Just a stone's throw away from Grand Canyon National Park, Williams is an iconic stop on Route 66 and is anchored by a characterful downtown strip lined with historic buildings and vintage shopfronts. You can ride the Grand Canyon Railway, spot local wildlife at Bearizona Wildlife Park and explore the sun-baked desert scenery.

Things to do

Stroll along the Williams high street, which is lined with retro cafes and saloon-style restaurants. You'll also find a jumble of antique stores and quirky museums. Don't miss Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, which showcases vintage cars and gas station memorabilia.

Train enthusiasts should ride the Grand Canyon Railway. More than a century old, it winds through Arizona's high country and hugs the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The trip spans for over 200 kilometres and travels through deserts, prairies and pine forests.

From wolves and bears to bison and mountain goats, Bearizona Wildlife Park is a genuine walk on the wild side. A five-kilometre-long self-drive trail meanders through lush ponderosa pine forest and offers a unique chance to spot native North American animals in their natural habitat.

While most ziplines soar through treetop canopies, the Route 66 Zipline offers thrill seekers a bird's-eye view of America's most iconic highway. As you fly over Grand Canyon Boulevard you'll get sweeping views of Route 66 and the surrounding desert.

Getting around

Williams is compact and easy to get around on foot. You can arrive via Route 66, a historic highway that stretches from Illinois to California. The town is around 30 minutes from Flagstaff, one hour from Grand Canyon National Park, 2.5 hours from Phoenix and 3.5 hours from Las Vegas.