Itinerary Details
Highlights Of Route 66 With Mother Road Festival & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Day 1: CHICAGO Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3pm-6pm to answer questions.
Once settled into your hotel, perhaps start exploring the city via the 1.25-mile Riverwalk along the Chicago River or do some shopping at the many well-known retail destinations along Michigan Avenue, better known as the Magnificent Mile.
Day 2: CHICAGO Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to iconic architecture including one of America’s tallest buildings, notorious gangster Al Capone, and countless jazz and blues clubs. Oh, and deep-dish pizza, of course! Get to know this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour that includes the sign marking the start of historic Route 66. Spend a free afternoon exploring Chi Town—perhaps visit the 103rd-floor Skydeck of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) for spectacular city views, admire amazing works of art at the Art Institute of Chicago or take an optional river cruise for a different view of the city’s celebrated architecture.
Day 3: CHICAGO–PONTIAC–SPRINGFIELD-INTERNATIONAL ROUTE 66 MOTHER ROAD FESTIVAL This morning, take a spin through Route 66 memorabilia with a visit to the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac. Housed in a historic fire station, this collection of fascinating items includes large maps to sketch out your upcoming Route 66 adventure, as well as nostalgic photos and postcards from the Mother Road’s” heyday. Then on to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, to enjoy the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, where the streets come alive with the rumble of engines from hotrod cars, cool trucks, and vintage motorcycles. There is free live entertainment featuring R&B, Motown, and chart-topping tunes of the 50s to 80s and more. There are also various exhibitors, vendors, and dozens of specialty food stalls.
Day 4: SPRINGFIELD–ST. LOUIS Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” Your orientation tour includes the towering Gateway Arch National Park. Ascend to the top of the 630-foot-tall arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. Then drive along an original stretch of Route 66 and get the chance to savor some Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 treat since 1929! (B)
Day 5: ST. LOUIS–JOPLIN Travel through the Missouri countryside, exploring interesting quaint towns and quirky roadside attractions along Route 66. Arrive in Joplin and learn about this city where a couple of infamous outlaws named Bonnie and Clyde once hid out. (B)
Day 6: JOPLIN–TULSA–OKLAHOMA CITY After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. Visit the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center and get an overview of Cherokee history, art, and culture. In Tulsa, see the “East Meets West” sculpture that pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, “The Father of Route 66.” Later, arrive in Oklahoma City. (B)
Day 7: OKLAHOMA CITY–ELK CITY–AMARILLO Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. From here, travel to Elk City and visit the National Route 66 Museum for a journey through each of the eight states Route 66 passes through. Continue into the Texas Panhandle en route to Amarillo, "The Yellow Rose of Texas." (B)
Day 8: AMARILLO–TUCUMCARI–ALBUQUERQUE On the way out of Amarillo, stop at Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 colorful Cadillacs planted nose-first in the ground. Before crossing into New Mexico, reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. Across the New Mexico border, visit Russell’s Car Museum, featuring classic cars and memorabilia. Next, stop in Tucumcari and shop for souvenirs at Teepee Curios, a mainstay on Route 66 since 1944. See the iconic Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travelers of Route 66 since 1939, along with many original signs from the town’s heyday. Visit Central Avenue in Albuquerque, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and businesses still stand. (CB)
Day 9: ALBUQUERQUE Enjoy a day at leisure in this Southwestern city of diverse cultures, authentic art, and rich history. Consider spending time in Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement or visit one of the city’s many museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Day 10: ALBUQUERQUE–GALLUP–WINSLOW–WILLIAMS Enjoy an unforgettable experience at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s early morning Balloon Glow followed by the Mass Ascension, where hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons fill the morning sky. Then depart Albuquerque and continue to Gallup, homeland of Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and many other tribes who comprise a large percentage of the population. Then we’ll be “Standing on the Corner of Winslow, Arizona”, the sleepy Route 66 town made famous by The Eagles in their hit song "Take It Easy." The next two nights are in Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, and listed in the National Register for Historic Places. The Historic Downtown District covers six square blocks and boasts a heritage that features the Old West and Route 66.
Day 11: WILLIAMS. EXCURSION TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Take a detour from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—Grand Canyon National Park. Wander along the canyon rim for breathtaking views and wildlife with the chance to spot elk grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. For an unforgettable experience, consider an optional helicopter flightseeing tour for an awe-inspiring bird’s-eye-view of the canyon. Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s. Be sure to take note of the neon signs of the preserved circa 1940s “Motel Row.” (CB)
Day 12: WILLIAMS–SELIGMAN–LAS VEGAS Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 to visit the bright lights of Las Vegas. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the glittering “Strip.” This evening, join an optional night on the town featuring an extravagant dinner followed by a dazzling live show that pays tribute to the stars who made Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” (CB)
Day 13: LAS VEGAS A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Float through a Venetian canal, visit jaw-dropping horticultural displays, or test your luck at one of the many world-famous casinos—it’s all possible in Las Vegas! Don’t miss downtown Las Vegas, where you’ll find the Fremont Street Experience, five city blocks enclosed in a glass atrium and filled with dazzling lights, sounds, and action. History and engineering buffs won’t want to miss an optional excursion to nearby Hoover Dam. Learn about the massive undertaking in building this towering engineering marvel known as the “Greatest Dam in the World.”
Day 14: LAS VEGAS–VICTORVILLE–LOS ANGELES Today, depart the man-made oasis of Las Vegas, and cross the natural beauty of Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Visit the California Route 66 Museum to see its nostalgic 50’s diner, VW Love Bus, and the 1917 Model T Ford exhibits. Overnight in Los Angeles, where you’ll visit Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66.
Day 15: LOS ANGELES Explore the exciting “City of Angels” with a morning tour of legendary Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood, where you’ll walk along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, and get a photo of the iconic Hollywood sign. With a free afternoon, get a real taste of Hollywood on an optional Warner Bros. Studio tour for a behind-the-scenes look at how TV and movies are made, including famous sets from the big and small screen.
Day 16: LOS ANGELES Your vacation ends this morning. Consider extending your vacation with extra nights to explore Los Angeles further.
