Williams

If you are heading to the Grand Canyon from points west, Williams makes sense as a base, especially if you want to take the Grand Canyon Railway. The mountain town encompasses a nicely preserved half mile of Route 66, originally built to accommodate adventurous cross-country motorists. Sure, there are kitschy 1950s diners and souvenir shops, along with cowboys who enact staged gunfights on the streets, but you'll also find good restaurants, charming lodging, a few microbreweries, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing.