The best stops on a breathtaking road trip between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon

Peggy Sue's 50's Diner, Nevada

It will take less than an hour to drive from Valley of Fire State Park to this diner in Mesquite that supplies travelers with a journey back in time. As the name suggests, the diner celebrates the decade when the birth rate literally boomed, the Cold War ramped up, and Elvis Presley started his ascent to musical royalty. There are pictures of "The King" slung on the walls of the diner, as well as guitars hanging from panels, and photos that recall the 1950s. A diner counter is lined on one side by bright-red vinyl upholstered diner. 

Even the menu harks back to yesteryear, with 50s-era writing, and menu items under headings like "Big Boppin Burgers," and "Sock Hop' Wraps." The food extends to classic diner fare, as expected, so diners can anticipate hot cakes, burgers, steaks, fries, thick, frothy milkshakes, and bottomless coffee. The whole experience is wrapped in tunes pulled straight from the 50s.

Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona

After fuelling up, drive about 90 minutes to the next stop. This destination is named for Pipe Spring, a waterway that proved important for early residents of this area. Kaibab Paiute used the waters from the spring to cultivate plants and feed livestock. Later, in the 1850s, Mormons settled in the region and changed the terrain, ushering in a period of fractious relations between the settlers and the Native Americans. 

Travelers will be able to learn about the history of the Kaibab Paiute and other tribes in this part of Arizona with a stop at the on-site museum. But this isn't the only education that the monument provides. There are ranches there, with horses and cattle, talks by rangers and experts, forts on the land, cabins, and of course, the serene terrain of the Southwest. Visitors can explore gardens, with orchards that produce peaches, plums, and apricots, and land that generates traditional Native American crops. Hikes along the Ridge Trail take in grand scenery, from sandstone cliffs to desert flats.

Chloride, Arizona

The hour-long drive from Hoover Dam to this former mining town takes place mostly on Route 93. Visiting Chloride, which was founded in 1863, almost feels like a step back in time. Only a few hundred people live in the town these days, and there aren't any large retail outlets or fancy establishments. Instead, visitors will find a hotel, a church, a handful of small stores, and a general store where you can pick up daily items. The town also has the oldest operating post office in the state and is the oldest mining town in Arizona. 

It is a far cry from the town's identity during the mining boom when thousands lived there. Silver was one of the main products of the mines — the town gets its name from silver chloride — although gold, zinc, turquoise, and lead were also found in the area. The mining industry began to wane at the onset of World War II when many miners were needed for the war, and silver prices dropped. But Chloride continues to persevere, and visitors can wander its quiet streets, and learn all about the town's history at the museum run by the Chloride Historical Society.

Santa Claus, Arizona

From Chloride, it's a short hop — about 10 minutes — to the ghost town of Santa Claus. The name of this former hamlet is a big clue as to its genesis, and role in this dry, dusty part of Arizona. It was founded in 1937 by Ninon Talbott, who moved to Arizona from California. Talbott was drawn to the desert, and coupling that with her fondness for cooking, she opened a hotel that was called the Christmas Tree Inn. The restaurant menu was inspired by the North Pole and featured dishes like reindeer and chicken soup, and Eskimo fruit cocktail. 

The food was a hit, even impressing food writer Duncan Hines, and as word spread, and the town's popularity grew, Santa Claus expanded to include a gift shop and even a post office. The last of these was one of the key attractions for visitors, after all, who could resist sending a letter or postcard that was postmarked as coming from "Santa Claus." But the town's gimmicks didn't last forever, and by the mid-1990s, nothing was left. Now, travelers come here to gaze at abandoned structures with peeling paint and walls covered in graffiti and imagine the heyday of this town where it was Christmas any time of the year.

Keepers of the Wild Nature Park, Arizona

Continue on Route 66 for about 40 minutes, and you'll come to this refuge that houses more than 100 rescued animals, including tigers. The sanctuary first opened in 1995 and is a non-profit that tasks itself with safeguarding its creatures and also its 175 acres of wild lands, including canyons. The park is the brainchild of Jonathan Kraft, an entertainer from Vegas who used big cats in his shows. 

He felt conflicted about employing these majestic creatures on stage, keeping them trapped in cages when they weren't performing, and decided to make a radical change and alter the course of his career. He opened Keeper of the Wild Nature Park, and today works as an educator and activist on animal rights. Today, the stock of rescued creatures that call this part of Arizona home include bears, primates, coyotes, and birds. Travelers can help with the upkeep of this commendable project through visits, guided tours, adoptions, and simple donations.

Grand Canyon Caverns, Arizona

After enjoying the outdoors, and the animals that live in it, these caverns promise an experience that is firmly all about the interior. The drive from Keepers of the Wild Nature Park will take about 30 minutes along Route 66. Sure, there are places to stay and eat above ground, but the real fun is what lies below the surface. The caverns are over 50 million years old and serve as a backdrop for some unique moments beyond just touring the actual caverns. Inside the arched caves, travelers can dine at the Crystal Restaurant, located 200 feet underground. 

While the food is prepared on the surface, meals are served on tables with checked tablecloths and four seats, and come with wraparound views of the largest cave in the complex. For travelers that feel weary, and want to extend the subterranean atmosphere for a little longer, they can consider booking the Cavern Suite. The room comes with two queen beds, a futon, a basic bathroom, a mini-fridge, and even a television. One thing you will be guaranteed all the way down there — total darkness.

Seligman, Arizona

Expect another 30-minute drive to get to Seligman from the Grand Canyon Caverns. Seligman holds a special place in the lore of Route 66 because this is where the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona was formed. It was in February 1987 that a group met at the Copper Cart restaurant. The opening of nearby I-40 just south of town threatened its livelihood since the interstate bypassed Seligman. At that meeting in the Copper Cart, a town barber called Angel Delgadillo spearheaded the drive to create an association to promote interest in the iconic Route 66. 

That organization was instrumental in renewing interest in the roadway, and when the piece of it between Seligman and Kingman was officially notated at Historic Route 66, Seligman took on the mantle of being the birthplace of Historic Route 66. The association continues to promote Route 66, and it played a key role in getting the road recognized as a National Scenic Byway. The town is a cool place to spend an hour, to get a feel for a town that seems looped into America from a few decades ago. You'll see some old cars in various states of roadworthiness, and be able to visit a retro-diner and a gift shop run by Angel Delgadillo and see plenty of Route 66 signs.