeing the vast, extremely deep open pit had me rethinking my plans. I don’t like heights and had visions of being on some tour where you’re navigating some terrace ledge with the mine’s bottom 1,000 feet below. No thanks. When I showed up early for my scheduled tour, I asked one of the guys behind the counter about the actual tour and whether any precipices and the like were involved.

“Not at all,” said John Balas, an affable man who then proceeded to outline the tour scenario – basically about an hour underground, visiting some mine tunnels and work areas. “People who are claustrophobic sometimes have problems,” Balas shared. “We always stop the carts close to the entryway when first heading in. This lets anyone who might be feeling that they can’t handle it get off and return to the outside."

Images at right courtesy of Discover Bisbee

Our tour group gathered and went through a processing line, getting a safety vest, a hard plastic helmet and a light and battery pack. Many on the tour were members of the Iron Brotherhood motorcycle club that was staging a national gathering in Tombstone, Arizona. When it came time to board the carts that would carry us on small rail tracks into the mine, I was happy to see Balas was our guide.

He opened the foreboding door to the mine entrance, gave the bell a clang and towed us into the mine. The tunnel was tight in many places with rocks and support timbers just a foot or so away on each side and overhead. About 100 yards in, he stopped, letting the group sit in the darkness. If any claustrophobes were having second thoughts, they didn’t voice them. We motored on, eventually traveling 1,500 feet into the mountain.

Small lights punctuated the trip, including one distant light Balas jokingly referred to as “the light at the end of the tunnel."

Once inside the mine, there are two places where you disembark and head out on foot, visiting areas with displays showing how the “muck,” the ore-rich rock being excavated was extracted and removed, first using strictly human power – young men called “swampers,” then mules and finally machine-powered propulsion. The is also an exhibit showing how geologists prospected the tunnels looking for ore-rich veins, followed by dynamite charges set to achieve the perfect blast and rubble pile for exaction.

Various tools of the industry are displayed with Balas giving detailed explanation of workings and purpose of each. Drills, hoppers, carts and even a rolling two-seater toilet - Balas termed the contraption a little "over-engineered" - are on the tour. In one large, cavern-like room, Balas shown his light on an area of rock and the form of a disembodied head appeared. Balas said this was "Headless John," the "spirit of the mine" and a guardian angel of sorts to the miners. Some tours are given by former miners, but Balas notes many of the miners who worked in the mine, which closed permanently in 1975, are now elderly. Balas is a retired history teacher and his tour is educational, detailed, and fun, punctuated with quips and personal asides. “There are a lot of good stories down there,” he said.

Included are how the mines were discovered (a U.S. Cavalry officer with a little knowledge of geology found the initial “interesting” rocks), the politics associated with the land, how the Industrial Revolution changed things along with electricity and communication innovations driving the need for copper. Balas tells how poor sanitation resulted in mass outbreaks of hookworms in the miners, which eventually resulted in the rolling outhouse. He shared how the power drills could fill the tight working areas with dust, causing deadly silicosis. Use of water at the drill impact point eventually solved that issue. He outlines how mining could be a good paying job back then, with many of the miners getting healthy commissions – sometimes thousands of dollars a month - based on the amount of rock brought out.

Back in the days when steak dinners could be had for about 16 cents and a loaf of bread cost a penny, a hardworking miner could make about 35 cents an hour, according to Balas. They were making about $50 a day in 1975 – righteous pay dude! I remember joining the Air Force just a couple years later and pulling down a base salary of $375 a month.

By the Numbers

The mine operated continuously for almost 100 years, employing 4,000 men a day at its zenith. Bisbee mines produced metals valued at $6.1 billion (1975 prices), said to be one of the largest production valuations of all the world’s mining districts in the world. This includes estimated production of 8 billion pounds of copper, 2.9 million ounces of gold, 77.2 million ounces of silver, nearly 305 million pounds of lead and 372 million pounds of zinc.

Open-pit mining began in 1917 to meet the copper demand during World War I. As ore reserves dwindled at the mine, the open pit mine closed in 1974, followed by the underground operations the next year. Bisbee’s mayor saw an opportunity to take the closed mine and turn a portion of it into a tourism opportunity and a chance to help preserve and share the area’s heritage. The Queen Mine Tour opened to visitors in February 1976. Since then, according to the tour website, more than a million visitors, from all 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries, have entered the mine

The Deportation

One topic not covered in the tour is the great labor strike and deportation 1917. Copper prices were rapidly increasing, but miner pay wasn’t. In May of that year, one of the miner’s unions presented a list of grievances and demands to the Phelps Dodge company, the mine’s owner. One miner’s union was reportedly affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, the "Wobblies,” a radical group founded in Chicago in 1905 that eschewed capitalism and was credited with using violence and sabotage to achieve its goals. The demands were rejected, and 3,000 miners went on strike in late June.

