Williams attracts both tourists and full-time residents
Surrounded by pine trees in the Kaibab National Forest, Williams is a small town powered by outdoor activities and tourism. “It’s got a really great outdoor lifestyle. If people are into hunting, fishing and golfing, there’s a lot of that right here in Williams,” says Jason Shafar, a local real estate agent at Re/Max Fine Properties with over 15 years of experience. “It’s really nice when it's 120 degrees elsewhere for people to come up into the pine trees and escape.” In addition to local activities, the town has been branded as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon thanks to the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which takes passengers up north to the landmark. This combination of factors attracts many visitors, especially in the summer months, and the downtown area caters to this crowd with small museums and tourist attractions about its history as a major stop on Route 66. Still, lots of folks come here to enjoy the landscapes year-round as full-time residents, often working from home or commuting the 35 miles to Flagstaff.
Camping and hiking in Kaibab National Forest, plus city parks and golf
The surrounding Kaibab National Forest is a hub for camping, hunting and horse riding. Bill Williams Mountain, the community’s namesake, is an especially popular destination for hiking and biking with miles of trails through dense pine forests. Cataract Lake County Park is centered on one of five fishing lakes in Williams, all regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Cureton Park is a smaller community space and has basketball courts, playgrounds and baseball fields. The nearby Elephant Rocks Golf Course has an 18-hole layout that’s open to the public, and Canyon Coaster Adventure Park is a destination for snow tubing and other thrill rides. The local tourism industry is powered by attractions like Bearizona Wildlife Park, where visitors can view wolves, bears and other native species.
Small-town character with some newer subdivisions to the west
Homes within the town proper include ranch-style properties and Craftsman bungalows, typically close-set along grid-style streets, while back roads in the surrounding area are dotted with custom wood-built cabins on full-acre parcels. There are also many manufactured homes available. Most properties range in price from $150,000 to $600,000. On the community’s west side are several 21st-century suburban subdivisions with New Traditional homes. Most of these properties range from $400,000 to $800,000, though some larger builds in gated communities sell for between $800,000 and $1.3 million. Empty lots are plentiful, though water rights can be tricky to acquire. “Water is an issue. They aren’t issuing any permits right now because they need to increase the size of the wastewater plant to keep up with development,” Shafor says. “There are still some houses to be built with permits that have already been passed, but it’s definitely challenging to buy a lot right now and get it built.” Parcels range from $15,000 to $410,000 for up to 10 acres. The area is at moderate to high risk of wildfires, which may lead to higher insurance rates.
Holiday events around Fourth of July and Christmas
The community holds many events throughout the year, including an All American Block Party on the Fourth of July at Cureton Park. The celebration features vendors and softball tournaments and ends with a parade and fireworks show. At the end of November, the downtown area transforms into a winter wonderland with a tree-lighting ceremony and a Christmas parade down Route 66. Additionally, the Grand Canyon Railway offers an immersive Polar Express-themed experience in November and December, which includes hot chocolate and an appearance by Santa.
Restaurants located along historic Route 66
Lots of hotels are dotted around town, with restaurants and tourist attractions like the historic Route 66 road sign located downtown. This area tends to get packed during peak tourism season in the summer, though locals also frequent the area for its well-loved eateries. Pine Country Restaurant is known for its comfort food and homemade pies. Station 66, a locally owned Italian bistro, often hosts live music on the weekends. There’s also a Safeway nearby for groceries.
Commuting to Flagstaff and riding the Grand Canyon Railway
Interstate 40 connects Williams to Flagstaff, less than 35 miles away. Highway 64 runs about 55 miles north to the Grand Canyon. Folks can also travel north on the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which includes live music and other onboard entertainment. Greyhound, Amtrak and Groome Transportation offer intercity bus services. Flagstaff Medical Center and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport are both about 35 miles away.
Williams Unified District Schools score in the B range
Williams Elementary serves kindergarten through third grade, and Williams Upper Elementary serves fourth through sixth grade. Starting in seventh grade, students attend Williams Junior Senior High, which offers athletic programs in basketball, golf and volleyball. Each school gets a B-minus on Niche.
