The Route 66 Centennial just keeps rolling along! We’ve already had some great events celebrating this special occasion but the best is still to come. Here’s everything you need to know about Mother Road happenings, courtesy of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. At least for the first half of 2026, the Association will continue to send out supplemental newsletters each and every month to keep travelers informed.
I’m Roger Naylor, an Arizona author and travel writer, who pens these bulletins. Please note that you can find all Centennial information and events on the website.
Now here’s the latest on what’s happening.
January was filled with Arizona news. The rest of the country got the lowdown on the absolute treasure that is Route 66 across Arizona thanks to a couple of big media shoutouts last month. First up, Reader’s Digest listed its 16 best places to travel in 2026. And right there among all the global destinations that included Brussels, Belgium and Milan, Italy was Route 66. While that’s sort of a no-brainer during the Centennial, the publication drilled right into the heart of the matter by stating, “If you have limited time and can’t drive the whole stretch, Arizona is a good option for a shorter trip.” The article went on to mention that this is where travelers find the longest unbroken stretch of 66 still in existence and that Petrified Forest is the only national park, the Mother Road passes through. Then they paid us a very nice compliment with this description.
“You’ll drive across vibrant badlands, volcanic fields and expansive pine forests to the edges of the iconic Grand Canyon, and finally into the rugged desert beauty and across the Colorado River.”
And as we can all testify to, yes. Yes, you do.
You bet it was! Samantha Brown, of course, is a travel expert and two-time Emmy-winning TV host of the PBS show, Places to Love! January 16 marked the second episode of the ninth season of Places to Love! And it featured Samantha rolling down a very familiar stretch of Mother Road—the Arizona portion!
Samantha hit some real highlights on her journey across Arizona. The host with the most made stops at Petrified Forest National Park, Jack Rabbit Trading Post, and La Posada Hotel in the eastern section of the state. She continued on to Flagstaff to visit Walnut Canyon National Monument and Lowell Observatory. In Williams, she checked out the largest collection of fossilized doodoo at Poozeum. Pushing on to Seligman, she met with Angel Delgadillo and grabbed a bite at the Snow Cap. She even took in a history lesson at the Arizona Route 66 Museum in the Powerhouse in Kingman. Here’s what Samantha had to say about her experience.
“I’ve arrived in a state where quirky small towns and iconic roadside stops all exist along some of America’s most epic landscapes. It’s where you’ll find treasures that are revealed on the ground and up above. I’m in Arizona.”
If you missed the episode, you can take a peek at it right here.
Speaking of the Arizona Route 66 Museum in Kingman, anyone walking through during the past couple of months couldn’t help but notice a remarkable transformation. Located in the Powerhouse, the museum has always been a centerpiece of any Route 66 road trip. Yet now more than ever. Exhibits have changed. Information has been updated. More photos were added. The impact is powerful and personal, designed to be more inclusive. The vivid storytelling and eye-catching graphics pull visitors deeper into each chapter of the road’s incredible history.
The new look was unveiled back in November at the Night at the Museum event. Ever since the praise has been effusive. This was the first large-scale renovation since the museum opened 20 years ago. The work took place over an 18-month period and was fueled by a $130,000 grant from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. More details and interactive opportunities will be added throughout the year. Be sure to allow some extra time on your next visit to experience it all.
And remember your one admission price actually unlocks four different Kingman museums. Along with the Route 66 Museum, there’s the Electric Vehicle Museum, also in the Powerhouse, as well as the nearby Mohave Museum of History & Arts, and Bonelli House. That’s a bargain not to be missed in Kingman.
There’s more exciting museum news to report. The Pioneer Museum, nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks in Flag, is scheduled to reopen later this spring. The facility closed in 2020 during the pandemic and has remained shuttered ever since, much to the dismay of travelers and history buffs.
Built in 1908, the stone structure served as a hospital for the elderly. It was turned into a museum during the 1960s and featured plenty of notable exhibits, including the big 1929 Baldwin Locomotive No. 12 parked out front. There’s also a 1913 Model T and historic farm equipment adorning the wooded property. Inside, you’ll find lots of great exhibits and stories of Flagstaff’s early days. The 2025 state budget included a line item to fund the reopening of the Pioneer Museum. The exact date for reopening has not yet been set but we’ll be sure to keep you posted. I remember giving a presentation at the Pioneer Museum several years ago to a packed house and what fun it was. These little museums make the community stronger and tell stories that might otherwise be forgotten. Having this old friend back will be a lovely Centennial present for us all.
