A Route 66 road trip through Arizona paints a romantic picture of simpler times.
Coined the ‘Main Street of America’, driving along this historic road elicits memories of days gone by when a nickel could buy you a bottle of co*ke and the sweet sounds of Billie Holiday crooned from every radio.
The ‘Mother Road’ was completed in 1926 and marked the nation’s first highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. It enabled families to embark on the great American road trip, stopping at roadside diners and quaint motor lodges.
It also helped the economic growth of the country. During the Great Depression, over 200,000 migrated to California along Route 66 to escape the despair of the Dust Bowl.
As you travel along I-40 through Arizona, you will find access to stretches of the original Route 66 and many of its landmarks, including these 12 fascinating stops on Route 66 in Arizona!
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12 Fascinating Places to Stop on Route 66 in Arizona
Table of Contents
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Holbrook Wigwam Village Motel
- Little Painted Desert County Park
- Winslow
- Meteor Crater
- Two Guns
- Flagstaff
- Williams
- Seligman
- Peach Springs
- Kingman
- Oatman
Petrified Forest National Park
If you’re coming from the east, the first stop you’ll want to make is at the Petrified Forest National Park that lies within the Painted Desert.
Here you can walk through colored badlands dotted with petrified logs millions of years old.
The Painted Desert Inn was once a popular stopping point for Route 66 travelers but now serves as a museum.
Stop at Newspaper Rock to spot over 600 ancient petroglyphs, take in the views at Tawa Point, and be sure to hike the Blue Mesa Trail.
Visit the Rainbow Forest to find the highest concentration of petrified wood. Here you will also find the Agate House, an ancient 8-room dwelling made of petrified wood.
For more information, be sure to check out our guide to visiting the Petrified Forest National Park.
Holbrook Wigwam Village Motel
The Wigwam Motels are actually a chain of motels that were built during the 1930s and 1940s. They feature cozy tipis to sleep in and vintage cars parked on permanent display.
There were originally 7 locations, 2 of which were built along the historic Route 66 in Holbrook and San Bernardino.
These two locations, along with one in Kentucky, are all the remain and are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
It is said that the Wigwam Motel was the inspiration behind the Cozy Cone Motel in the Pixar movie Cars. Spending the night in a tipi at the Wigwam Motel should definitely be on your Route 66 road trip bucket list!
Just keep in mind that a night in this kitschy motel is more about the experience than the accommodations. The rooms are clean but a little dated and tired.
Little Painted Desert County Park
This little gem is off the beaten path but worth the 15-minute detour from the highway if you have the time.
The Painted Desert is a range of colorful badlands that stretch over 160 miles from the Petrified Forest National Park all the way to the eastern end of the Grand Canyon.
The Little Painted Desert County Park offers a spectacular glimpse of this colorful desert, but unlike the Petrified Forest National Park, this park is free to visit.
There are no formal trails, but visitors are free to hike around and explore. The park is not well maintained and has limited amenities, but chances are you’ll have the whole place to yourself.
The road to the park is not well marked either, just look for a turnoff on the left just after the radio tower at mile marker 260 on Hwy 87.
*Related Post: If you are traveling through New Mexico on Route 66, be sure to see our guide for 7 Things to Do in Gallup, New Mexico!
Winslow
Winslow is one of the most iconic stops along Route 66 in Arizona. As you walk the streets of Winslow you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.
This old railroad town was put on the map by the Eagles when they belted, “Well, I’m standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona…” in their song Take it Easy.
The city has even installed the “Standin’ on the Corner” statue and park to commemorate the song.
It’s a great place to snap a photo with the statue or vintage truck while listening to the Eagles greatest hits playing on the speaker.
Just across the street, you can visit the free Old Trails Museum. Several cafes also line the block. We ate at the Sipp Shoppe where you can grab a sandwich and old-fashioned malt.
This retro soda fountain is housed in an old bank, they even use the original bank safe as their pantry!
Relic Road Brewing next door is also a great spot to grab a bite to eat.
Walk around and admire the murals painted on almost every brick building in the city, then stroll along the First Street Pathway Park.
Here you can see historic trains and learn about the history of Winslow’s railway through posted signs.
Meteor Crater
The Meteor Crater is such a unique attraction along Route 66 in Arizona. This is the best-preserved meteor impact site in the entire world.
The crater is almost a mile wide and was formed during a collision about 50,000 years ago.
The interactive discovery center is packed with information and hands-on exhibits, but the highlight is the observation deck overlooking the crater.
You’ll see quite a few different telescopes marking interesting and notable locations within the crater.
It’s interesting to note that in the 1960s and 70s, Apollo astronauts actually trained at the Meteor Crater because of its similarity to lunar craters.
You can even see a flag and an astronaut cut out on the floor of the crater to give visitors a sense of scale.
The flag is even the same size as the flag that was placed by the first astronauts on the moon!
