Highlights of Route 66

16 days
USA
On the go pace

tour : 8530

Save £150 per couple

Overview

Follow legendary Route 66 and see how Americans traveled from the 1920s through the 1960s. This historic route begins in Chicago, travels through eight states, and ends in Los Angeles. On this Route 66 tour, you’ll get the opportunity to travel to some of the cities along Route 66, visit many of the Route 66 museums, and step back in time to when the journey was part of the fun.

Visit Pontiac’s Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, which features memorabilia from the heyday of Route 66. In Oklahoma, visit Pops, a landmark building selling gas, sodas, shakes, and diner food. At the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, antique cars and historic documents help you feel what it was like to travel Route 66. In New Mexico, visit Russell’s Car Museum, featuring classic cars and memorabilia. Overnight in Williams Arizona—listed in the National Register for Historic Places and where you’ll see neon signs of the intact circa 1940s “Motel Row.” Before arriving at the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica, California, visit the Barstow Route 66 Museum, which houses a collection of historic artifacts and photographs related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert communities.

This tour also deviates from Route 66, so you can see breathtaking scenery at the Grand Canyon and experience the excitement of Las Vegas. In Springfield, visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, and in St. Louis, witness amazing views of the city and the Mississippi River from the top of the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch.

These are just some of the many highlights of this Route 66 tour designed for value-minded travelers. Sit back, relax, and let Cosmos handle the driving and details while you enjoy!

Highlights

CHICAGO
Sightseeing
PONTIACVisit Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
SPRINGFIELDVisit Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
ST. LOUIS
Orientation tour; visit the Gateway Arch National Park
OKLAHOMA CITY
Sightseeing
AMARILLOCadillac Ranch
ALBUQUERQUE
Visit Old Town and Acoma Sky City
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Sightseeing
WILLIAMSHistoric Route 66
LAS VEGAS
Orientation tour of the famous Las Vegas “Strip”
BARSTOW
Visit Barstow Route 66 Museum
LOS ANGELES
Sightseeing
SANTA MONICA
Sightseeing; ending point of Historic Route 66

Flights available from most UK airports

Tour prices are shown without flights: make your own arrangements, or purchase your flights with us from most UK airports. All flight-inclusive tours are ATOL-protected, so you can book with confidence.

Flights available from most UK airports

2021 Tour itinerary

Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

Total meals included:

6 breakfasts

CHICAGO

Day
1

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

CHICAGO

Day
2

. 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 the sign marking the start of historic Route 66. This afternoon is at leisure. Ride the elevator to the top of the Willis Tower, formally known as the Sears Tower, explore The Magnificent Mile, or stroll along Navy Pier.

CHICAGO–PONTIAC–SPRINGFIELD

Day
3

This morning, immerse yourself in Route 66 memorabilia. Visit the ROUTE 66 HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM in Pontiac, housed in a historic fire station. See the large maps that will sketch out your Route 66 adventure for the coming days, and enjoy the nostalgic photos and postcards from the “Mother Road’s” heyday. On to Springfield and the former home of President Abraham Lincoln. Visit the ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM.

SPRINGFIELD–ST. LOUIS

Day
4

Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, “Gateway to the West.” Your orientation tour includes the towering GATEWAY ARCH National Park. Ride to the top of the 630-foot-tall Arch for a panoramic view of the city and river.

ST. LOUIS–BRANSON

Day
5

Today, we travel through the Missouri countryside, then on to Branson, one of America’s biggest music centers. Your Tour Director will make suggestions for independent exploration.

Meals included:

Breakfast

BRANSON–ARCADIA–OKLAHOMA CITY

Day
6

This morning, leave the Ozarks and travel through America’s “Bible Belt” into Cowboy Country. After a quick drive through Kansas, enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory. In Arcadia, on historic Route 66, visit POPS landmark diner and gas station. Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City.

Meals included:

Breakfast

OKLAHOMA CITY–ELK CITY–AMARILLO

Day
7

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. Take a journey through each of the eight states Route 66 passes through—from Illinois all the way to California. Continue into Texas and on to Amarillo, the Yellow Rose of Texas.

Meals included:

Breakfast

AMARILLO–TUCUMCARI––ALBUQUERQUE

Day
8

On the way out of Amarillo, see 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 neon signs of the Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travelers of Route 66 since 1939. Visit Central Avenue in Albuquerque, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and businesses still stand. Afterward, there’s free time in this original Spanish town with its fine parish church and Spanish-style plaza.

Meals included:

Breakfast

ALBUQUERQUE

Day
9

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or sunbathe in the New Mexico sunshine. Consider a short walk to Old Town, site of the city’s original settlement. Hone your bargaining skills with the local craftsmen who line the square to sell their lovely silver and turquoise jewelry. After exploring more of this atmospheric city, seize the chance to ride the world’s longest aerial tramway up nearby Sandia Peak Mountain and witness spine-tingling views of the desert floor, forests, and canyons below.

ALBUQUERQUE–ACOMA SKY CITY–GALLUP–WINSLOW–WILLIAMS

Day
10

This morning, visit ACOMA SKY CITY, home of the Pueblo Indians, situated on 367-foot-high sandstone rock. It is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. Learn about this community and its inhabitants, and peruse Acoma pottery and jewelry. Then, cross the Continental Divide and continue to Gallup, which claims a longtime Hollywood connection. From classic westerns to the more recent adventures of Superman, the area has provided unequaled movie scenery. 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.

