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Downtown Williams, Arizona, consists of about seven or eight blocks along historic Route 66. It’s a blast from the past full of gift shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, and more.
Route 66 is split into two different eastbound and westbound roads through downtown Williams. Most of the action is along the eastbound section.
Westbound Route 66
Along westbound Route 66, you’ll find the Williams Visitor Center, where you can get information on what to see and do in town and in the area.
You’ll also find the Historic Route 66 Zipline if you’re feeling an adrenaline rush. It costs US$15 for a solo rider and US$12 per person for a tandem ride (as of September 2023).
Two buildings caught my eye on westbound Route 66. The Canyon Club looks like it’s definitely out of the 1940s. The adjacent Red Garter Inn is a historic brothel and saloon built in 1897 that’s now a B&B.
Eastbound Route 66
Along eastbound Route 66, you’ll find countless souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants. The neon signs along the street really catch your attention.
We popped into the Addicted to Route 66 store, which claims to be the home of the largest steel Route 66 shield. They have a ton of Route 66 memorabilia inside.
The Grand Canyon Hotel is across the street. It opened in 1891 and is the oldest hotel in Arizona. It has a retro sign that advertises rooms from US$3.50 and up.
Other establishments that caught my eye were the Turquoise Tepee, Sultana Bar, and Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe.
Pete’s Gas Station Museum
Finally, we stopped by Pete’s Gas Station Museum. Although it was closed, we were able to peek into the window and see the historic gas pumps outside.