The admission ticket also includes access to the 4D theater and Collision Room, as well as a guided rim tour (weather permitting).
The wind is quite strong here and unfortunately, it was too windy for a guided rim tour on the day that we visited.
Check Groupon for discounted tickets, or consider taking a guided combo tour.
Two Guns
Two Guns is a fascinating, tragic, and obscure roadside attraction along the original Route 66 in Arizona.
This ghost town is located at Canyon Diablo just off I-40. This canyon is the grim site of the Apache Death Cave where Apache raiders trapped and burned 42 Navajos in retaliation for an earlier attack.
Billy the Kid also supposedly hid out in Canyon Diablo. It is rumored that money he stole in a train robbery is still buried somewhere in the canyon.
Later, during the Route 66 boom, Two Guns became a popular trading post. Harry Miller tried to capitalize the death cave and marketed it as a tourist attraction.
He created a zoo and even sold skulls from the cave. He later shot and killed his business partner and literally got away with murder.
Rumor has it that Russell Crowe bought this land to film a “Westworld” remake, but that is unsubstantiated.
It is easy to pass by if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But if you do stop, you can find the remains of a gas station, trading post, and a few other dilapidated buildings covered in graffiti.
This ghost town is supposedly haunted by real ghosts and there is a definite eerie feeling here.
The most interesting ruins were the old abandoned zoo where you can see the entrance to the Mountain Lion habitat still intact.
From the abandoned gas station, take the bumpy dirt road to the right to reach the zoo and get a view of the death cave.
Supposedly you can climb down into the canyon to explore inside the Apache Death Cave, but it appeared to be fenced off and we were not interested in going anywhere near it!
It is definitely a tragic, historic, weird, fascinating, and creepy spot that is worth a quick stop!
If you’re interested in visiting more ghost towns, check out our guide 7 of the Coolest Ghost Towns in Arizona.
Flagstaff
Route 66 in Arizona runs right through the heart of Flagstaff where much of the nostalgia and charm has been preserved.
Stop in at the visitor center in historic downtown Flagstaff where you can pick up a map for a free Route 66 walking tour and a haunted historic Flagstaff walking tour.
You’ll discover vintage motor lodges and original diners as well as modern murals giving a nod to Route 66.
As you’re driving around town you’ll notice many iconic Route 66 landmarks, like the Western Hill Motel that looks exactly as it did when it first opened in the 1950s.
The historic Museum Club also recently closed its doors after first opening in 1931 and serving as a taxidermy shop, trading post, museum, nightclub, and country music dance hall over the years.
Miz Zips is also a popular Route 66 diner known for serving up the best pies since 1952.
The Route 66 Dog Haus also has some claim to fame as the location that inspired the line, “It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me” in Take it Easy.
Jackson Browne, the songwriter, was referring to a woman he saw in a truck pulling out of this restaurant parking lot.
I would also highly recommend staying at the High Country Motor Lodge.
This newly renovated mid-century modern motel is located on historic Route 66 and is tastefully decorated to reflect the era. Each of the rooms even has a vintage cassette player.
You’ll find attention to every detail, especially in the chic restaurant and lounge.
I would highly recommend ordering the pizza, supposedly the dough is imported from Italy and it was just as good as the pizza we ate in Naples!
The outdoor space is a total vibe with lawn games, fire pits, and a swimming pool. The outdoor pool is not heated, but there is a hot tub and sauna rooms.
Other amenities include a billiards room with a pool table, foosball, and board games.
And if you’re looking for more things to do in Flagstaff, be sure and check out our guide 10 Fun Things to Do in Flagstaff with Kids for more ideas.
Williams
Williams is the last Route 66 town that was bypassed by I-40 and still maintains it’s charm of yesteryear.
The main street is filled with the classic Route 66 fare of souvenir shops, neon signs, and retro diners.
If you’re hungry, stop in at Jeff’s Place at Goldie’s for a hearty American breakfast.
And while you’re in Williams, be sure to check out Bearizona a drive-through wild animal park. They also have a traditional zoo that you can walk through and see the different animal habitats. You can often find discounted tickets on Groupon.
Sycamore Falls is also located nearby and is worth the detour. The short hike leads to a picturesque seasonal waterfall.
Williams is considered the gateway to the Grand Canyon. If you want to add a stop to your itinerary we’ve got a great guide for spending One Day at the Grand Canyon.
Williams is also where you can find the Grand Canyon Railway station if you want to book a memorable scenic train ride.
For more recommendations, see our guide 7 Things to Do in Williams, AZ.
As you’re driving from Williams to Kingman, you’ll see a series of Burma-Shave billboards. These are recreations of the original Burma-Shave signs that dotted Route 66.
Burma Shave was a brand of brushless shaving cream that was sold from the 1920s to the 1960s.
The company’s creative advertising campaign included rhymes posted along America’s roadways. They generally included six signs each containing a line of a verse and then a sixth sign displaying the brand name.
