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Thank you to White Stallion Ranch for hosting our stay at your beautiful luxury family-friendly dude ranch in Tucson Arizona. All opinions and photographs of the property are ours.
Day five started with an early 7 am ride. During the summer, these morning rides are the perfect ones to go on because the scenery is stunning at this time of day, and the desert heat hasn’t set in yet. We ride and then go straight to breakfast…
After that, we got ready for the day and decided we should take advantage of the fact that White Stallion Ranch is only 90 minutes from Tombstone. The night before, the ranch brought on a local historian as the evening entertainment and his stories about the area’s early days really stuck with us and Pete and I decided it was a great opportunity to bring an educational opportunity to the girls… and we both really wanted to see it.
We knew ahead of time that the town is very “touristy”, and that having had two pretty major fires, the buildings are not all original. That is just fine with us. We were happy to just be in the area where it all happened. There is something about walking the same streets as those that came before us walked that makes history come alive.
The drive to Tombstone was nice and easy. It was fun seeing the different towns as we went through. There were grassy areas and then dry cactus filled spots along the way. We parked right at the beginning of the historic area, across from the park. Then we walked across the street and the first thing that was there was the O.K. Corral. This is where they have a walk through learning center, and at the end in the back of the building (which is supposedly the back alley spot where the big gun shootout happened) they have reenactments throughout the day.
We knew we only had a couple hours to explore, and this is easily a full day spot, so we made short order of what we wanted to do. Emmy noticed a horse-drawn carriage coming down the street, and that the horses looked really familiar.
Pete made his way over to them and learned that they offer quick overview tours of the area, so we decided to take a ride. We learned that the horses looked familiar because they were the exact horses that Disney used to create the two animated horses in Frozen!
Em got to pet and hang out with them after they got a water soaking to stay cool. Then it was off on our tour.
We saw where all the historically significant characters lived and worked, and got a good feel for what life was like back in the late 1800’s.
Then we were starving. I had read that Big Nose Kate’s was the place to eat, and it didn’t disappoint. The live country music was pretty awesome too. As was having the girl’s picture taken on top of the big piano in the restaurant. It’s a fun picture to take, just note that there is a completely nude lady in portrait form hanging behind where you sit. Thankfully Emmy didn’t notice and I was able to angle my lens just right to block her out.
After lunch, we wanted to squeeze one more thing in before heading back to the ranch for a family rodeo! We decided that The Original Bird Cage Theater of Tombstone was the one thing we were missing, so we headed to the end of the road to experience it. They also offer mine tours and there was a ghost and history tour that sounded like a really fun thing to do if you are there later in the day. We love ghost tours and were bummed to miss it.
Inside the Birdcage theater are original artifacts from those that lived in the area at the turn of the century and from their travels to get to the area. There is also the original hearse that took many of the town dead to their final resting spot. Up and down the street we learned about all the murders in the area… I am sure it got a lot of use. You also walk through the theater area and there are the special rooms above that open overlooking the stage where working women “worked”. I found the town completely family friendly, but there are many references to the oldest profession in the world… if you know what I mean. I would be prepared to answer some questions. Emmy is a great reader and read a few things that could have lead to non-age appropriate discussions but thankfully they went over her head.
On the street, there are characters everywhere which helped imagine the town many moons ago.. We also gazed up into the hills as the town people would have, looking for Native Americans. We had a good discussion about the Native Americans and their role in history.
Back at the ranch, we were so excited to see our first glance into rodeo life. The True Family has a long history of participating in rodeos and they share some rodeo events with their guests.
We saw barrel racing and so much more.
Mr. True, one of the True Brother’s that owns the ranch now (after they inherited it from their parents who purchased the ranch in the 1960’s), explained each event with his insight and humor. It was such a fun way to end our last full day at the ranch.
I can’t get enough of these sunsets!
Here is our day 5 video recap:
You guys are always having so much fun! This place sounds like a blast.
Oh how fun that would be. I grew up on a farm and always wanted to take my grandkids to a dude ranch but I haven’t yet.
That sounds like so much fun! I’d love to see the site of the OK Corral shootout. I think that shootout was the most famous in the history of the old west.
Looks like your girls were having a blast at the OK Corral. Kind of cool to know that Disney found inspiration from the horse there.
You are exploring more of AZ than I have and I live in AZ! Way to go you all are so much fun to read about! I need to travel as much as you all do!
This really is so cool that you were able to experience this. I bet your kids will forever remember this experience, I am loving the hats!
There are so many horses! I don’t think we’d see or accomplish anything because my daughter and I would just want to be riding or petting horses the whole time!
