Day 1
Arrival Los Angeles
|
Depart London Heathrow – 1150
Arrive Los Angeles – 1455
Journey Time – 11 hours 5 mins
Upon arrival into Los Angeles transfer on own to your Los Angeles hotel. If you have anything left in the tank after a long day travelling then Los Angeles boasts a wealth ways to spend your evening that no other city in the world can match. It feels like cities within a city and with that comes every imaginable dining option from across the world, concerts, theater shows you name it L.A. has it!
Overnight - Los Angeles, CA
Day 2
Los Angeles, CA
This morning collect your bike. Spend a full day at leisure in fabulous Los Angeles, the city of Angels.
Be sure to head for Santa Monica, as Historic Route 66 starts on Santa Monica Boulevard. Santa Monica is the oldest and biggest of LA’s resorts – once a wild beachfront playground, it’s now a self-consciously liberal and healthy community. Spend the afternoon sightseeing and enjoy Hollywood with the famous Chinese Theatre, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and much more.
Overnight – Los Angeles, CA
Day 3
Los Angeles/Santa Monica to Las Vegas, NV
Today head out on the open highway and start your journey of the ultimate American road trip. Stop at the ghost town of Calico before travelling through the Mojave Desert today en route to the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ Las Vegas.
Everybody has to visit Las Vegas once in a lifetime and today is your day! It's a city founded on entertainment, glitter and fabulous night life. You can of course, try your hand at gambling, or let your hair down, enjoy yourself, take in a show, and otherwise let yourself be entertained! As they say in Las Vegas, 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.'
Las Vegas has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert 100 years ago, with sights and sounds that are enjoyed by over 38.9 million visitors every year. They stroll in some of the most glamorous, unique hotels in the world, eat at five-star restaurants and expansive buffets, play in pools, health spas and golf courses. Sometimes (many times, actually) they even marry each other. Enjoy whatever you choose to do!
Overnight – Las Vegas, NV
Day 4
Las Vegas, NV
The Las Vegas Strip, now an All American Road and National Scenic Byway, is a sparkling fantasyland at the heart of the city. Its unique blend of exciting entertainment, scenic beauty, and lavishly landscaped resorts take you to a wide variety of exotic realms from a medieval castle to a Parisian sidewalk cafe, a lakeside Italian village, or a pyramid in ancient Egypt. Once you arrive on the Strip, however, you might be surprised to find that it's also an enjoyable walking environment. Whether it's pirates plundering, fiery volcanoes spouting or tropical gardens luring the weary, the Las Vegas Strip offers a variety of fascinating visual experiences.
Overnight - Las Vegas, NV
Day 5
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, AZ
Next amazing stop - The Grand Canyon which again is not actually on Route 66, but you couldn't miss one of the Seven Wonders of the World when you're this close. Once you reach the Grand Canyon, you'll soon discover standing on the South Rim that it is absolutely awesome; a massive and most dramatic natural wonder. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 15 miles wide at its widest.
The Canyon is a geologic mosaic of five life zones and three desert types. The higher elevations are covered by forests. The canyon rim is only a short stroll from the Canyon View Information Plaza. An eight-mile round trip on Hermit Road takes you to views of the river at Hopi, Mohave and Pima Points, as well as to Hermits Rest, a historic landmark with a great view of the river. The 25-mile scenic Desert View Drive delivers views of the canyon and the Colorado River at Moran Point, Lipan Point, and Desert View. Take a 30 minute flight over the canyon for the best view of all.
The newest attraction, the newly opened Grand Canyon Skywalk is a unique horseshoe-shaped structure which extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Grand Canyon. Its glass-bottomed pathway allows visitors an opportunity to peer thousands of feet straight down into the Grand Canyon for a very unique perspective.
Overnight – Grand Canyon, AZ
Day 6
Grand Canyon to Chinle, AZ
This morning as you leave the Grand Canyon we suggest a slight detour (which was also taken by Billy Connolly in his recent journey & accompanying television series) allowing you to visit the extraordinary Monument Valley one of the most majestic and photographed points on earth! This will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes and the last 30 minutes as you approach Monument Valley is really quite spectacular. This dramatic landscape is the Wild West of countless cowboy movies.
Tonight will be spent in Chinle - located at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly which covers 130 square miles surrounding three major canyons. Many well preserved Anasazi ruins reveal the culture of the ancient peoples who lived in the area, ancestors of the present day Navajo who still farm the valley floor, a quite fascinating visit awaits you.
Overnight - Chinle, AZ
Day 7
Chinle to Albuquerque, NM
Leave Chinle and head towards Gallup, founded in 1881 when the Santa Fe railroad began operation along the route, This ‘Gateway To Indian Country' is the largest town close to the Navajo and other Indian Reservations of the Four Corners Region. It still has some of the some of the Southwest's largest trading posts and one of the best strips of neon signs you'll see anywhere on old Route 66.
The drive along Highway 53 is probably the most scenic in all of New Mexico as you skirt the southern foothills of the Zuni Mountains.
Next up, Albuquerque - New Mexico's capital city. Younger than its more northerly counterpart, Santa Fe, Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by a group of Spanish colonists who were granted permission by the King of Spain to establish a new city on the river. Old Town Plaza was the result of Spain's Laws of the Indies which required setting a plaza at the center of any city. This Plaza still fronts the San Felipe Neri Church complex built in 1793 and the El Camino Real, the main route through town that connected Santa Fe and Albuquerque with Mexico City. The Santa Fe Trail also criss-crossed the region in 1821. Today, both routes are National Scenic Byways and All American Roads.
