Why You Should Visit Seligman, Arizona on a Route 66 Road Trip
If you’re making a road trip through America’s west, you hands down gotta stop off at Seligman. Aka, the birthplace of Historic Route 66. It’s probably one of my favourite places to spend a couple of hours while you’re driving through the States!
In this guide I’m sharing the best things to do in Seligman, AZ, plus how to get there, where to stay and what to eat!
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Seligman Essentials
Looking to book a tour that visits Seligman? This one-day Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas swings by Seligman en route to Grand Canyon National Park, where you’ll have free time to explore.
If you’re stopping overnight, book a stay at the Historic Route 66 Motel for an authentic all-American motel experience.
Seligman & Route 66 – A quick history
One of the most famous roads in the whole of the US, Route 66 was established back in 1926 – over 2400 miles long, stretching across eight different states. To put it in perspective, Land’s End to John o’ Groats in the UK is 874 miles by road – so almost three times that. That’s a lotta road.
It was a major route for those migrating West, particularly during the Dust Bowl storms of the 30s. In 1985, it was officially removed from the US Highways System, but many communities along the route have reclaimed it as ‘Historic Route 66’, capitalising on its history and popularity with visitors.
On our road trip through Arizona, we stopped off at Seligman – known as the birthplace of Historic Route 66, thanks to residents who convinced the state to declare Route 66 a historic highway in 1987. With a population of less than 500, it’s a tiny town – but popular as a stop-off for tourist visitors, and full of Route 66 memorabilia and souvenirs.
The thing I loved most about Seligman was the amount of classic Americana scattered all around. From old cars to Route 66 signage – yep, it’s all definitely been done to appease tourists just like me – the vibe was just super cool and unlike anywhere else I’d seen so far.
How long do you need in Seligman, Arizona?
Seligman isn’t necessarily the kind of place you’d spend more than an afternoon in, although it’s conveniently located for nearby activities. But even for just a couple of hours, you’ll be transported back to the bygone era of Route 66’s heyday, and experience a slice of quirky, kitschy Americana.
The best things to do in Seligman, Arizona
Looking for fun things to do in Seligman? Here’s what this Route 66 town has to offer:
1. Walk the main strip in Seligman
Seligman isn’t a huge town with an abundance of things to do, however it’s perfect for a walk around and soak up the Americana vibes. Shop fronts are colourful and covered with signage and themed bric-a-brac. You’ll also find some old school Wild West building fronts, including the old Arizona Territorial Jail, which hosted the lawbreaking likes of Seligman Slim and Four Fingered Frank.
2. Check out American automobile history
Automobiles are kinda a big deal here – so much so, Seligman served as an inspiration for the Pixar movie Cars. I haven’t seen it, but I sure as hell enjoyed nosing around the vehicles of Seligman.
Around the back of Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Diner, you’ll find a heap of oddities, including a head in a toilet (yeah, you gotta see it), but also plenty of retro cars. The kind you imagine riding along dusty, never-ending roads in with the top down, tunes up and waving your hands in the air like you’re in a coming-of-age road trip movie.
Outside Classic Cars Seligman, explore even more vintage car models from American history.
3. Visit Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor’s Center
Many of Seligman’s shops also serve as museums, chronicling Route 66 history with all kinds of paraphernalia. One of the must-visit shops in Seligman is Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s.
Owner and former barber Angel Delgadillo founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987, to preserve the iconic historic road’s history. He’s an attraction in himself, and his barbershop in Seligman is a museum and souvenir shop dedicated to the town and road’s legacy.
4. Shop for souvenirs, décor, snacks and more!
Yep, there’s more! Seligman’s high street is home to multiple souvenir and general shops, who’ve all embraced the theme to the next level. The green and yellow exterior of The Historic Seligman Sundries will catch your eye immediately, with a museum section, gift store and coffee counter.
Rt 66 Hippie Cricket sells vintage and antique items, with a lively front yard of curiosities to browse. Copper Cart is marked with a giant neon sign in the shape of a mine cart, and the The Rusty Bolt uses shop mannequins as a unique point of decor.
5. Eat at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Diner
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In Diner was built in 1953 by Juan Delgadillo using scrap lumber, and is one of the essential drop-ins for anyone passing through Seligman on a Route 66 road trip.
From the menu, I ordered the Dodger John Dog – they do two varieties, a short and fat one and a long and thin one. Mine came smothered in mustard, mayo, ketchup and onions. The hotdog itself definitely filled my hungry belly and provided exactly what you’d want from this kinda diner – classic US grub. Oh, and the fries are served with POTATO SMILES that’ll hit you right in the childhood.
The milkshakes are an absolute dream – thick, creamy, and packed with enough sugar to keep you partying in Vegas til 3am that night (true story…although the vodka MAY have also had something to do with that). The Oreo’s my fave – it comes with actual Oreo pieces on top.
6. …or Roadkill Café
If you’ve stuck around long enough to be hungry again the Roadkill Café is something of a Seligman institution. I’ve never been myself, but don’t let the dish names put you off – you won’t ACTUALLY be chowing down on the remains of anything found beside the road. The menu offers up buffalo (The Tread Buff), elk (Toad Off The Road), and pastrami (Beep Beep Your #@%*).
7. Take a photo in front of the ‘Worlds Largest Route 66 Sign’
Whether it really is the world’s largest, who knows – but this huge sign in Seligman makes for a great photo opp!
8. And get a picture with a road marker!
Finally, on your way out – don’t forget to get a snap with an iconic Route 66 road marker – just watch out for passing traffic!
Seligman Travel Guide
How to get to Seligman
Seligman is 1hr and 10 minutes drive from Flagstaff, AZ, and around 2hrs 40min drive from Las Vegas.
The town is located on a preserved section of the historic Route 66, which runs right through the town – you won’t miss the signs! If you’re on Interstate 40, you can get to Seligman easily via exits 121 and 123.
Alternatively, you can book a Grand Canyon tour that visits Seligman. Prices start at $83, and tours include free time to explore the Grand Canyon, and a Seligman stop on the way there:
Where to stay in Seligman
Driving the historic Route 66? Seligman makes for an ideal overnight stop in a classic roadside motel.
The Postcard Motel ($$) is an American classic with a sleek modern refurb.
Supai Motel ($$) has large, well equipped rooms and a big neon sign for a touch of Vegas vibes.
The Aztec Motel and Creative Space ($$) is a homely, artsy little spot with lots of personality.
Things to do near Seligman, Arizona
Tick Grand Canyon National Park off your bucket list
Seligman is around 1hr 30mins drive from Grand Canyon National Park. Find out how to spend a day at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, get tips for hiking the Grand Canyon for beginners & book your Grand Canyon activities.
Explore Havasupai Indian Reservation
Havasupai Indian Reservation is one of the USA’s most remote Native Indian reservations. The village of Supai is only accessible via hiking or horseback, and reservations must be made in advance. Find out more on their website.
Spend an day in Flagstaff
The nearby city of Flagstaff is a gateway city for many of Arizona’s most popular activities. While you’re there, check out Walnut Canyon National Monument and Lowell Observatory, and have a drink at Mother Road Brewing Company!
Dive into even more Route 66 history in Kingman
Another great addition to a Route 66 Road Trip itinerary, Kingman is a small roadside town around 1hr and 10 minutes from Seligman. Here, you can visit the Arizona Route 66 Museum, Mohave Museum of History and Arts, and the Kingman Railroad Museum.
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