Iconic Sights and Hidden Gems on and off Route 66 in Arizona

Kingman delights curious travelers with a captivating mix of Route 66 nostalgia and rugged outdoors. Cruising through town, you can’t miss the giant Route 66 Drive-Thru Shield. The popular photo stop sits just outside Kingman’s Historic Powerhouse Visitor Center, home to the Arizona Route 66 Museum. Spend an afternoon exploring the museum’s murals, memorabilia and life-size dioramas. Admission there also gets you into the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, highlighting the history of northwestern Arizona; and the Bonelli House, an example of Anglo-territorial architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shop around Historic Downtown Kingman before heading to Grand Canyon West, a 90-minute drive from Kingman. Step out onto the horseshoe-shaped glass Skywalk for breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon floor more than 1,200 meters below. Closer to town, White Cliffs Wagon Trail offers easy, scenic hiking along an 1800s wagon route.

Seligman offers a glimpse of the past at kitschy shops, unique restaurants and retro roadside signs. Hunt for treasures at The Rusty Bolt, an emporium of leather goods, jewelry and gifts sporting quirky mannequins on the roof, then check out Angel and Vilma Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop for Mother Road-themed apparel and accessories. Fuel up on classic diner fare at your choice of Seligman’s eateries before driving 30 minutes to Grand Canyon Caverns. Venture 21 stories below Route 66 to tour the largest dry caverns in the USA. Spend the night in one of Seligman’s vintage motels for an authentic throwback experience.

Don’t overlook the little town of Ash Fork as you roll along Arizona’s Route 66. The former rail community maintains its own collection of roadway relics at the Ash Fork Route 66 Museum, housed in a 1912 warehouse. Enjoy free admission to exhibits, including a 1926 Ford Model T. Outside, the sunset-hued Route 66 mural is a fun photo-op. Take a 90-minute drive from Ash Fork toward Grand Canyon National Park. Savor panoramic views of the South Rim from lookouts like Duck On A Rock Viewpoint, Grandview Point, Moran Point and the Grandview Lookout Tower. Prescott National Forest is just south of Ash Fork. Stunning mountain vistas and varied desert trails make it a perfect place to stretch out after a busy day on the road.

Tucked in the rolling hills of Arizona’s pine country, Williams is known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” It’s also a hub of Route 66 culture with unique shops and attractions in a well-preserved historic downtown. Check out an impressive assortment of gas and oil collectibles at the Route 66 Museum and Gift Shop, set in a restored Route 66 filling station. Keep your camera close to capture neon signs nearby. Next, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway. Daily excursions run from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, providing scenic views and Old West entertainment along the way. Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for travel tips, or extend your adventure with a stay at one of the lodges in Grand Canyon Village. Rock hounds won’t want to miss the Yavapai Geology Museum, another South Rim standout with incredible views and exhibits on the canyon’s natural history.

This four-season mountain town holds on to nostalgia and its roots, offering over 22 kilometers of Route 66 experiences, including a roadhouse, authentic cafés and a dedicated preservation park. Download Flagstaff's free Route 66 digital passport to find vintage motels, retro diners, neon signs, murals and more to add to your itinerary. See the sights on a self-guided tour, but save some energy for after sundown. Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky City, offering stargazing experiences with minimal light pollution. Enjoy spectacular views at Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered, as well as Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument – Certified Dark Sky Parks not far from Flagstaff. Explore more of Arizona’s natural wonders, including Grand Canyon National Park a little over an hour from town. Also, Petrified Forest National Park, known for Triassic fossils, colorful badlands and glistening petrified tree trunks, is well worth the 90-minute detour.

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona, offer numerous direct flights from international destinations. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) in Flagstaff, Arizona, offers several regional connections. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line makes scheduled stops in Flagstaff and Kingman, Arizona, the start of this Route 66 adventure.