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.
What do do in Williams AZ?
Read below for our recommendations on how to spend a day in Williams to make the most out our your trip. Hidden gems in Williams Arizona & full day travel guides.
1. Go to the Grand Canyon
Things to do near the Grand Canyon include staying in Williams Arizona.
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.
The best things to do in Williams AZ:
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, click here. Where to go in Williams AZ?
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.
These are things to do in Williams Arizona.
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.)
This was one of the best things to do around the Grand Canyon once done at the park.
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. Fun things to do near Williams AZ (Arizona).
Other things to do near Grand Canyon South Rim include exploring Williams!
Is Williams just one of many on your road trip through Arizona? Check out our guides for the best way to spend a day in Sedona, Page, and the Grand Canyon!
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We hope you enjoyed this guide of things to do on the way to the Grand Canyon!
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. :)
This looks like a nice and peaceful place to stop off at while you're on a road trip. Thanks for the tips!