Kingman: Route 66, Museums and Trails

Kingman combines the history of Route 66 with railroad heritage, historic buildings, and extensive trails for active days. The original route of Route 66 from 1926 ran through Kingman along the National Old Trails Road. This makes the city a destination for anyone who wants to experience American transportation history not only through books, but also through museums, historic sites, and personal discoveries.

Route 66 and the History of Kingman

The Arizona Route 66 Museum explores the development of the road: The exhibition covers everything from its origins as a prehistoric trade route and its role as an escape route for Dust Bowl refugees to its revival in American culture. The museum also has a small cinema, where a one-hour film about Route 66 in Arizona is shown.

The Kingman Commercial Historic District includes nine buildings on the 300 and 400 blocks of East Andy Devine Avenue. Located along Route 66, the historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mohave Museum of History & Arts preserves the history of Kingman, Mohave County, and the wider Southwest and makes it accessible to the public. Dioramas and murals illustrate the development of northwestern Arizona from prehistory to the present day. Additional exhibits include a display about Andy Devine, outdoor exhibits on livestock ranching and mining equipment, and a 1923 railroad freight car.

The Bonelli House was completed in October 1915 and is an example of Anglo-Territorial architecture. Tours are offered Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the last admission is at 2:30 p.m. The Kingman Railroad Museum is located in Kingman’s historic railroad depot, in the heart of Route 66. It displays donated railroad memorabilia and operates model railways in O, HO, and N scales, which are changed regularly.

Trails for Different Day Plans

In addition to its cultural history, Kingman offers opportunities for physical activity. The Monolith Garden Trail is an 8.5-mile system of loop trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and trail runners. The trail system is not fully accessible and is connected to the Camp Beale Loop Trail, which is managed by the City of Kingman. Groups with different interests can combine hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and trail running here without abandoning Route 66 as the main theme of their trip.

The Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area encompasses 43.4 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Its trail system connects downtown with Kingman’s higher-elevation central area. When planning a vacation rental, the desired daily itinerary is therefore a particularly useful criterion: Culture-focused travelers can prioritize museums, historic buildings, and railroad history, while active travelers can take the designated trails into account.

Events and Independent Discoveries

Kingman Tours, A Walkabout offers another perspective on the city. This interactive, audio-guided tour is designed for independent exploration of significant sites along Route 66 and in Kingman’s historic downtown. From February through November, First Friday also takes place downtown every month. Local artists, small businesses, and community groups work together for residents and visitors during the event.

A vacation rental in Kingman is especially well suited to your travel plans if you want to divide your days flexibly between Route 66 history, exhibitions, historic sites, and trails. When selecting your accommodation, consider which focus is most important for your travel group and whether you would rather center your trip on cultural discoveries or active excursions.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Kingman, here are some additional destinations: Mohave Valley, Peach Springs, Bullhead City, Yucca, Lake Havasu City, Colorado City, Meadview and Dolan Springs.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mohave.