Kingman

When the railroad came through this area in the late 1800s, the city of Kingman took root. Mining, ranching and historic Route 66 helped Kingman grow from a Mohave Desert outpost to the vibrant city it is today. Road trippers heading to Grand Canyon West or Las Vegas can add a day to the trip to experience Kingman’s historic charms.

Start at the Powerhouse

The visitor center in Kingman is an amazing attraction itself. The city’s original power plant, the Kingman Powerhouse, provided electricity to the burgeoning city and area mines before the Hoover Dam was built. Today, the massive space houses the visitor center and the Arizona Route 66 Museum, which overflows with vintage autos and neon signs that tell the stories of The Mother Road. In the parking lot, snap a selfie at the drive-through Route 66 sign.

Walk Through History

Pick up a map at the visitor center and head out on a self-guided walking tour of the historic downtown area. Andy Devine Avenue and Beale Street have the greatest concentration of historic buildings and neon signs in town. Across the street from the Powerhouse, see a historic steam engine and caboose at Locomotive Park. The engine on display was gifted to Kingman after it made its final trip through town on the Los Angeles – Kansas City line in 1957. Continue exploring the historic district that follows the original path of Route 66 through the area. Along the way, check out the retro motor lodges, diners and quirky roadside attractions such as Giganticus Headicus.

Road Trip!

As a gateway to Grand Canyon West, Kingman gets many visitors who pull off the interstate to gas up and stock up before heading into the backcountry. Grand Canyon West is the less-visited section of the canyon just 70 miles north of Kingman. The signature attraction there, the Skywalk bridge that hovers over the canyon’s rim, attracts visitors from around the world. Route 66 fans continue the journey south of Kingman to Oatman. The former mining boom town is located on one of the most remote and winding mountain passes along the original footprint of the historic highway.

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