Williams is such an underrated destination! This charming historic Route 66 town is known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, but it has so much more to offer with hidden gems, history, adventure, and natural beauty. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Williams, AZ!
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11 Fun Things to Do in Williams, AZ
Table of Contents
- Historic Route 66
- Pine Country Restaurant
- Poozeum
- Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum
- Bearizona
- Sycamore Falls
- Grand Canyon Deer Farm
- Canyon Coaster Adventure Park
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Grand Canyon Go-Karts
- Backland Luxury Nature Resort
Historic Route 66
Williams is the last town on historic Route 66 that was bypassed when I-40 was constructed.
Today, visitors get a sense of Americana nostalgia as they walk down the “Mother Road” that runs through the heart of the town.
You can catch a glimpse into the past as you visit the iconic sights, quirky roadside attractions, and vintage diners that line this historic highway.
We love stepping back in time and grabbing a classic American burger, fries, and a shake at a retro diner.
Two of our favorites include Cruisers Route 66 Cafe and Goldie’s Route 66 Diner.
There are also a handful of souvenir shops if you want to pick up some Route 66 memorabilia.
See our guide 12 Stops on Route 66 in Arizona for more road trip stops along this historic highway!
Pine Country Restaurant
I am a pie girl, and Pine Country Restaurant serves some of the best pie I’ve ever had!
They have a rotating selection of over 50 flavors of homemade pie. Some crowd favorites include the Chocolate Covered Cherry Cream, Coconut Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dutch Apple, Chocolate Covered Cherry Cream, Triple Berry, and Cookies ‘n Cream.
The slices are huge, and the toppings are piled sky high! You can also get your slice served ร la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pine Country Restaurant also serves a wide selection of comfort dishes and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is an iconic spot, and no visit to Williams is complete without stopping for a slice of pie!
Poozeum
My apologies for talking about “Poozeum” right after the pie, but this unique museum is also a must-stop when visiting Williams!
Poozeum is a very niche-specific museum, and just so happens to be the only museum in the world dedicated to dinosaur poop.
You’ll find fossilized poop dating back millions of years, giving fascinating insights into what these prehistoric creatures ate and what their environment was like.
It is a small museum, but they have an interesting collection ranging from the smallest to the largest fossilized poop in the world. They even have a display of fossilized insect farts.
The crowning jewel, and Guinness World Record holder, is a 20.47 lb bowel movement that was left 66 million years ago by a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The museum is free to visit, although donations are greatly appreciated. Both adults and kids will get a kick out of the exhibits here!
Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum
Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum is another free museum worth a quick stop.
This Route 66 gas station was originally built in 1949 and serviced cars as families road tripped along the iconic “Mother Road”.
Today, the brightly-painted gas station has been thoughtfully restored and offers a dose of nostalgia.
The former service bays have been transformed into a small museum displaying vintage road signs, old gas pumps, service station tools, and other memorabilia dating back to the 1950s.
It is a fun and extensive collection to browse. There is also a gift shop if you want to pick up Route 66-themed trinkets and souvenirs.
Bearizona
Get up close and personal with North American wildlife at Bearizona, a drive-thru animal park and zoo.
The park spans over 160 acres and allows visitors to observe bears, bison, wolves, and other animals in their natural habitats.
Guests can drive their own vehicles through the park, or climb aboard a “wild bus” tour. We have done both options and there are things we love about each one.
If you opt to drive your car, you’ll have a little more freedom and flexibility to go at your own pace. Just keep in mind that your windows must remain closed in the bear and wolf section.
If you choose to take the bus, it is an open-air vehicle with no windows, so you have an unobstructed view.
Another advantage of taking the bus tour is that you’ll have an informative tourย guide who will give you insight and information about the different animals.
In addition to the drive-thru park, they also have Fort Bearizona, a walk-thru zoo.
You’ll have a chance to see various animals in a natural setting. Our favorite part is the free animal encounters held throughout the day.
You can experience everything from bird shows to otter feedings, a petting zoo, reptile encounters, and even grizzly training! Click the link above for a schedule of events.
I recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and to catch the animals at their most active times.
Sycamore Falls
Sycamore Canyon is a scenic canyon that begins near Williams and runs 21 miles south to Verde Valley. Sycamore Falls is the crowning jewel of the canyon, but still remains a bit of a hidden gem.
The trail to Sycamore Falls is located about a half-hour drive from Williams.
You’ll take a short 0.25-mile hike through a forest of ponderosa pine to reach Sycamore Falls at Paradise Forks.
The waterfall plunges over sheer basalt cliffs into a deep emerald pool. It truly is breathtaking and one of our favorite Hidden Gems in Arizona!
There are actually two waterfalls located along the trail. Both waterfalls are seasonal, and the best time to visit is in the spring when the river is fed with snowmelt.
For more detailed information about visiting these falls, see our Sycamore Falls Guide.
*Related posts: For more of our favorite waterfall hikes, see our guides for visiting Cibecue Falls, Fossil Creek Falls, Fossil Springs, and Massacre Falls & Canyon of the Waterfalls.
Grand Canyon Deer Farm
For a unique and memorable experience, visit the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, where you can hand-feed deer and see other adorable animals.
The Grand Canyon Deer Farm has been a favorite attraction for locals and visitors alike since 1969!
The 10-acre farm is an intimate zoo that is home to deer, elk, reindeer, camels, wallabies, llamas, goats, coatimundi, bison, peacocks, and more.
