One Day in Williams, Arizona
Known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon,” Williams sits only an hour’s drive outside of the national park – and is a popular choice for tourists looking to stay the night close to the park without breaking the bank. With just one main drag that you could walk up and back in under an hour, Williams is the quintessential Route 66 road stop town.
Read below for our recommendations on how to spend a day in Williams to make the most out our your trip.
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1. Go to the Grand Canyon
The biggest attraction near Williams, make sure you do not leave the area without a visit to the Grand Canyon National Park. Only a one hour trip by car, Williams is one of the most popular places to stay for visitors of the park – all you have to do is hop onto AZ-64 North and it’s a straight shot to the Canyon. Driving by car is definitely the faster option, but something unique to Williams is the ability to take the Grand Canyon Railway.
Built in 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway was originally funded to promote tourism to the national park that then-president Theodore Roosevelt claimed “every American should see.” Today, the train is hailed for minimizing the environmental impact of the canyon’s tourism industry by saving about fifty thousand cars from traveling to the park annually.
Adult tickets for the railway start at $67 US dollars and the entrance fee to the park is $35 US dollars. For our full recommendations of how to get the most out of your visit to the Grand Canyon National Park, you can check out our guide!.
2. Drive Down South Garland Prairie Road
When you’re done exploring the Grand Canyon, but before you settle back into town for the day, take a drive down South Garland Prairie Road. With little to no traffic or visitors, South Garland Prairie Road is an incredibly scenic and peaceful route through Arizona’s backcountry that cuts right through Garland Prairie and a vast pine forest.
South Garland Prairie Road is a public route that is free for entry. (Please note that the farther down the road you travel, the less worn-in the path becomes, transitioning from paved to pebbles to dirt. If your car is not equipped for diverse terrain, we recommend you skip this stop in the itinerary.)
3. Explore Williams, Arizona
A step back in time, walking down the main street of Williams feels a bit like walking onto a movie set for a film set in the 1950s. Ford Skyliners. Chevrolet Bel-Airs. Retro-styled diners. While it wont take you long to walk through this one stoplight town, it’s a nice stroll filled with interesting stops along the way. We recommend checking out the Route 66 Museum and Gift Shop, the Pine Country Restaurant, and Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum along your way.
Where To Stay
Wondering where to stay in Williams during your visit? Check out these accommodations based on your travel style below!
- Popular Pick: The Lodge on Route 66
- Budget Stay: The Ramada by Wyndham Williams
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
This looks like a nice and peaceful place to stop off at while you’re on a road trip. Thanks for the tips!
You had me at the Grand Canyon! I would loooove to visit and see that incredible area! I’d be tempted to go for a hike there, so I might have to save South Garland Prairie Road and Williams for a second day. 🙂