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.

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

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

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.

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”.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.