Arizona [Best Bets 2026]

One epic road trip | celebrate 100 years | must-do side trips | stay & eat

Arizona

In an age of self-driving vehicles and AI-assisted travel planning, one might think today’s most exciting travel trends are fueled by the new and novel. But a road that runs through Arizona—a road that changed travel forever with its birth 100 years ago—makes a case for taking a trip that celebrates enduring traditions and simpler times. Somewhat ironically, maybe, Route 66 was once an innovation. One of the first national highways for motor vehicles, its creation played a pivotal role in the rise of the family road trip and spawned a range of entirely new kinds of roadside businesses. Today, the iconic route that spans eight states, from Chicago to Santa Monica, remains a symbol of the American identity—of freedom, independence, spontaneity and adventure. And there’s no better place to experience the “Mother Road” on its centennial anniversary than on the stretch that runs across Northern Arizona, widely held to be one of the best-preserved portions.

The east-west journey across Arizona's Route 66 starts in Lupton, a small town on the border of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. Its painted cliffs are the same ones that appeared in the 1940 Academy Award-winning film, The Grapes of Wrath, as the Joad family makes its way across the Arizona border. Though it's just the beginning of your road trip, you'll want to stop at some of Lupton's iconic gas stations and roadside shops. Tee Pee Trading Post stands out not only for its selection of hand-crafted Native American turquoise jewelry, crafts and souvenirs, but also for the eye-catching 60-foot-tall building that houses it all. The next stop is Holbrook, where abundant gem, mineral and petrified wood souvenir shops await perusal, thanks to the town's location just outside Petrified Forest National Park (more on that later). Check out the town's selfie-ready collection of towering roadside dinosaur sculptures, too.

Celebrate 100 years of Route 66

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Petrified Forest National Park | credit: Dan Shewmaker

One epic road trip

Celebrate 100 years

Must-do side trips

What to eat, where to stay

Dinosaur sculptures in Holbrook

Lupton

Plan your trip

Hackberry General Store | credit: An Pham

Wigwam Motel

Cruiser's Cafe

Giganticus Headicus

Winslow, Arizona

Red Rock State Park

Rafting on the Colorado River | credit: An Pham

Delgadillo's Snow Cap

One hundred fifty-five miles later, you'll roll into the town of Winslow. Bonus points if the Eagles' Take It Easy is drifting out of your car stereo as you do. Among the must-see spots is Standin' on the Corner Park. The public square brings the lyrics of the 1970s hit to life with a 6-foot bronze statue of a musician "standin' on a corner," a red flatbed Ford truck—and a giant Route 66 sign painted on the intersection for good measure. There's even a new rumble strip that plays a short burst of the song when driven over. The free-to-enter Old Trails Museum is across the street, spotlighting the old railroad town's historic roots with a wide range of artifacts and memorabilia. Flagstaff, 55 miles west, is by far the largest city you'll encounter on your drive, and choosing what to do might be tough. A stop at the Wupatki National Monument—the striking ruins of a Pueblo trade hub erected nearly a thousand years ago—is not to be missed. A visit to Lowell Observatory for a constellation tour and views through modern and historic telescopes is another winning choice.

Stop-in-your-tracks nature

Best Bet 2026

Arizona was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2026

Best Bet 2025

Best Bet 2026

Window Rock

Hackberry

Route 66 outside of Seligman | credit: Dan Shewmaker

Towns & landmarks

Flagstaff's charming Historic Downtown and Railroad District offers up diversions for days, from shops to breweries, international restaurants to art galleries. There's also a lovely visitors center at the nostalgic—and still operational—train station. Drive on past the town of Ash Fork, where Historic Route 66 diverges from Interstate 40, taking you on a rustic and solitary ride north toward the Hualapai tribal lands. Stop in Seligman, where the vintage exteriors of the gift and sundries shops are as intriguing as the goods inside. Take a look at the 1860 Arizona Territorial Jail, log cabin structures that once imprisoned notorious outlaws. Then grab a drink at the Black Cat Bar, whose history dates back to the early 1900s. Fuel up at Roadkill Cafe with some "Fender Tenders" or "Bad-Brake Steak" (but no actual roadkill) before hitting the road.

