Route 66 Through Flagstaff, Arizona
Ranked #861 in Travel & Places, #37,364 overall
A Tour Of The Highest City On Route 66 (at 7,000 Feet)
We'll begin on the west side of town and take Route 66 east through Flagstaff until it departs towards Winona, where it disappears once again under Interstate 40. I'll point out some of the highlights on the way across town and make a few detours to show you what's close to this surviving and thriving section of the historic "Mother Road."
Photo credit: Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Pull Over For A Moment
For two Route 66 visitor polls....
Want To Have A Milkshake At The Galaxy Diner?
We can listen to the jukebox and look at the old celebrity photos all over the walls.
After leaving I-40 on your way to Flagstaff from Williams and merging onto Route 66, you'll soon see the Galaxy Diner, across from a Days Inn motel. Located at 931 W. Route 66, this 50's-style diner has a great ambiance and, in my experience, great food and service too. I often bring my mom here for their hearty, affordable breakfasts. And they make a mean burger and fries, which can be topped off by homemade pie and ice cream.
The Galaxy hosts Friday night Flagstaff Route 66 Car Club meet-ups, when you can admire their shiny, classic cars out in the parking lot. And get a free swing dance lesson at the diner on Saturday night.
Or How About A Visit To The Salad Bar At Granny's Closet?
Follow Route 66 as it merges with South Milton (Rt. 89), and you'll see Granny's on the right.
Granny's Closet is a popular family-style restaurant and sports bar, established in 1974. And that 10-foot tall, 990-pound, painted cedar man standing outside? That's Louie the Lumberjack. There are two Louies, actually, one here at Granny's Closet and the other on the campus of Northern Arizona University, outside the Walkup Sky Dome. Louie the Lumberjack is NAU's mascot.
Find Other Good Places to Eat in Flagstaff
Here are a bunch of my favorite restaurants around town:
Flagstaff, Arizona Restaurants
This isn't a collection of ALL the good places to eat in Flagstaff, but these are definitely some of the best. (Or I think so, anyway.) Each restaurant listing...
Need A Place To Stay Right On Route 66 In Flagstaff?
You'll see lots of options for lodging on our way across town.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Hotels and motels right on Route 66 through Flagstaff run the gamut from fairly pricey to pretty close to dirt cheap. Here are some of your options....Radisson Woodlands Hotel Flagstaff: 1175 W. Route 66 -- (928) 773-8888
Days Inn: 1000 West Route 66 -- (928) 774-5221
Rodeway Inn Downtown: 122 W Route 66 -- (928) 774-5081
66 Motel: 2100 E. Rt. 66 -- (928) 774-8993
The Travel Inn: 801 W Route 66 -- (928) 774-3381
Super 8 - Flagstaff West: 602 W Route 66 -- 928-774-4581
Western Hills Motor Hotel: 1580 E. Route 66 -- (928) 774-6633
America's Best Value Inn: 1990 E. Route 66 -- (928) 774-2779
Innsuites Hotels Flagstaff: 1008 East Route 66 -- (928) 773-7724
Howard Johnson Inn: 3300 E Route 66 -- (928) 526-1826
Best Western Pony Soldier: 3030 E. Rt. 66 -- (928) 526-2388
Hotel Aspen Inn Suites Flagstaff: 1008 E. Route 66 -- (928) 774-7356
Budget Host Saga Motel Flagstaff: 820 W Route 66 -- (928) 779-3631
Here's A Place To See Just Up The Hill From Route 66
One of the oldest observatories in the U.S., where Pluto was discovered.
Lowell Observatory And Life On Mars (Hill)
The first time I heard about Lowell Observatory was when my future husband, Steve, brought me to his hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1995, shortly after we'd...
There's City Hall, Right On Route 66
Sometimes you'll see a festival or some folks standing up for a cause on that grassy lawn.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
City Hall is located after the railroad underpass and the turnoff to Sante Fe Avenue.Feel free to stop in and ask questions, or visit the official Flagstaff government website for information on city services, events, parks and recreation, and more.
And Here's Historic Downtown Flagstaff
with the San Francisco Peaks in the background....
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
There's always something to see and do downtown. Choose from a wide variety of restaurants, coffeeshops and cafes, browse a myriad of shops, take a sidewalk seat and just people-watch, or grab a book at the public library and pull up a piece of grass in Wheeler Park. During the warmer months, there are often free festivals and fresh-air entertainment to enjoy and a weekly Flagstaff Community Farmer's Market.And On The First Friday Of Each Month, Year-Round
Downtown Flagstaff is the scene of the popular Art Walk exhibits and activities.
Flagstaff First Friday ArtWalk
Beginning around 6:30pm on the first Friday of each month, downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, bustles with activity, inside and out, even during the coldest months....
Route 66 Through Downtown Flagstaff
Let's pull off into the Visitor Center parking lot and take a look around.
Another Downtown Flagstaff Destination
Just a block from Route 66
Heritage Square: Flagstaff's Outdoor Living Room
Whenever I feel like going for a walk, I often find myself headed downtown, where I usually end up at Heritage Square. There's always something to see or...
