Intl Route 66 Mother Road & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Tags:
Los Angeles; Sightseeing tours; Advanture tour; Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta; Route 66 tour; Chicago; St. Louis; Oklahoma City; Albuquerque;
Spend 14 days following legendary Route 66 and see how Americans traveled from the 1920's through the 1960's. Also known as the “Mother Road," this historic route begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles. Now a preserved piece of history, its original purpose was to connect rural and urban ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States; Amarillo, Texas, United States; Branson/Point Lookout, Missouri, United States; Chicago, Illinois, United States; Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Los Angeles, California, United States; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States; St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Trip Length:
- 14 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $3000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Recommended for:
-
15 - 17, 18 - 20, 25 - 30, 31 - 35, 36 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 55
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
Spend 14 days following legendary Route 66 and see how Americans traveled from the 1920's through the 1960's. Also known as the “Mother Road," this historic route begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles. Now a preserved piece of history, its original purpose was to connect rural and urban communities to main streets, providing freedom of travel. A few of the many highlights along the way include St. Louis' Gateway Arch, Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, Acoma Sky City, Grand Canyon National Park, and various Route 66 icons such as Cadillac Ranch and Tucumcari. September 25th departure: Come join us on this special departure and be a part of the International Route 66 Festival in beautiful historic Springfield, Illinois, where the streets come alive with the rumble of engines from hot cars, cool trucks, and vintage motorcycles. You'll spend the day and evening in Springfield so you can be part of all the action. When we arrive in Albuquerque, you'll be part of the International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Stand in awe as you experience the morning's pre-dawn opening ceremonies and the unforgettable Mass Ascension where hundreds of hot air balloons take off, turning the sky into a virtual rainbow of colors. Note: This departure includes all the activities on our regular departures, plus one extra night in Springfield at the Comfort Suites.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Chicago
Sightseeing
Welcome to the start of famous Route 66! Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
Hotel
Stay at Hotel : Essex Inn (T).
Day 2 - Chicago
Sightseeing
Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is home to America’s tallest building, legends such as Al Capone and his notorious gang, and of course countless jazz and blues clubs. Experience this exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour. This afternoon is at leisure. Ride the elevator to the top of the Sears Tower, explore The Magnificent Mile which offers 460 stores in eight city blocks, or stroll along Navy Pier.
Food and Dining
Tonight, perhaps join an optional dinner and Gangster Tour.
Day 3 - St. Louis
Chicago–Springfield–St. Louis.
Sightseeing
Travel across the fertile Illinois farmlands where the road is dotted with truck stops, diners, and quirky icons. Upon arrival in Springfield, visit Bill Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, a favorite stop for travelers. His memorabilia spans the lifetime of the famous road, and he’ll even share a few stories about the “Mother Road.” Springfield is also the former home of President Abraham Lincoln. Visit his home and his final resting place where he was buried after his assassination in 1865. Then, cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, the “Gateway to the West.”
Food and Dining
Tonight, why not enjoy some famous St. Louis barbecue?
Hotel
Stay at Millennium Hotel (Mf).
Day 4 - Branson/Point Lookout
St. Louis–Branson.
Sightseeing
A morning city tour of St. Louis includes the towering Gateway Arch. Ride to the top of the magnificent 630-foot-tall Arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. Next, travel through the Missouri countryside passing Meramec Caverns, the hideout of notorious bank robber Jesse James, to Branson, one of America’s biggest music centers.
Performing Arts
Join us this evening for our optional evening out to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand where you’ll “shake, rattle & roll” with original American Bandstand stars from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.
Hotel
Stay at Comfort Inn Thousand Hills (F).
Day 5 - Oklahoma City
Branson–Oklahoma City.
Bus
This morning, leave the Ozarks traveling through America’s Bible Belt and into cowboy country.
Museums
After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory. Stopover in Claremore to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Born on a sprawling frontier ranch in Oklahoma, Will Rogers was an Indian, a cowboy, a movie and Broadway star, a writer, a speaker, a comedian, and a world figure. View his collection of saddles, photos, and manuscripts that reflect on his incredible life. Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City.
Hotel
Stay at Best Western Saddleback Inn (F).
Day 6 - Amarillo
Oklahoma City–Amarillo.
