Cruisin’ on Route 66 – America's Heartland

Day 1 – Welcome to Illinois!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX for a nonstop flight arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule (subject to change) to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and begin our exploration of the “Mother Road” traveling south and stopping to admire historic and quirky sites along the way, including the Two Cell Jail in Gardner and two beautifully restored 1920s gas stations. In the legendary city of Pontiac we’ll admire the outdoor murals depicting various aspects of the town’s history and its connection to Route 66. Painted on the sides of buildings throughout downtown, the murals range in style from realistic portraits to whimsical interpretations, each one adding to the town’s charm and character. We’ll encounter scenes of old gas stations, diners and motels that once lined Route 66, as well as tributes to local heroes and historic events that shaped the community. We’ll continue to Bloomington, Illinois where we’ll enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite followed by an overnight stay. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Normal to Springfield

This morning we’ll explore the interactive exhibits and historical artifacts within the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center, celebrating the rich, historical Bloomington-Normal connection to both Route 66 and Abraham Lincoln’s time in Illinois. Continuing south we’ll make photo stops at several whimsical roadside attractions including the 19-foot Paul Bunyan Statue holding a giant hot dog and the World’s Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon, a 40-foot-long wagon with a statue of Abraham Lincoln at the reins. In Illinois’ capital city of Springfield we’ll be joined by a local guide for a driving tour of this historic city. We’ll visit the Lauterbach Muffler Man, a giant fiberglass statue that has stood in the parking lot outside of Lauterbach Tire & Auto Service since 1978. We’ll experience the ambiance and character of neon glow under wood barreled ceilings at the Ace Sign Co., a state-of-the-art sign manufacturing facility. The Ace Sign Co. Sign Museum showcases a vast collection of vintage signs from Springfield and Route 66 including a number of notable signs like a 12’ tall 1953 Neon Pepsi Bottle Cap and a sign that once identified the train depot where Lincoln gave his farewell speech. At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum we’ll immerse ourselves in the life and legacy of our 16th President through state-of-the-art exhibits, interactive displays and multimedia programs that were carefully designed with exacting historical detail. Amazingly well-preserved rare artifacts, original documents, personal items and a reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1861 provide a deeper understanding of Lincoln's impact on American history and tell Lincoln’s entire life story including his early years in Illinois and his presidency during the Civil War era. This Presidential Museum, unlike any other in the U.S., features holographic and special effects theatres that will entertain, educate, and mesmerize you with ghostly images, live actors and high action. Witness the 1860 Presidential Election as though it were happening today, complete with television news coverage and campaign commercials. This evening we’ll visit Motorheads Route 66 Bar, Grill & Museum, a lively Route 66 destination adorned with vintage cars, neon signs and memorabilia that celebrate the cultural significance of this legendary road. Home to vintage gas station signs, classic cars and Route 66 memorabilia, including the "World’s Largest Route 66 Sign," Motorheads is truly a "one of a kind" dining experience and a must see for all Route 66 lovers! Before an overnight in Springfield, we’ll visit the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience featuring vintage billboards, a re-created drive-in movie theatre, neon sign park, a tribute to muffler men and displays that celebrate the history and culture of Route 66. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Springfield, IL to St. Louis, MO

This morning we’ll continue south towards St. Louis, making a photo stops in Collinsville to admire a 12-foot-tall Route 66 sign and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. This 170-foot-tall structure built in 1949 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places is a classic example of 20th century roadside Americana that Route 66 is known for. This afternoon we’ll arrive in St. Louis and visit Gateway Arch National Park, one of our nation’s newest national parks and home to one of its most iconic landmarks. The 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch is our nation’s tallest man-made monument and the tallest arch in the world! We’ll visit the new Museum at the Gateway Arch which features six themed galleries that cover 201 years of history and commemorate America’s pioneering spirit and the impacts of westward expansion. We’ll take the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch for stunning views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. Note that the tram ride is not fully accessible for guests with mobility impairments. There are 96 steps, divided into six flights to reach the top and return. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a treat from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a St. Louis landmark since 1929. Enjoy an overnight stay at a deluxe hotel adjacent to the Union Station St. Louis with dinner on your own at this legendary destination. The first train pulled into Union Station on September 1, 1894 at 1:45 p.m., ushering in a new and exciting time for the “Gateway to the West” as St. Louis suddenly became a gateway to all of America. And over the next several years, Union Station would become one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world! While the station ceased operating as an active train terminal in 1978, its renovated and stylish Grand Hall features elegant historic touches like the original terrazzo floor, green glazed terracotta bricks, stained glass windows and wooden carpentry detailing. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – St. Louis to Branson

This morning we’ll continue south through the heart of America and into the Ozark Mountains, a beautiful region featuring rolling hills covered in forests, rivers and streams. In Springfield, Missouri we’ll visit Fantastic Caverns and experience America's only ride-thru cave. This guided Jeep-drawn tram tour follows an ancient underground riverbed through a labyrinth of majestic underground chambers filled with towering stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated by soft, ambient lighting that highlights their intricate formations and natural hues. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into the geological wonders sculpted over millions of years, providing a unique perspective on the subterranean world's beauty and mystery. This afternoon we’ll arrive in Branson, the “Music and Entertainment Capital of the Midwest,” for an overnight stay. After an included dinner at a locals’ favorite, we’ll take our seats for Presleys’ Country Jubilee, one of Branson’s longest-running and most beloved live music shows. Four generations of Presleys will take the stage for an unforgettable evening of magical music and comedy mayhem and wholesome entertainment, that celebrates the rich traditions of country and gospel music dosed with a heapin’ helpin’ of Ozarks hospitality. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – Branson, MO to Tulsa, OK

