- 🛌 One of my favorite Route 66 Flagstaff retro-hotels is the High Country Motor Lodge.
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Classic cars, live music, street art and family fun make Flagstaff a must-visit destination on Route 66’s 100th birthday
Route 66 is turning 100, and Flagstaff is not just marking the moment — it is going all in with a June 6 downtown celebration that promises classic cars, live music, interactive street art, family fun and a full day of Mother Road energy. For travelers searching for things to do in Flagstaff, the city’s Route 66 Centennial celebration is shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the year.
The Route 66 Centennial Celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 6 in downtown Flagstaff, the only 7,000-foot elevation, pine-fresh, dark-sky city on the Mother Road. As the Route 66 Centennial draws visitors from around the country, Flagstaff is showcasing why it remains one of Arizona’s favorite road-trip destinations.
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- Looking for accommodations?
- Find your dream hotel!
- Plan your fun
- Rent a car
- Get the best travel insurance
Historic Route 66 Comes Alive in Downtown Flagstaff
What makes this Route 66 Centennial celebration stand out is the setting itself: Flagstaff’s historic Route 66 district, where the road, the buildings and the stories all help tell the same tale. Visitors looking for unique things to do in Flagstaff can uncover the secrets of the original alignment when they put on their walking shoes and dial their phone to the “Walk This Talk” audio tour.
Narrated by local author Rose Houk and featuring an introduction by Ted Danson, this self-guided journey leads visitors through 10 historic sites within about a half-mile stretch, starting near the Visitor Center at the original Flagstaff Depot, the 1926 train station.
RELATED: Feel the Freedom: Route 66 Car Hire for Your Ultimate American Road Trip
Street Art, Classic Cars and Live Music Celebrate the Route 66 Centennial
One of the biggest attractions at the Route 66 Centennial event is expected to be the 3D illusion street art, where commissioned artists will transform downtown pavement into a showstopper that gives the impression the street has come to life right underfoot.
Visitors exploring things to do in Flagstaff during the celebration can also enjoy a classic car show rolling through downtown, live performances pulsing with energy and a crowd ready to celebrate a century of road-trip history.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Flagstaff During the Celebration
Families will find plenty to keep everyone busy from morning to evening, making this one of the top family-friendly things to do in Flagstaff this summer. Activities include balloon animals, face painting, a bookmobile storytelling area, a Discover Flagstaff coloring station and hands-on crafting activities like Route 66 keychain making and Lowell Observatory planetary button-making.
For older kids and adventurous adults, Route 66-themed axe-throwing from FlagTag AZ adds an extra shot of adrenaline amid the nostalgia.
Music and Entertainment Fill Downtown Flagstaff
Music will help carry the Route 66 Centennial celebration from start to finish, blending community pride with big-stage energy. Expect performances by the Ukulele Club, the Rapture in Blue Swing Band, the Kyle Benedict Band, the Flagstaff Community Band and the Mother Road Trio.
For visitors searching for things to do in Flagstaff after the main festivities end, the celebration continues at Heritage Square with more live music followed by Downtown Flagstaff’s Movies on the Square screening of Disney’s Cars.
More Route 66 Centennial Attractions Across Flagstaff
The Route 66 Centennial extends far beyond downtown. Travelers looking for additional things to do in Flagstaff can explore the Museum of Northern Arizona’s “Wagon Road to Mother Road” exhibition, Lowell Observatory’s “Cosmic Highways: A Centennial Tour,” and Theatrikos Theatre Co.’s “Route 66 to the Grand Canyon.”
Freaky Foot Tours also offers guided walking tours tracing the original 1926 and 1934 Route 66 alignments through Flagstaff.
📌 Recommended: Don’t be disappointed when Route 66 Flagstaff tour tickets sell out. Book now before they’re sold out.
Retro Hotels Keep the Mother Road Spirit Alive
Even the hotels are getting into the Route 66 Centennial spirit. Travelers planning an overnight stay in Flagstaff can book retro-inspired accommodations at High Country Motor Lodge, Americana Motor Hotel and Motel DuBeau, where Route 66 nostalgia meets modern comfort.
Why the Route 66 Centennial Is One of the Best Things to Do in Flagstaff
With street art, classic cars, music, history, family activities and citywide celebrations, Flagstaff is treating the Route 66 Centennial like the milestone it deserves to be. For anyone planning a Northern Arizona getaway or searching for unforgettable things to do in Flagstaff, June 6 promises a full day celebrating America’s most legendary highway.
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How to save money on Grand Canyon National Park fees when visiting Flagstaff?
Buy the annual $80 America the Beautiful and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. The pass allows unlimited entrance to the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff-area National Monuments and to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that usually charge entrance fees.
👉 Take one thing off your TO-DO list: Buy your annual pass online from REI now!
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- Find your dream hotel!
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Traveling soon? Don’t forget to pack these essential items
Here are 4 often-forgotten items you don’t want to leave home without:
- I would have been lost in Europe without this power bank: Anker Nano Power Bank, 10K, 45W, 8.1 oz. Just imagine your phone running out of battery while you’re exploring London.
- And speaking of power, you def don’t want to forget a plug adapter – this is the one I use – I love it because it has 3 USB-C ports!
- You can’t beat this Sea to Summit premium neck pillow in terms of minimum weight and packed size. Who doesn’t want to get some shuteye on those long flights?
- I’m hooked on longer rain jackets that look as good on Paris boulevards as protect you on the trail.
📌 Bonus: Here’s the carry-on I swear by! My travel-tough Samsonite bags have lasted decades.
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Table of Contents
- Looking for accommodations?
- Find your dream hotel!
- Plan your fun
- Rent a car
- Get the best travel insurance
Hi, I’m Stacey
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel is a travel blog focused on immersive travel that highlights food, wine and the spirituality of place. You can count on me for accurate reports and insightful analysis as your trusted travel writer since 2008.
As the author of several spiritual and walking guides, I occasionally write about life as a Camino de Santiago pilgrim. See my Amazon author page here. You may review my credentials as a professional travel writer on LinkedIn.
I hope you enjoy what I post here. You are encouraged to leave comments! Read more…
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As is common in the travel industry, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey was provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the author believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
In addition, this blog, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel, contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Stacey earns a commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help reduce the costs of keeping this travel blog active.
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