Historic Winslow AZ on Route 66: A Complete Guide
Winslow’s famed corner and flat bed Ford
Do yourself a favor and make a stop at the adorable Winslow, AZ, on Route 66 on your next road trip through Arizona!
Made famous by The Eagles’ mention of the town in their first hit, “Take It Easy,” Winslow has defied the odds to become a destination for music fans from across the globe.
The town is easily accessible from I-40, making it a fun place to stop and stretch your legs as you travel between Flagstaff and Albuquerque.
If you’d like to stay the night here, you can visit 2 of our favorite destinations in this part of Arizona, both of which offer glimpses into the state’s distant past.
Below, you’ll find out everything you need to prepare for your trip to Winslow AZ on Route 66 from must-see sights to recommended accommodations and campgrounds and more.
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What is Route 66?
Today, Route 66 is an iconic symbol of the American road trip, but it started as an ambitious project to link 8 states by a 2250 mile long highway.
It was started in 1926, but the completion of the entire Route 66 project from Illinois to California wasn’t completed until the end of World War II in 1945.
[Read more about the fascinating history of Route 66 here.]
This road, known as the Mother Road, carried travelers through small towns to experience a slice of Americana at every mile.
Much of the success of Route 66 is due to the post-war economic boom that the country experienced.
For the first time, families had extra income to purchase items like cars, luggage, and hotel rooms, and the free time to take vacation.
Route 66’s steady stream of visitors allowed new towns to spring up and existing ones—like Winslow, AZ—to prosper.
When the interstate system took over in the 1960s and 70s, many of the smaller highways like Route 66 weren’t needed as much any more.
Many of this little towns along the Mother Road dried up.
Others like Winslow, AZ, have managed to write a new chapter by capitalizing on both their town’s nostalgia and unique features of that area.
Explore another section of Route 66 on a Santa Fe to White Sands National Park road trip!
Winslow's Next Chapter: The Eagles and a Flat Bed Ford
The older Camping Kiddo in Winslow AZ
Winslow, AZ was doing its best to stay relevant after the old 2-lane Route 66 was supplanted by the 4 lane I-40 interstate.
Then, a group of 4 young men from California got writer’s block as they were trying to finish an album and decided to take a road trip.
That road trip ended up in Winslow, AZ, where The Eagles songwriters Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey found the perfect inspiration for what would be their first single: “Take It Easy.”
The now famous lyrics in the second stanza are:
Well, I was standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford,
Slowin’ down to take a look at me.
Listen to the entire song here:
When the song became a hit, people took notice of the callout to tiny Winslow, and began visiting the town.
Winslow has wholeheartedly embraced the song’s popularity, and you’ll see business and shop names and slogans playing on the phrase “Take It Easy.”
In more recent years, even more focus has been placed on the song’s tie-in to the town’s history as The Eagles (and the song) have entered classic rock playlists.
If you’re here just for the Eagles, you won’t be disappointed—check out what to expect below.
Best Things to Do in Winslow AZ
You’ve decided to hop off of the soulless I-40 for a slice of Americana on Route 66 in Winslow.
Congrats on a great decision!
But now what do you do?
You’ll want to head into the historic downtown area, where everything you’ll want to see is in about a 4 block radius.
Parking is free on the sides of Old Route 66/East 2nd Street, so come early if you’d like a convenient spot.
Standin' on the Corner Park
My dad, my kids, and I at the Standin’ on the Corner Park!
Begin your route 66 experience by exploring the Standin' on the Corner Park, a memorial to the city's place in American music and culture.
While you won’t find The Eagles belting out the classic song on a loop, you can take a picture in front of the Winslow, AZ mural.
PIN ME!
There’s also a statue to add to the overall feel in your photo.
If you’re lucky, one of the other music fans will offer to take your photo for you.
Otherwise, you might have a young kid come up to you to ask if you’d like a photo.
The child is definitely looking for a tip in exchange for taking your picture, but, other than that, the query isn’t a scam.
