“Get Your Kicks on Route 66” in Williams, Arizona
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
The original “Mother Road,” as Route 66 was referred to by John Steinbeck in the classic Grapes of Wrath novel, was once a narrow 2 lane road, spanning from Chicago all the way to the Santa Monica Pier in Southern California, for a total distance of 2400 miles. Interstate I-40 eventually replaced the historic road in 1956. Although the new highway system meant more efficient travel, it also meant a loss of the novelty and excitement of traveling along Rt 66. Thus, the era started where getting to your destination became more important than enjoying the ride there.
America’s most iconic drive – a nostalgic blast to the past
Nevertheless, Route 66 became very famous and is forever ingrained in our mind thanks in part to its’ many references in popular culture including the catchy tune “Get your Kicks on Route 66.” I first heard this song at a show by the wonderful Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra over the Fourth of July and still cannot get it out of my head.
Today, this historic road remains the most iconic with tourists coming from all over the world to explore the last remaining stretches of the famous highway. Although you can no longer drive the entire road, you can still drive & explore many preserved sections.
Back in the 1920’s (the road opened in 1926), the road was used by millions of travelers to travel across the American West. At one point, the road was lined with all sorts of quirky diners, motels, neon signs, and tourist attractions. Sadly, many of the touristy attractions are no longer. Modern chains continue to take the place of old unique businesses and much of the rural parts of the road remain vacant.
Luckily, there are still a few remaining & charming stretches of the road which maintain that classic, vintage feeling we all love. Since moving to Flagstaff, we have been checking out many of these sites. There is a really cool old neon sign at the Western Hills motel.
Another cool site if you are a fan of the Eagles is visiting the spot mentioned in the lyrics from Take it Easy (“I’m standin’ on a corner in Winslow Arizona).
Read more about the history of Rt 66.
“The last town bypassed by I-40”
Williams is a charming small town with a population just over 3000. Walking around downtown is like taking a step back in time. You will not find any modern chain restaurants or hotels here, just classic old time charm.
This small city is home to a small stretch of road which still maintains the nostalgia of the historic highway. In the charming downtown neighborhood, you will find old-fashioned soda fountains, motor hotels, memorabilia and gift shops, classic cars lining the streets, special themed annual events, and even a few themed cafes.
I loved walking around as it feels like a step back in time. I would imagine it would be even more fun for those who grew up during this time period. On October 13, 1984, this town became the final community to be bypassed by the new I-40 highway.Learn more about Williams and Rt 66 history.
By day, you can take a self guided walking tour of all the historic sights and shop for more Rt 66 themed gifts that you could ever imagine. You could literally deck your whole house in knick knacks if you wanted to. By night, you can take in all the classic neon signs which illuminate the downtown area.
The 4 block long Historic Business District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the buildings which stand today date back to the 20’s-40’s, making the town a good representation of what Route 66 once looked like.
A quick daytrip to amazing natural wonders
While enjoying the nostalgia of The Mother Road is a must while visiting this small Northern Arizona town, there are numerous other attractions to enjoy. One of the prime benefits of vacationing here is enjoying all the sights nearby. Most notably, the town is is just an hour away from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, and you can even let someone else do the driving via the Grand Canyon Railway.
And if you feel like exploring the great outdoors in a beautiful area of the country, your options for hiking are almost endless. Unlike Southern Arizona, the northern portion of the state sees a beautiful 4 season climate, with great hiking conditions most of the year. Check out Sycamore Canyon, Keyhole Sink, or Kendrick Mountain in the Kaibab National Forest.
Another cool place to check out is a fantastic drive-thru wildlife park known as Bearizona. There is both a walk through and drive through section here as well as a few shows. The natural surroundings really make it feel less like a zoo and more like a natural habitat.
I also recommend a daytrip to Walnut Canyon where you can explore over 20 ancient cliff dwellings which the Sinagua tribes occupied back in 1100 AD.
Dining options
There are lots of fun themed cafes to check out. These classic diners all feature a great old style design, along with a fun 50’s style old-fashioned vibe. If you are looking for a great espresso drink, check out Cafe 326, which has lots of memorabilia adorning the walls, along with a nice outdoor patio for the summer season. Update: This cafe is unfortunately closed.
Pine Country Restaurant is a nice home style cafe serving breakfast all day, lunch & dinner, and the best homemade pies in town. It has a great location in the center of town with big windows overlooking all the sights.
Why you should visit
Williams makes for a perfect starting point for your Grand Canyon/Northern Arizona adventures. It’s a great base for exploring various natural wonders. It’s also close to Flagstaff which offers so many nice amenities including beautiful hiking trails at Arizona Snowbowl, a cute historic downtown, and a great museum. Sedona, aka Red Rock County, is another daytrip to consider. I recommend planning a little bit of time out here to explore the amenities in town as well as attractions throughout this magnificent region.
As soon as you enter the town, you will notice a sign welcoming you to the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” The convenient travel time to the canyon as well as other fantastic natural attractions in the region, not to mention the rare opportunity to enjoy the small town atmosphere of a historic Route 66 town, makes Williams a great destination for anyone interested in sightseeing, history, and nature.
Stop by the Visitor’s center for a map with detailed info on points of interest.
