Our Impressions of the Area
This stop couldn’t have been more diverse! It was wonderful! Our base was in Williams, but we also visited the Grand Canyon (an hour north of Williams) and Sedona (an hour south of Williams). Words cannot accurately describe the enormity of the Grand Canyon, it is a true marvel of nature. Instead of driving, we took the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon. We were glad we did. Be sure to get one the the train cars with a “bubble”, the view is worth the extra cost. Whatever you have read about the number of tourists in the area, double that number.
Williams is a wonderful, vibrant town, anywhere USA kind of town. We enjoyed the downtown car show and being able to walk to locally owned restaurants from the campground.
Sedona is an upscale area with million-dollar homes and views. Though downtown was very busy with many local shops and restaurants, it was easy to get around and easy to find parking.
Attractions
Geographically Williams is in the north central area of Arizona.
Williams:
Grand Canyon Railway: Since 1901 the Grand Canyon Railway has been taking passengers to the Grand Canyon. It is well worth the 2½ hour trip (one way) through the desert, prairie and pine trees. Many variations on price point and comfort are available. On each railcar there were musicians and even a train robbery! You have three hours to explore the Grand Canyon before the return trip.
Williams Historic Route 66 Car Show: This was a fun car show with over 500 antique cars on exhibit. This was the 8th year running for this car show. Plans are in the works for next year, too.
Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum: This is one of the many Route 66 memorabilia shops on the main street in Williams. There was everything here to remind you of past times when Route 66 was the main highway from southern California to Chicago.
Sedona:
Airport Overlook: The airport in Sedona is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. On the way to the airport is an amazing scenic overlook of the valley cities of Sedona and West Sedona. Besides the scenic overlook, the airport area is supposed to be one of the four vortexes in Sedona that is claimed to have spiritual powers. These four vortexes are based on natural electrical currents deep in the ground. They are supposed to provide healing powers and a spiritual experience. We didn’t feel anything, but many others report they have.
Chapel of the Holy Cross: The Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built high into the red rock buttes of Sedona. Work was started in 1954 and was completed in 1956. The views are amazing. There were many people on the day we visited, but inside the chapel was a very quiet, peaceful place.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village: An outdoor market featuring art galleries, craft shops, restaurants, “street” performers all on cobblestone paths & decorative arches. There were lots of items for sale you wouldn’t find anywhere else. It was quite the contrast from the gift shops of Route 66!
Grand Canyon
We visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It is by far one of the busiest national parks we have been to. It was difficult to find a quiet place to just sit and contemplate the enormity of the 277-mile canyon. Pictures do not accurately capture the Grand Canyon. Our next trip to the Grand Canyon will be to the quieter, less commercial north rim! When we went to the Grand Canyon the north area had not opened for the season (snow was still several feet deep).
Downtown
Williams:
Williams has a wonderful thriving, slow-paced downtown area, right on Route 66. No parking meters! And it was easy to find a parking space reasonably close to where you wanted to go. There are multiple gift shops, stores, Route 66 museums and restaurants.
Sedona:
Sedona was a stark contrast to Williams! Not in a bad way, just different! We really liked Sedona and were glad we went. However, it is a very, very busy, vibrant downtown. Paid parking on the main street, free parking in lots behind the many stores, gift shops and restaurants.
Food and Drink
Williams
Cruiser’s Café 66: Quaint Route 66 themed restaurant in downtown Williams. The food was good; the service was fast.
Fred Harvey Hotel Restaurant: Convenient buffet style restaurant on the campus of the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel and RV Park. Plenty of variety.
Pine Country: Family style casual restaurant in downtown. The Dutch apple pie was amazing!
Station 66 Italian Bistro: On our last night in Williams we just wanted a casual, no frills meal. And we found the Station 66 Bistro. They had a great wood fired pizza! Quick service, too!
Sedona
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits: Located in downtown Sedona, Cowboy’s is a casual steakhouse offering Southwestern fare. PHENOMENAL! It has been a long time since we have been to a restaurant that has had this quality of food. An absolute must visit!
Home Base: The Campground
For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!
We stayed on site 305 at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams. 30 and 50 amp service were available. The campground was clean and well maintained. The staff was friendly. Our full hook up (water-sewer-electric) site was on semi-level pavement. Our pull through site was long enough to leave the Jeep hooked up and still have both vehicles off the road. There was good cell phone coverage (Verizon) and a good open southern sky for our satellite. Easy off and on I-40.
Be forewarned: The Grand Canyon Railway Campground is located next to the BNSF railroad. Trains run at random times 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You WILL hear the train whistles. You WILL feel the ground rumble when a train goes by. But let us be clear: despite the trains, we would stay here again. The train to the Grand Canyon is a 10-minute walk from the RV park. Downtown Williams is a 15-minute walk away.
Fun Facts
If you are in Sedona, you need to at least drive by McDonald’s. The Sedona McDonald’s has the world’s only teal – not yellow – arches in the world! This is due to restrictions by Sedona that focuses on signage being aesthetically pleasing.
There are four vortexes in Sedona: Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock, and Airport Mesa. There is supposed to be electrical energy in these areas. You can hike to all these places and experience the energy for yourself. Or, if you are not much of a hiker, plenty of tour companies will take you to the vortex sites.
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 15 miles at its widest, and up to 1 mile deep in places. Just magnificent. The north rim of the Grand Canyon is at about 8,000’ elevation, about 1,000’ higher than the south rim.
Summary
This was an amazing stopover. It had a little of everything we were looking for in an adventure: nature (the Grand Canyon), history (train ride and Route 66), laid back and casual downtown (Williams), and upscale shopping and dining (Sedona). We couldn’t have asked for anything more!
Williams | Sedona | Grand Canyon | |
| Population: | 3,267 | 9,763 | 1,591 |
| Elevation: | 6,765 ft. | 4,350 ft. | 7,000 ft. |
| Founded: | 1881 | 1876 | 1919 |
| Average income: | $26,576 | $33,284 | $32,805 |
| Average housing: | $615,000 | $827,550 | Rent only |
| Median age | 42 | 60 | 42 |
Websites:
Williams: https://www.williamsaz.gov/
Sedona: https://visitsedona.com/
Grand Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!
No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement.
Your partners in travel,
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads
It’s a lifestyle
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