10 iconic stops along Route 66 in Arizona

Discover 10 stops along Route 66 in Arizona, from historic landmarks to unique roadside attractions and delicious diners.

Route 66 is the “mother road, the road of flight,” John Steinbeck wrote in “The Grapes of Wrath.” He described its winding path “over the red lands and the gray lands, twisting up into the mountains, crossing the Divide and down into the bright and terrible desert, and across the desert to the mountains again.”

Starting in Chicago, Route 66 stretches 2,000 miles westward to its end at a pier in sunny Santa Monica, California. The road crosses eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. While each of these states boasts iconic stops, Arizona is home to some of the most treasured Route 66 gems.

Next time you’re cruising through Arizona’s picturesque mountains and expansive desert, be sure to give yourself extra time to check out these 10 iconic Route 66 stops.

1. Petrified Forest National Park

The Petrified Forest National Park is the only park in the National Park System that contains a section of Historic Route 66. It’s famous for its large deposits of petrified wood, but you’ll also find fossils, badlands, buttes, mesas, ancient petroglyphs, wildlife, and wildflowers. You can drive through the entire park (28 miles) in about an hour, making it a perfect stop for solitude and outdoor adventure mid-road trip.

Photo courtesy of Finetooth/CC BY-SA 3.0.

2. Holbrook Wigwam Village Motel

Have you slept in a wigwam lately? If not, now’s your chance! The Holbrook Wigwam Village Motel opened in 1950, during the height of Route 66’s popularity. It’s one of the three remaining wigwam villages and served as the inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in Pixar’s Cars—complete with Cars Easter eggs scattered throughout the motel. Due to its popularity, reservations book up quickly, so plan ahead!

3. Winslow

Take a cue from the Eagles and “take it easy” in Winslow, Arizona. Their hit song “Take It Easy” was inspired by a trip on Route 66. Jackson Browne wrote the song after being stranded in Winslow due to car trouble. In 1999, the town memorialized the song with a park featuring a two-story mural of a girl in a flatbed Ford and a life-sized bronze statue of a 1970s-era troubadour, affectionately known by locals as “Easy.”

Photo courtesy of Mobilus In Mobili/CC BY-SA 2.0.

4. Two Guns

If you’re looking for a unique and spooky experience, don’t miss Two Guns—a ghost town 30 miles outside of Flagstaff. Here, you’ll find the remains of an old gas station, restaurant, gift shop, and even a zoo. After a series of disasters, Two Guns is said to be cursed. While it’s hard to separate fact from fiction, what’s certain is that Two Guns is a place filled with mystery, intrigue, and tragedy.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Wood/CC BY-NC 2.0.

5. Meteor Crater

Connect with the cosmos and experience history at Arizona’s Meteor Crater, the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact site. About 50,000 years ago, a meteor collided with Arizona’s high desert, leaving a crater 0.75 miles wide and 600 feet deep. Visitors can enjoy guided rim tours, a 4D theater, air-conditioned indoor viewing areas, a museum, and lookout points. You can even refuel at a mining-themed coffee house offering food and drinks.

6. Miz Zips

By now, all these stops and adventures have probably worked up your appetite. Don’t worry—Miz Zips has you covered! A beloved spot for Route 66 travelers for decades, Miz Zips is more than just great food; it’s a diner with unmatched vibes. Named the “Best Route 66 Diner in Flagstaff,” Miz Zips serves up classic American breakfasts, BBQ, burgers, and homemade chicken-fried steak. They even offer a variety of tasty vegetarian options sprinkled throughout the menu.

7. Bearizona

What if I told you that you could have a zoo day without even leaving your car? Look no further than Route 66’s “Bearizona.” This iconic stop lets you observe animals such as bears, wolves, sheep, bison, and more. In addition to the drive-thru area, Bearizona also features a walk-thru area, VIP experience, animal encounter, dining area, and gift shop. Depending on the time of year, they also offer seasonal events, such as their “Okto-bear Fest,” which takes place in October. 

Photo courtesy of Plain Adventure/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

8. Seligman

Plan to stop in the quirky small town of Seligman. Here, you’ll find a number of colorful and fun gift shops filled with fun Route 66 souvenirs, including Coca-Cola memorabilia, license plates, road signs, old-timey records, James Dean iconography, and all kinds of Elvis-inspired knick-knacks. There are also a number of unique dining spots, such as Westside Lilo’s Cafe and Roadkill Cafe.

Photo courtesy of High Contrast/CC BY 3.0 DE

9. Oatman

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Take a step back in time in Oatman, where the Wild West comes to life. There are staged shootouts, wooden sidewalks, rugged characters, and lots of free-roaming burros. In fact, there are actually more burros than humans in this special, small town. Depending on the time of year, you may find yourself in the middle of one of Oatman’s unique annual events, such as The Burro Biscuit Toss (September), The Great Oatman Bed Race (January), The Sidewalk Egg Frying Content (July), and more!

Photo courtesy of Dariusz Jemielniak/CC BY-SA 4.0.

10. Grand Canyon Caverns

Last but not least, head to the Grand Canyon Cavern Grotto for one of the most unique dining experiences in Arizona. Here, you’ll enjoy your meal from 210 feet below ground in a 345-million-year-old cave system. As you eat, you’ll be surrounded by 360-degree views of the largest chamber in the cave system. Reservations are required! 

As you plan your Route 66 road trip, be sure to leave yourself a little (or a lot) of room for spontaneous stops and adventures—you never know what you might discover as you drive through America’s most legendary highway.

Photo courtesy of Michael Kappel/CC BY-NC 2.0.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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