The mine owners used the IWW connection to take unprecedented action against the striking miners, organizing a posse of more than 2,000 men led by the local sheriff to round up striking miners and suspected sympathizers on July 12. Nearly 2,000 men were arrested and marched by the heavily armed posse to a ballpark where they were given a chance to end the strike and denounce the IWW. Reportedly, some 700 did and were allowed to return to work. The rest were loaded onto railcars and taken to Hermanas, New Mexico, where they were unloaded and stranded, mostly penniless, with the clothes on their backs. Federal troops soon arrived to alleviate the situation. The act was investigated and deemed completely illegal. Phelps Dodge company executives were arrested the next year. None were convicted and none of the deportees returned to their homes or jobs.

The tour currently costs $14 for Adults and $6.50 for children age 6-12. Younger children are not allowed underground. Participants cannot wear open-toe shoes or high heels. Reservations are required for underground tours. For information, reservations, and group rates, call 866-432-2071 or 520-432-2071. You can also book online at www.queenminetours.com . The tours are offered year-round, except for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Five tours a day are usually offered. They fill quickly. It’s best to book well in advance if possible. The tour location, close to Bisbee’s downtown, has an ample gift shop. A documentary about the Bisbee mine airs in a small viewing area adjacent to the gift shop.

Also in Bisbee

By the early 1900s, Bisbee was a boom town, the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco, with more than 20,000 people. It had a mix of culture – with libraries and theaters – and more colorful, salacious attributes such as an ample offering of saloons (nearly 50) and brothels. Thankfully, many of these historic watering holes are still serving up the libations, as well as copious amounts of live music. As to the brothels, well, I can’t find anything in the current guidebooks there, but gambling and prostitution were outlawed by about 1910. The city has many vintage hotels, loads of rental cottages and B&Bs , some of which are high along the canyon hillsides and accessible only by steep, lengthy staircases. If you take the mine tour, try to also visit the Smithsonian-affiliated Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum .

Several events calendars are published relating to Bisbee activities today . The Bisbee Saturday Market featuring farm produce, crafts and more is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vista Park in the Warren district. The Discover Bisbee website is a wonderful resource.

Images 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 clockwise from top left courtesy of Discover Bisbee

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My husband & I have lived in AZ (Scottsdale) for almost 25 years and always heard mixed reviews of Bisbee. Last Nov, we decided to take the 3 hour drive south and spend a long weekend exploring Bisbee… since then we’ve gone back two more times, and have another weekend planned in Aug! Staying at the Letson Lofts, strolling the back streets at night with a ghost tour, listening to live local music, attending a seance (the best!), drinking (a lot) with the locals, and experiencing the fascinating copper mine tour; Bisbee is a true gem! Great write up… can’t wait to go back :)

Thank you very much - glad you liked it. Bisbee is a cool town and I'd sure like to visit again for a 3-day weekend and catch a little of the local music scene. Happy Rambling!

The moveable privy certainly is appealing. As we age, the call of nature becomes a bigger and bigger part to our outdoor adventures. I am planning what may be close to my last small mouth bass outing. Trip in July for the Rapidan, James and Shenandoah rivers. Have even stored up on old South Bend spin orenos off of eBay.

Queen Mine Tours

Review Highlights

“ This mine was active until 1970, so you will see the evolution of mining from 1870's to 1970's on this tour. ” in 25 reviews

“ It was very interesting and made us have a whole new appreciation for what a tough job being a miner is. ” in 21 reviews

“ You'll be provided with a hard hat and vest (sanitized after use) and required to wear close toed shoes. ” in 19 reviews

Location & Hours

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478 N Dart Rd

Bisbee, AZ 85603

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About the Business

"It's Cool Underground" Explore the depths of Bisbee's famous Queen Mine. Don mining hats, slickers and lanterns worn by miners...ride the mine train deep into the mine...marvel at remaining copper minerals...experience the life of miners as they toiled in the subterranean tunnels. Open daily. Tour times: 9 AM - 10:30 AM - Noon - 2 PM - 3:30 PM. Tours leave from the Queen Mine Tour building located within walking distance of Historic Bisbee. The mine is a cool, Dress accordingly. No open toe shoes or high heels. Tours last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Reservations suggested. Call 1-866-432-2071 or visit queenminetour.com. Stop by the Queen Mine Store for gem and mineral specimens, jewelry and other unique items. …

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212 reviews

The tour was very interesting and very informative. Our guide was very knowledgeable and willing to answer any and all questions, even though it extended the length of the tour by about 10 minutes.