They even have a zonkey, which is a cross between a zebra and a donkey!
Guests can get up close and pet many of the animals, but the real highlight is being able to hand-feed the deer that roam freely around the park.
The gentle deer have all been raised on the farm since they were babies, so they are accustomed to human interactions.
Deer feed is available for purchase, and the deer are quite comfortable approaching visitors to eat directly out of their hands.
Our whole family loved it, even the teenagers! The sweet little baby deer stole our hearts.
Visit the Grand Canyon Deer Farm website for hours, pricing, and other visitor information.
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park
Get your adrenaline pumping at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park, home to the only mountain coaster in Arizona!
The Canyon Coaster Adventure Park opened in 2022 and features the Canyon Coaster, Summer Mountain Tubing, Snow Tubing, arcade games, a restaurant, and an outdoor patio with fire pits.
The Canyon Coaster is the main attraction at the park. This one-mile-long track is gravity-propelled and allows you to control your speed as you zip through the trees along twists and turns.
You must be 54 inches tall to ride by yourself, but kids as young as 3 years old can ride with an adult. Our whole family loved it!
The Adventure Park is open year-round, so don’t miss the chance to experience this fun ride against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains during the winter months.
The tubing hill is open during both the winter and summer months as well.
A conveyor lift will take you to the top of the hill, where you can race your friends or family down. The conveyor lift is inside a covered plexiglass tunnel to keep you warm in the winter.
For more thrills, check out the nearby Route 66 Zipline!
Grand Canyon Railway
Williams is known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” and is home to the historic Grand Canyon Railway.
The Grand Canyon Railway was originally established in 1901 by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) as a means of providing transportation to the Grand Canyon.
The railway quickly became popular with tourists seeking to experience the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon. It is still in use today as a nostalgic and unique way for visitors to reach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Your adventure will begin at the historic Williams Depot, which was built in 1908.
You may want to consider spending the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel since the train departs in the morning.
For a unique experience, you can even sleep inside a remodeled train car at The Canyon Motel & RV Park!
Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at the Grand Depot Cafe, peruse the gift shops, and watch a Wild West shootout by the Cataract Creek Gang in the outdoor theater.
Then, climb aboard the refurbished vintage steam locomotive and sit back and relax as you traverse through the picturesque landscape.
Guests will enjoy onboard entertainment such as live music, sing-alongs, train-robbery reenactments, and historical narrations.
There are a variety of train cars to choose from when making your booking, including the vintage 1920s Pullman Car, Coach Class, First Class, Observation Dome, Luxury Dome, and Luxury Parlor.
The train ride from Williams to the historic Grand Canyon Depot is about 65 miles long and takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The Grand Canyon Depot was built in 1910 and is the only log depot in the US that remains in operation.
You’ll have a chance to explore the Grand Canyon at your own pace before boarding the train and heading back.
See our guide One Day at the Grand Canyon for recommendations of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon while you are there.
Choose between a standard Grand Canyon Railway ticket or an Adventure Package that includes lunch and a rim tour at the Grand Canyon.
During the holiday season, the Grand Canyon Railway transforms into a magical Polar Express train ride.
Passengers embark on an enchanting journey to the “North Pole,” complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
See our guide, The Best Places to Experience Christmas in Arizona, for more information.
Grand Canyon Go-Karts
Channel your inner race car driver at Grand Canyon Go-Karts as you race friends and family around the twists and turns of the track!
Grand Canyon Go-Karts is only open Thursdays through Sundays from Memorial Day to Halloween, so plan your trip accordingly. Closed-toe shoes are also required.
We thought that the prices were reasonable, the service was friendly, and it wasn’t very crowded. We practically had the whole track to ourselves!
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at the Bear Trax Cafe located next door at the Circle Pines KOA Holiday Park.
The extensive menu includes breakfast dishes like the Canyon Skillet, Breakfast Burrito, Silver Dollar Pancakes, and even State Fair Mini Donuts. For lunch, try the Green Chile Cheeseburger, BLT, Pizza, and Funnel Cake Fries.
The Circle Pines KOA Holiday Park is also a great option for accommodations. In addition to tent and RV sites, you can spend the night in a covered wagon, a glamping tent, a teepee, or a cabin!
A variety of activities are available for guests at the campground, including ATV rentals, horseback riding, a heated pool and hot tub, mini golf, a jumping pillow, and more.
Backland Luxury Nature Resort
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, Backland Luxury Nature Resort truly is a special place. It was even nominated for Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards.
This 160-acre eco resort lets you experience the beauty of the outdoors without giving up comfort.
The cozy glamping suites feature comfortable beds, hot showers, heating & air conditioning, a microwave, and a mini fridge. They also have glass doors with sprawling views of the open meadow and national forest.
I highly recommend booking a nature suite with a starview skylight and private hot tub. It is worth the splurge!
Camp activities include a private beach with complimentary kayaks and fishing poles, beach volleyball, lawn games, board games, nature trails, sunset campfires with complimentary s’mores kits, and nightly stargazing with telescopes.
Breakfast is included in your stay and is served in the beautiful glass-walled restaurant.
Boxed picnic lunches are available to order, and you can also make dinner reservations.
A few of my favorite moments from our stay include an early morning trail run while fog rolled across the pond, soaking in the hot tub with a million stars twinkling above, roasting s’mores around the campfire at sunset, and waking up at night just to peek at the glittering stars above our bed.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in Williams, AZ. Enjoy your trip!
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