Presented by Theatrikos Theatre Company in Flagstaff, a new play debuts on February 8. Route 66 to the Grand Canyon is a family-friendly comedy written by acclaimed filmmaker and writer Peter Kershaw. It’s part play, part interactive experience celebrating Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and the exquisite charm of a Route 66 road trip. Catch a performance at the intimate Doris Harper-White Playhouse. Founded in 1972, Theatrikos Theatre Company has been a cornerstone of the cultural scene in Flag for more than 50 years. They also have a thriving youth program and offer classes and workshops. It’s nice to know that Route 66 is still very much a part of our pop culture.
Don’t forget we have one of the very few Route 66 ski resorts right here in the neighborhood. The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the western slope of Humphreys Peak, the tallest point in the state, north of Flagstaff. Now through March 27, every Friday afternoon is Family Friday with plenty of great deals being offered. Lift tickets and rentals starting at just $20, free “tips and tricks” from ski and snowboard instructors, and free cookies and hot cocoa at Hart Prairie Lodge. It’s a great way to wrap up the week and make sure the kids have some real-world experience that doesn’t involve staring slack-jawed at their phones. Check out all the options on their website.
📷:Arizona Snowbowl
This seems like a good time to reflect on the diversity of landscapes found along Route 66 in Arizona. Unlike other states, there is no wrong season to travel across Arizona. While skiers and snowboarders are carving powder on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, crowned by tundra, others may be walking around Oatman in shorts while feeding burros, or swimming in Topock.
Differing terrain, a range of elevations, and unmatched scenery means that you’ll always find new experiences along Arizona’s Mother Road. Each season brings something exciting. So, no matter what your calendar says, it’s always a good time for a Route 66 road trip across Arizona.
📷:An Pham
Sounds like a Sinatra song, doesn’t it? Heart of neon. It’s actually one of Route 66’s newer attractions and also its most romantic. And it makes a great Valentine’s Day photo op. Located near the Powerhouse, the Kingman Heart lights up the night along this stretch of Mother Road. The heart-shaped sign once stood outside of Cupid’s Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. It was very carefully restored and tweaked by Legacy Signs & Iron and has been lighting the night skies on the Mother Road since 2024. Today it reminds everyone that Kingman is the Heart of Historic Route 66. If you’re looking to impress a special someone on Valentine’s Day, stop here for a selfie.
Along with the towering Welcome to Kingman retro sign that went up in 2020, the Route 66 Drive Thru Shield, and a few other nearby splashes of light and color, Kingman is beginning to rival Williams for the neon crown of Arizona. I’m happy to see it. The world needs more neon!
📷:terroirista via IG
Here’s your monthly reminder to not miss the Centennial edition of Route 66 Fun Run! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. More vehicles will be entered for this very special event but slots are filling up fast. Register today and be part of road trip history. This year, Fun Run will take place May 1-3. The colorful caravan pulls out of Seligman and travels the longest intact stretch of Route 66, with festivities at every stop. All are welcome to ride along but for those that want to register for the car show, you can do so on the Association website. Remember, this is a fundraising event with the proceeds going back into the Route 66 community. Sign up today!
One of the ways I can tell there is plenty of excitement building for Route 66 adventures in 2026 is the response I’ve received for my latest book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip. I’ve given a handful of presentations to big crowds in Prescott and Phoenix, with dozens of additional talks to come. People are excited to be part of this historic event and are planning their journeys. I’ve been interviewed for newspapers, TV, and radio. While the Centennial is international news, I want to be sure that all Arizonans know about all the incredible stuff that’s in our backyard.
You can find Arizona Route 66 Road Trip in stores across Arizona. This will make a helpful guide on your journey because it is packed with more than 110 restaurants, 90 activities and events, and 40 motels, hotels, and inns. It’s a great way to enjoy some delicious food and small-town hospitality while supporting mom-and-pop businesses. All your favorites are here, plus some you may not know about. If you’d like to read some snippets from the book, here is the cover story from Outdoors SW Magazine.
Arizona Route 66 Road Trip sells for $18.95. It is available in Route 66 stores, on Amazon, and through my website.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in upcoming newsletters, 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!