Had an absolute blast learning about the old mining town of Bisbee! It was very educational and enjoyable. Especially thankful for Rochelle at the ticket counter who was very accommodating and lent me her long sleeve shirt, because it gets cold on the tour. Highly recommend!

See all photos from Celina A. for Queen Mine Tours

What a great time. Highly recommend this but not for kidd. Combine this with a helmet and headlight tour of Kartchner Caverns and you've got a great look at underground AZ

This was a fun tour! It was fun to learn about copper mining from entertaining tour guides! Don't forget a light jacket or pullover. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Great tour. Our guide worked in the mine as a young man and shared a treasure trove of stories, information and humor. I hope to bring my family here some day.

This was by far the coolest part of our day trip to Southern Arizona. My wife and I loved wearing the bright-colored vests and hardhats in the mine. I was not expecting to ride a small train into the mine, but it was so much fun! The tour guide had decades of mining experience, and he was able to answer every question our group had. I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time, as the tickets go quickly, especially for weekend mornings. Definitely get there at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your tour, as the lines are long when you arrive.

Very cool tour! A must when visiting Tombstone. Was memorable and informative. The tour guides are knowledgeable and have a passion for what they do. We had great time and felt like we were an actual miner! Definitely a must then stop by the town and grab some lunch or dinner!

My boyfriend and I were in Bisbee for 2 nights and this was the highlight of our stay! Tour guide was super knowledgeable and we learned so much about life in the mines on the hour long tour. All the staff and guests are required to wear masks, which we really appreciated. Gift shop was cute as well!

This tour was really amazing! The history and the way things were done is amazing to hear. Doug was our tour guide and he was really good. Thank you Doug for a great tour. Definitely recommend this tour.

There's just something special about throwing on your hard hat, heading under ground, braving treacherous working conditions, and mining some copper. Or... you can throw on your hard hat and go on a tour instead. The Copper Mine Tour is a must do if this is your first time in Bisbee. I mean, you'd kind of be a hypocrite if you visited an old historic AZ mining town and skipped the mining part. The tour is just a short walk away from the brewery's and art studios lining downtown Bisbee and is a reminder of where the town got its roots. The tour takes just over an hour and is guided by locals who have a lot to share. The mine tour is totally worth a shot next time you pass through Bisbee.

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(520) 432-2071

Copper Queen Mine Tour

Copper Queen Mine Underground Tours

Tour Times: Please call for current tour times.

Tour Rates: $16 for Adults / $8. for age 6-12 (taxes are included). ages 0-5 not allowed underground Prices subject to change. No open toe shoes or high heels permitted. You will need to arrive 30 minutes before tour time  your purchase tickets.

Group rates are  available for groups of 10 or more with advanced notice of two weeks. Please call for reservations or more information.

Prices subject to change Tours last approximately 1 hour.

What to Expect

Step into the fascinating world of mining as you don your hard hats, miner's headlamps, and safety vests, preparing for an adventure beneath the surface. Each year, 50,000 visitors descend into the depths of the Queen Mine, immersing themselves in a journey that transports them back in time. Led by knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, you'll venture a remarkable 1,500 feet into the mine, where tales of mining days, techniques, dangers,  await.

For your utmost safety and comfort, please ensure you wear closed-toe shoes, leaving behind any high heels. As you embark on this extraordinary expedition, your adventure commences with the distribution of your personal hard hats, miner's lamps, and safety vests. Following a brief introduction and a comprehensive safety briefing, you'll board an original mine train for this underground excursion. You will board, straddling the bench seats, akin to riding a bicycle, as the train sets off on its captivating ½ mile round trip, complete with two stops.

 One stop allows you to disembark the train and venture along a 300-foot walk through the tunnel. The path, reminiscent of a dirt road, invites you to immerse yourself in the very footsteps of miners past. At the other stop, you'll encounter a series of 36 steps, offering a momentary challenge.  If climbing the steps isn't your preference, you can opt to remain on the train, enjoying the company of tour guide from the comfort of the train. Throughout the approximately one-hour tour, the mine's cool climate makes it advisable to bring along a light sweater or jacket to ensure your utmost comfort.

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable subterranean expedition? Join one of the daily tours, available seven days a week. The Queen Mine Tour Building, nestled just south of Old Bisbee's bustling business district, easily accessible from the U.S. 80 interchange.