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15-day Tour Along the Historic Route 66
DAY 1: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Arrival at Chicago International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Home to some of America’s tallest buildings, a rich culture and, more importantly, the starting point for Route 66!
Stop off in the ‘Windy City’, perhaps enjoy a visit to one of the many museums, restaurants and shops, try the Chicago Architectural River Cruise or visit the aquarium.
DAY 2: SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Begin your day with breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s in the heart of the Loop in Chicago. In Wilmington, see the 23” high Gemini Giant who’s watched over visitors since 1965.
From Chicago you head south along the Pontiac Trail, the original name for this bit of the road here, passing through Joliet, checking out the Launching Pad Giant, checking out the RT 66 Museum in Pontiac and generally getting a feel for the rubber on the Mother Road
DAY 3: ST LOUIS, MISSOURI
Stay primarily on the 2-lane sections of the Mother Road, traversing cornfields and small towns that represent the heartland of America.
Arrival into St. Louis will be over the Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original bridge where RT 66 crossed the Mississippi River. Enjoy the short ride today into the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis.
In St Louis, make time to visit the Gateway Arch or take a paddleboat cruise along the Mississippi riverfront. You can’t stop in St Louis without a visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard which features renowned ‘concrete’ malts which are so thick you can hold them upside down and they won’t move from the cup!
MUST SEE:
Dixie Truck Stop
Our Lady of the Highway Statue
Litchfield Museum
DAY 4: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
Known as the birthplace of Route 66, here you could visit underground caverns and the Crystal Cave, to view the upside down well and rainbow falls. Take a short walk across the street and marvel at an early morning view of the St. Louis Arch and Mississippi River.
See the famous World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Fanning, wind our way on the twisting roads of Devil’s Elbow. Meet Gary at Gay Parita’s, himself a Route 66 icon.
Missouri also plays host to one of the best Route 66 attractions – Meramec Caverns, which have existed for over 400 million years.
DAY 5: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
Known as being home to America’s only skeleton museum.
Visit The Museum of Osteology, or the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Passing through the towns of Miami, Claremore and Catoosa, where the legendary Blue Whale resides.
The Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, Creek and Cherokee are some of the tribes that make up the state’s large Native American Indian population. As you may or may not already know,“Oklahoma” is actually the Choctaw word for “red man”.
DAY 6: AMARILLO, TEXAS
The land of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians where you could see the artwork at the unconventional Cadillac Ranch.
As you enter Texas you’ll be back on Route 66 for some famous stops, including McLean. In the evening, visit the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch which is home to the free 72oz. steak – provided you can consume the steak and all the trimmings in an hour!
DAY 7-8: SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The Land of Enchantment”, that is New Mexico.
Journey along the old Mother Road arriving at Santa Fe, ‘the City Different‘, a UNESCO Creative City where you could find out just what got it its unique nickname. The ride continues through the land of Comanche Indians and into Tucumcari, the largest town between Albuquerque and Amarillo.
Perhaps you would like to take a ride along the river valley to the old Native American Indian town of Taos, enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride, or play cowboy for a day on a horseback ride along a mountain or canyon trail.
DAY 9: ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Travel to the sprawling desert city of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city where you could take a ride on the famous Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.
You cross the Rio Grande and head west – out into the open country and the hues of the Navajo wilderness. You are skirting mesas and bluffs on into Laguna. Further on ride through Grants and along Cibola National Forest towards the famous Route 66 town of Gallup – an old railroad town and Indian stronghold.
DAY 10: HOLBROOK, ARIZONA
Stop at the eerie Petrified Forest National Park, home to thousands of petrified logs. Also a visit to the fascinating Meteor Crater is well worth it.
Leaving Petrified Forest NP, travel further west to the Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook, and stop to stand on the corner in Winslow!
Ride on to spend a special night just one mile from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon! Enjoy a cool refreshment – or two – as you gaze in wonder at the sun setting over the Grand Canyon.
DAY 11: WILLIAMS, ARIZONA
Drive through Navajo Indian Country to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. You could walk along the Rim, explore the Grand Canyon National Park or take a helicopter ride to get a real “Bird’s Eye View” of the Grand Canyon.
Make stops in the famous 66 towns of Kingman, Peach Springs, Seligman, Hackberry and an absolute must-see, the Old West Ghost Town of Oatman, Arizona.
DAY 12-13 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Billing itself as the Entertainment Capital of the world but known in some quarters as sin city.
Ride through the Old West Ghost Town of Oatman.
Travel across the Hoover Dam and the Black Canyon of the Colorado River to Las Vegas. Perhaps explore the strip, see the Bellagio Fountains or catch a show.
Traverse the dunes and salt flats of the so-called Devil’s Playground. Indeed the Mojave Desert offers some of the most striking scenery in Southern California – or anywhere for that matter.
DAY 14: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Favoured by celebrities, maybe visit Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive or the Hollywood sign.
First get to ride the 66 miles of the Angeles Crest Highway through the mountainous terrain of Angeles National Forest.
When you see the “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica Pier, you’re bound to feel a sense of accomplishment, having finally made a dream come true, but also some sadness that the ride has finally ended. Of all LA’s resorts, Santa Monica is the largest and the oldest.
DAY 15: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
The journey to the Mother Road Route 66 ended. You can have extra night or two in L.A. to enjoy the sights.