Enjoy Route 66 Days Festival In Flagstaff
Including one of the largest car shows in Arizona.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Celebrate the spirit of Route 66 in this fun-filled weekend of vintage, fast and fancy cars, arts, crafts, and other activities around downtown Flagstaff. Held in September, this event is the largest annual gathering of Route 66 fans. During the festival, you can meet Route 66 authors, artists, preservationists, and collectors. For more information, visit the Flagstaff Route 66 Days website.The Flagstaff Train Station on Route 66
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Amtrak station, located in downtown Flagstaff right on Route 66, was formerly the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot. Built in 1926, the station now doubles as a visitor center. Two Amtrak passenger trains stop in Flagstaff each day, while more than 100 freight trains pass by, following alongside Route 66 from one end of town to the other.A Mural Along Route 66
One of many displays of public art in Flagstaff
Created in 2007 by mountain-biking artist, Lyle Motley, this large mural is located on the side of the Absolute Bikes bikes building on the corner of Route 66 and North Agassiz Street. It took Lyle two months to complete the mural, which is loaded with cool details, like the bandaids on the biker's knee and elbow. If you're going to spend some time downtown, might as well walk over to Absolute Bikes to take a closer look at this work of art.
Want To Detour From Route 66 For A While And See More Public Art Around Town?
Flagstaff, Arizona Public Art
My husband, Steve, and I always enjoy a good art gallery, and we rarely miss a Flagstaff First Friday Art Walk, when local galleries and other businesses that...
Hungry Again? Let's Stop At The Crown Railroad Cafe
We can have a bite to eat and watch the trains go by.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Located at 3300 E. Route 66, past Steve's Boulevard, the Crown Railroad Cafe and its counterpart on the west side of town serve American-style meals in a 1960s diner-style atmosphere. If you grab a booth by the front windows, you'll see the trains passing by on the other side of Route 66, while the miniature train runs along the tracks that run along the diner walls.Let's Kick Up Our Heels At The Historic Museum Club
Just past the Crown Railroad Cafe and the bowling alley.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com / CC BY-NC 2.0
Do you like to two-step? Or maybe just watch other folks dance to some popular country tunes, old and new? Well, this is a fun place to do it. The historic Museum Club, also known as "The Zoo," started out as a taxidermy museum in 1931 as evidenced by the creatures that still stare down at you from above.In 1936, the building was purchased by a Flagstaff saddle-maker, Doc Williams, who transformed the museum into a nightclub. The property has changed hands several times since then, sometimes barely surviving as a recording studio and rough and tumble roadhouse. Today, it's a popular country western dance club with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. You can also stop in for afternoon off-track betting and play a round of pool before the dancing begins.
The Museum Club, Circa 1932
This photo is in the public domain.
Route 66 - Flagstaff - T-Shirts
ROUTE 66 FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA T-SHIRT by marcscreations
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Learn More About Route 66 Through Flagstaff
Then and Now
on
TheRoadWanderer.net
Route 66: Read All About It!
Route 66 Adventure Handbook: Expanded Third Edition
Amazon Price: $15.79 (as of 02/17/2012)
Used Price: $0.42
Read this book before you leave for a Route 66 adventure, then keep it at hand to follow along as you go. This guide covers everything from history to museums, people and roadside attractions.
A Photographic History of Flagstaff
Flagstaff: Past & Present
Amazon Price: $18.18 (as of 02/17/2012)
Written by local historians, Richard and Sherry Mangum.
One reviewer says, "This offering is truly a love story about this town and all it has and continues to offer. Filled with historical and present day photography and narrative rich in history that you often feel like you are walking the dirt streets of yesterday. If you live or have lived in Flag, you will appreciate the richness of Flagstaff on every page. If you long to know what makes up a real western town and its peoples, than this book will tempt you into visiting her...this, of course, will be a journey well taken."
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Have You Been To (Or Through) Flagstaff?
On Route 66, of course!
**You don't have to be a member of Squidoo to leave a message.**
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LikinTrikin
Jul 4, 2011 @ 1:52 pm | delete
- Cool lens....we haven't been to Flagstaff...yet. Although we've been close. Hopefully after our move we'll have the time and opportunity to visit.
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mediumlenore
Jun 28, 2011 @ 10:55 pm | delete
- You were my lucky 300 poll. Cool lens.
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puerdycat
Jun 11, 2011 @ 9:32 pm | delete
- I've been coming through and stopping in at Flagstaff since '67 (oh my!) and just love it.
Thanks for a marvelous visit! I love the southern routes, but just love "route 66." I'm due for a pass through; my last was about 5 years ago.
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mbgphoto
Jun 8, 2011 @ 8:01 am | delete
- I must get there someday! Blessed
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meisgood132
Apr 20, 2011 @ 11:55 am | delete
- Wxcellent idea for a squid.
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A New England Native in Flagstaff, Arizona
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