Back in the 1940s, Nat King Cole was already singing about Route 66’s open-road appeal. Today, Route 66 has been decommissioned as a federal highway, but many parts of the 2,400-mile historic roadway still exist—and hold a particular appeal to experience the nostalgia, that quintessential Route 66 experience—the iconic neon lights, the kitschy gift shops and the campy stopovers,”. “Get your kicks on Route 66,” as the famous song goes, will take you from Chicago to St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and California!
DETAILS
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PACKAGE AVAILABLE:
May - October
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TOUR LENGTH:
14 Days / 13 Nights
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DAY 1 - Touch down in Chicago
For your first day of the trip, fly into one of Chicago’s airports: either Chicago O’Hare or Chicago Midway. Transfer to your hotel for the evening before meeting for your group dinner/orientation. From there, spend some time exploring the city and perhaps catch up on America’s favorite pastime at the famous Wrigley Field.
DAY 2 - In Chicago
Take the day to see some of the city’s landmarks, including the Field Museum of Natural History. We will inaugurate this tour with a visit to the symbolic starting point of Route 66: The Art Institute of Chicago in Grant Park. (Chicago's last official US-66 sign used to hang from a streetlight just south of the gallery.) While we’re in the area, we take a drive down Jackson Boulevard and grab coffee at Lou Mitchell’s diner. It’s a Chicago institution and part of Route 66 lore.
DAY 3 - Chicago to St. Louis
People, start your engines: We will drive about 300 miles south toward St. Louis today. Stop in Pontiac, Ill., to visit the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum, where you will find thousands of pieces of memorabilia commemorating the famous trek. If you’d prefer to stay outside St. Louis, we can bunk up at the famous Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri.
DAY 4 - In St. Louis
Spend the day taking in the sights and sounds of St. Louis, including the city’s
iconic Gateway Arch, and go all the way to the top. We made sure to make time to tour the year-old National Blues Museum, which features dozens of interactive exhibits and artifacts that explore the history and regional variations of the blues. End the night on a sweet note with a treat from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
DAY 5 - St. Louis to Tulsa
As we head southwest out of St. Louis, we will take a detour to the famous Meramec Caverns, where legend has it that outlaw Jesse James made his hideout in the 1800s. And before you wrap up your day, add a photo of the Blue Whale of Catoosa to your scrapbook, a 80-foot-long statue that’s been entertaining visitors since the 1970s. Once in Tulsa, check out the Admiral Twin Drive-In, a classic drive-in cinema that was featured in S. E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders. Unwind for the night at the Campbell Hotel, a first-class experience in lavish accommodations encompassed by a historic Route 66 atmosphere.
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DAY 6 - Tulsa to Oklahoma City
On the drive into Oklahoma City, we will stop at the iconic Pops in Arcadia. The old- fashioned soda shop has 700 flavored beverages and serves them up alongside a 66-foot-tall neon soda bottle. Once you arrive in town, get to know Oklahoma City’s roots with a visit to Stockyard City, a former public livestock market built in the 1900s; it's since been turned into Western-themed shopping and dining. Downtown is also home to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and museum, built to commemorate the victims and survivors of the 1995 bombing.
DAY 7 - Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas
It’s on to Texas today, for a quick crossing of the Panhandle. Start by visiting the Devil’s Rope Museum. At this kitschy stop, you’ll learn all about the history, use and varieties of barbed wire. Then continue on to Amarillo, where you'll spend the night. Just outside the town limits sits the Instagram-worthy Cadillac Ranch, a 1970s public art installation featuring 10 decorated Cadillacs standing upright. You can also check out the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum, filled with dozens of vintage RVs.
DAY 8 - Amarillo to Albuquerque
Before saying goodbye to Texas, take a pit stop in Adrian — the halfway point between Chicago and Los Angeles. Then cruise through Tucumcari, New Mexico, on the way to Albuquerque. This stretch is the “best-preserved” portion of Route 66, with campy stopovers and shops like Tee Pee Curios.
DAY 9 - In Albuquerque
Get off the bus and spend the day exploring Albuquerque (named one of the top U.S. destinations to visit in 2017). Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and take in the gorgeous desert scenery from the Sandia Peak Tramway. Albuquerque is also home to the Petroglyph National Monument, a 17-mile trail filled with volcanic rocks that have etchings and symbols carved by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. Grab dinner at Kellys Brew Pub, which serves 20 house-made beers. If you did the 17-mile trail, you may need to try all 20 flavors!
DAY 10 - Albuquerque to Flagstaff, Arizona
About an hour outside of Albuquerque lies the Acoma Pueblo, the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S. Stop for a short visit here, then drive on to Flagstaff, Arizona, and wander the town's eclectic, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Check out local eateries such as Diablo Burger where the signature sandwich is served on an English muffin that's been seared with the restaurant logo. In the evening, visit the famous Lowell Observatory, where scientists discovered Pluto in 1930.
DAY 11 - Around Flagstaff
Make Flagstaff your base as you gear up for a day outdoors. “It’s good to get out and see some of the natural wonders. Hit the trails at Red Rock State Park in nearby Sedona, where you can view the breathtaking red sandstone canyon.
DAY 12 - Flagstaff to Barstow, California
Put Flagstaff in the rearview mirror as we head west toward California. Stop for an early lunch at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In, a classic Route 66 diner serving up food along with a side of humor in Seligman, Arizona. Be adventurous as we drive on toward the Mojave National Preserve’s visitor center, a converted train depot in Kelso, California. Spend the afternoon cruising around the Providence Mountains, where you’ll be able to see the famous Joshua trees. Bunk down for the night in nearby Barstow, a classic crossroads for desert travelers.
DAY 13 - Barstow to Los Angeles
The last stretch of Route 66 into Los Angeles is just over 130 miles and points due west. The Route 66 sign on the Santa Monica Pier marks the end of your epic journey, so take time to revel in your sense of accomplishment. Take a ride on the 1920’s Looff carousel or walk along the beachfront walkway to Venice Beach.
DAY 14 - Head home from L.A.
If you haven’t been to Los Angeles before, you may wish to extend your stay. If you can, make sure to take a spin down Hollywood Boulevard before you depart. This is where you’ll find the Hollywood Walk of Fame; you might even have time to catch a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Then it’s wheels up as you head back home via Los Angeles International Airport.
Your package includes:
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13 Breakfasts
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3 Lunches
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6 Dinners
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Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago
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Visit Grant’s Park
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Admission to the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum
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Admission to the St. Louis Gateway Arch
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Admission to the National Blues Museum
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Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
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Admission to Meramec Caverns
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Photo stop at the Blue Whale of Catoosa
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Pops in Arcadia
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Admission to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
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Shopping and lunch at Stockyard City
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Admission to the Devil’s Rope Museum
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Photo stop at Cadillac Ranch
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Admission to Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
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Shopping at Tee Pee Curios
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Admission to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
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Tickets for the Sandia Peak Tramway
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Admission to the Petroglyph National Monument
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Stop at Acoma Pueblo
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Visit Lowell Observatory
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Admission to Red Rock State Park
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Admission to the Mojave National Preserve’s Visitor Center
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Photo stop in Providence Mountains to observe the famous Joshua Trees
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Santa Monica Pier
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Venice Beach
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Souvenir Gift
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Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per traveler
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Accommodations, group meals, admissions and baggage service for the coach driver
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Taxes and gratuities (Note: Gratuities for the coach driver and local guides are not included and are at your discretion based on service.)