On the plus side, the kids that approached us all took great pictures of our group, so you might want to go this direction rather than rely on someone random.
As an added bonus to this little park, there’s a classic Ford truck permanently parked at the corner—and it has a flat bed, of course.
TIPS FOR VISITING STANDIN’ ON THE CORNER PARK:
-Go early to avoid the crowds. In peak seasons (spring and fall), you’ll want to be there as early as possible—like right after sunrise—if you want a photo of the entire mural without others milling about in the background.
We went around 9 AM in mid-May, and there were a few others there, but all of them were respectful and took turns in front of the mural.
-Don’t take up too much time in front of the mural when it is your turn. It’s a busy spot on a busy corner, and no one wants to wait while you get photos taken from every angle.
-When shooting a photo for someone else, stand on the curb and crouch down. This will allow you to get the full mural with the people in the middle.
-Grab a souvenir from the vendor(s) next to the big tree. There are usually at least one or two people selling Native American jewelry or crafts nearby if you’d like to get a souvenir.
Route 66 Sign
The Camping Kiddos at the Route 66 sign in Winslow
In the intersection closest to the Standin’ on the Corner Park, you’ll find a massive Route 66 sign painted on the asphalt.
(The intersection is of East 2nd Street/Old Route 66 and North Kinsley Avenue if you’re plugging it into your GPS.)
After watching the traffic carefully, you can run out into the center of the intersection for a quick photo on or next to the painted sign.
Be respectful of traffic when you do this. Go early so you have less of a chance of a car coming down Old Route 66.
It also helps to have your photographer on the corner of the intersection opposite of the Standin’ on the Corner Park.
Then, the subjects can quickly walk from the park to the sign, and then to the closest street corner after the photo has been captured.
Old Trails Museum
This tiny museum could easily be overlooked among all of the shops and restaurants in this part of town, but don’t sleep on it!
We are huge history buffs, so we headed here after getting the required pictures at the 2 previous sites.
The museum is located at 212 N Kinsley Avenue, just a block from the Standin’ on the Corner park.
Our son was fascinated with the vintage trains at the Old Trails Museum.
It’s open Tuesday-Saturday 11 AM-3 PM, so plan your visit to Winslow accordingly.
If only one volunteer is in the museum, they keep the front door locked. If this is the case when you visit, simply ring the doorbell or knock, and a volunteer will let you in.
Otherwise, head on into the museum if the door is open.
Inside, you’ll find a fascinating collection of ephemera from across Winslow’s fascinating history.
In one corner, there’s a glass case of dinosaur bones from the area, while in another, you’ll find 1920s evening gowns worn by patrons at the La Posada Hotel and Gardens (read more about that location below).
For many years, Winslow was the only stop in Arizona for air mail drops and passenger air, thanks to the addition of the town airport by Howard Hughes.
You can see artifacts from the golden era of commercial flight in the museum.
There are also vintage toy trains, a decades-old drum from the high school marching band, sheep herding equipment, railroad related materials, and even a set of fake dentures from a previous town dentist.
The museum is a suggested $2 per person donation, making this a fascinating and affordable stop on your Arizona road trip.
La Posada Hotel and Gardens
Stop by the La Posada Hotel and Gardens, a former Harvey hotel, and step back into the glamour of the early 1900s.
Fred Harvey was a famous hotelier in the late 1800s and early 1900s who ran luxurious locations like the La Posada in Winslow and the Painted Desert Inn near Holbrook, AZ.
Fun fact: Another Harvey Hotel was the Bright Angel Lodge, which is one of our recommendations for where to stay at the Grand Canyon with kids!
La Posada was originally a high class respite from the dusty, “uncivilized” West with all of its cowboys, farm animals, and railroads.
This is where the social elite would stay when passing through Winslow on the train—and later, the airport.
Famous guests have included Albert Einstein, John Wayne, Amelia Earhart, and FDR!