A LOT of different activities going on – and you all look like you’re having a BLAST!
No way… Tombstone? I didn’t even know that this place existed. How cool. I would love to take my kids. Thanks so much for sharing… looks like y’all had a blast
Looks like your girls are having a blast! What an awesome vacation! I wanna check this place out.
Arizona looks so awesome! I bet it is so hot there, but the scenery looks great!
you take the best adventures. this looks so fun it reminds me of an old clintwood movies. haha. also i always love seeing what color lipstick your daughter will be wearing. #loveit.
It must have been nice to be able to go to such a fun and awesome place. I love that a lot of people are in costume, they make the experience so much better. It’s nice to learn about history in places like this! And that sunset is the perfect view to end the day.
This brings back so many wonderful memories. We really enjoyed our visit to Tombstone. The sunsets are so pretty. We were in Scottsdale in April and oh….I miss it already.
Looks like you all had such a great time, loving all the photos!
Oh my goodness, this looks like so much fun. What a wonderful memory for your children.
Such fun pictures! Are you there now? Stay safe in the crazy heat if you are!! Love Arizona!
I have visited AZ many time,ms but never Tombstone, AZ. Your trip looked like lots of family fun! My horse loving daughter would love if our family visited here.
I need to visit here. It looks like so much fun. My son would love to think he was a cowboy in the wild west.
How much fun Heather! I grew up barrel racing and going to small rodeos! This brought back so many memories!
I think it’s awesome you for to visit tombstone. That is where I actually live!!! Great blog post!!!
Looks like such a fun time for the family! The ranch looks like a cool place to checkout!
What a great experience to have with the family, loving this! The photos are spectacular!
I’ve seen a lot on Dude Ranch it must be amazing! Sounds fun
I am loving your updates on this trip. Tombstone would be amazing to see.
I would definitely do a trip like this when my kids are a little older. It looks like an amazing experience so far for your family.
Like traveling back in time … with the whole family. Great collection of photos!
You guys sure do a lot of stuff every day! Those horses sure looked friendly, I bet they enjoyed getting hosed off!
That looks like so much fun. I love going on horse carriage rides. Those are always a blast. I have actually never been to a rodeo before. It sounds fun though.
My hubby would totally love visiting somewhere like this! I think a flashback in time would be so fun!
It seems as if your family had a wonderful time. Arizona seems to be such a beautiful place.
I’ve never been to Arizona, but I think my son would love it! Great pictures!
This reminds me of a cowboy movie. i love to take a ride at those carriage!
I am excited to see your day 5 trip on Dude Ranch. Sounds like you are having so much fun especially with the carriage.
What a fun experience for the whole family. I love that the people there are wearing costumes. I would love to go there with my family.
Looks like your vacation is going really well! I love that the horses were the inspiration for the ones in Frozen. That movie is a favorite here! Love the pictures! I love that you are using the vacation as an educational opportunity as well!
What a fun way to show the kids history like this!! I had no idea there was this much to do there.
My kids would love to go to the dude ranch. This looks like a blast.
Haha this post is PERFECT timing. My husband and I have lived in AZ for 15 years and have NEVER Been to Tombstone. I was just telling him “I wish a blogger would post about it so I could see if it looks fun, and today I literally “Stumbled” across your post.
Now I’m excited to take the family! Thanks! 😀
Your blog is full of adventure and great pictures. I really enjoy reading your reviews and seeing charming places. What a great vacation 🙂
It looks so pretty. I’ve heard a lot about this place. Hoping to visit more and explore when my kids get a little older.
Wonderful family memories were made here! Looks like you all are happy and having fun!
That is cool that you got to go on a wagon ride. I had no clue that those even existed today for demonstration purposes.
It sounds like your family has had a great time in Arizona.
Oh my goodness, the places that you go! It always looks like you are having so much fun, living in the moment, and taking in so many moments and memories. Your pictures are amazing, the smiles are genuine, and the location looks like a must see. Thank you for sharing in the adventure at the Dude Ranch!
This looks like such a fun trip. My youngest is dying to ride a horse again.
Tombstone sounds like a great place to visit for sure. We have wanted to go west for a while and this would indeed be one of our stops. The History alone is amazing. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Oh gosh!! I have always wanted to go to Tombstone!! Your pics are awesome!!
These looks like a fun adventure for the whole family. LOve the photis and the video.
Looks like you all had tons of fun. Thanks for sharing your adventures. 🙂 Yolonda
I would really love to have another enjoyable experience at Tombstone, sadly I was only there to pass by. Your pictures really have a great way of showing everything beautiful with old, classic Western appeal. I really like it!