Needles, California - A Day Out - Hoover Dam and Route 66

Probably one of the best day out for us was a drive from Needles, California to Hoover Dam and back through Kingman, Arizona, and Oatman, Arizona, along Route 66.

Big trip ahead so we were up early.  Here is our route:

Needles to Hoover Dam to Kingman to Oatman to Needles

We started by driving mostly on the US95 towards Boulder City.  Searchlight is a good stopping spot for coffee, however, the drive to Hoover Dam is only about 1 hour 30 minutes (95 miles).  When you approach Hoover Dam you will see a new bridge which you can go over later.  The Hoover Dam tour is a must.  There is ample parking and a choice of tours to take.  We stayed there for a couple of hours and did one tour.  (Note:  Have a look in the mirror before you go into the Information Centre.  If you go on a tour, your picture will be taken which is available for purchase after the tour.)

After our visit at Hoover Dam we wanted to go to Kingman which is on Route 66.  Our plan was to have lunch stop there.  The drive is across the desert, over mountains for about 1 hour 30 minutes (80 miles).  Kingman is loaded with fast food restaurants and is a typical stop-over spot between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon.  Actually, Kingman has a lot more to offer than just a quick bite to eat.  There is a Route 66 Museum, City walking tour and loads more.  Click on the link - About Kingman, AZ.

After an hour in Kingman (and we could have stayed longer), we headed back to Needles (about 30 miles)  via Oatman.  This drive along Route 66 is SENSATIONAL.  We can't say enough about how much we enjoyed the views.  The road was a bit narrow - so you need to pay attention to where you are driving.  But, well worth it!!!!!

We stopped in Oatman (see link - Oatman) and had another coffee and enjoyed watching the visitors mixing with the donkeys and enjoying this super former mining town.

Back to Needles for a sit by the pool and dinner!

Tomorrow we are off to LA, California.