Looking for some fun things to do on Route 66 in Arizona? Alright, then you must check out this list of the very best sights and things to do on Route 66 in Arizona.
A road trip on the legendary and iconic Route 66 is a true American dream. It’s like a journey back in time with old motels, American cars, flashing neon signs, drive-in cinemas, and old classic diners.
Originally, Route 66 stretched all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles, crossing through 8 states. The mother road quickly became more than just a highway. During the Great Depression and Drought in the United States, thousands of people drove on this road. They were all hoping for a better life in the western United States.
Time passed, and after many years, highways were built between the cities. Unfortunately, the highways became synonymous with the downfall of Route 66. But thankfully, it isn’t quite over yet as Route 66 has become a major attraction in the states. Today, thousands of Americans, as well as tourists, make their way past Route 66 in Arizona in particular.
But why are they all visiting Arizona in particular, you might ask? The reason for this is that in Arizona, you’ll find the longest stretch of historic Route 66. To be exact, 401 miles of Route 66 run through the Grand Canyon State. And this is also where you’ll find some of the very best things to do on Route 66 as well.
So, if you’re planning a road trip on Route 66, you’ll need to hang on a little longer. But why? Let me tell you… because I really, really, really want to recommend the very best things to do on Route Arizona before you leave.
I truly wish you the best possible road trip on Route 66 in Arizona. That’s my top priority with this travel blog. So dear reader, here’s a list of the very best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona.
Table of Contents
The best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona:
1. Flagstaff
Okay, let’s get started guys. The first thing I would like to recommend is Flagstaff, a charming town on Route 66. Here you’ll find a large selection of hotels and restaurants, making it an obvious place to stay on your road trip on Route 66.
One of the huge pluses is that the town is quite close to the Grand Canyon itself! Flagstaff is also just a short drive from countless other popular U.S. parks and scenic areas that are well worth a visit.
Historic Route 66 leads right through Flagstaff, featuring lots of iconic old motels, gas stations, and lovely eateries. In the evening, you should definitely head to Downtown Flagstaff with countless great restaurants and bars.
One of the most popular attractions in Flagstaff is the Lowell Observatory. Since the founding of the observatory in 1894, it has been an important place for research. In fact, the Lowell Observatory is the place from which the planet Pluto was discovered back in 1930! Fairly impressive, right? At least I think so!
When visiting Flagstaff, I highly recommend driving a little outside the city to experience the views from Humphreys Peak. This is the highest point in the entire state of Arizona. Oh, and I might reveal right away that the view from this point is absolutely stunning.
2. Oatman
Oatman is a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County. This sleepy town most of all looks like a scene from an old western movie, but it’s seriously a real town.
In fact, many people believe that Oatman is a ghost town even though it isn’t entirely true. But considering that more than 10,000 people once lived in Oatman while only about 100 people live here today … Well, then Oatman is still a bit of a ghost town, right?
The main attraction in Oatman is the free-ranging and wild donkeys roaming the streets and mountains around the town. They love begging for food and consider it their own biggest hobby. Would you like to spoil them a bit? Luckily, most stores in Oatman sell food intended for donkeys.
Although Oatman attracts many tourists every year, it has still managed to maintain its charming atmosphere. All around the small town, you’ll find western shops, free donkeys, and a popular Gun show. During the show, you’ll witness a gunfight between two cowboys in the middle of the main street. It’s definitely one of the best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona with kids.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the fun souvenir shops on the main street and the Oatman Hotel with thousands of dollar bills on the walls.
3. Meteor Crater
Another of the best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona is to visit the Meteor Crater just a few miles from Route 66. The Meteor Crater is also called the Barringer Crater and was formed about 50,000 years ago by a huge iron meteoroid from space.
It may sound crazy, but this is actually just a small meteor crater. This is even though it has a size of about 3,900 feet / 1,200 meters in diameter and about 560 feet / 170 meters deep. So yeah, did I mention that it’s totally crazy!? In fact, there are a total of 182 meteor craters worldwide, many of which are much larger than this one.
Meteor Crater near Route 66 in Arizona is extremely well located in the desert and is one of the best-preserved meteor craters in the world. Inside the visitor center, you can learn more about how the meteor crater is formed by the hundreds of thousands of tons of heavy iron meteoroid. You can also find an exhibit in honor of the Apollo astronauts and more.
