Free-spirit central

GETTING THERE:

From LAX, United and Southwest fly nonstop to Tucson. From Burbank and Orange County, connecting flights (change of planes) are also available on Southwest and America West. America West also flies from Long Beach. Restricted round-trip flights start at $123.

Bisbee is about 90 miles southeast of Tucson. To get there, drive east on Interstate 10 from Tucson, then south on Arizona 80.

WHERE TO STAY:

The Shady Dell Trailer Park, 1 Old Douglas Road; (520) 432-3567, theshadydell.com. The Shady Dell has elevated ‘50s kitsch to an art form. Its restored vintage travel trailers are outfitted with period details including record players and stacks of 45s. Rates: $40-$125.

WHERE TO EAT:

Cafe Roka,

35 Main St.; (520) 432-5153, www.caferoka.com. Bisbee’s most glamorous restaurant, serving top-shelf gourmet meals using seasonal ingredients. The menu of modern American food changes twice weekly. Entrees $13.50-$23.50.

Hot Licks Barbecue, 37 OK St.; (520) 432-7200, www.hotlicksbbq.com. One of the few dining spots open late, Hot Licks serves sandwiches and salads, and has live music several nights a week. It is also one of the many places in town said to have a resident ghost. Entrees $4.79-$21.98.

Dot’s Diner, 1 Douglas Road (in the Shady Dell Trailer Park); (520) 432-1112, www.theshadydell.com/dots.html. Burgers, shakes and its famous pie served in a restored 1957 diner by a waitress who stacks her hair high and dons a polyester uniform from the ‘50s. Entrees $3.79-$6.25.

WHERE TO DRINK:

St. Elmo Bar,

36 Brewery Ave.; (520) 432-5578. St. Elmo, opened in 1902, is a classic Old West saloon. Some of the taxidermic trophies look as though they’ve been there since Day 1.

WHERE TO SHOP:

Red Light, 8 Brewery Gulch. This storefront is split in two. In one half, artist Gretchen Baer works on her colorful paintings; in the other, she sells vintage clothing. Both are worth a visit.

Belleza Fine Art Gallery, 27 Main St.; (520) 432-5877, www.bellezagallery.org. The works of 26 artists, most of them local, are on display.

Atalanta Books, 38 Main St., (520) 432- 9976. Sells books, music, musical instruments and art supplies.

Mina Tang Kan Gallery of Fine Art, 32 Main St.; (520) 432-5824, www.minatangkan.com. Shows change monthly and include paintings, ceramics, glass, photography and sculpture.

TO LEARN MORE:

Bisbee Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Center,

1 Main St.; (520) 432-5421, www.bisbeearizona.com. The Chamber of Commerce publishes a directory of artists’ studios open by appointment.

— Hope Hamashige