National Plan for Vacation Day 2025 - Kingman AZ

Powerhouse Museum HDR

Kingman Route 66 Shield drive-through 3 by 5

Kingman Club Sign HDR 3x5

Historic Kingman Water Tanks

Grand Canyon Caverns

White Cliffs Wagon Trail HDR

Hualapai Mountains

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January 28, 2025 is National Plan for Vacation Day-  Why Kingman, AZ Should Be on Your 2025 Travel Itinerary

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated every January, is the perfect time to start dreaming about your next adventure. Planning a vacation early allows you to secure the best deals on accommodations, flights, and activities, often saving money and ensuring availability. It provides ample time to research your destination, create a thoughtful itinerary, and avoid last-minute stress. Plus, having a trip to look forward to can boost excitement and give you more time to prepare for a memorable experience.

Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a road trip with friends, or a solo exploration, there’s no better way to make the most of your vacation days than by adding Kingman, Arizona to your travel plans. As the “Heart of Historic Route 66,” Kingman is not only a destination in its own right but also a central stop on your way to the Southwest’s most iconic locations.

For road trippers, Kingman embodies classic Americana. This small town on Route 66 offers everything you’d expect from a journey down America’s most legendary highway: a nostalgic celebration of vintage road signs, quirky roadside attractions, and museums that capture the spirit of the open road. Visit the Route 66 Museum downtown to immerse yourself in the history of this storied route, and don’t forget to snap a photo at one of Kingman’s vibrant murals or historic sites. If you’re planning a spring trip, mark your calendar for the Route 66 Fun Run in early May. The event brings together vintage cars, motorcycles, and enthusiastic travelers for a unique ride along the Mother Road. They begin in Seligman, and stop in Downtown Kingman for a Car Show and Award Ceremony. After that, drivers head West through Oatman, and then to Topock, concluding the drive on the longest remaining stretch of Route 66. 

Outdoor lovers will find Kingman to be the perfect desert escape. The area offers a mix of scenic hiking trails, mountain biking opportunities, and unique geological formations. Enjoy trails winding through beautiful desert views or head up to the forested Hualapai Mountains, for an unforgettable outdoor experience. For visitors with families looking to try something new, Kingman’s recently added rock-climbing boulders at Metcalfe Park are the perfect way for kids to have a unique outdoor experience. The combination of wide-open spaces, blue skies, and breathtaking views makes it easy to see why outdoor adventurers keep coming back to Kingman.

One of Kingman’s best-kept secrets is its location—perfectly situated for exploring the Southwest’s most famous attractions. The Grand Canyon West is just a two-hour drive away, making Kingman a convenient and charming base for your adventure. Hoover Dam and the glittering lights of Las Vegas are less than two hours to the northwest, while the London Bridge at Lake Havasu City lies just an hour south. If you’re traveling through the region, Kingman is the ideal place to stop, recharge, and explore before continuing your journey. Kingman is also a short drive to two unique living ghost towns of Oatman and Chloride. 

The Grand Canyon Caverns, scheduled to reopen in February 2025, is located about an hour east of Kingman along Route 66. They are one of the largest dry caverns in the U.S. Formed over millions of years, they lie 210 feet below the surface and are accessible via guided tours that take visitors into their fascinating depths. Highlights include unique geological formations, historic relics, and even a quirky underground hotel suite. Above ground, there's a gift shop, restaurant, and an outdoor dinosaur park, making it a fun and educational destination for families, adventurers, and Route 66 enthusiasts.

Beyond its natural beauty and prime location, Kingman offers plenty of unique local experiences. From delicious dining to a burgeoning brewery and wine-tasting scene, a walk through downtown reveals history and fun around every corner. Visitors can also enjoy axe-throwing, one of Kingman’s newest attractions. Food and drink lovers might also enjoy a stop at Desert Diamond Distillery, where craft spirits shine, or dining at Kingman’s newest hidden gem—an Italian restaurant housed in a beautifully restored vintage railcar.

Whether you’re stopping for a day or staying for a week, Kingman offers a mix of nostalgia, outdoor adventures, and small-town charm that make it a must-see destination. It’s a place where the past and present meet on the open road, where every turn offers something unique to discover, and where your next great vacation memory is waiting to be made.

Make Kingman the highlight of your 2025 travel plans and let the adventure begin. Be sure to check out our calendar to plan your visit around one of our unique local events!

https://www.explorekingman.com/events/