If you’re looking to use Winslow as your home base for exploring the area, I recommend staying at La Posada.
Even if you’re just passing through, take a walk through the lobby and garden. The gift shop has some great souvenir ideas, including locally made tin-framed mirrors, history books, Navajo rugs, and authentic Native American pottery.
La Posada is located one block from the Standin’ on the Corner park.
The Soda Shoppe
The Camping Kiddos enjoying their old fashioned snacks!
You’re going to work up an appetite while exploring Winslow AZ on Route 66, so head over to the Soda Shoppe.
This adorable old-fashioned restaurant is in a building that originally housed the town’s bank circa 1905.
Today, you can grab sandwiches, hot dogs, or hamburgers, but the real stars of the show are their desserts.
We loved their black cows (root beer float with chocolate sauce), classic Coke floats, and creamy milkshakes.
The Soda Shoppe gets super busy around lunchtime on weekends, so plan ahead and be patient.
There is seating inside of the small building, which is great for a hot day. Try and nab a seat at the counter for the most authentic soda fountain experience!
Historic Hubble Trading Post
At the Hubbell Trading Post
About 4 blocks from the Standin’ on the Corner Park is the Historic Hubble Trading Post.
For decades, this building is where the local Native Americans would bring their rugs, sheep skins, and pottery to be traded with the Winslow townspeople.
Today, the active trading post is located north in the Navajo Nation, while the building serves as the visitors center.
Stop in to get maps, pamphlets, and touring advice. Don’t forget to look around at the large old scale, rugs, and antique decor.
Mother Road Farmers Market
If you’re visiting Winslow on a Saturday, duck behind the Hubble Trading Post/ Visitors Center to see what’s on offer at the weekly Mother Road Farmers’ Market.
You’ll find everything from fresh vegetables from local farmers to food trucks to artisan bread.
It’s a great way to get a snack or souvenir while supporting a local business.
The market is open from 9 AM- 1 PM.
More Attractions near Winslow AZ
The adventure doesn't end once you’ve eaten, explored, and shopped your way through downtown Winslow!
This area has several other fantastic attractions if you’d like to expand your visit to Winslow into a 2-4 day stop.
These are also suggested stops on my Albuquerque to Las Vegas road trip itinerary, which runs right through this part of Arizona.
Here are my family’s must-do activities near Winslow, Arizona.
Meteor Crater
For an experience that truly out of this world (ha!), you’ll want to spend a few hours at the Meteor Crater attraction.
It’s about 10 miles west of Winslow, AZ, and is located at the Meteor Crater exit along I-40.
Walking along the windy viewing path at Meteor Crater
How to Get to Meteor Crater
You can’t miss the turn off as it’s the only thing at that exit, and there are signs before and at the exit ramp.
The drive from the interstate to the Meteor Crater site is just a few miles, but you’ll quickly begin to feel as if you’ve left civilization behind.
There are several funny signs along the road to the visitors center, including ones that countdown the number of miles to “impact,” and a speed limit sign that compares cars to meteorites.
Once you’re onsite, there are 2 parking lots (both free): one for regular vehicles and another for oversized vehicles, RVs, and tractor trailer trucks.
While the price tag to get in is a bit steep at $18 per adult, I felt that the price was worth everything we were able to do there.
What to Do at Meteor Crater
First, you’ll want to take the guided tour. This lasts about 45 minutes, and it is the only way that you can walk out onto the actual rim of the crater.
In years past, visitors could walk along the entire rim, but that was closed for safety reasons.
The wind blows so hard out on the desert plains that 2 previous visitors centers were destroyed.
It’s not hard to imagine why they might have closed the hiking trail if entire buildings were being blown down!
In any case, go on the tour, which is free with admission. You’ll get a history of the crater, its owners, and its uses over the years.
Next, head back inside to tour the small, but well appointed museum. Here, you’ll learn more about meteorites in general, the specific impact at Meteor Crater, and how we can prevent damage from future impacts.
