city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States

Williams is a town in Northern Arizona, 35 miles west of Flagstaff. In 1984, it was the last Route 66 town to be bypassed by freeway.

Understand

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Bill Williams statue

The city's location is on Interstate 40, as well as its position on the old Route 66, make it a frequent stop for travelers passing through on their way to more exotic destinations. The city is also a major gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Climate

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Williams (Arizona)
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See Williams's 7 day forecast    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
56
 
 
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12
−2
 
 
 
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−5
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

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Map
Map of Williams (Arizona)

Located 35 miles west of Flagstaff on I-40 and 1 hour south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

  • 1 Amtrak Station - WMJ, 267 Fray Marcus Dr, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. As of summer 2018, Williams does not appear in Amtrak schedules anymore, indicating that Amtrak trains don't stop at Williams. (In the past, the daily Southwest Chief Chicago-Los Angeles line stopped in Williams. The westbound train arrived at 10:33PM and the eastbound train arrived at 5:20AM. This stop has no ticket office and no Quik-Trak ticket machine so tickets must be purchased at another station or online.)
  • Silver Spur Tours, +1 928-226-7212, toll-free: +1-800-600-4006. Shuttle service to and from Flagstaff, Williams, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Elephant Rock Golf Course in all new Mercedes built Sprinter Vans. Luxury, comfort and extra large viewing windows. Water, soda and snacks always included. Guided tours to Grand Canyon, Sedona, Indian Ruins, wine tastings in the Verde Valley.
  • Grand Canyon Railway, Grand Canyon Railway Depot, 233 North Grand Canyon Blvd. Excursion trains between Williams and Grand Canyon. From $33.50 each way, $67 round-trip.

Get around

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There is no public transportation, but the historic core of Williams is easily explored on foot.

Williams with parade in town

The Mother Road (Route 66) runs through the downtown area of Williams.

  • 1 Bearizona Wildlife Park, 1500 E Rte 66 (I-40 Exit 165), +1 968-635-2289. Daily 8AM-6PM. A private wildlife refuge open to the public, with bears, wolves, and also a petting zoo. $20 (adults), $18 (seniors), $10 (children 4-12).
  • 2 Bill Williams Statue, Bill Williams Monument Park. An 8-ft tall bronze sculpture by BR Pettit depicting "Old Bill" Williams, after whom the town is named.
  • 3 Planes of Fame Air Museum, 755 Mustang Way (intersection of Hwy 180 and Hwy 64), +1 928-635-1000. Daily 9AM-5PM. A branch of the air museum headquartered in Chino, CA. Most of the planes on display are flyable. $10 (adults), $5 (children under 12), free (children under 2). Planes of Fame Air Museum (Q3391415) on Wikidata Planes of Fame Air Museum on Wikipedia
Grand Canyon Railway
  • 1 Grand Canyon Railway, 233 N Grand Canyon Blvd, +1 928-635-4010, toll-free: +1-800-843-8724, . Round-trip train ride of 65 miles, taking approximately 2 hr 15 min each way. Leaves Williams at 9:30AM; passengers are at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from about 11:45AM until the train begins its return trip at 3:30PM. $60-170. Grand Canyon Railway (Q1542539) on Wikidata Grand Canyon Railway on Wikipedia
  • The historic city walk. Get the historic city walk brochure from the Visitor Center (200 W Railroad Ave) - it takes about 40 minutes to complete the self-guided tour. Free.
  • 2 Wild West Junction, 321 E Route 66, +1 928-635-4512, . Authentic-looking wild west village with museum, restaurants, hotels, shops and entertainment.
  • 3 Williams Labor Day Rodeo, E Rodeo Rd (Williams Rodeo Grounds). Labor Day Weekend. Held annually since 1941. Events include barrel racing, saddle bronc, bull riding, roping, and kid’s calf scramble. $10 (adults), $5 (children under 12).
Pie at Pine Country Restaurant

Groceries

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  • 6 Safeway, 637 W Rte 66, +1 928-635-0500. Daily 5AM-midnight. Has a full hot and cold deli, as well as an onsite pharmacy.

Drink

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  • 1 Canyon Club Bar, 126 W Bill Williams Ave, +1 928-635-2582. Good cocktails!

Sleep

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The historic Grand Canyon Hotel
The historic Red Garter Bed and Bakery

Budget

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Mid-range

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  • 5 Canyon Motel and RV Park, 1900 E Rodeo Rd (Exit I-40 @ #165 south to Rodeo Rd), +1 928-635-9371, toll-free: +1-800-482-3955, fax: +1 928-635-4138, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. A 1940s Route 66 Motor Court with 18 flagstone rooms, two 1929 caboose train car suites, three 1950s Pullman rand Canyon train car suites, 47 RV sites, 6 tent campsites. Sits on rolling pine covered hills in the Kaibab National Forest. Has wi-fi, laundry, showers, BBQs, indoor pool, fire rings. Pets accepted. $87 (Mar 2022).
  • 6 Days Inn, 2488 W Rte 66, +1 928-635-4051, fax: +1 928-635-4411. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. No smoking, pets accepted, free wi-fi and breakfast, pool. From $63/night (Mar 2022).
  • 7 Grand Canyon Hotel, 145 W Rte 66, +1 928-635-1419, . Oldest hotel in Arizona, since January 1891. A lovely place, right in the middle of Williams. A worthwhile stop on the way to the Grand Canyon or a base to explore it. $67-125/night.
  • 8 Rodeway Inn at Route 66, 334 E Rte 66, +1 575-461-4094, toll-free: +1-800-235-7029, fax: +1 928-255-4663, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free wi-fi and breakfast. $60-150.

Splurge

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Camping

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Kaibab Lake Campground

Go next

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Routes through Williams
Los Angeles Kingman  W  E  Flagstaff Albuquerque
Kingman Ash Fork  W  E  Flagstaff Gallup
Kingman Ash Fork  W  E  Flagstaff Gallup
Grand Canyon Tusayan  N  S  END


This city travel guide to Williams is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.