WILLIAMS. EXCURSION TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Day
11

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. Elk are frequently spotted grazing in the forested areas on the South Rim. Perhaps join the optional helicopter flightseeing tour? Return to Williams where the evening is free to explore the historic Americana-style shops and restaurants dating back to the early 1900s, and home of Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, featuring highway memorabilia. Be sure to appreciate the neon signs of the intact circa 1940s “Motel Row.”

Meals included:

Continental Breakfast

WILLIAMS–SELIGMAN–LAS VEGAS

Day
12

Depart Williams for Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from Route 66 to visit the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, join an optional night at a dazzling show featuring top Vegas entertainment.

Meals included:

Continental Breakfast

LAS VEGAS

Day
13

A day at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip. Ride the world’s highest rollercoaster, float through a Venetian canal, or see man-eating sharks up close—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.

LAS VEGAS–BARSTOW–LOS ANGELES

Day
14

Today, depart the man-made oasis of Las Vegas and cross the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Visit the BARSTOW ROUTE 66 MUSEUM, which displays a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and the Mojave Desert communities. Overnight in Los Angeles, the “City of Angels.”

LOS ANGELES

Day
15

Join an exciting morning tour of the glamorous side of L.A. in Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, the ending point of Route 66. Return to Los Angeles where the rest of the day is yours to shop for souvenirs or relax by the pool.

LOS ANGELES

Day
16

Your vacation ends this morning. You can extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Los Angeles further. Your Tour Director will have suggestions.

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Hotels

It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North

Superior Tourist-Class

Set in downtown, this contemporary hotel is a mile from both the Museum of Contemporary Art and Navy Pier and only a half mile from a shopper's dream on the Magnificant Mile. The relaxed rooms offer free Wi-Fi, desks and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges and coffeemakers. Amenities include a fitness center, a business center, and guest laundry facilities.

Location

60 W. Illinois Street, Chicago, United States

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North

Hotel Facilities

Business Center
Laundry Available
Elevator
Fitness Room
Luggage Storage

Room Facilities

Desk
Television
Complimentary Toiletries
Room Service
Internet Access
Phone
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Cable/Satellite
Air Conditioning
Iron/Ironing Board

Wyndham Springfield City Centre

First-Class

Downtown Hotel & Conference Center with 30-story circular Tower above Atrium Mall.

Location

700 East Adams St., Springfield, United States

Hotel Facilities

Restaurant On-Site
Luggage Storage
Bar/Lounge
Free WiFi
Gift Shop
ATM
Pool
Business Center
Laundry Available
Beauty Salon
Elevator
Parking/Valet
Fitness Room
Concierge desk

Room Facilities

Disabled Access / Rooms
In-Room Safe
Hair Dryer
Cable/Satellite
Room Service
Alarm Clock
Coffee Maker
Desk
Non-smoking Rooms
Television
Internet Access
Air Conditioning
Phone
Climate Control
Iron/Ironing Board

Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center

Moderate First-Class

Drury Hotels carefully renovated the Union Market building in 1990, adding two additional stories for guest rooms. Built in 1925, original features were preserved in the hotel lobby and mezzanine meeting level.

Location

711 N. Broadway, St Louis, United States

Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center

Hotel Facilities

Free WiFi
Elevator
Business Center
Pool
Laundry Available
Parking/Valet
Restaurant On-Site
Fitness Room

Room Facilities

Non-smoking Rooms
Complimentary Toiletries
Cable/Satellite
Iron/Ironing Board
Coffee Maker
Desk
Television
Climate Control
Air Conditioning
Voicemail
Phone
Hair Dryer
Internet Access

Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills

First-Class

Modern Motor Inn situated in the music show area, convenient to Grand Palace, Andy Williams & Bobby Vinton Theaters.

Location

203 S Wildwood Drive, Branson, United States

Hotel Facilities

Business Center
Concierge desk
Laundry Available
Elevator
Parking/Valet
Fitness Room
Free WiFi
Gift Shop
Pool

Room Facilities

Phone
Mini-bar
Air Conditioning
Non-smoking Rooms
Pay Movies
Internet Access
Alarm Clock
Iron/Ironing Board
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Television
Cable/Satellite

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel

Superior First-Class

The Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel is conveniently located just a few blocks from the Bricktown Entertainment District. Guestrooms are equipped with signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, single-serve coffeemaker with Starbucks coffee, and cable TV.

Location

1 North Broadway Ave., Oklahoma City, United States

Hotel Facilities

Fitness Room
Ice Machine
Luggage Storage
Bar/Lounge
Pool
Elevator
Free WiFi
Concierge desk
Parking/Valet
Restaurant On-Site
Business Center
Gift Shop
Laundry Available

Room Facilities

Iron/Ironing Board
Cable/Satellite
Phone
Desk
Disabled Access / Rooms
Climate Control
Hair Dryer
Air Conditioning
Coffee Maker
Television
Internet Access
Non-smoking Rooms
Complimentary Toiletries