Everything here is hands-on, and several of the exhibits are interactive, which my kids loved.
You can even touch part of the actual meteorite that was recovered!
Elsewhere on the campus is a corny but fun 4D ride about blowing up a big meteorite headed to Earth, a theatre showing a 30-minute video about the crater’s history, and a gift shop.
We brought a picnic to eat in the courtyard, but there’s an onsite restaurant if you’d rather eat out.
My family visited Meteor Crater as part of a 5-week long road trip from South Carolina to Arizona, and it was one of my children’s favorite things from the entire trip.
Homolovi Ruins State Park
Our daughter hiking near the Homolovi II ruins
Step back into time when you visit Homolovi Ruins State Park.
Located just a few miles north of Winslow, Homolovi Ruins State Park is where visitors can explore Arizona’s history from around 1000 CE to the late 1800s.
Plus, there are wild burros!
Start your day at the visitors center, where the helpful rangers will guide you through hiking and picnicking options.
You can also pick up your free Arizona Junior Ranger packet for the park, which is a great way to get your kids interested in what they’re seeing.
Inside the visitors center is the only bathroom on property. I’d also recommend grabbing one of the free water bottles in the small fridge near the ranger desk.
Arizona gets very hot and dry, so be prepared.
If you’re visiting with kids, I recommend 3 short hikes. The first is in the oldest section of the park next to the Homolovi I ruins, which date to around 1000 CE.
The next is at the northernmost end of the park; this trail takes visitors along a 0.4 mile trail through the Homolovi II ruins, which date to around 1300 CE.
Finally, there’s a 0.5 mile trail behind the visitors center where you can hike out to a small cemetery where about a dozen Mormon pioneers are buried.
As you’re driving around the park, keep an eye out for the herd of 8-10 wild donkeys that roam the property.
Apache Death Cave
This cave isn’t likely to be in most guidebooks, and that’s what we like about it.
The area has a fascinating—if gruesome—history, but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring it.
According to local legends of the Apache Death Cave, the cave is the location of a stand off between groups of Navajo and Apache.
When the Apache were cornered in the fight, they ran into this cave, hoping to lay low until they could come up with a plan—or until the Navajo lost interest.
When the Navajo realized that the Apaches were stuck in the cave, they attempted to smoke them out by firing lit arrows into the cave.
The Apaches, however, had barricaded the door with their dead horses and couldn’t get out when the fire and smoke poured in.
The Apaches died of smoke inhalation, and their remains stayed there until the early 1900s when someone had the horrible idea to begin selling them to tourists.
Of course, the place is probably cursed now if the legend is true, but it’s still worth exploring.
To get to the cave, take the Two Guns exit, which is the exit directly after Meteor Crater if you’re headed west on I-40.
When facing the graffitied gas station, turn down Old Route 66 to the right and follow the road to the end (it’s a short drive).
Get out at the Two Guns sign and buildings, and then follow the dirt path to the left. You’ll pass a few stone building ruins before coming to the mouth of the cave.
The cave entrance is a bit hard to see, and you’ll need to scramble down some rocks to get into the cave proper.
Keep in mind that there aren’t any signs, tours, or facilities, so you’re on your own. Only explore as deeply in the cave as you are comfortable and confident in doing so.
Also, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray. You’ll need all 3.
Holbrook, AZ
The closest town to Winslow on Route 66 is Holbrook, AZ.
Drive east from Winslow on I-40 for about 30 miles, and you’ll find the exits for Holbrook. Take the first one you come to for the easiest access onto Route 66 into the town.
If you enjoyed Winslow and want a bit more Mother Road nostalgia, Holbrook makes for a good stop on the way to Petrified Forest National Park from Winslow.
Plus, it’s one of the towns on Route 66 that Pixar animators used as inspiration for the movie Cars!
You can’t pass through Holbrook without taking a photo at the Wigwam Motel, which has a semi-circle of concrete teepees that you can spend the night in.
