A Town That Refused to Fade
As the sun dips below the Kaibab National Forest, downtown Williams ignites in neon—reds, blues, and greens dancing across the old asphalt. In that glow, you’re standing in 1957.
Williams, Arizona, holds a sacred place in the lore of the Mother Road. It was the last town bypassed by I-40, fighting its final battle for highway traffic in 1984. In that resistance, it preserved a timeless soul—turning a moment of defeat into a legacy of enduring charm. Today, as the Route 66 Centennial approaches in 2026, Williams is more than a stop; it’s the living gateway where the historic open road meets the open rail—your portal to the Grand Canyon.
The Last Town Standing
To understand Williams is to understand resilience. When the interstate swallowed Route 66 town by town, this community stood firm. Its neon-lined strip still pulses with life—motor lodges, diners, murals, and chrome. Walk the street at dusk and you’ll feel it: the cinematic heartbeat of classic America still alive in Northern Arizona.
Trading Chrome for the Caboose
For modern travelers, the biggest headache at the Canyon is traffic and parking. The Grand Canyon Railway—departing right from downtown Williams—solves that in the most historic way possible.
Built in 1901, long before Route 66, this railway once carried explorers to the rim before cars existed. Today it does the same, turning a logistical chore into the emotional peak of your road trip.
The Hawk’s Verdict: Start your Grand Canyon day aboard the train. It’s stress-free, sustainable, and profoundly nostalgic—the perfect finale to your cross-country drive.
Stay & Savor the Spirit
Williams and the Grand Canyon region are more than just waypoints—they’re destinations that complete the story.
The 3D Grand Finale · Air · Rail · Ground
Together, Williams and Tusayan create the three-dimensional adventure that defines Northern Arizona:
Together they form the Grand Finale Pass—a seamless, high-value experience that lets you see the Canyon from every angle.
The Route 66 Boarding Pass is your Passport to Savings in Northern Arizona. No purchase necessary, no app to install, just download the Boarding Pass and start saving on your next Northern Arizona Adventure.
And don’t forget to enter the contest to win a Route 66-Grand Prize Package that includes lodging, a Grand Canyon Railway ride, a Private Hummer Tour, a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour, meals and more.
The Grand Canyon National Park is a short drive from Route 66, and once you’re in Northern Arizona exploring Route 66, you HAVE to take a detour to visit this natural wonder. Tusayan is the closest town to the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance, and our Boarding Pass Partners are waiting for you to come and explore!
Exhilarating helicopter tours at the Grand Canyon National Park provide a bird’s eye view of this amazing wonder. Choose from 25 or 45 Minute Tours offered multiple times daily.
Save $10 per person
Choose Signature, Sunset or Hiking Tours and explore the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon with a professional guide who will share history and information.
Save $5 per person.
Fly over the incredible sights of the Grand Canyon’s South and East Rims: impressive aerial views of ancient rock formations, the Kaibab Forest, & the Colorado River between the canyon walls.
Save $10 per person
A Grand Canyon Institution for over 50 years, Big E Steakhouse and Saloon provides unforgettable dining experiences with a large menu and the friendliest servers in the area..
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Amazing selection of sweet treats including fudge, caramel apples, chocolate covered strawberries and delicious gelato. Specialty Coffees are plentiful and satisfying.
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One mile from the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, our hotel is an idyllic retreat for vacations. Explore the beauty of the canyon by day & unwind in our Southwestern-style suites by night
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