The towns along the Mother Road in Arizona host a slew of annual festivals, many of which will be ramped up in 2026 for the centennial celebrations. Events will kick off with a "car drop" on New Year's Eve in the town of Williams; a nearly 100-year-old Chevy Capitol will make its descent when midnight strikes. Head to Oatman on Jan. 31 for the annual bed races, during which 5-person pajama-clad teams push wheeled beds across the main drag at breakneck speeds. April will be a big month for festivities, with the annual Route 66 Festival and Car Show in Holbrook (exact dates TBD), a Route 66 Centennial celebration in Seligman (April 30) and Route 66 Bike Week (April 20-26), which will bring riders from far and wide to cruise the historic road. Outdoor event venue Saddle Sore Ranch in Golden Valley (12 miles east of Oatman) will serve as a hub for the rolling rally, hosting games, live music and after-hours parties.

If your vehicle has four wheels rather than two, there's an event for you as well: The Route 66 Fun Run (May 1-3). Hundreds of drivers will meet up in Seligman to begin a 140-mile adventure, with events planned in nearly every town along the way. Then, there's a community celebration, parade and chili cookoff in Ash Fork (May 16) a 500-vehicle car show in Williams (June 5-6) and a free family-friendly festival in Flagstaff (June 6) that will include historical reenactments, chalk art and a classic car show. Winslow's Standin' on the Corner Festival kicks off in fall (Sept. 25-26) with live music, food and drinks, while Kingman's Route 66 Festival (Oct. 16-17) brings live music and a vintage-style pinup contest to town—be sure to pack your girdle and your hair rollers if you want in. For those who need to experience the historic road in the most extreme way possible, there's the Route 66 UltraRun (Nov. 13-16). This 140-mile footrace allows participants 60 hours to travel from Seligman to Topock either as solo runners or relay teams. Proceeds go to support the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and the Alzheimer's Association.

If you're not in a hurry (and really, being in a hurry runs somewhat counter to the spirit of the historic highway), you can compound the epicness of your road trip by adding in stops a short drive north or south of the road. Twenty-eight miles north of Lupton, for example, you'll find Window Rock, the heart of Navajo Nation, named for a sandstone cliff with a striking rain- and wind-carved window-like hole through it. There you can visit the Navajo Nation Museum, which harbors indigenous art and artifacts, plus around 40,000 photographs that chronicle the story of the Navajo people. There's also a zoo and a botanical garden. Whether or not you're seeking spiritual or bodily healing, consider a side trip to Sedona, located 30 miles south of Flagstaff. The area is thought to possess a number of vortex sites that radiate the earth's energy.

More tangibly, a wealth of stunning sandstone formations, for example those you'll find in 286-acre Red Rock State Park, make Sedona a bucket-list spot for hikers and nature lovers alike. The town, meanwhile, is home to over 80 art galleries, a host of excellent spas and wellness centers plus interesting shops and restaurants. The Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim is just 60 miles north of Williams, making it a nearly non-negotiable side trip. Look out at the legendary vastness from Mather Point, where the otherworldly vistas span 360 degrees; and Yavapai Observation Station, an enclosed viewing area that also hosts exhibits about the park's geology. From the town of Peach Springs, drive about 90 miles north to the Hualapai Tribe's Grand Canyon West (not affiliated with the National Park Service) where you can experience Skywalk, a glass bridge set 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. If you've got more time, opt for a rafting adventure on the Colorado River, complete with hiking, wildlife spotting and opportunuties to learn about the tribe's culture from certified Hualapai river guides.

Stunning scenery, kitschy attractions, national parks, lip-smacking Southwest eats and one-of-a-kind museums all await on the road ahead. There’s also an action-packed calendar of events set to celebrate the centennial all year long. Meanwhile, those who’ve got time to venture just a short way off this epic path will find even more memorable Arizona experiences—not least, the geologic wonder that makes Arizona “the Grand Canyon State.” Read on for more on all there is to see and do in Arizona during this landmark year and beyond.

Mural in Kingman

Kingman, meanwhile, is a must-stop for fans of American Southwest history; it's home to the Historic Route 66 Museum and the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, both of which are loaded with fascinating displays, artifacts and artwork. From Kingman, the road winds through the Mohave Desert and the Black Mountains with hairpin turns—thus the 15 mph speed limit. Twenty-eight miles later lies the town of Oatman, with a population of around 100 residents. It was once a booming mining town and now looks like a vintage western movie set (indeed, it was the backdrop for John Ford's How the West Was Won, starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart in 1961). There you can visit souvenir shops, have a drink at a real saloon and purchase treats to feed the town's free-roaming burros. You'll drive south another 25 miles before Historic Route 66 rejoins Interstate 40 and crosses the Colorado River at the California border.

