Exploring Williams, AZ & the Grand Canyon — A Memorable and Inclusive Family Adventure
Williams, Arizona provided the perfect opportunity for our family to explore a charming historic town along Route 66 and take a memorable day trip to the Grand Canyon. With its nostalgic feel and small-town charm, we felt like we were stepping back in time.
We spent four days in Williams, which gave us just the right amount of time to experience the town and take a full-day journey to the Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway. For us, four days felt ideal. However, if your family wants to spend more time at the Grand Canyon, Williams can easily serve as a convenient “home base” — it’s only about an hour drive to the South Rim or a historic train ride away.
We particularly enjoyed exploring Williams and the Grand Canyon our way by planning and being mindful of activities that would fully include our son, Cole, who has CHARGE Syndrome (a medically complex syndrome) and is my content consultant for sharing our travel experiences.
With this in mind, I elaborate on our planning and experiences so that others who might have limited mobility, are blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, or are over/understimulated by sensory experiences may draw on our insights. These tips may also help those planning multi-generational or family-friendly vacations to the Grand Canyon.
🧭 Trip Snapshot
🏠 Base: Williams, Arizona
🚗 Duration: 4 Days
🚂 Must-Do: Grand Canyon Railway & Freedom Bus Tour
🧭 Accessibility Level: Highly adaptable for low vision, limited mobility, and sensory sensitivities
Day 1 – Route 66 Charm, Canyon Coaster & Grand Canyon Deer Farm
Route 66 Charm: Exploring Downtown Williams
We began our trip in the historic town of Williams along Route 66, spending time shopping at the iconic local stores — many of which double as mini Route 66 museums. Parker, our younger son and car enthusiast, was in heaven with all the vintage cars, gas pumps, and signage. We even spotted a “Mater and Lightning McQueen” combo car since Cars was inspired by Route 66!
Accessibility Notes – Downtown Williams
Cole found the sidewalks fairly manageable using his white cane, with occasional sighted guide support from me or my husband. Some shops were crowded, so we guided him through tighter spaces. Many items could be touched, creating an excellent tactile experience to complement his low vision.
Background noise was minimal, but since Cole is sensitive to unpredictable sounds, he often turned off his hearing device. He comfortably turned it back on when the environment was calm.
Our Favorite Downtown Stops
- Route 66 Museum & Gift Shop – A must-visit for its restored 1958 “filling station” and immersive Route 66 history https://experiencewilliams.com/listing/route-66-museum-and-gift-shop/
- Gateway Sandwich Co. – Fantastic spot for gourmet sandwiches during your downtown stroll. https://www.gatewaysandwich.com
- The Poozeum – Yes, it’s a fossilized poop museum! Quirky, free, and surprisingly educational — a fun stop for kids. https://www.gatewaysandwich.com/
Canyon Coaster at Grand Canyon Adventure Park
Next, we rode the Canyon Coaster, a mountain-style coaster where you control your speed with hand brakes. My husband and Parker rode solo while Cole and I shared a double cart, with him seated in front of me.
The ride was thrilling but manageable for Cole’s abilities, thanks to the hand brakes and the option of a double rider. Operators paused boarding to allow Cole to safely get on and off the ride because Cole required a steady hand for balance. Prior to riding, he removed his hearing device during the ride to avoid losing it — a smart move after learning that lesson the hard way from losing it at a different park. While riding the Canyon Coaster, I assisted in stabilizing Cole since he was seated in front of me. However, due to his physical balance disability, he would have been unable to maintain his balance as a solo rider. While our family only took part in the Canyon Coaster, the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park offers other activities. The property is wheelchair accessible if the wheelchair; however, not all activities appear accessible for wheelchair users. https://canyoncoasteradventurepark.com/
💡 Tip: For hearing device safety on amusement rides, some use a lightweight safety line that clips to clothing. Or, take it off and store it safely as Cole does.
Grand Canyon Deer Farm: A Tactile Experience
Our final stop of the day was the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, where visitors can walk among and feed friendly deer. The kids loved this hands-on experience, and it was especially meaningful for Cole, who could touch and interact with the animals up close.
Other animals were nearby behind fences — still close enough for Cole to view with or without his magnifier. The paths were flat and smooth dirt paths. Cole used a sighted guide to walk the path with us because his white cane made it difficult for Cole to manage his cane while petting the deer. While the smell took some getting used to for us, Cole’s lack of smell made this a non-issue! https://deerfarm.com/
Day 2 – The Grand Canyon Railway & The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway experience began with a lively “cowboy showdown” — a family-friendly Wild West show before boarding. We chose First Class, which included large windows, plush seats, snacks, and beverages.
Both First Class and Coach Class cars are ADA accessible with compliant restrooms, lifts at both depots, and storage for mobility devices. If wheelchair accessibility is necessary, be sure to request in advance and make sure the booking class chosen is accessible. Not all booking classes are fully wheelchair accessible.
Cole, sensitive to live music so he wore noise-canceling headphones when live musicians played. We found that retreating to the café car during performances made him more comfortable.
