Exploring “The Mother Road” in 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 Church of The Mother Road
Location: 116 E. 2nd St., Winslow, AZ
Significance: “The World’s Smallest Church”
Seeing this miniscule church is a nice quick stop in Williams before or after exploring Standin’ On A Corner Park. This is not an actual church in operation, but more a historic site. It’s quite tiny and consists of 2 small benches and an altar. Not really worth going out of your way for but another quirky Northern Arizona attraction to add to your bucket list.
Historic Main Street Williams
Location: Downtown Williams
Significance: The last town to be bypassed by I-40
Downtown Williams is a pretty retro place with lots of nostalgia. Anyone who loves 50’s and Rt. 66 memorabilia will definitely want to plan a visit. Williams is a quick half hour drive from Flagstaff so the perfect daytrip destination. In this tiny community, you will find a Main Street that goes all out with Rt. 66 decor, memorabilia, and shops. You can have a field day buying all sorts of knick knacks for your collection. Asides from being the last town to be bypassed by I-40, Williams is also the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” The popular Grand Canyon Railway serves as a convenient mode of transportation to one of America’s greatest natural wonders. I took numerous daytrips here from Flagstaff, enjoying all the little novelty shops and cute cafes. Definitely a blast to the past!
List of Rt 66 things to do in Williams
Painted Desert Inn
Location: Petrified National Forest
Significance: This national historic landmark was once a popular dining and lodging option along Rt 66
The Petrified Forest is one of the most unusual places to visit in Arizona. It’s a must-see for history buffs for sure. Here you will be able to explore one of the largest collections of petrified wood in the US – some of which is over 225 million years old. Along the park’s beautiful and historic scenic drive, you will come across a brightly colored building known as the Painted Desert Inn. The inn overlooks the colorful painted desert, hence the name. It opened in 1940 to provide lodging for Santa Fe Railroad travelers. Today, the restored inn operates as a museum. You can stroll around and admire the architecture.
Read more about the history of this inn
The mesmerizing Painted Desert. Note that there are several backcountry trails where you can explore this exotic landscape more. Mike and I enjoyed a quick hike and really felt as if we entered another world. The rock formations are just so surreal – pics do no justice!
A 1932 Studebaker marks the site of the old Rt 66. The Petrified Forest was the only national park with a stretch of the famous route. Read more about the history of Rt 66 within the Park.
Salsa Brava
Location: Flagstaff
Significance: Featured on Food Network’s’ Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives
Salsa Brava was one of my favorite place to eat during my time living in Flagstaff. The food here was reliably good and I enjoyed the many unique options including Native American specialties and lots of vegetarian friendly selections. The endless salsa bar is pretty awesome as well. My go-to’s were the Portobello Fajitas (pic below) and the Farmer’s Market Burrito. Not only is the food wonderful here, but the colorful decor and fun vacation-y ambiance on touristy Rt. 66 make it hard to beat. This is the place to stop in Flagstaff.
If you are a fan of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, you may want to order “What Guy Ate.” The stuffed sopapilla (pic below) is wonderful. Or, treat yourself to a southwestern Navajo Taco (Native American fry bread topped with various taco toppings).
Also, while you are in close vicinity, check out the retro Neon sign on the Western Hills Motel, located just 1 mile from Salsa on Rt. 66 (1580 E Rt 66). Not something I would go out of my way for, but since you are nearby it’s pretty cool to see one of these old-fashioned signs: you can’t miss it!
Walnut Canyon
Location: 3 E Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff
Significance: Home to dozens of well preserved ancient cliff dwellings
At this historic gem, you can explore ancient cliff dwellings from the Sinagua tribes that lived in the area from 600 to 1400 AD. A steep trail known as the Island will take you on an upclose journey past more than 20 of these dwellings. It’s a unique experience to imagine what life was like for these early people, especially in an area devoid of water (Sinagua means “mountains without water”).
On an interesting historical note, The Walnut Canyon bridge (built in 1924) was once a part of Rt 66. Although it is now closed, it remains in good condition and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. There is a pull out to view the site.
Learn more about Walnut Canyon
The Weatherford Hotel
Location: 23 N Leroux St, Flagstaff
Significance: The oldest and most haunted hotel in Flagstaff
This historic property (located a block off Rt 66) is not only beautiful but also holds much historical significance. It opened in 1900 and at the time, The Coconino Sun wrote “There is no finer hotel in the whole southwest.” The hotel is also super haunted. I first learned this watching my favorite paranormal investigators (Zak Bagans and crew) on Ghost Adventures. If you are a fan, you will be happy to know that they capture a lot of evidence in this episode.
History and hauntings aside, the Weatherford is home to the annual NYE Pine Cone drop (a variation of Times Square’s famous ball drop). Whether or not you choose to book a room, definitely plan to eat at the charming and historic Charly’s Pub. They serve great Southwestern specialities including the most delicious Navajo Taco!
Learn more about the Weatherford’s history
The northern portion of Arizona is jam packed with historic sites, amazing hiking trails, scenic drives, and so much. more. Check out my full guide to the best sites to visit in Northern Arizona.
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