Historic Route 66 Museum, Kingman (left); Free-roaming donkeys in Oatman (right)

Built into this legendary road trip itinerary, you'll find not only a plethora of opportunities to stretch your legs, but some of the world's most magnificent natural backdrops in which to do so. Hike a short trail or two through Petrified Forest National Park in Holbrook to explore an otherworldly landscape in which 200 million years' worth of life in this region is fossilized. Take a short detour between Flagstaff and Winslow to walk the rim of Meteor Crater National Landmark, a 50,000-year-old meteorite impact site considered to the best-preserved landmark of its kind in the world. Between Seligman and Kingman, you'll find the Grand Canyon Caverns underground cave system set just outside the town of Peach Springs, the capital of the Hualapai tribal community. You can even have lunch at a restaurant located 200 feet underground at the bottom of the caverns.

Roadkill Cafe

Seligman

Downtown Flagstaff

Grand Canyon Caverns

Petrified Forest National Park

Americana Motor Hotel | credit: An Pham

Wigwam Motel | credit: Jessica Dunham

The Aztec Motel | credit: E Lopez

La Posada | credit: An Pham

Winslow | credit: An Pham

Festivals & can't-miss events

Detour-worthy experiences

Famous roadside eats & treats

Atmospheric accommodations

From east to west: Winslow: The Turquoise Room is set inside the famed La Posada Hotel, serving artful Southwestern fare in a lovely, historical setting. Williams: Cruiser's Route 66 Cafe is a diner outfitted with classic gas station decor, dishing out satisfying plates of barbecue—plus cocktails and soda floats. Flagstaff: Galaxy Diner, a '50s-themed venue, serves hearty comfort food from morning 'til night, plus tasty shakes and malts. Seligman: Delgadillo's Snow Cap is a drive-in that's served ice cream, shakes and burgers since it was erected out of Santa Fe Railroad scrap lumber in 1953. Kingman: Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner is a kitsh-infused eatery housed in a historic building. Topock: Topock 66 Restaurant & Bar is set along the Colorado River and features an expansive outdoor patio and a pool with a swim-up bar. Oatman: With a rumored 800,000 dollar bills papering its walls, The Oatman Hotel Restaurant & Bar is a quirky spot to grab a bison burger with "burro ear" housemade chips.

Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner

There are all kinds of accommodations along the hallowed highway. Here's a small sample, running east to west: Holbrook: the 1950s-born Wigwam Motel invites guests to stay in tipi-shaped freestanding rooms. Winslow: Stay at the aforementioned La Posada Hotel—designed by renowned architect Mary Colter and opened by "the father of Western hospitality," Fred Harvey in 1930—to join the ranks of previous guests like John Wayne and Albert Einstein. Flagstaff: See the upscale side of motel travel at High Country Motor Lodge, where highlights include a decked out game room plus a pool and Nordic spa; or try the space travel-themed Americana Motor Hotel for colorful rooms plus a heated pool and a dog park. Seligman: The Aztec Motel has an unassuming appearance from the outside, but wows guests with its retro-modern remodeled interiors and the multi-use communal room it calls the Creative Space.

High Country Motor Lodge

Oatman Hotel Restaurant & Bar

Topock 66 Restaurant & Bar

Snow Cap | credit: An Pham

Cruiser's Route 66 Cafe

While it's technically possible to drive across Arizona's stretch of Route 66 in a single day, extending the journey over several days or a week will make for a more immersive experience. As you make your way, oodles of eateries and motels on Arizona's Route 66 will clamor for your attention, with signs and decor ranging from loud to nostalgic to humorous. Here's a road map to some of the road's most iconic eats and accommodations to help you avoid decision overload.

Lowell Observatory

Wupatki National Monument

Meteor Crater National Landmark

Mather Point

credit: Experience Williams

Motorcycles in Kingman

One epic road trip | celebrate 100 years | must-do side trips | stay & eat