As an aside: There used to be more than a dozen of these Wigwam Motels in the 1950s, but today, only 2 in the chain remain: the one in Holbrook, AZ, and another in Cave City, Kentucky. We’ve actually stayed in the one in Kentucky, and it is tiny, campy, and completely unforgettable!
Down the street are the unmissable dinosaurs at the Rainbow Rock Shop.
Are they authentic? Definitely not.
Are they super fun? Definitely!
The owner does charge to take a picture, but it’s reasonable at only 75 cents per photo.
You can take home a piece of the area’s famous petrified wood from the massive collection at Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Company.
There’s also pottery, semi-precious gems, and jewelry to check out.
The author and her kids at Petrified Forest National Park
The nearby Petrified Forest National Park is also something not to miss, but you’ll want to add on a full day for that.
>> Explore the full itinerary for Petrified Forest National Park in 1 day! <<
It’s about 20 miles east of Holbrook, but it is well worth the drive.
If you get hungry, stop by Tom and Suzie’s Diner, just out of downtown Holbrook. I had some of the best chicken quesadillas ever here!
Explore more! Winslow and the surrounding area is only one of the incredible stops on our ultimate Utah to Arizona road trip itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Winslow AZ
Recommended Hotels near Winslow AZ
La Posada Hotel and Gardens in Winslow is the perfect blend of history and luxury—and it’s within walking distance of everything in Winslow.
That convenience is why we recommend it to families visiting the area.
The hotel has several configurations to choose from including a standard 2 Double bed layout and queen rooms with balconies.
If you’d rather be more centrally located between Winslow and Holbrook, you can stay in the adorably retro Wigwam Motel in downtown Holbrook.
The concrete cones each have 2 double beds and a tiny little bathroom with shower.
It’s not the most convenient set-up, but it is incredibly memorable.
Recommended RV Parks near Winslow AZ
Our little camper parked at Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA
Since we were hoping to explore both Holbrook and Winslow, we chose to stay at the Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA in Holbrook.
Thanks to its amenities and convenient location, we think it is the best camping near Petrified Forest National Park.
The KOA there served as a great base, allowing us to travel 30 minutes in one direction to get to Winslow, Homolovi State Park, and Meteor Crater on different days, and 20 minutes in the other direction to get to Petrified Forest National Park.
Restaurants and a grocery store were only 5 minutes away.
The sites were fairly close together, but all of the visitors were quiet and friendly.
We have a 21-foot Winnebago Micro Minnie travel trailer, so we were in one of the smaller site. However, the KOA has some extra large sites for the Super Class A’s we kept seeing pull in!
My kids loved the heated pool and large playground.
Plus, there’s on-site breakfast and dinner each day at the Cowboy Cookout shed near the office.
The KOA had full hook-ups, which was another reason we chose to stay there.
CAMP LIKE A PRO: When researching a new RV park or planning a cross-country road trip, I can’t recommend the RV Life app enough.
I can plan out routes that are safe for my specific trailer, get recommendations on favorite gas station locations (hello, Buc-ees), see points of interest on my route, and get detailed reviews from fellow campers.
Best $59 I’ve spend on an app!
Closer to Winslow is the Homolovi State Park campground, which is small and remote. It is so, so quiet out here, making it an excellent choice for campers who want to get away from it all!
The sites here offer water and electric (30/50 amp), but no site sewer. There aren’t any amenities like a pool or playground, which can be a downside for families.
However, the Homolovi State Park campground is only about a 20 minute drive to downtown Winslow, where you can pick up groceries or go sightseeing.
Another option would be the Meteor Crater RV Park, located at the same exit as Meteor Crater. In fact, the park is right off the interstate, making it convenient for a quick stop.
The sites here are large and many are shaded, which is a rarity in this part of the country.
You’ll get full hookups here in the pull-through sites.
The biggest downside to this park is that it is the most remote of our recommended options.
It’s just over 20 miles back to Winslow, so you’ll want to do all of your grocery shopping while you’re in town.