This morning we’ll travel to Joplin and admire Route 66 Mural Park, featuring two large murals celebrating the history and culture of Route 66. The mock 1964 red Corvette provides the perfect backdrop for Route 66 enthusiasts. Continuing west, we’ll arrive in Miami, Oklahoma where we’ll enjoy a guided tour and included lunch at the historic Coleman Theatre. When it opened on April 18, 1929 along Miami’s Main Street segment of Route 66, the Coleman Theatre was proudly billed as the most elaborate entertainment facility between Dallas and Kansas City. This beautifully restored movie palace listed on the National Register of Historic Places is a stunning example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and features ornate details such as intricately painted ceilings, lavish furnishings, a grand staircase and a Mighty Wurlitzer organ. In Chelsea, OK we’ll stop to admire the Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Route 66 icon is the home of “The World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole” and other folk art structures created from stone, concrete and imagination as a monument to Native Americans. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, OK. Established in 1938 to honor the “Cowboy Philosopher,” the beautiful limestone museum has 12 galleries filled with the largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia in the world including artifacts from his cowboy and vaudeville days and all of his writings. Vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator, Will Rogers was known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son” so much so that Route 66 through Oklahoma was dedicated the “Will Rogers Highway.” We’ll stop to admire the Blue Whale of Catoosa, a charming piece of Americana and beloved historic landmark along Route 66. Originally built by a zoologist who envisioned the whale as a place where his grandchildren could play and swim, his sketches of the mammal grew until they reached 20 feet tall and 80 feet long. With the help of a friend, the duo spent two years welding the metal framework and applying the hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time. This evening we’ll arrive in Tulsa and begin a two-night stay at the sleek and stylish AAA Four Diamond Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Tulsa

This morning we’ll be joined by a local guide for a driving tour of Tulsa, a vibrant and diverse city that features a rich history, brilliant culture, artistry, and architecture. Hear the stories of the Native Americans, cowboys and the settlers from all parts of this country who came here to strike it rich during its oil boom. We’ll stop at Center of the Universe, marked by a small concrete circle in the middle of a larger circle of bricks a little more than eight feet in diameter. Any noise made inside this little-known and mysterious acoustic phenomenon is loudly echoed, but only those inside the circle can hear it! We’ll continue to Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District to visit Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66, known for its eclectic collection of Route 66 memorabilia, classic souvenirs and unique gifts along with a towering, larger-than-life space cowboy figure that captures the playful and nostalgic spirit of Route 66. This afternoon we’ll visit the Woody Guthrie Center – a museum dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folksingers. Born in Okemah, Woody Guthrie made a name for himself with hits like "This Land Is Your Land," "Pastures of Plenty," "Talking Dust Bowl Blues" and "Do Re Mi." Learn about Guthrie's views on important issues like human rights and democracy while exploring interactive exhibits that feature Guthrie's personal artifacts a comprehensive collection of his writings and recordings. Pay homage to legendary American singer-songwriter who defined a generation at the Bob Dylan Center, a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to Bob Dylan and his cultural significance. This three-story, 29,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art center provides an immersive experience with curated exhibits pulled from over 100,000 items spanning Dylan’s seven-decade career. Browse handwritten manuscripts and memorabilia while enjoying music from Dylan’s studio and concert recordings, including “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Chimes of Freedom.” See a recreation of an authentic studio environment and experience what it was like to be present at one of Dylan’s historic recording sessions. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – Tulsa to Oklahoma City

This morning we’ll travel north to Pawhuska, located in the heart of Osage County and Oklahoma’s “Cowboy Country.” We’ll explore Oklahoma's Western film history and Osage County western heritage at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum. While dedicated to the Oscar-winning actor, the museum also features impressive displays of saddles, spurs, belt buckles and exhibits of well-known Osage County cowboys and the iconic Drummond family who have been ranching in Osage County for over 100 years. We’ll enjoy an included lunch at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, known locally as “The Merc.” Food Network’s, Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and her husband Ladd spent years renovating the 100-year-old Osage Mercantile building on Main Street so that they could welcome visitors from near and far and give them a slice of small town hospitality. Enjoy homestyle cooking and time at leisure to browse The Merc, filled with kitchenware, gifts and goodies. Enroute to Oklahoma City for an overnight stay, we’ll stop at the POPS 66 Soda Ranch, the iconic roadside attraction featuring a towering 66-foot-tall soda bottle sculpture and over 700 different types of soda from around the world. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8 – Oklahoma City, Journey Home

This morning we’ll join a local guide for a driving tour of Oklahoma City including Route 66 landmarks like the mid-century modern Gold Dome, the historic Tower Theatre and a whimsical roadside attraction featuring a large, vintage milk bottle atop a small brick building. We’ll pay our respects at the Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum – a poignant and profound site honoring those that were killed, those that survived and those that changed forever after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial which features the Field of Empty Chairs, Reflecting Pool and Rescuers’ Orchard, is a place of quiet reflection that encompasses the now sacred soil where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood. Inside the museum are powerful exhibits that chronologically narrate the tragedy, resilience, and recovery of a community united by hope. Visit the Oklahoma State Capitol, the only capitol in the world surrounded by working oil wells. One is even named Petunia #1, because it was drilled in the middle of a flower bed. This afternoon we’ll arrive at Oklahoma’s Will Rogers World Airport for our return flight to Los Angeles. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs with many fond memories of this incredible Route 66 adventure. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.