Itinerary
- Day 1
Chicago
You'll arrive in Chicago and get settled at your hotel. Your tour director is on hand from 3pm to 6pm if you need any help getting oriented. From there, you can check out the Riverwalk, which runs for about 1.25 miles along the water, or hit up the shops on Michigan Avenue if that's more your speed.
Optional Activities
- Explore Chicago's architecture via the Riverwalk along the Chicago River
- Shopping at retail destinations along Michigan Avenue
Landmarks/POIs Chicago Riverwalk Michigan Avenue - Day 2
Chicago
This morning brings a guided tour of Chicago including the Route 66 starting point sign. The afternoon is yours to spend however you'd like. Some folks head to the Willis Tower's 103rd-floor Skydeck for city views, others walk the Magnificent Mile for shopping, or you could take an optional river cruise to see the architecture from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning sightseeing tour of Chicago including the sign marking the start of historic Route 66
Optional Activities
- Visit Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) 103rd-floor Skydeck
- Walk along the Magnificent Mile
- River cruise for a view of the city's architecture
Landmarks/POIs Route 66 Starting Point Sign Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) Magnificent Mile - Day 3
Chicago to Springfield
Head to Pontiac to visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, which is set up inside a historic fire station. You'll see route memorabilia, old maps, and nostalgic photos. Later you'll travel to Springfield to check out the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, exploring the history of the 16th president.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac
- Visit Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield
Landmarks/POIs Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum - Day 4
Springfield to St. Louis
After crossing the Mississippi River, you'll reach St. Louis and explore the Gateway Arch National Park. The highlight is going up to the top of the 630-foot arch for views of the city and surrounding area. You'll also drive an original Route 66 stretch and grab Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a classic Route 66 stop that's been around since 1929.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation tour including Gateway Arch National Park
- Ascend to the top of the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch for panoramic views
- Drive original stretch of Route 66
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stop
Landmarks/POIs Gateway Arch National Park Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Mississippi River - Day 5
St. Louis to Joplin
You'll drive through the Missouri countryside, checking out quirky roadside attractions and small towns along Route 66. The route takes you through rural landscapes before you settle in for the night in Joplin, the city where Bonnie and Clyde once hid out during their outlaw days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Missouri countryside exploring towns and roadside attractions along Route 66
Landmarks/POIs Route 66 - Day 6
Joplin to Oklahoma City
Heading through Kansas, you'll enter Oklahoma and pass through the landscape where the Cherokee Nation is located. Stop at the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center to learn about Cherokee history and art. Before reaching Oklahoma City, you'll see the East Meets West sculpture in Tulsa, a tribute to Cyrus Avery, who created Route 66.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center
- View East Meets West sculpture in Tulsa
Landmarks/POIs Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center East Meets West sculpture - Day 7
Oklahoma City to Amarillo
Start with a guided tour of Oklahoma City, the state's capital. Then drive to Elk City to visit the National Route 66 Museum, which covers the eight states the route passes through. Continue into the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo, known as the Yellow Rose of Texas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Oklahoma City
- Visit National Route 66 Museum in Elk City
Optional Activities
- Dinner at a local steakhouse in Amarillo
Landmarks/POIs National Route 66 Museum - Day 8
Amarillo to Albuquerque
Stop at Cadillac Ranch to see 10 colorful Cadillacs standing as quirky art. Reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66, then cross into New Mexico. Visit Russell's Car Museum for classic cars and memorabilia, stop in Tucumcari at Teepee Curios and see the Blue Swallow Motel (open since 1939). Later, explore Central Avenue in Albuquerque where original Route 66 buildings still stand and have free time in Historic Old Town.
Included Activities
- Stop at Cadillac Ranch
- Reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66
- Visit Russell's Car Museum
- Stop at Teepee Curios in Tucumcari
- View Blue Swallow Motel and original town signs in Tucumcari
- Explore Central Avenue in Albuquerque
- Free time in Historic Old Town Albuquerque
Landmarks/POIs Cadillac Ranch Adrian (Route 66 Halfway Point) Russell's Car Museum Teepee Curios Blue Swallow Motel Central Avenue Historic Old Town Albuquerque - Day 9
Albuquerque
Today you have leisure time in Albuquerque to experience the city at your own pace. Walk over to Old Town, the original settlement, or visit fine museums like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It's a chance to soak in the local culture and art scene.
