Highlights of Route 66 with Mother Road Festival & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer questions.

Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to one of America’s tallest buildings, legends such as Al Capone and his notorious gang, and countless jazz and blues clubs. Get to know this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour that includes seeing the sign marking the start of historic Route 66. This afternoon is at leisure. Ride the elevator to the top of the Willis Tower(formerly the Sears Tower), explore The Magnificent Mile, or stroll along Navy Pier.

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. On to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, where we will visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The evening is yours to enjoy the International Route 66 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 and 60s. There are also various exhibitors, vendors, and dozens of specialty food stalls.

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 of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

Travel through the Missouri countryside en route to Branson, known as The Live Music Capital of the World. Enjoy free time to explore historic downtown Branson, situated along Lake Taneycomo. No visit to Branson is complete without seeing a live performance, so join your Tour Director for an optional dinner tonight followed by a music-filled show.

This morning, depart the Ozarks and continue through America’s “Bible Belt” into Cowboy Country. After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. In Tulsa, see the “East Meets West” sculpture that pays tribute to Cyrus Avery, “The Father of Route 66.” Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City.

Start the day with a city 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 through which iconic Route 66 passes. Continue into the Texas Panhandle en route to Amarillo, the Yellow Rose of Texas.

On the way out of Amarillo, stop at Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 Cadillacs. 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. 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. Afterward, there’s free time to enjoy this old town with its fine parish church and Spanish-style plaza.

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or sunbathe in the New Mexico sunshine. Consider an optional Albuquerque Trolley ride or a short walk to Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement. Or visit one of the city’s fine museums, like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

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. Depart Albuquerque and cross the Continental Divide and continue to Gallup, sometimes called the “Indian Capital of the World.” It is the 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 rich heritage that features the Old West and Route 66.

Deviate 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. Consider an optional helicopter flightseeing tour for an unforgettable 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.”

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 featuring top Vegas entertainment.

A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Ride the world’s highest rollercoaster, float through a Venetian canal, 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. A variety of optional excursions are available, including a float trip through dramatic Black Canyon on the Colorado River.

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.

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. Consider an optional Warner Brothers Studio tour, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the pool.

Your vacation ends this morning. Consider extending your vacation with extra nights to explore Los Angeles further.