Just Chasing Rabbits: Route 66 in ARIZONA

Must-See

Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop- Holbrook, Arizona

Feeding an ostrich at Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop

2. Wigwam Village #6- Holbrook, Arizona

Only 3 Wigwam Villages still exist in the US. We really wanted to stay the night here, but ended up driving through before lunch. They weren't even open for reservations (HA!), so we couldn't even get into the gift shop, but we were able to stick our heads in one of the wigwams while a nice lady was doing housekeeping.

3. Standin' on the Corner Park- Winslow, Arizona

4. Jack Rabbit Trading Post- Joseph City, Arizona
This place is a Route 66 landmark for sure. It is known for the Jack Rabbit Billboards that lead to the final one reading "HERE IT IS." You have to stop here and take a picture with the huge jack rabbit. Have to.

5. Meteor Crater- near Winslow, Arizona
I had no idea what we were about to see on this one. Pictures do not do it justice. HUGE. HUGEHUGEHUGE. 2.4 miles around the rim, 550 feet deep huge.While standing at the top of the rim, you have to look through the telescopes to see a life-size statue of a person and a standard size flag at the bottom of the crater. The impact happened approximately 50,000 years ago, which is amazing to me. There's just something about seeing evidence of what happened so long ago that blows my mind (It's something to do with being old and large in size...dinosaurs, craters, volcanoes, ruins...you get the picture.). You can see a fragment of the meteorite itself inside the visitor's center, and NASA astronauts really did train here back in the 1960s to go to the moon!

6. Wupatki National Monument- near Flagstaff, Arizona
There are ruins in the US! YES! I had no idea before our Route 66 trip. Driving through Wupatki National Monument is a MUST on your way to the Grand Canyon. There is a super small entrance fee, and you are given maps to guide you to the different sites with information about each one. You can wander around and explore each place on your own. The sites were built by the Ancient Pueblo somewhere around 500 AD. Beautiful!

7. The Grand Canyon- We arrived at the Grand Canyon just before sunset. We were terrified that the park would be closed, but we were just in time to shop quickly at a small souvenir stand and sit down, hang our feet over the edge, and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

Worth Mentioning

8. Twin Arrows- Twin Arrows, Arizona The arrows used to stand beside the Twin Arrows Trading Post, but all that's left are ruins. The arrows have been recently restored. This kind of roadside oddity is what I see in my head when I think of Route 66, so this was a must-stop for me.

For Our Next Trip

Walnut Canyon National Monument
Lowell Observatory- Flagstaff, Arizona
The observatory where the (former) planet Pluto was discovered. It's okay, Pluto. I still believe in you.
MartAnne's Burrito Palace- Flagstaff, Arizona
Jerome, Arizona-
A ghost town! The Jerome Grand Hotel was featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures.
Snow Cap Drive-In- Seligman, Arizona
A drive-in with a great sense of humor!
Grand Canyon Skywalk I'm not completely sold on this one. I would love to walk out on the clear walkway hanging high above the Grand Canyon looking down onto the cliffs and rocks below. Really, I would. But, I've read that it's a good 3 hour drive from ANYWHERE and will cost upwards of $60 per person.
Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner- Kingman, Arizona Great neon!
Oatman Hotel- Oatman, Arizona
Try the Navajo tacos, check out the bar covered in dollar bills, and see the room where Clark Gable and Carole Lumbard spend their honeymoon. Supposedly haunted! Go check, and let me know.
London Bridge- Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Yes, THAT London Bridge! It was brought over one little piece at a time and reconstructed!