Looking for a fun and unique place to spend Thanksgiving? Learn why we had such a memorable Thanksgiving weekend in Williams, Arizona.
Why Williams Arizona?
When Emily first got her free 4thgrade National Park pass, she asked if we could visit the Grand Canyon. We didn’t have any plans for Thanksgiving that year, so we decided it would be a great time to go. We decided on Williams Arizona for our home base because it was fairly close to the South Rim and it seemed like a cute Route 66 town with some fun things to do. We knew nothing about Williams Arizona, but we soon discovered what a fun place it is!
Thanksgiving in Williams Arizona
Since we would be in Williams for Thanksgiving, we knew we wanted to find a great place to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner. Even though we typically cook our own Thanksgiving feast and our Airbnb had a full kitchen, we wanted to eat out this time. We ended up at the Fred Harvey Restaurant (just next to the Grand Canyon Railway Station), which served an amazing Thanksgiving buffet.
We loved it because they had all the traditional Thanksgiving foods, but they also had a variety of other things as well. And it was all delicious! We thoroughly enjoyed our feast, and all went back to our Airbnb that night with full, happy bellies. Our picky kids all found stuff they liked, so we didn’t have to hear any complaining about what was served. And we didn’t have to cook or clean up. Now that’s a win-win in my book!
Things to do in Williams Arizona
Williams Arizona is located right on Route 66, and totally embraces the theme. It kind of reminded me of Radiator Springs in all its glory from Disney’s Cars. The shops and restaurants all have that Route 66 feel, and it’s so darling! We loved Cruisers Route 66 Café for a traditional 50s diner spread, transporting us back to the heyday of Route 66. With ziplines, museums, classic cars, and more, you’ll find lots to do in Williams. Main Street also sports some really cool murals to pose with, and the famous Grand Canyon Railway is right in the heart of town.
The Grand Canyon Railway provides authentic Old West train rides up to the rim of the Grand Canyon. The crew and musicians will bring the Old West to life as you ride through the spectacular Northern Arizona landscape to the Grand Canyon. But during the holiday season, the Railway transforms into the Polar Express, and you’ll ride to the “North Pole”.
The Polar Express ride usually sells out pretty far in advance, but we were lucky to score some same-day tickets because of cancellations. It was magical!
Just like in the beloved book and movie, we received a golden ticket punched by the conductor. Dancing waiters served us hot chocolate and cookies while we rode to the North Pole.
And Santa had a special surprise for everyone after arriving at the North Pole. Seriously, this is SUCH a fun experience!
The Canyon Coaster Adventure Park boasts a mountain coaster in the summer, and tubing in the winter! There’s even a base lodge, where parents can watch their kids play on the nearby attractions. This place wasn’t open when we went, but is scheduled to open in November 2021. It looks super fun, we’ll have to plan a trip back!
Things to do near Williams Arizona
The Grand Canyon
The South Rim is only about an hour’s drive from Williams—perfect for a day trip. You can also ride there on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams. The South Rim offers many hiking trails, a visitor’s center, and plenty of lookout points. There was too much snow when we went to do any of the hikes, so we just walked around the rim trail for a while and got a great view! Don’t forget to use your free national park pass if you’ve got a 4th grader, and take advantage of the junior ranger program for kids of all ages.
Bearizona
This drive-thru wildlife park allows you to see animals (like bears, bison, wolves, mountain goats, etc) up close and personal from the comfort of your own car. They also offer a walking tour in a separate location where you can see other animals, enjoy an interactive petting zoo, and see some fun shows.
Grand Canyon Deer Farm
This fun place for animal lovers allows you to hand-feed deer! You can also see wallabies, llamas, bison, goats, camels, peacocks, and much more. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in or even nibbled on (safely!) by the curious animals.
Kaibab National Forest
Williams Arizona is surrounded by Kaibab National Forest, where you’ll enjoy outdoor activities all year long. During the spring, summer, and fall, there’s plenty of hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. In the winter, you’ll love skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing. Or even if you’re not outdoorsy, it’s just a gorgeous place to enjoy!
What’s the weather like in Williams Arizona at Thanksgiving?
On Thanksgiving night the year we were there, we got about 18 inches of snow overnight! Our SoCal kids were in heaven! They played ALL DAY in the snow in the backyard of the Airbnb.
We walked down the street to a small sledding hill as well. Honestly, there was too much snow to drive anywhere that day, so we just hunkered down at the Airbnb and played, played, played in the snow. The day afterward was clear and sunny, which we took advantage of and drove to see the Grand Canyon.
The average temperature in November is typically around 55 for the high and 30 for the low. Make sure to bring some snow clothes and bundle up! While snow in November is not unusual in Williams, 18 inches in one night was definitely not normal!
Our Thanksgiving weekend in Williams Arizona was definitely one we won’t forget! From riding the Polar Express to visiting the Grand Canyon to experiencing the heyday of Route 66—Williams Arizona should be on your list for any time of year!
We’re about to head there next week and this is very helpful!
I hope you had the best time!!