The return ride included a playful “train robbery” — actors rode up on horseback and boarded the train for a fun, interactive skit that delighted everyone (especially Parker!).
🎥 Pro tip: The Grand Canyon Railway website has preview videos that help travelers visualize what to expect — a great resource for those who benefit from predictability.
The South Rim & Grand Canyon Village
Seeing the Grand Canyon was the highlight of our trip. Cole used his Patriot Viewpoint, a special magnifier for low vision, to experience the views.
After disembarking, we joined The Freedom Bus Tour, which took us to several scenic overlooks. Each stop lasted about 20 minutes — perfect for photos and short walks. The paved paths were ADA accessible and easy for Cole to navigate.
The tour lasted about 90 minutes, leaving us time to visit the El Tovar Hotel, browse gift shops, and eat at Yavapai Tavern before boarding the train back to Williams.
Unfortunately, during our visit, the North Rim was closed due to wildfires, and we could see smoke from across the canyon — a sobering reminder of nature’s power.
The Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel offers package options for lodging, train, and bus tours. For accessibility, note that The Grand Bus Tour (the longer version with lunch) is ADA accessible and is only available for the first train of the day. We chose The Freedom Bus Tour because this tour fit both Cole’s mobility needs as well as gave our family the flexibility to explore the South Rim on our own without the dedicated lunch.
🔗 Book the Grand Canyon Railway Experience with the optional Bus Tour at the South Rim. Reach out for booking assistance to choose the optimal fit for your travel experience.
This link will take you directly to my Viator link for the Grand Canyon Railway train tickets as well as other booking options Grand Canyon tours and experiences but for a personalized booking please reach out directly to me. If you book through my link, I may earn a small commission. https://www.viator.com/tours/Flagstaff/Grand-Canyon-Railway-Train-Tickets/d21450-2505GCRTRAIN?pid=P00058688&uid=U00683870&mcid=58086¤cy=USD
This link will take you directly to the Grand Canyon Railway website which will not earn me a commission but it is an excellent resource to check out this unique experience. https://www.thetrain.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10207617754&gbraid=0AAAAADsvnyIA_baz_aleVLTM78Sun9gUM&gclid=CjwKCAiAu67KBhAkEiwAY0jAlZOVm3lqkdnrLCwCRPl-VWCO6vuTWU0CZxkMaxdPVOWLWaOTO8OgZRoCokMQAvD_BwE
Grand Canyon Tours through Project Expedition. If you book through this link, I may earn a small commission. https://pe.tours/MTIzOTUzNg==/
Day 3 – Arizona Snowbowl Gondola, Northern Arizona University, UTV Adventure & Cataract Lake
Snowbowl Gondola
The Snowbowl Gondola offered incredible mountain views and a peaceful ride to the summit. It’s fully accessible — operators stop the gondola for guests who need extra boarding time, and wheelchair users can either transfer to a seat or roll directly in.
At the top, there’s a ramp and viewing area. Depending on your wheelchair type, you can enjoy the view right from the ramp or from the firm dirt area beyond.
I even captured a rare photo of all my boys relaxing together in the Adirondack chairs at the top — a priceless moment! https://www.snowbowl.ski/summer-scenic-gondola/
UTV Adventure
Together, the 4 of us took off on our UTV adventure. The first part of the UTV adventure was tailored to Cole and I because we preferred less dust and a slower ride than what we knew my husband and younger son would prefer. So, after Cole and I enjoyed our leisurely ride, we were dropped off at the Village Camp Outdoor Resort’s lodge. Then, Raymond and Parker headed out for their rugged off-road and thrill seeking route. Returning with wide smiles and dirt filled faces.
Cataract Lake
Located in Kaibab National Forest, Cataract Lake is a peaceful reservoir offering fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and short walking trails. It’s open seasonally and accessible by car. We loved spotting a herd of deer at sunset — the perfect calm end to a busy day. https://www.coconino.az.gov/278/Cataract-Lake-County-Park
Day 4 – Bearizona Wildlife Park
Bearizona was a fantastic way to end our Arizona Family Inclusive Vacation. This drive-through wildlife park lets you see bears, bison, and wolves up close from your own vehicle.
There’s also a paved walk-through area where Cole navigated independently with his white cane. Using his Patriot Viewpoint magnifier, he was able to enjoy close-up views of the animals.
We would absolutely recommend Bearizona — it’s educational, accessible, and a ton of fun for all ages! https://bearizona.com/
Final Thoughts
Williams, Arizona turned out to be a wonderful blend of history, nature, adventure, and accessibility with a laid back pace of Williams, AZ. From Route 66 nostalgia to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the area offered fun for both of our kids and activities we could easily adapt for Cole.
Whether you’re drawn to vintage charm, wildlife encounters, or the call of the canyon, Williams makes an excellent home base for an unforgettable, inclusive family getaway.
💡 Travel Consultant Tip
Planning ahead is key — especially when booking train rides, gondolas, and bus tours that accommodate specific accessibility needs. If you’d like guidance on designing your own accessible, family friendly or multi-generational Arizona adventure, I’d love to help you plan a trip that fits your family’s needs and travel style.
