Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Small Town Vibe
Population 3000-4999

Williams, AZ: Our top 5 favorite things after visiting the Grand Canyon!

Small Town Vibe

March 2023: A must-see stop on our Spring Break road trip was the Grand Canyon! And what better way to complete our visit than to spend an afternoon in the historic downtown of Williams, AZ (pop.3,202*). It is known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon and is the last city on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. Soaking up the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon was an awesome way to spend our morning! But Soaking up the history, nostalgia and refreshments of Williams was the perfect way to round out our day.

Williams is located in Coconino County, west of Flagstaff.

Williams – A Brief History

Founded in 1881, Williams was named for William Sherley “Old Bill” Williams (1787–1849), a famous trapper, trader, scout and mountain man, who often trapped in the area. His bio is fascinating! The town honoring his name was incorporated on July 9, 1901.

Williams was the last city whose section of Route 66 was bypassed, due to lawsuits that kept the last section of Interstate 40 in Arizona from being built around the city. After settlements called for the state to build three Williams exits, the suits were dropped and I-40 was completed. On October 13, 1984, Interstate 40 was opened around the town and newspapers the next day reported the essential end of US 66. The following year, Route 66 was decommissioned.

The Williams Historic Business District and Urban Route 66, Williams were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and 1989, respectively.

Our top 5 favorite things to do, see and eat/drink during our recent visit!

#1 – Fun Snack and Drink Options

We love a good local brewery, wine bar and/or coffee shop! And there were plenty of great options in Williams for an afternoon snack and/or beverage.

#2 – Route 66 Nostalgia themed Shops, Restaurants and a Zip Line

Williams takes full advantage of Route 66 and old west nostalgia, maintaining the theme in the businesses and over-all vibe of E.Bill Williams Ave, the historic main street. We had a blast walking through the shops.

And so many themed and interesting restaurants!

#3 – Walkable Historic Downtown

We parked on Railroad Avenue which parallels the heart of Williams Historic Downtown and spent much of the afternoon roaming the streets. There are a wide variety of vibrant businesses in beautiful historic buildings.

A quick look online indicates that the Williams Historic Business District is significant for its long-time close association with the American development of tourism, which in turn became a principal local industry. The reasons for this were that the District straddled an active Railroad and U.S. Highway 66, two significant national transportation arteries, as well as being at the southern terminus of both rail and highway links to the Grand Canyon. The Urban Route 66, Williams was first listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1984 and a larger section in 1989.

#4 – Photo Op Ready Public Street Art

While walking the historic downtown, we had many fun photo ops that emphasize its place in the history of Route 66.

#5 – Soak up the History!

A walk around Williams hints at history everywhere you look! To get more information, there are a variety of Museum and Collection options available. Check them out!

More to Explore!

Our afternoon in Williams was a fun way for us to cap off our morning visit to the Grand Canyon! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Once home, an online search indicates there is much more to see and do in the area.

Visitor Resources

  • Looking for Area Activities for the whole family? There are a lot of options!
    • Williams Station, Grand Canyon Railway – Google Maps – right on the edge of historic downtown, is the Grand Canyon Railway station. It has been transporting passengers to the Grand Canyon since 1901. The historic train makes a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, offering breathtaking views of the desert landscape along the way. In addition to the scenic train ride, passengers can also enjoy a variety of onboard amenities, including a dining car, observation car, and even a gift shop, as well as musicians and cowboy characters. 
    • Canyon Coaster Adventure Park – Google Maps – on the edge of town, the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park on Route 66 in Williams features a variety of attractions for all ages, all year round. The central attraction is a mountain coaster ride called The Canyon Coaster, which is built directly into the mountainside and spans several acres along the natural curvatures of the mountain.
    • Bearizona Wildlife Park – Google Maps – 3 miles outside of Williams, Bearizona park is home to a variety of animals, including bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Visitors can explore the park on foot, drive-thru in the comfort of your own vehicle or via the provided shuttle bus.
    • Grand Canyon Deer Farm LLC – Google Maps – 9 miles outside of Williams, The Grand Canyon Deer Farm offers visitors the opportunity to feed and interact with a variety of deer, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk. Visitors can purchase food to feed the deer, and they can also pet and take photos with the animals. In addition to the deer, the farm also has a variety of other animals, including bison, goats, llamas, porcupines, wallabies, camels, and even a zonkey! 
    • Grand Canyon Go-Karts – Google Maps – 9 miles outside of Williams, this outdoor go-kart track is the perfect place to let loose and have some fun. With its twists and turns, the track provides a thrilling ride for both novice and experienced drivers alike. 
    • Grand Canyon – Google Maps – One of the Great Wonders of the World is only an hour drive away!
  • Experience Williams – Visitor Center
  • Williams Chamber of Commerce

Annual Events:

The town of Williams Historic Preservation Efforts

Map of Williams

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