Kingman, AZ

Kingman is the home of character actor Andy Devine. A lifelong friend of John Wayne, he's the corpulent guy with the froggy voice that played the stage driver in Stagecoach and the sherrif in The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance. Almost everything in town is named for him, including Route 66, which is called Andy Devine Blvd.

Andy Devine's father bought the Beale Hotel in 1906, and Andy grew up there. In 1923, the rates ranged from $1.50 to $4.00 per night. The Devine's sold the Beale in 1926 just as Route 66 was opening. It has been closed for years.

The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, with its Route 66 Museum, is in Kingman. Locomotive Park, with a giant steam locomotive is across the street.

The Dambar Steak House has a great biker bar. There even is a motorcycle in the entrance way. The food is pretty good and the service involves some nice eye candy.

The Fireside Cocktail Lounge also is a good biker destination. It is more Old School than the Dambar. Several miles out of town to the East is the Outpost Saloon, which is a big time biker destination.

Mr. D'z Diner offers good food in a 1950s atmosphere.

Kingman is the home of Mother Road Harley-Davidson.

If you are adventurous, try the Big Rig Doll House at 2770 S Hwy 66. It may be the roughest strip joint anywhere. The chicks are, well, edgy. It doesn't serve booze or beer, so everybody goes outside to drink. The doorman has a gun on his belt.

When you are leaving Kingman, you will get to ride the Oatman Highway, which is twisty, curvy and hilly with minimal guardrails. It's one of the best rides on Route 66, but be careful. I wouldn't try it in bad weather.