Williams

Williams is a small mountain town in the pine country of northern Arizona, perched along old Route 66 west of Flagstaff at over 6,700 feet. It proudly claims the title "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," as it sits at the start of the highway and railway routes north to the South Rim. Williams also holds a notable place in Route 66 history as the last town on the Mother Road to be bypassed by Interstate 40, in 1984. That heritage shows in its walkable, neon-lit historic downtown.

The Grand Canyon Railway is the town's marquee attraction, running vintage-style trains from the Williams depot to the South Rim and back, complete with Old West entertainment. The railway and its adjacent hotel make Williams a popular basecamp for canyon trips that skip the drive and parking. The depot district anchors the town's tourism identity.

Beyond the railway, Williams leans into its Route 66 nostalgia with classic diners, souvenir shops, saloons, and motels along the historic main street. Just outside town, Bearizona Wildlife Park offers a drive-through experience among bears, wolves, bison, and other North American animals set in the ponderosa forest. The surrounding Kaibab National Forest adds hiking, fishing lakes, and cool-weather recreation rare for Arizona.

Sitting high in the pines, Williams has true four seasons, with warm pleasant summers that draw heat-weary Phoenicians and snowy winters that can bring winter recreation. Late spring through fall is peak season for the railway and outdoor activities. A great day pairs a Grand Canyon Railway ride or a Bearizona drive-through with a stroll and a meal along historic Route 66 downtown.