August is upon us. Hard to believe this year has hurtled by so fast. We’re heading into the dog days of summer, so let’s make the most of them and bark up a storm. Welcome to the newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. I’m Roger Naylor, Arizona author and travel writer, and it’s my privilege to pen these newsletters that we hope will inform and entertain, and most importantly, help get you out of the house and on the road. Let’s get started.
The month kicks off with a Music of Route 66 Concert Series hosted by the venerable Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. Each show celebrates the sounds of the Mother Road. No matter what soundtrack plays on your radio, on your phone, or in your head, you can sample it at one of these concerts that run from August 7 through September 5. Here’s a lineup of offerings:
Aug. 7 – Nolan McKelvey & Pilcrowe (Americana)
Aug. 8 – Honeygirl & the Sundusters (Country/Rock)
Aug. 21 – The Grant Brothers (Modern Country)
Sep. 5 – Union32 (Jazz Fusion)
Best of all, these are Arizona-raised bands. And here they are performing at the premier entertainment venue in Northern Arizona. Always nice to see locals supporting locals. The Orpheum Theater is even older than Route 66. It opened in 1911 as a movie house. It had a long and storied life but like so many of our businesses, closed for a few years. And like so many of our businesses, was saved and restored by passionate people. Today, the Orpheum hosts concerts, movies, and all manner of special events. Better start limbering up your tootsies now, because the Music of Route 66 Concert Series will be toe-tapping fun. Grab your tickets soon.
Arizona is known for the 5 Cs that are the foundation of our economy. They are Cattle, Citrus, Codgers, and Cactus Candy. No, wait. That’s doesn’t sound right. Cattle, Citrus, Cotton, Copper, and Climate. That’s better. My point is, that Cattle have been a prominent part of the Arizona story since the Old West days. And the story continues with this summer’s addition of the Route 66 Beef Trail.
To celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in the most mouth-watering way possible, the Route 66 Beef Trail is a free, mobile-exclusive, digital passport that directs travelers to legendary steakhouses, burger joints, barbecue eateries, and ranching heritage stops. Just sign up to receive a mobile pass via text or email. Then at each participating restaurant or attraction, show your phone to redeem deals, learn about local beef heritage, and collect points toward rewards. Win prizes just for checking in. No purchase necessary. Here is a list of Arizona stops:
| 1. Wigwam Motel, Holbrook | 8. Meteor Crater |
| 2. Turquoise Room, Winslow | 10. Babbit Ranches Building and Mural, Flagstaff |
| 3. Shorty’s Olde Town Grill, Winslow | 11. Rod’s Steakhouse, Williams |
| 4. Old Trails Museum, Winslow | 12. Highway Hot Dog, Seligman |
| 5. Relic Road Brewing Company, Winslow | 13. Westside Lilo’s, Seligman |
| 6. Brown Mug Café, Winslow | 14. Dambar Steakhouse, Kingman |
| 7. Xenith Steakhouse, Twin Arrows | 15. Kingman Chophouse, Kingman |
| 8. Meteor Crater | 16. Oatman Hotel, Oatman |
As the author of a book titled, Arizona Boots and Burgers: A Guide for Hungry Hikers, I heartily support this culinary adventure. The Route 66 Beef Trail covers all eight Mother Road states and was organized by the Route 66 Beef Councils. You can sign up and get started here.
You can always count on Winslow to put a fresh spin on things. The town will really be styling on August 15 when they unveil the first (but hopefully soon to become annual) Sittin’ Low on 66. The low rider car show kicks off at 9 a.m. and will feature plenty of live performances at the Pavillion. The shiny rides will be on display in the parking area between the Winslow Visitor Center and the Winslow Library. There will be food trucks, music, awards, and just a lot of great camaraderie on a beloved stretch of Route 66. Come on out and be part of this inaugural event. To register a vehicle or learn more info, check out the official Facebook page for the car club. Slowlife C. C. Winslow AZ.