Seligman
Visit Seligman to find the Route 66 shield painted along an open stretch of road, and to see one of the cities and characters that inspired Pixar’s movie, Cars.
The town of Radiator Springs was strongly influenced by a collection of Route 66 towns, particularly Seligman.
The life of Seligman’s most famous resident, Angel Delgadillo, Jr was also an inspiration for the movie.
This small town barber was born in Seligman in 1927 and has been cutting hair in his barbershop since 1947. Today visitors can step into the barbershop that is now part of Angel and Velma’s Route 66 Gift Shop.
Angel’s son runs the gift shop and is happy to share stories about Route 66, the history of Seligman, and the role it played in the Pixar Cars movie.
He was so friendly and spent so much time talking with us! And his shop offers the best variety of Route 66 souvenirs.
Be sure to also stop in at The Snow Cap. This roadside cafe is more than just food, it’s an experience!
The cafe was built by Angel Delgadillo’s brother, Juan, using scraps of lumber he collected while working on the railroad.
He had such a fun sense of humor and was cherished by the tourists and locals for the antics and innocent pranks he would pull on them while ordering.
His son has kept the tradition alive and I promise you’ll get a side of laughs with your cheeseburger!
You’ll find the streets of Seligman dotted with the usual tourist souvenir shops and museums as well as original historic buildings. Take some time to explore these quirky shops and pick up some souvenirs.
Stop in at Westside Lilo’s Cafe for brats and a slice of carrot cake. Or for a unique experience, grab a plate of “The Chicken that Almost Crossed the Road” or “Bad Brake Steaks” at the Roadkill Cafe.
Peach Springs
On your way to Peach Springs, stop at the Grand Canyon Caverns, a popular Route 66 roadside attraction.
Take a tour of the largest dry caverns in the world or dine 21 stories below ground at the Caverns Grotto Restaurant.
True adventurers can even shell out a pretty penny to spend the night at the Grand Canyon Caverns Suite. This isolated suite is the deepest, darkest, and quietest hotel room in the world.
There aren’t a lot of accommodation options in the area, but for a more reasonable price, you can book a room at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn.
Continue on to Peach Springs which was once one of the busiest cities along Route 66 in Arizona between Flagstaff and Kingman.
Peach Springs resides on the Hualapai Indian Reservation with two notable Route 66 attractions, the historic Peach Springs Trading Post and the preserved John Osterman Shell Station.
About 25 miles past Peach Springs, keep your eye out for the Hackberry General Store.
This rustic old service station and garage are the only signs of life on this long stretch of barren desert road.
The kitschy decor and rusted signs give a node to a bygone era and have been attracting tourists for decades.
Stop in for a cold drink or ice cream, snap a few pictures, and pick up a trinket to remind you of your Route 66 road trip!
Hackberry General Store was originally operated by Bob Waldmire, an artist that traveled Route 66 in his orange 1972 VW bus.
It is rumored that he was the inspiration for the character Fillmore in the Pixar movie Cars.
About 10 minutes down the road, you’ll come to Antares. This tiny town is known for the quirky roadside attraction, Giganticus Headicus, a giant 14-foot Tiki-style green head.
*Related post: for more Arizona recommendations be sure to check out our Ultimate Arizona Road Trip guide!
Kingman
Mr D’z Route 66 Diner is a former Shell station and one of the more popular Route 66 stops in Kingman.
This 1950s-themed diner is known for its homemade rootbeer floats and was even visited by Oprah Winfrey on her televised road trip.
Across the street, you can find the Historic Route 66 Museum which is housed in an old power plant.
You can also find several Route 66 shields painted on the road in this area.
The El Trovatore and the Skyline Motel are both classic Route 66 motels if you’re looking for a place to stay. Rutherford’s 66 Family Restaurant also comes recommended.
For more things to do in Kingman, see our guide 7 Unique Things to do in Kingman AZ!
Oatman
On your way to Oatman, make a pit stop at Cool Springs for a soda at the unique stone gas station. This was the last stop for travelers before heading up into the Black Mountains.
Continue on to Oatman where you can get a taste of the Old West at this Route 66 ghost town.
What makes this 1800s mining town unique is the wild burros that roam the dusty streets. The donkeys are descendants of those donkeys brought in by the miners that settled this town.
You can purchase food for the donkeys and watch as they try to make their way into the shops. Grab a bite to eat, pick up a souvenir, and watch the daily gunfight show.
As you head south along Route 66 in Arizona, Topock is the last Route 66 town you’ll come to before crossing the California border.
It’s worth taking a 30-minute detour down to Lake Havasu City where you can walk across the original London Bridge and grab a bite to eat at one of the many boat-in restaurants lining the Channel.
After your Route 66 road trip through Arizona, continue on through California until you reach the very end of the road on the Santa Monica Pier!
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