Optional Activities
- Walk to Old Town Albuquerque
- Visit New Mexico Museum of Natural History
- Visit Albuquerque Museum
- Visit Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- Open-air narrated Albuquerque trolley ride tour of the city's famous spots
Landmarks/POIs Old Town Albuquerque New Mexico Museum of Natural History Albuquerque Museum Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - Day 10
Albuquerque to Williams
Leave Albuquerque and cross the Continental Divide heading to Gallup, known as the Indian Capital of the World and homeland to Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and other tribes. Stop in Winslow, Arizona, the Route 66 town made famous by The Eagles' song. Finally arrive in Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon and a historic town on the National Register for Historic Places.
Included Activities
- Cross the Continental Divide
- Visit Gallup, New Mexico
- Visit Winslow, Arizona
Landmarks/POIs Gallup Winslow, Arizona Williams Historic Downtown District - Day 11
Williams / Grand Canyon National Park
You'll detour from Route 66 to visit the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Spend time walking along the canyon rim with views across the vast landscape and spot wildlife like elk grazing in forested areas on the South Rim. Return to Williams in the evening with time to explore Americana-style shops, restaurants from the early 1900s, and vintage neon signs from the 1940s Motel Row.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Canyon National Park
- Wander along the canyon rim for views and wildlife observation on the South Rim
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flightseeing tour of Grand Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Grand Canyon Williams Motel Row - Day 12
Williams to Las Vegas
Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Then you'll detour from the route to head to Las Vegas for the evening. An orientation tour shows you the major casino resorts and attractions along the Strip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Seligman, Arizona
- Orientation tour of Las Vegas showing casino resorts along the Strip
Optional Activities
- Night on the town featuring dinner and dazzling live show
Landmarks/POIs Seligman, Arizona Las Vegas Strip - Day 13
Las Vegas
You have the day to do what you'd like in Las Vegas. Relax by the pool, walk through a Venetian canal, check out the gardens, or try your luck at the casinos. Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street Experience, five city blocks covered in glass with lights and sounds, is worth visiting too.
Optional Activities
- Explore Las Vegas Strip
- Venetian canal experience
- Visit horticultural displays
- Try luck at casinos
- Visit Fremont Street Experience downtown Las Vegas
- Excursion to Hoover Dam to learn about the engineering marvel
Landmarks/POIs Las Vegas Strip Fremont Street Experience Hoover Dam - Day 14
Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Leave Las Vegas and cross the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains heading to Los Angeles. Visit the California Route 66 Museum along the way, which has a nostalgic 50s diner, VW Love Bus, and a 1917 Model T Ford on display. Stay overnight in Los Angeles with plans to visit Santa Monica, where Route 66 comes to an end.
Included Activities
- Visit California Route 66 Museum
Landmarks/POIs California Route 66 Museum Santa Monica (Route 66 Endpoint) Mojave Desert San Bernardino Mountains - Day 15
Los Angeles
A morning tour takes you through legendary Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood. Walk along Hollywood Boulevard to see the terrazzo and brass stars honoring entertainment industry figures. You'll have a free afternoon to explore Los Angeles on your own after the tour.
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, and Hollywood
- Walk along Hollywood Boulevard to see terrazzo and brass stars
Optional Activities
- Warner Bros. Studio tour for behind-the-scenes look at TV and movie production, including famous sets
Landmarks/POIs Beverly Hills Sunset Strip Hollywood Boulevard Warner Bros. Studio - Day 16
Los Angeles
Your Route 66 journey ends this morning. If you'd like, you can extend your trip with extra nights to spend more time in Los Angeles and continue exploring the city.
Optional Activities
- Extend vacation with extra nights to explore Los Angeles further
