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Kingman calls itself the Heart of Historic Route 66, and the claim holds up: the longest unbroken stretch of the old highway still in use runs through town, and the Mother Road's neon motels and diners line Andy Devine Avenue. The town began in 1882 as a stop on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and trains still rumble through by the dozen each day.
The 1907 Powerhouse, once an electric plant for nearby mines, now houses the visitor center, a Route 66 museum and an electric vehicle museum. Across the street, the Mohave Museum of History and Arts tells the stories of the Hualapai people, miners and hometown actor Andy Devine, while the 1915 Bonelli House and a historic steam locomotive anchor the old downtown.
Kingman is also a gateway. The Hualapai Mountains rise to cool pine forest just southeast of town, the Cerbat Foothills offer desert trails, and Route 66 twists over Sitgreaves Pass to Oatman with its wandering burros. The murals of Chloride, Lake Mohave and Hoover Dam are within easy reach.
Upstairs in the Powerhouse Visitor Center, this museum follows the road from Native trade routes and Beale's wagon road to the Dust Bowl migration and the neon era, with dioramas, vintage cars and photos. One ticket also covers the Mohave Museum and the Bonelli House. Allow about an hour.
Housed inside the historic Powerhouse, this small museum displays electric vehicles from early twentieth-century models to modern conversions, highlighting the history of battery-powered driving along Route 66. It pairs easily with the Route 66 museum upstairs. Charging stations sit outside.
A regional museum with exhibits on the Hualapai and Mojave peoples, turquoise mining, pioneer life and Kingman's own Andy Devine, the gravel-voiced Hollywood actor. Its portraits of U.S. presidents and first ladies are a curious bonus. It sits across from the Powerhouse on Beale Street.
A two-story stone house built in 1915 by a prominent pioneer family, with wraparound porches designed for desert heat and rooms furnished with period pieces. Volunteers lead tours and share stories of early Kingman. It is a few blocks from the Powerhouse, and hours are limited, so check before visiting.
A tiny old silver mining town about 20 miles north of Kingman, with weathered buildings, a historic post office and a quirky collection of yard art. A rough road leads to colorful murals painted on the rocks by artist Roy Purcell in the 1960s. A high-clearance vehicle helps for the mural road.
A small park on Route 66 displaying Santa Fe steam locomotive 3759, built in 1928, with a red caboose behind it. It is a classic photo stop, and the Powerhouse Visitor Center is just across the road. Busy freight trains still pass on the main line nearby, so you may get a live show too.
A turquoise and pink diner on Andy Devine Avenue serving burgers, shakes, chicken-fried steak and homemade root beer in a classic 1950s setting. It is a favorite stop for road trippers and motorcycle groups. Expect a wait at lunch in peak season, and save room for a float.
A county park about 12 miles southeast of Kingman, climbing into ponderosa pine and oak forest where temperatures are much cooler than the desert below. It has trails to Aspen Peak and Hayden Peak, campsites and rustic CCC-built cabins. Watch for elk and deer, and bring layers even in summer.
A network of trails on Kingman's northern edge through boulder-strewn desert hills, including the Monolith Garden Trail past dramatic granite formations. It is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Start early in warm months, carry plenty of water and watch for rattlesnakes.
The original Route 66 west of Kingman climbs through Cool Springs and over Sitgreaves Pass in a series of tight curves before dropping into Oatman, an old gold town where wild burros wander the main street. The drive takes about an hour each way and is narrow with no guardrails, so avoid long vehicles.
The old commercial heart of Kingman, one block from Route 66, with early 1900s brick and stone buildings, antique shops, a brewery, cafes and murals. The Mohave County Courthouse and St. Mary's Church stand nearby. Monthly events and car shows bring crowds, and it is easy to explore on foot.
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