Williams and it's adjoining mountain are both named after fur trapper Bill Williams. Billed as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," Williams serves as a great jumping off place for visits to this spectacular locale. The drive, through beautiful country, takes a little over an hour. If you choose to, you can take the train to the Grand Canyon. Call 1-800-THE-TRAIN for information. At the departure depot on the east side of Williams, you can find lots of information about the Grand Canyon and the surrounding areas.
Williams holds a special, and slightly sad, place in the history of Route 66. In October of 1985, Williams became the last town on the Route to be bypassed by the Federal Interstate System. Sadly, many of the bypassed towns on the Route suffered major slumps in business following the arrival of the Interstate. Fortunately, the millions of visitors who roll trough Williams on their way to the Grand Canyon each year, have insured that this western town does not suffer the same fate.
If you are a mountain biker, there are several trails outside of Williams which allow you to travel the 1921, 1931, and 1932 alignments of Route 66. Specifically, the National Parks Service has published, "Historic Route 66; Mountain Bike Tour, Kaibab National Forest" a Mountain Bike guide to these old alignments of Route 66.
Eats:
Rod's Steak House ΓÇó Rod's has been serving up steaks and good food since 1946. 301 E. Bill Williams Ave., tel# 602-635-2671
Parker House Restaurant ΓÇó 525 W. Bill Williams Ave. (I-40), tel# 602-635-4590
Old Smokey's ΓÇó 624 W. Bill Williams Ave., tel# 602-635-2091
Sleeps:
El Rancho Motel ΓÇó 617 E. Bill Williams Ave., tel# 602-635-2552
Norris Motel ΓÇó 1001 W. Bill Williams Ave., tel# 602-635-2202, 800-341-8000
Canyon Country Inn ΓÇó 442 W. Bill Williams Ave., tel# 602-635-2349, 800-643-1020