4. Kingman
When on a road trip on Route 66 in Arizona, it’s almost impossible to avoid Kingman. This city is well located between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.
In Kingman, they’re very proud to be a Route 66 city. The nostalgic vibes can be felt immediately when arriving in the city.
The old motels, historic eateries, and iconic Route 66 memorials throw you right back in time … All the way back to a bygone era when Route 66 was a busy highway in the United States of America. To learn more about Route 66 and Kingman’s history, I recommend visiting the Route 66 Museum in Kingman.
For the best dining experience, head to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. This is a completely traditional and classic diner with pastel colors, vinyl booths, a jukebox, and extremely friendly waitresses.
On the menu, you’ll find classic American food with burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, waffles, and the most delicious milkshakes. I mean like Seriously; these are the most delicious milkshakes I’ve ever tasted! Damn, I almost drool just thinking about them… They are that good!
5. Petrified Forest National Park
Did you know that Route 66 leads right through Petrified Forest National Park? This park features the largest concentrations of petrified trees in the world. The trees are scattered across the painted desert and is said to be about 250 million years old. Impressive, right?
The many fossils in the area prove that there once was a tropical forest with huge trees, and in fact dinosaurs too. The old trees were petrified after several volcanic eruptions that knocked down the trees and covered them with volcanic ash. Millions of years passed before the trees actually became petrified as they’re to this day.
6. Seligman
Seligman isn’t exactly the largest city in the world, but it does have a few iconic and historic Route 66 sights. The selection of restaurants, shops, and motels isn’t that large either, but it doesn’t really matter. After all, Seligman still has some of the very best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona.
When in Seligman, visit Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In. Here you can enjoy some food in a fun and special setting. The original owner was a funny and happy man who sadly passed away. Today, the restaurant is run by his children who have maintained his spirit in the restaurant.
Also, don’t miss the Delgadillo’s Route 66 Gift Shop, another of the Delgadillo brothers’ iconic stores. Inside the shop, you’ll find lots of Route 66 souvenirs and even an old barbershop.
In addition, you should also visit Historic Seligman Sundries, a souvenir shop in one of the oldest buildings in the city. Finally, I also recommend visiting The Roadkill Cafe, a restaurant with very special and unusual names on their dishes. Do you dare to try some of the weird dishes?
7. Grand Canyon Caverns
During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1932, the US government built several underground caves in the event of a nuclear disaster. The Grand Canyon Caverns is one of those caves and is located 210 feet / 64 meters below the earth’s surface. The underground caves had enough supplies for 2,000 people to get food and water for about two weeks.
If you would like to visit the Grand Canyon Caverns, there are guided tours daily. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the history of the caves and the horrors of the past.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to walk the long distance down the caves and all the way up again. Luckily, there’s an elevator shaft that transports the visitors. Phew!
8. Williams
Just an hour’s drive from the southern edge of the Grand Canyon lies Williams, a popular small town along Route 66 in Arizona. Like most other Route 66 cities, Williams also has plenty of iconic motels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and neon lights.
The great location means the town of Williams is a great base if you don’t feel like driving to the Grand Canyon National Park.
For example, hop on the Grand Canyon Railway which takes you directly to the Grand Canyon Village inside the park. The train departs several times a day but note that the train ride takes about two hours each way.
9. Hackberry General Store
The Hackberry General Store is definitely one of the most popular and best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona. It is both a souvenir shop and a small museum at the same time. There are so many old and fun things from historic Route 66 in the Hackberry General Store.
Outside the shop, you can travel back in time with lots of old cars, petrol stations, and iconic signs. Inside, you can feel a bygone era with wallpapered walls, an old diner, and hundreds of souvenirs from Route 66.
Here you’ll find all kinds of souvenirs and it’s the perfect place if you want to buy one. Even though the Hackberry General Store is really just a store, it’s still a must-see and one of the very best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona.
That’s all on this list of the very best things to do on Route 66 in Arizona. What are your favorite things to do on Route 66 in Arizona? what are you looking forward to on your road trip on Route 66? Feel free to leave a comment.
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