Welcome to Chicago, the start of Route 66! Your Tour Director is available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer questions.
After settling into your hotel, perhaps start exploring the city. Stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, admire the city’s renowned architecture, or browse the shops and attractions along Michigan Avenue
Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is celebrated for its striking architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and rich history. This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, including the sign marking the beginning of historic Route 66.
The afternoon is free to explore. Visit the Skydeck on the 103rd-floor of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), stroll along the Magnificent Mile, sample Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza, or choose an optional river cruise for a unique perspective on the city’s renowned architecture
This morning, begin your Route 66 journey with a visit to the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, housed in a historic fire station. Explore exhibits, photographs, maps, and memorabilia that celebrate the history, people, and places that made Route 66 America’s most famous highway.
Continue to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, for a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, where interactive exhibits and artifacts bring the story of the 16th U.S. president to life
Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, known as the “Gateway to the West.” An orientation tour introduces the city before a visit to Gateway Arch National Park. Ride to the top of the 630-foot-tall Arch for panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River below.
Later, travel along a historic stretch of Route 66 and get the chance to sample Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 tradition since 1929. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Travel through the rolling countryside of Missouri, following portions of historic Route 66. Along the way, pass small towns, classic roadside attractions, and reminders of the highway’s golden age.
Arrive in Joplin, a city with deep Route 66 roots and a colorful past. Learn about the area’s history, including its connection to the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde, who briefly sought refuge here during their crime spree across the American Midwest. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
After a brief drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory and home to the Cherokee Nation. Visit the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Welcome & Cultural Center to learn about Cherokee history, culture, and contemporary life through exhibits, artwork, and interpretive displays. Continue to Tulsa, where you’ll see the “East Meets West” sculpture honoring Cyrus Avery, widely recognized as the “Father of Route 66.”
Later, arrive in Oklahoma City for an overnight stay. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City, the capital of Oklahoma, including a stop at the moving Oklahoma City National Memorial honoring those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Continue to Elk City for a visit to the National Route 66 Museum, where exhibits trace the history, people, and communities that shaped America’s most famous highway crossing eight states.
Travel west across the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo, known for its ranching heritage and Route 66 connections. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Depart Amarillo and stop at Cadillac Ranch, the iconic roadside art installation featuring 10 colorful Cadillacs buried nose-first in a Texas field.
Continue to Adrian, the midpoint of historic Route 66, before crossing into New Mexico.
In Tucumcari, browse souvenirs at Tee Pee Curios, a Route 66 landmark since 1944, and see the famous Blue Swallow Motel, which has welcomed travelers along the Mother Road since 1939.
Later, arrive in Albuquerque and travel along Central Avenue, where many historic Route 66-era buildings, signs, and businesses remain. Then enjoy free time to explore Historic Old Town, known for its adobe architecture, Spanish Colonial heritage, and lively central plaza. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure in Albuquerque, a city where Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo influences have shaped a rich cultural heritage. Explore Historic Old Town, the site of the city’s original settlement, or visit one of Albuquerque’s many museums, including the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, the Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
You may also choose an optional narrated trolley tour for an introduction to some of Albuquerque’s most notable landmarks, neighborhoods, and Route 66 sites
Depart Albuquerque and stop to learn about the rich volcanic landscape at El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, where lava flows, sandstone bluffs, and rugged badlands create a striking landscape shaped by centuries of volcanic activity.
Cross the Continental Divide and continue to Gallup, a community with deep Native American heritage and strong connections to the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and other Indigenous cultures of the Southwest. Then stop in Winslow, Arizona the sleepy Route 66 town made famous by the Eagles' hit song Take It Easy.
Later, arrive in Williams, a historic Route 66 town and gateway to Grand Canyon National Park, for a two-night stay. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Williams features a walkable downtown filled with Route 66 landmarks, western heritage, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings
Leave Route 66 behind for a day to visit Grand Canyon National Park. Explore the South Rim and take in sweeping views of one of North America's most iconic landscapes, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. Keep watch for wildlife, including elk that are often seen in the park's forested areas.
For a different perspective, consider an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion above the canyon with thrilling aerial views.
Return to Williams for a free evening. Explore the town's historic Route 66 district, browse local shops, eat at a vintage diner, or stroll past the glowing neon signs that line the preserved 1940s-era Motel Row. (CB)
Depart Williams and travel to Seligman, a community that played an important role in preserving and revitalizing historic Route 66. Continue west before leaving the Mother Road behind for a visit to Las Vegas.
Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour featuring some of the city's famous resorts, themed hotels, and landmarks along the Las Vegas Strip.
This evening is free to explore. Enjoy an optional night on the town that includes dinner and a live show celebrating the entertainers who helped shape Las Vegas' rich entertainment history followed by a visit to the Freemont Street Experience, a lively district known for its illuminated canopy, street performers, and historic casinos. (CB)
Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Las Vegas your way. Explore the famous Las Vegas Strip, relax by the pool, shop, or visit some of the city's most distinctive attractions. Take a gondola ride through the canals at The Venetian, admire the seasonal botanical displays at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, or discover the many other themed resorts that have made Las Vegas one of the world's most recognizable destinations.
Or join an optional excursion to see nearby Hoover Dam, one of America's most impressive engineering achievements, and learn about this towering marvel
Depart Las Vegas and travel across the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles.
Along the way, visit the California Route 66 Museum, where exhibits celebrate the history and nostalgia of America's most famous highway, including a 1950s diner, a VW Love Bus, and a 1917 Ford Model T.
Continue to Santa Monica, home to the historic "End of the Trail" sign marking the end of this legendary road. Take time to reflect on your journey across eight states before arriving in Los Angeles for a two-night stay
Discover some of Los Angeles' most iconic neighborhoods on a morning sightseeing tour. Visit Beverly Hills, travel along the Sunset Strip, and explore Hollywood, where the stars embedded in Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame honor some of the entertainment industry's most influential figures.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Perhaps join the optional Warner Bros. Studio Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at film and television production, including soundstages, backlots, and locations featured in popular movies and television shows
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Los Angeles further.
