Downtown Williams, Arizona
DOWNTOWN WILLIAMS
Downtown Williams is teeming with top-notch restaurants and shops and makes for one pleasant stroll. Choice highlights include Pine Country Restaurant. Homemade pies ranging from Key Lime to Triple Layer Chocolate Cake are the stars of this menu. Pair a slice of pie with a cup of coffee at the attached GiddYup & Go Coffee Bar. Many of the coffee drinks here have Western names like the Jesse James, a cappuccino, or a Wild Bill Hickock, a mocha. Speaking of coffee, Brewed Awakenings Coffee Co. is another stand-out java option. This spot serves coffee from Single Speed Coffee in Flagstaff. The menu is rounded out by sandwiches, frozen yogurt, oats, burrito, granola and oats.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
If you’re searching for heartier options, Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery is a great choice. Housed in a building that resembles a wood log cabin, Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery spirits and whiskeys are made locally and crafted with grains sourced from 100 percent Arizona grains. Beer options include Horseshoe Bend Ale, an American Pilsner and Prickly Pear Wheat Ale, our personal favorite. A stand-out whiskey option includes the Applewood smoked Bond Fire American single malt whiskey. Food-wise, find fare like pizzas, calzones, Bavarian Pretzel, Warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip, Loaded Potato Wedges, Shrimp Tacos and an Ultimate Bacon Brat—a one-third pound Amber Ale Beer brat served over bacon and topped with chili and cheese in a pretzel roll.
SHOPPING
One of the shops we’re fond of in Williams is The Gallery of Williams. Open since 2011, find works from more than 40 regional artists including watercolor paintings, pottery, metal sculpture, fiber arts, gourds and jewelry. Artists that are members of this gallery work in shifts, and you might even be able to meet one of the makers. Open since 1999, discover a plethora of Native American traditional and contemporary jewelry at Native Gallery. Find handmade leather goods like vests, belts, hats and even custom knives at Open Road Cowboy.
Bearizona Wildlife Park
BEARIZONA WILDLIFE PARK
Situated on about 160 acres, Bearizona Wildlife Park visitors can take a more than three mile drive through Ponderosa pine forest and see animals native to North America from their vehicles. Drive by Alaskan tundra wolves, jaguars, black bears, reindeer, Rocky Mountain goat and even white bison, among other animals. Bearizona also features Fort Bearizona, a 20-acre walk-thru area that’s similar to a traditional zoo.
Sycamore Falls
SYCAMORE FALLS
About a 30-minute drive from downtown Williams, a 0.5-mile loop trail leads you to a stunning gem in Williams: Sycamore Falls. The trail is easy and features an incredible waterfall that pours out in between a unique rock formation. Try to head here after a rainfall to see the water roaring. The path leading here is gravel, but it’s good gravel that you can drive on in a street vehicle.
The Grand Canyon Deer Farm
THE GRAND CANYON DEER FARM
If you didn’t get your animal fix from Beararizona, The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is a 10-acre animal wonderland. Located on Route 66, find wallabies, llamas, bison, peacocks, and of course, deer. As part of the interactive programs, visitors can get up close and personal to the animals.
Route 66 Gift Shop next to Cruiser’s Café 66 in Williams, Arizona
ROUTE 66
Parts of the original Route 66 run through Williams. Many of the places mentioned in this article are located on this historic route. Route 66 is often called “The Mother Road” and was one of the original highways in the United States and often evokes memories of traveling through the West. Consider starting your journey at the Welcome and History Park. This outdoor park features railway cars, a map of Williams and a placard talking about the history of Route 66. Here are two additional highlights located on Route 66. Dig the historical vibe at Cruiser’s Café 66. Housed in a restored gas station, road signs and other period artifacts from the 1950s. Find burgers, BBQ, steaks and milkshakes on the menu of this classic diner. Take a seat and soar high above Williams, Route 66 and Grand Canyon Boulevard if you book a ticket on the Route 66 Zipline. You’ll be about 1,400 feet in the air at the highest point. Be prepared to go backward and forward. There’s also no need to climb up on a tall platform to access this attraction. Reservations are not needed.
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park
CANYON COASTER ADVENTURE PARK
Slated to open this spring, family-friendly and new attraction Canyon Coaster Adventure Park features an above-ground mountain coaster that’s about one mile long. Experience dips, twists and hairpin turns in the open air. During the winter, families can even go snow tubing.