📷:Slowlife C. C. Winslow AZ
You can even double up your car shows on August 15 if you’re so inclined. Besides the one in Winslow, there’s a great one in Flagstaff. The long-running Mother Road Classic goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is spread out in the neighborhood adjacent to downtown. Two hundred classic vehicles sit along the shady streets adjacent to City Hall and Wheeler Park. There is judging in two-dozen different categories. Pre-register a vehicle until Aug. 5. The Mother Road Classic is a charity event and last year raised and distributed $10,000 to local Flagstaff charities. Find registration forms and other details on the Route 66 Car Club of Flagstaff website.
📷:Route 66 Car Club of Flagstaff
The dining scene in Flagstaff continues to evolve with a couple of additions scheduled to open this summer. Chef Rochelle Daniel, owner of Atria, will unveil two new dining spots. There will be Pompette, a French bistro serving a grab-and-go breakfast with some yummy fresh pastries, and a sit-down lunch and dinner. Also on the horizon is Little Rich Girl (LRG) an intimate speakeasy and cocktail bar serving late night snacks. Both spots are slated for the corner of Leroux Street so check them out when the doors swing open, if they haven’t already.
If you’ve ever eaten at upscale Atria, it’s obvious Chef Rochelle knows her stuff. Warm and attractive, Atria is a chef-driven modern American establishment using farm-fresh ingredients. The open kitchen design connects guests to the food being prepared and beautifully plated. Entrees include fine seafood, hearty steaks, and house-made pastas, but snacks and appetizers comprise more than half the menu so it’s easy to treat yourself to multiple courses. It’s dinner only and hyper-seasonal approach means the menu always changes.
📷:Atria Restaurant
August is also the final month for the Williams Night Rodeo. The Summer Rodeo Series Under the Stars takes place on Friday and Saturday nights. They start busting broncs and riding bulls at 7:30 p.m. Williams offers a nice confluence of cowboy culture and Route 66 heritage. There’s plenty of thrills and entertainment with all your favorite riding, roping, and racing events. Final dates this season are Aug. 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22. Williams Rodeo Grounds are located at 750 Airport Rd.
📷:Western Soul Photos
Earlier in the summer, a new exhibit opened at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott. It’s titled “All Roads Lead to Prescott: Route 66 Through the Lens of Terence Moore.” The exhibit pays tribute to both the Route 66 Centennial and the America 250 celebration, while weaving in some local history. Most Route 66 travelers will be familiar with the work of acclaimed photographer, Terence Moore. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the name you’ve likely seen some of the iconic images he’s captured over more than a 50-year career. The exhibit will run through next spring and will continue to evolve over that time with changing pieces.
The Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott is built around the Territorial Governor’s Mansion, an elegant log cabin from 1864 that still stands in its original location. Additional historic buildings are set amidst beautifully landscaped grounds and clustered around the stately manse. It was all due to the work of Sharlot M. Hall, a remarkable and thoroughly modern woman. As early as 1907, Hall, a noted poet and activist, saw the need to preserve Arizona’s history and began collecting Native American and pioneer material. In 1909, Hall was appointed Territorial Historian, becoming the first Arizona woman to hold territorial office. She later restored the governor’s mansion and stocked it with her extensive collection of artifacts.
📷:Terence Moore
With 385.2 miles of Route 66, Arizona begs travelers to take the scenic route. Roll down your windows, sniff out a roadside diner, and leave only pawprints at iconic attractions. From earning a BARK Ranger badge to posing beside roadside giants, we've gathered dog-approved favorites for travelers motoring west, east, or somewhere in between.
Raya Greenbaum put together a comprehensive guide for traveling Arizona's portion of Route 66 with your furry friend. Read the full dog-centric itinerary here!
📷:Raya Greenbaum
Grab a copy of my book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip to squeeze the most out of your Mother Road journey across the Grand Canyon State. The book is packed with more than 110 restaurants, 90 activities and events, and 40 motels, hotels, and inns. Enjoy some delicious food and small-town hospitality while supporting the mom-and-pop businesses we all love. All my books, including Arizona Route 66 Road Trip and Arizona Boots and Burgers are available in stores, on Amazon, and signed copies can be purchased through my website.
Well, that’s it for now. Don’t you dare let this special summer slip past you. Embrace it! Hold on tight. Make the most of the season when you plan your adventures on the Mother Road during the 2026 Centennial.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring! 🚗💨