We love our little town of Williams, AZ, and so do all our guests. Sheridan House Inn is just a 10-minute walk or 2-minute drive to the center of town with many stores, bars and restaurants. Here are some of our favorites.
Restaurants
- Red Raven Restaurant – 928-635-4980. Center of town just east of 2nd street: 135 W. Route 66. Open: 11am-2pm and 5pm-about 9pm. Closed in January. Large menu of steaks, pastas, seafood and amazing house specialties, and dinners include soup or salad with fresh bread. Casual fine dining with full bar. Very busy and reservations are needed. We will get you a table, just ask. Our favs: lasagna and duck breast.
- Dara Thai – 928-635-2201 Just south of Route 66 with entrance on east side of 2nd Carry out or dine in. Open 11am-2pm and 5-8pm, except closed on Sundays and many holidays. Authentic Thai cuisine with a large menu, all cooked fresh with a 1-5 spice level. This restaurant is particularly appealing for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.
- Station 66 Italian Bistro – 928-635-5329. Center of town at 2nd street: 144 W. Route 66. Open 11am-10pm every day. Serving Arizona wines, 8 taps from Historic Brewing in Flagstaff and specialty cocktails. Wood-fired pizza, with pastas, and great appetizers. Rooftop patio and street-side patio with live music in the warm months. Must tries: Bruschetta platter, Romeo and Juliet Pizza and Pie Hole Porter.
- Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House – 928-635-5325. Just north of the Italian Bistro on 2nd and west bound Route 66. Open 11am-10pm every day. 16 taps of Historic Brewing’s finest, available by the glass or try a flight. Plus they serve Arizona wines and specialty cocktails to go with their menu of great burgers, sandwiches and salads. Give their fried pickle chips or Pub Mac and Cheese a try. They share live music with the Italian Bistro on the patio when it’s warm out.
- Cruisers Route 66 Cafe – 928-635-2445. Located on the corner of 3rd Street and Route 66 with the red car on the roof. Open daily 11am-9pm. If you are looking for an old fashioned Route 66 experience, go inside Cruisers and think you’re in a 50’s time warp. If you like a great outdoor people-watching atmosphere, stop by Cruisers to sit on the patio with live entertainment daily in the warmer months. We love their patio – can’t be beat. Known for their smoked meats, cruisers also features steaks and burgers, along with a full bar and beer from the Grand Canyon Brewery. Must have: their nachos made with homemade potato chips and pulled pork.
If You’re Looking For Some Quiet
Our favorite place in town to relax and talk is the Grand Canyon Wine Company – 928-635-5232. Just east of 2nd street on Route 66: 138 W. Route 66. Open from mid-afternoon until 9pm most days. Enjoy wine tasting flights of wonderful Arizona wineries (yes, there are grapes grown in this desert state – you must try them), which are also available by the glass or bottle in their tasting room. Bring in your own food or get some delivered from next door at the Italian Bistro. Look for the daily specials.
Check Out The Nightlife
The Canyon Club is a great place to mix with the locals and with tourists from around the globe, especially on Karaoke Nights. Play some pool, watch sports or take your turn on the mic, everyone has fun at this local dive bar. 928-635-2582. Located east of 2nd street on Route 66. Open 10am-1am
Services in Town:
Grocery Store: Safeway at 637 W. Route 66. Open 5am-midnight
Pharmacy: Safeway at 637 W. Route 66. Open 8am-8pm
Laundromat: Located at the corner of Slagel Ave and Route 66, just a few blocks away
Churches: Many denominations have church services in Williams. Check Google or ask us for assistance.
Outdoor clothing or gear: Many of the local tourist shops sell clothing, but if you are looking for something name brand, our recommendation is Mountain Man Mercantile, 602-402-7936, located at 400 W. Route 66. Hours: 8am-5pm
Annual Williams Area Events That Will Appeal to Adults
Williams, Arizona may be a small town, but the entire town is dedicated to nothing but the visitors from around the world who come stay here. With one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in our backyard, it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular place. While near the Grand Canyon, Sedona and the other one-of-a-kind places to visit, Williams itself has some annual events our guests may want to plan their visit around. You can find out more at their individual websites or on the Experience Williams website.
Winter Events
- Polar Express train to the North Pole – a 90-minute train journey which operates nearly daily at 5:30pm and 7:30pm from early November through early January. You don’t have to be a kid to dress up in your matching Christmas pjs and experience the magic.
- Winter Wonderland at Bearizona – Bearizona lit up for the holidays, operating most of December on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Christmas Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting – There is something very special about a small town parade, and it takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year.
Spring & Summer Events
- Steam Saturdays – the first Saturday of the month from April through October, along with some other special days TBD, the train to the Grand Canyon is pulled by a steam engine. It leaves the station at 9:30am and returns around 5:45pm and is one of the most nostalgic sights to see and hear.
- 2nd Saturday Art Walk – Later afternoon and early evenings on the 2nd Saturday of the month from May through October our normally busy downtown becomes even more active with many stores and restaurants having special refreshments and spotlighting local artisans.
- Rodeos – There is nothing that says “Wild West” more than a rodeo, a time-honored tradition in the west. Rodeo events in Williams may not be the pro-rodeo circuit, but instead involve real ranchers and cowboys who are about as rugged as they get. Check at the visitor’s center when you get in town if anything will be going on. The biggest annual rodeo event is the “Cowpunchers Reunion” which is usually the 3rd weekend in June and also includes barn dances and other events in town.
- Stargazing events – You’ll sure notice that our skies are dark and the stars are brighter than you’ve ever seen. We have local star-gazing events as Glassburn Park during the warm months about 1 evening a month when the moon is the smallest – check here or on the Experience Williams website for dates.
- 4th of July activities – The annual Independence Day parade brings out vehicles of all sizes, along with horses and lots of red, white and blue. When fire restrictions are not in place, the evening fireworks cap off a great day in a great small
- Car Shows – Car Show weekends draw huge crowds to see parades and walk Route 66 viewing the most amazing classic cars on display. The biggest one, the Historic Route 66 Classic is usually the first weekend in June.