Museums
A city tour this morning includes the National Cowboy Hall Of Fame And Western Heritage Museum, a national memorial to the American cowboy. See historical exhibits, which include Native Americans, the American Cowboy and Rodeo, and more. A “must-see” is Prosperity Junction, a recreated Western town. From here, travel to Clinton, Oklahoma, where you’ll visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, home to vintage cars, neon signs, a 50’s diner, and drive-in theater. Your adventure continues through the rolling hill country into Texas and on to Amarillo, the state’s oil capital. Get into the Lone Star spirit tonight with our optional dinner of juicy Texan steak, served with heaps of Wild-West atmosphere.
Hotel
Stay at Holiday Inn (St).
Day 7 - Albuquerque
Amarillo–Tucumcari–Santa Rosa–Albuquerque.
Sightseeing
On the way out of Amarillo, see the Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 Cadillacs. Before crossing into New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, reach Adrian, the half way point on Route 66. Next, stop in Tucumcari, a classic Route 66 town in every sense of the word. Hear the ancient Indian fable of how Tucumcari received its name, shop for souvenirs at Tepee Curios, and see the neon signs of the Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travelers of Route 66 since 1939. Continue along old Route 66 west to Santa Rosa. Look for the signs of the good ol’ days: Comet Drive-In, Silver Moon, Sun and Sand, and the still-grinning faces of Fat Man billboards outside of town.
Museums
Visit the Route 66 Auto Museum to see memorabilia and cars of the era. Later today, arrive in Albuquerque.
Hotel
Stay at Best Western Rio Grande Inn (St).
Day 8 - Albuquerque
Sightseeing
This morning’s included guided Walking Tour features Albuquerque’s Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement. Next, visit Central Avenue, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and businesses still stand. Perhaps stop at the 66 Diner and sample a real American hamburger and a rich, creamy milkshake. The remainder of the day is free to explore this fascinating city.
Adventure
This evening, why not join an optional trip up to 10,378-foot Sandia Peak for an exhilarating ride on one of the world’s longest aerial tramways?
Day 9 - Albuquerque
Albuquerque–Gallup–Holbrook–Winslow–Flagstaff.
Sightseeing
This morning, visit Acoma Sky Coty, home of the Pueblo Indians, situated on 357-foot-high sandstone rock. It is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. Learn about the building of this great city and its inhabitants and peruse the famous Acoma pottery and jewelry. Then cross the Continental Divide and continue to Gallup, which claims a longtime Hollywood connection. From Redskin, filmed in 1929, to the more recent adventures of Superman, the area has provided unequaled movie scenery.
Adventure
Tonight is in Flagstaff, nestled at the base of the San Francisco Mountains. Perhaps visit the Museum Club, a great place to scoot.
Day 10 - Grand Canyon
Flagstaff–Grand Canyon.
National Parks
Deviate from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon. There’s time to wander along the canyon rim and experience breathtaking views. Perhaps join the optional helicopter “flightseeing” tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This evening, you stay inside Grand Canyon National Park.
Hotel
Stay at Days Inn Route 66 (St).
Day 11 - Las Vegas
Grand Canyon–Williams–Seligman–Las Vegas.
Sightseeing
This morning, return to Route 66 and pass through historic Williams. The entire downtown area is listed in the National Register for Historic Places. Make sure to appreciate the neon signs of the intact circa 1940s “Motel Row.” Later today, visit Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 in order to visit the bright lights and excitement of “Sin City,” Las Vegas.
Hotel
Stay at Park Lodges (St/Np).
Day 12 - Las Vegas
Sightseeing
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Spend the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip. Ride the world’s highest rollercoaster, float through a Venice canal, or see man-eating sharks up close and personal—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 raft trip through dramatic Black Canyon on the Colorado River.
Nightlife
In the evening, join an optional night out at a dazzling show featuring top Vegas entertainment.
Hotel
Stay at Imperial Palace (Mf).
Day 13 - Los Angeles
Las Vegas–Los Angeles.
Sightseeing
Today, depart the man-made phenomenon of Las Vegas and cross the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles.
Museums
Time to stop in Barstow to visit the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, which displays a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert Communities. Continue on to Los Angeles, the “Capital of Glamour.”
Food and Dining
Join us tonight for an optional farewell dinner celebrating your journey along “America’s Main Street.”
Hotel
Stay at Marriott Downtown (Md).
Day 14 - Los Angeles
Airport Transfer
The trip ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Los Angeles International Airport.
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Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring. Accommodation for 13 nights. Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, charges, & tips for baggage handling. Scheduled transatlantic flights & airport transfers in London if Cosmos issues the tickets. Prices are per person, land or cruise only, based on double occupancy. Meals and Sightseeing as per itinerary.
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