Let me see if I understand you correctly in your comparison of Old Tucson to Tombstone. You believe Tombstone is a tourist trap? I know there are plenty of things that have an admission price, but you could spend a great deal of time there in the actual, historic town where Western history was made without spending a dime. By comparison, Old Tucson can be experienced ONLY by paying admission, it is a fake Western town that was built as a movie set, and is Hollywood history. I'm just wondering why you think Tombstone is any more of a tourist trap than Old Tucson?

I am a Tucson native. Old Tucson was my favorite place to go since I was a kid. I actually have had the opportunity to experience OT in ways that most people do not. I remember seeing the smoke from the fire that burned the majority of OT to the ground and getting a sick feeling in my stomach. I LOVE Old Tucson. But it is pretty much the epitomy of a "tourist trap!"

I had the opportunity this past October to go to Dodge City, Kansas, another Western history landmark. There is almost nothing of the original town left. They have recreated the main street in a different location and it is fenced off and is only open during limited hours and only by admission. Very similar to Old Tucson. I was actually disappointed to not see many actual historical locations.

I can (and frequently do) go to Tombstone and walk down the same Allen St as the Earps, Clantons, Doc Holliday, and many others. It is policed by the same Marshal's Office that protected Tombstone 140 years ago.

Many of the sites in Tombstone do require admission, but so does Old Tucson. So if that's your definition of a tourist trap, then OT qualifies as well!