Williams has a lot to thank the railroad for. Its resurgence from ghost town to the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” harks back to the 1989 re-opening of the Grand Canyon Railway. This thriving heritage railroad, which first opened in 1901 and then closed to passengers in 1968 due to the emergence of the motor vehicle, has been continually transporting tourists to and from the South Rim ever since its second coming.
Despite its locomotive anchor, Williams remains a hub for automotive enthusiasts as a certain highway runs through its heart: Route 66. Drive through on a warm summer’s evening where al fresco dining is backed by live music and that tangy smell of smoked brisket fills the air, while the city’s iconic neon signs are at their most luminous. The youngest of your party may already recognise Williams, as this place even inspired the town of Radiator Springs from the animated movie Cars. Buckle up.
