Best 66 towns to sleep - Arizona

Question

Hi all

You have helped me plan my trip so far

I’m thinking of flying into Phoenix from UK

Explore Saguaro national park / bisbee / tuscon / tombstone areas

Head up to Sedona for a few days

Then up to GC south rim for a day or 2 & see flagstaff pn the way - havnt worked out how long to spend there yet but on it

Head to page for a few days

Up to Bryce . Again stay over

Over to monument valley for two days

Then down to Holbrook for our last leg - Holbrook - Winslow - Williams - kingsman - Oatman before heading up the Vegas to fly home

I have about 3 or 4 days on the Holbrook to Vegas route

I will want to see things like the meteor crater, explore the small towns , bear zona and have time to take the little random stops it

But which towns would be the best for night stays that are maybe safer ( if any ) or maybe have a thing on two open at night?

We are not expecting many places to have a lot at night but if one town has a bar or two vs one next to it that closes at dark we may choose the one that has something to do

Let me know what you suggest to stay ?

Answer

For your Arizona and Southwest road trip, planning overnight stops in towns that are safe and offer at least some evening activity is key. Since your route covers a mix of national parks, small towns, and Route 66 stops, here are my detailed suggestions:

Starting from Phoenix and heading southeast:

Tucson: A good first stop after Phoenix. Tucson has plenty of hotels, a few casual bars, and restaurants that stay open later than the smaller towns. It's safe in most of the tourist-friendly areas.
Bisbee: A quirky historic town with a unique artsy vibe. Downtown has a few bars, cafes, and galleries. It’s small but lively in the evenings compared to surrounding areas.
Tombstone: Known for its historic Old West theme. While the town is small, the saloons and tourist-oriented restaurants stay open into the evening, making it a fun overnight stop.

Heading north towards Sedona:

Prescott: A good mid-way stop between Tucson/Tombstone and Sedona. Prescott has a charming downtown square with bars and restaurants that stay open in the evening. It’s safer than smaller Route 66 towns.
Sedona: Definitely stay at least a couple of nights. The town is small but vibrant, with restaurants, cafes, and a few bars. Sedona is very safe and offers plenty of evening activity compared to other stops.

Up towards the Grand Canyon:

Flagstaff: A larger city and perfect stop before heading to the South Rim. Plenty of restaurants, breweries, and some nightlife. Also convenient for fuel and supplies.
Williams: On Route 66 and a great staging point for visiting the Grand Canyon. Small, tourist-friendly town with some bars and restaurants open in the evening.

Page and northern Arizona:

Page: Ideal for staying near Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. A few bars and restaurants, generally safe, and convenient for early morning excursions.

Heading towards Bryce and Monument Valley:

Kanab, Utah: Just over the Arizona border, this is a good overnight stop before Bryce. Safe, with a few restaurants and a bar or two, plus easy access to attractions.
Monument Valley area: The nearest towns are Kayenta (Arizona) or Goulding’s Lodge. They are small and limited in evening options, but safe and convenient for exploring the valley early.

On your way back to Holbrook and towards Vegas along Route 66:

Holbrook: A decent stop with several hotels and a few diners open later. Safe for overnight stays.
Winslow: A small town, but the Route 66 area has a few cafes and bars; it’s very low-key in the evening.
Kingman: Larger than the previous towns and on Route 66, it has a handful of bars and restaurants open later, making it a good choice for an evening stop.
Oatman: Tiny and very tourist-focused; most places close early, but it’s unique if you just want a quirky evening walk and a drink at the historic saloon.

Overall, the safest and most lively towns for evening activity along your route would be Tucson, Bisbee, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kanab, and Kingman. Smaller stops like Holbrook, Winslow, and Oatman are better for quick overnight rests without much evening entertainment.

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