Two Of The Best Roadside Attractions On Route 66 Can Be Found Right Here In Arizona
Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road,” has become a pop culture icon of sorts, making appearances in countless films and TV shows. The historic highway runs straight through Arizona, and two of its very best roadside attractions are located right here.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Just minutes from the Mother Road lies the most well-preserved meteorite impact site on earth. Meteor Crater. Located near Winslow, this wonder is one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference, and 550 feet deep and the result of a massive collision that took place about 50,000 years ago.
With a visitor center located directly on the rim, restaurant, gift shop, and viewing areas both indoors and out, there's so much to see and do. Tourists flock here from all over the globe, and it's easy to understand why.
Hike to the three lookout points on your own, or embark on a guided rim tour. The latter takes 45 minutes to an hour, but the rich, educational experience more than makes up for the extra time.
Don't forget to stop by the museum, where you can marvel at a real piece of the meteorite that formed the crater! Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, and admission ranges from no cost to $22. Click here
for details.
Another top-rated attraction near Route 66 is the iconic Petrified Forest National Park. Nestled within the Painted Desert, this otherworldly landscape is a must-visit for Arizonans everywhere.
Petrified logs, dating back millions of years, are the park's namesake. These ancient fossils are now filled with quartz, which imparts a brilliant spectrum of colors when the sun hits just right.
The park is open daily and features such activities as sightseeing, photography, hiking, and backpacking. With mystical badlands far as the eye can see, it's a truly incredible place. Hours vary throughout the year, so visit the NPS website
before visiting.
Have you been to either Petrified Forest National Park or Meteor Crater (or both?) Let us know in the comments section, and check out our previous article for an incredibly scenic drive along Route 66.
Address: Meteor Crater Rd, Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
Address: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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