Winslow in Arizona is famous for being on Route 66, Standin’ on the Corner Park, La Posada Hotel and the nearby Petrified Forest National Park and Meteor Crater.
Where is Winslow?
Winslow is in northern Arizona, about a 3-hour drive northeast of Phoenix, 2-3 hours southeast of the Grand Canyon, and 90 minutes east of Sedona. It has a population of about 9,000.
Things to Do in Winslow
There aren’t a large number of things to do in Winslow itself, though if you add in the surrounding area then there’s plenty to justify a long weekend or even a visit of several days.
Things to See in Winslow
Route 66
Winslow stands on what was Route 66 and when you’re walking down the main street you’re walking alongside the route of the mother road. It’s no longer called Route 66, of course, but you’ll have plenty of chance to buy some cool Route 66 souvenirs. The building of I-40, which skirts around Winslow, meant that the whole of what had been Route 66 in Arizona was replaced by the interstate. Construction around Winslow began in 1977.
Standin’ on the Corner Park
In 1972 the Eagles released their song ‘Take It Easy’, which contains the memorable lines:
Well I’m a-standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona
With such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me
The song was written by Jackson Browne, who did indeed stand on a corner in Winslow one time. When the town decided to build its Standin’ on the Corner Park, they asked Browne which corner it was. He told them he was so stoned at the time that he couldn’t remember, and they should just pick one.
So they did, and these days it seems everyone who visits Winslow gets their photo taken alongside the statue of Jackson Browne (actually, it’s just called The Musician), or by the flatbed ford – and we were no exception! For more information, visit the website.
La Posada Hotel
This Harvey House hotel originally opened in 1930, and after a period when it stood derelict it has now been sensitively restored.
Even if you’re not staying there (though we highly recommend it) do pay it a visit as it’s now as much a museum and art gallery as it is a hotel. For more information visit the La Posada website.
Old Trails Museum
Just along the street from Standin’ on the Corner Park, this is a typical small-town museum with hundreds of artefacts crammed into it. The displays are a little bit jumbled but it’s a fascinating place to wander round and find the hidden gems. For more information see the Old Trails Museum website.
Winslow Visitor Center
This seems an obvious choice as you’d naturally want to check out what there is to do in and around Winslow, but it’s also a museum housed in a historic building – one of the original Hubbell Trading Posts.
Things to See Near Winslow
Meteor Crater
A half-hour drive west of town is the remarkable sight of the Meteor Crater. It’s around 3,900ft (1,200m) in diameter, and about 560ft (170m) deep and was created about 50,000 years ago when the land was hit by a meteorite traveling at an estimated 29,000mph. You’ll also see it referred to as the Barringer Crater, after the family that owns the land where it’s located (though they didn’t own it 50,000 years ago!) See the official website.
Painted Desert
Drive an hour east of Winslow along I-40 and you’ll come to the Painted Desert Visitor Center. The Painted Desert actually runs all the way from here to the eastern end of the Grand Canyon National Park, but here near Winslow is the easiest place to access it. It got its name from Spanish explorers in the 16th century who marvelled at this multi-colored desert landscape, which covers an area of about 7,500 square miles (19,420 square kms). You’ll also marvel at its many shades, especially on a sunny day. For full information visit the National Park Service website.
Petrified Forest National Park
Adjoining the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest National Park is also a 50-60-minute drive east of Winslow. There’s a northern entrance off I-40 and a southern entrance off US Highway 180, and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose as you drive from one to the other. On the way are various stopping points for the more spectacular views, some showing you huge fossilized fallen trees. It’s certainly a unique place. For more information see the National Park Service website.
