Williams

Last updated on October 24, 2025.

Williams is a town on historic Route 66 in Arizona and the gateway to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. We spent a night there en route to the Grand Canyon.

Introduction to Williams, Arizona

Williams was founded in 1881 and named for William Sherley “Old Bill” Williams (1787–1849), a famous local trapper and mountain man. It was incorporated on July 9, 1901.

Williams was originally a rough Wild West mining town that quickly shifted to tourism after the opening of the Grand Canyon Railway. It received a further boost when Route 66 was created in 1926. The town is famously known as the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40. That happened on October 14, 1984, and Route 66 was decommissioned the following year.

Today, downtown Williams consists of about seven or eight blocks along historic Route 66. It’s split into two different eastbound and westbound stretches. It’s a blast from the past full of gift shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, and more.

Where to Stay in Williams, Arizona

We were a little late on booking so it was a little tough to find a place to stay on short notice.

El Rancho Motel

We stayed at the El Rancho Motel, which is a simple place on the eastern edge of town. It was comfortable but definitely dated. Staff was nice but cleanliness needs work. Anyway, it was the best value we could find.

Where to Eat in Williams, Arizona

We had two meals during our short stay in town.

Station 66 Italian Bistro

For dinner, we went to Station 66 Italian Bistro. They offer wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and salads, with indoor seating and a rooftop deck. It was one of my favorite meals on the entire road trip, and I couldn’t have been more satisfied.

I had the wood-fired lasagna, which is some of the best lasagna I’ve ever eaten. For dessert, I tried the snookie cookie, which is a half-baked cookie topped with vanilla bean gelato and chocolate sauce.

Pine Country Restaurant

For breakfast the next morning, we went to Pine Country Restaurant. This cozy restaurant is open daily from 7am to 9pm. It’s well-known in Williams for very good breakfasts and homemade pies. I had the huevos rancheros and was happy with my choice. I also had some delicious pie after breakfast.

Eastbound Route 66 in Williams, Arizona

Along eastbound Route 66, you’ll find countless souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants. The neon signs along the street really get your attention.

Sultana Bar

First, at the corner of 3rd Street is the Sultana Bar. It opened in 1912, 14 years before the creation of Route 66, and is still a local favorite. When it opened, drug-runners dug tunnels underneath the building to smuggle opium and they were repurposed during Prohibition for the illegal alcohol trade. Today, Sultana Bar hosts special events such as concerts, costume contests, pool tournaments, and even dwarf wrestling. You can grab a beer and try out one of their lunch specials.

Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe

Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe is a nostalgic 1950s diner serving American classics. They have a full bar with craft beers and TVs tuned to major sporting events.

Grand Canyon Hotel

The Grand Canyon Hotel is across the street. It originally opened in 1891 and is the oldest hotel in Arizona. The hotel was abandoned in the 1970s and fell into disrepair. In 2004, new owners took over, restored it, and reopened it. The hotel was sold in December 2023 and completely revamped in 2024. Outside is a retro sign that advertises rooms from US$3.50 and up.

Addicted to Route 66

We popped into the Addicted to Route 66 store at the Bowden Building, which was constructed in the mid-1940s. This family-owned souvenir shop claims to be the home of the world’s largest steel Route 66 shield. You’ll find a ton of nostalgic Route 66 memorabilia inside.

Turquoise Tepee

Turquoise Tepee is a jewelry shop that has been housed in the Bowden Building since the mid-1970s. It has an interesting neon sign.

Pete’s Gas Station Museum

Finally, on the next corner we stopped by Pete’s Gas Station Museum. Although it was closed, we were able to peek into the windows and see the antique gas pumps outside. You’ll find all kinds of vintage items and Americana inside. Admission is free (as of September 2025).

Westbound Route 66 in Williams, Arizona

Most of the action is running eastbound, but along westbound Route 66, you’ll find a few attractions.

Historic Route 66 Zipline (Permanently Closed)

First, at the corner of 1st Street is the Historic Route 66 Zipline. It’s perfect if you’re feeling an adrenaline rush.

Canyon Club

Two buildings caught my eye on westbound Route 66. First is the Canyon Club, which is a bar that’s straight out of the past. It also has a sign on eastbound Route 66.

Red Garter Inn

The adjacent Red Garter Inn is a historic brothel and saloon that’s now a B&B with four suites. It was built by German merchant August Tetzlaff, who arrived in Williams around 1895, and completed in October 1897. He strategically placed the Victorian Romanesque building across the street from the railway station, which was under construction at the time.

Prohibition shut down the saloon in the 1920s, and the building was converted into a restaurant with an illegal gambling operation in back. Rod Graves purchased the property and repurposed it as the Grand Canyon Tavern in the 1930s, Holmes Supply was the next tenant, and it was being used as a warehouse by the time it was sold in 1979. The new owner opened a BBQ restaurant in 1984 and the B&B in 1994. The following year, he turned the BBQ restaurant into a café.

Williams Visitor Center

Finally, at the Williams Visitor Center, you can get information on what to see and do in town and in the area. There are also interpretive exhibits about the history of Williams, Route 66, and more.

Map of Williams, Arizona