New to Route 66

Meteor City Reopens with a New Dino Drive-Thru
Families can spot more than 30 towering dinosaur statues at Meteor City, a longtime Route 66 roadside attraction recently revived for the next generation of roadtrippers. Easily recognizable by its massive geodesic dome, Meteor City is located 20 miles west of Winslow. Once a trading post and Texaco gas station, Meteor City continues to evolve, offering fun activities while embracing the quirky spirit of Route 66. At the new Dino Drive-thru, travelers can drive through the one of-a-kind dinosaur park with over 30 dinosaurs on display. Families can spend the afternoon mining for gemstones, creating graffiti art on a vintage Volkswagen and playing retro arcade games.

Route 66 Dog Park Newly Opened in Kingman
Kingman erected a drive-thru Route 66 shield for visitors to take the perfect photo and commemorate their drive along Route 66. For those traveling with their fur babies, Kingman offers yet another reason to make a stop. The newly opened Route 66 Dog Park, located next to the Route 66 Museum, provides plenty of space for dogs to run and offers a dog drinking fountain. The most bark-worthy attraction at the park is a 5-foot-tall dog walk-through Route 66 shield.

Enjoy New Musical Road Driving Into Winslow
Route 66 roadtrippers can now hear their tires play the iconic tune of The Eagles "Take it Easy" while cruising into Winslow thanks to the new custom designed singing road installed as part of the upcoming Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026. The city of Winslow, with the help of ROADTUNES, installed a synthetic asphalt material that when driven over at the exact speed of 35 miles per hour will make the tires vibrate and create the tune of a verse in the song "Take it Easy" that mentions Winslow. Located on the east side of town near the 9/11 Memorial Park, drivers can roll down their windows and hear their tires play the catchy verse,"Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see", to kick-off their visit before exploring Winslow's Standing on the Corner Park, Old Trails Museum and La Posada Hotel.

New Vintage Campground Near Petrified Forest National Park
Visitors can watch a vibrant sunset over the vast, tranquil badlands near Petrified Forest National Park at the recently opened Tickled Pink Flamingos Vintage Campground and Retreat Center. Directly off Route 66, roadtrippers can relax in one of the five cozy vintage campers and enjoy a campfire under the stars while taking in the peaceful solitude of their remote surroundings. Tickled Pink Flamingos blends vintage charm with nature's beauty, making it an ideal stop when exploring the Mother Road during its upcoming 2026 centennial.

Accommodations

Cottonwood's Tavern Hotel Offers a Paw-Sitively Perfect Escape
The Taven Hotel has new luxurious accommodations just for four-legged friends. In addition to the Tavern Dog Cottage, which opened a couple of years ago, The Tavern has a new Dog Suite designed with furry best friends in mind. The all-new Dog Suite is a 450-square-foot retreat for two humans and up to two pups (65 lbs. max), with a lavish bathroom, plush king bed, soft-topped mattress and plenty of space to spread out. Visitors and their furry friends can pick up some new toys at the nearby Paw on Main Street, take a walk through Dead Horse Ranch State Park and grab a puppuccino at the walk-up window at Crema Craft Kitchen + Bar across the street.

Highland Grand Canyon is Newest and Closest Glamping Retreat to Grand Canyon's South Rim
Highland Grand Canyon, opened in May 2025, is just four miles from the Canyon. Nestled beneath tall ponderosa pines, it offers a quiet forest setting where guests can stay close to the park, yet feel worlds away from the crowds. With five safari tents, Highland combines the simplicity of an off-grid retreat with the comforts of home, including king-size memory foam beds, hot showers and free WiFi. Shared spaces include communal bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen, picnic tables and a fire pit. When evening falls, Highland reveals some of Arizona's darkest skies, perfect for unforgettable stargazing. Elk and deer often pass through the property, and with the Canyon minutes away, it is the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Grand Canyon. Highland is open seasonally from May 1 to Oct. 20.

Attractions

Reimagined Dorrance Planetarium in Phoenix Reopens in October
Visitors and locals can explore the galaxy at the reimagined Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix, which reopens on Oct. 18, 2025. The planetarium will be the most technologically advanced in North America, 100 times brighter than most planetarium projection domes, thanks to a partnership with the immersive tech company Cosm. This 8K+ resolution digital dome transports guests into space, black holes and the stars of Arizona's dark skies. It's a must-visit for space lovers, science enthusiasts and anyone looking for an awe-inspiring journey beyond Earth.

Prescott's New Whiskey Trail Pass
Visitors can immerse themselves in the Western charm of Prescott's famous Whiskey Row with the new Prescott Whiskey Trail, a free digital pass that showcases the best bars downtown. After downloading the pass, thirsty participants can explore 24 bars and saloons, each offering signature whiskeys or pints. At each stop, users check-in by completing a custom trivia challenge or scavenger hunt-style riddle to earn points to unlock prizes and perks along the way. Download the pass here.

Rockin' River Ranch State Park is Now Open Five Days Weekly
Outdoor enthusiasts can now explore Arizona's newest state park, Rockin' River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde, Thursdays through Mondays, following the addition of two new days to its schedule. Visitors can enjoy six scenic and easy hiking trails that weave through pastures and riparian areas along the Verde River. Once a guest ranch, the park is ideal for picnicking, bird and wildlife watching, kayaking or fishing on the Verde River.

Industry News

STARLUX Airlines Announces Partnership with American Airlines
Following the announcement of its new nonstop flights between Phoenix, Arizona, and Taipei, Taiwan STARLUX has revealed a new partnership with American Airlines. As a key hub in the Southwestern U.S. for American Airlines, Phoenix offers strategic advantages for travelers. STARLUX has scheduled its Phoenix flights to allow smooth connections to American flights bound for major U.S. cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, Dallas, Las Vegas and more.

Paleontologists Name A New Species of Tanystropheid Reptile at Petrified Forest National Park
Paleontologists at Petrified Forest National Park named a new aquatic reptile whose fossils were discovered in the park. The Akidostropheus oligos, a tanystropheid reptile that lived in the Triassic period, was smaller than a pinky and had a long neck for its body size. In collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Petrified Forest named the reptile after its distinct appearance, with Akidostropheus oligos meaning "tiny spiked back bone," referring to its distinctively small neck vertebra with a unique spike on top. The fossils were found in the "Thunderstorm Ridge" area of the park by collecting rocks, rinsing the rocks with water through a fine metal screen and looking at the sediments under a microscope to find the microfossils of the Akidostropheus oligos.

Contact Visit Arizona's Media Relations Team

Kim Todd, Director of Media Relations, ktodd@tourism.az.gov,

Marjorie Magnusson, Media Relations Manager, mmagnusson@tourism.az.gov

Taryn Super, Media Relations Specialist, tsuper@tourism.az.gov