Winslow, AZ Road Trips

1 Winslow Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, 523 W 2nd St, ☏ +1 928-289-2434, fax: +1 928-289-5660, [email protected].

1 Meteor Crater (Exit 233 about 18 miles west of Winslow on I-40), ☏ +1 928-289-5898. Memorial Day - Sep 15: daily 7AM-7PM; Sep 16 - Memorial Day: daily 8AM-5PM. This is an exceptionally well preserved meteor (impact) crater, although not the largest in the world as sometimes claimed. The crater was formed approximately 50,000 years ago by an explosion estimated to be the equivalent of 2.5 megatons of TNT, or 150 times the force of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. The meteorite itself was estimated to be 150 feet across and weighed approximately 300,000 tons. Although most of the meteorite itself vaporized upon impact, large chunks of nickel-iron remnants have been found in the surrounding area. It is historically important, as this was the site that informed much of the early theoretical work on the nature of meteorite impacts. Apollo astronauts trained here due to its similarity to lunar topography. The site is privately owned and includes a well-done visitor center with a number of interpretive exhibits and an on-site restaurant called Blasted Bistro. There short trails to viewpoints as well as a guided tour that goes around the rim. $16 (adults), $15 (seniors), $8 (juniors 8-17); no passes accepted. 2 Homolovi State Park (I-40 Exit 257, 1.5 miles north on Hwy 87), ☏ +1 928-289-4106. This park preserves over seven separate ruined pueblos, and over 300 archeological sites. The park hosts interpretive programs throughout the year, and has a number of hiking trails as well as a year-round campground. $7/vehicle (1-4 adults), $3 (individual/bicycle).

1 McHood Park / Clear Creek Reservoir, Hwy 99, ☏ +1 928-289-2855. Offers opportunities for canoeing, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. Clear Creek Canyon, a deep rock canyon with petroglyphs, is accessible only by canoe. It is possible to camp here; see listing below. Free.

1 Casa Blanca Café, 1201 E 2nd St, ☏ +1 928-289-4191. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11:30AM-8PM, Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. Serviceable, inexpensive Mexican food. A different opinion says this is one of the great bargain foodie road warrior stops if you want AzMex home cooking. Outstanding sopapillas, huevos rancheros and homemade salsa. Local dining at its finest. Kid friendly, family oriented, mobbed by locals. Dinners $4-10. 2 Turquoise Room, 303 E 2nd St (La Posada Inn), ☏ +1 928-289-2888. High-end drinking in the desert with a competent and capable barman. Perfect, a bit pricey, to wash that road dirt from your throat. Very classy and original. 3 Safeway, 1601 N Park Dr, ☏ +1 928-289-3126. Daily 5AM-10PM. Has a hot and cold full-service deli for self-catering options, as well as a pharmacy onsite. 4 Walmart Supercenter, 700 Mikes Pike, ☏ +1 928-289-4641. Daily 7AM-11PM. Has a full grocery store, deli and pharmacy.

1 Tom's Tavern, 1500 E 3rd St, ☏ +1 928-289-3686. Daily 1PM-2AM. Soft neon beer sign glow to look at while you imbibe.

Lodging in Winslow can charitably be described as "functional" – geared to the thousands of travelers passing by on I-40 who need a place to sleep and nothing more. The usual motels and motor lodges (Best Western, Days Inn, Super 8, etc.) cluster near the exits, with little to choose among them. For a bit of flavor of the old town and Route 66, try the La Posada Hotel. 1 Rodeway Inn Winslow I-40, 1916 W 3rd St, ☏ +1 928-289-4606. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Continental breakfast, wi-fi. $38+/night. 2 La Posada Hotel, 303 E 2nd St (Old Rte 66), ☏ +1 928-289-4366, [email protected]. One of the legendary Fred Harvey stations, designed by architect Mary Colter, is in the process of a multi-year restoration. An architectural gem and must-stop for Route 66 tourists, rail buffs and fans of Old Hollywood. Very-high-quality gift shop, excellent bar and quality high-end restaurant in The Turquoise Room. Pets welcomed for a slight additional charge. Pretentious and prissy staff can ruin the experience. Complete disconnect from the surrounding native populace. $89-169. 3 Motel 6, 520 W Desmond St, ☏ +1 928-289-9581, fax: +1 520-289-5642. $47+/night. 4 Clarion Pointe Winslow I-40, 1701 N Park Dr, ☏ +1 928-289-4638, fax: +1 928-289-5514. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free wi-fi and breakfast, laundromat, pets accepted. $69-$109/night. 5 McHood Park / Clear Creek Reservoir, Hwy 99, ☏ +1 928-289-4792. Grills and restrooms available, but no hookups or water connections. For park description, see listing above. Free.

Winslow is on Interstate 40 (I-40), which follows the roadway of old Route 66 through much of Arizona. Several state and local highways connect the town to Phoenix, about 150 miles away, which is a major commercial air hub. To get to Winslow from Phoenix, you'll just have to drive. 1 Amtrak Station - WLO, 303 E 2nd St (in the La Posada Hotel), toll-free: +1 800-872-7245. The daily Southwest Chief Chicago-Los Angeles line stops in Winslow. The westbound train arrives at 8:50PM and the eastbound train arrives at 7:09AM. This stop has no ticket office and no Quik-Trak ticket machine so tickets must be purchased at another station or online.

Winslow Public Transit, ☏ +1 928-289-1462. Limited to within city limits. 2 Dollar Rent A Car, 1001 N Minnatonka (I-40 Exit 257, NE corner), ☏ +1 928-289-1993. Daily 8AM-6PM.