Historic neon signs still glow on the old Route 66 through Albuquerque which is now Central Avenue. Alongside the vintage signs, you'll see new versions put up by businesses that are continuing the aesthetic traditions of the old Route 66, adorning their shops with bright buzzing neon. The famous Route 66 continues to guide visitors through Albuquerque from the volcanoes on the city's far west side past the Rio Grande Botanical Garden and the Albuquerque Aquarium through the historic Old Towns and Downtown business districts and continuing eastward through the University of New Mexico and trendy Nob Hill, where you'll find many of the city's best restaurants, distinctive shops and boutiques.
Overnight – Albuquerque, NM
Day 8
Albuquerque, NM
As you complete the self-guided Historic Walking Tour from Plaza to Plaza, you will be passing from Old 'Villa Albuquerque' in Old Town, to the Downtown Civic Plaza, created in 1972. In between, you will witness 300 years of history.
It will be challenging to determine which other places to visit. Sandia Peak Tramway takes you over 2.5 miles to the 10,000 foot peak of the Sandia Mountains. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque Museum and the National Hispanic Cultural Center to learn more about local culture and history.
Petroglyphs at the Petroglyph National Museum and El Morro National Monument reveal the life of ancient peoples who inhabited the area. The National Atomic Museum and Trinity Site, the exact spot where the first atomic bomb was detonated tell the story of this momentous event in American history.
Alternatively take a drive North East (approx 64 miles/1 hour) along Highway 25 to historic & cultural Santa Fe.
Overnight - Albuquerque, NM
Day 9
Albuquerque to Tucumcari, NM
Once nicknamed 'Six-Shooter Siding,' Tucumcari, New Mexico got its start in 1901 as a rowdy railroad camp filled with saloons and outlaws. Soon, it became one of the many small railroad towns in the southwest with a flagging economy and diminishing population. Today, Route 66 is critically important, since it was the new businesses that were established along Route 66 which allowed Tucumcari to hang on, when other towns failed completely. Realising that they have one of a handful of authentic roadside towns still intact and thriving has promoted a renaissance and revival among the gentlemen and businesses who just refused to let this wonderful piece of Americana and the American 'road trip' pass away entirely. Let the signs that read 'Tucumcari Tonight!' beckon you to this interesting place.
Overnight – Tucumcari, NM
Day 10
Tucumcari to Amarillo, TX
On your way between Tucumcari and Amarillo, be sure to stop at Cadillac Ranch to see the ten tail- finned Cadillacs buried in the sand.
Amarillo is one of the last places on earth where the Old West is just minutes away or depending on where you are, could be closer than that. The vast ranches of the Texas Panhandle, some numbering in the millions of acres are just outside of Amarillo. Shortly after being discovered by Spanish explorer Francisco Coronado in 1541, the area became a magnet for cattlemen and sheep herders from all points of the compass looking for fresh grazing grounds. As the Dust Bowl farmers headed to California, more cattlemen and cowhands moved in to claim the same territory for ranching. Step into 'The Real Texas' as the locals say.
Today, Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle area is still a unique blend of the Old West and the New West, populated by American cowboys, roughnecks and self made millionaires and the ever present oil derricks. Working ranches, essentially unchanged from the day-to-day operations of the late nineteenth century peacefully coexist with a vibrant twenty-first century economy powered by petroleum. More than 2 million cattle are still shipped out of Amarillo each year. Make sure to drive Amarillo Boulevard which is the original Route 66 that is still lined with block after block of strip shopping centres and roadside motels straight out of the 1950s.
A trip to Amarillo is not complete without visiting 'The Big Texan Steak Ranch'. R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo in 1960. Its distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame.
The towering sign of a long-legged cowboy that Bob erected next to the building became a major landmark on Route 66. From the beginning, the Big Texan welcomed weary travellers and migrating families whose roots spread all across America.
Today you can experience the now World-famous FREE 72oz steak (assuming you can eat in all in one hour!!)
Overnight – Amarillo, TX
Day 11
Amarillo to Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma was the home of Cyrus Avery, who came to be known as the 'Father of Route 66.' After he was appointed to head the commission that reviewed the routes of new national highways, he fought for several years to bring a major highway through his home state, knowing it would boost the economy. Ultimately, he was successful in the choice of a route that followed the National Old Trails Road in 1925, which just happened to cross right through the middle of Oklahoma.
"Been on this road for a mighty long time,
Ten million men like me,
You drive us from you' town
We ramble around
And got them 66 Highway Blues."
Woody Guthrie of 'This Land is Your Land' fame who hailed from Oklahoma, illustrated the icon which Route 66 had already become in a song that told of the plight of the Okies fleeing to California. The Los Angeles police stationed themselves at the Arizona border in 1934 to stop the flood of Dust Bowlers looking for a better life.
After World War II, the pretty Oklahoma City referred to by the Nat King Cole in 'Get Your Kicks on Route 66' rose to new heights during the oil boom (the State Capitol is the only one in the country with an oil well on the grounds), only to suffer a dramatic decline at the end of the 1980s. Since then, the city has gone through an astounding transformation which continued during the re-building which followed the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The monument to the victims is very moving and an adjacent museum tells the story.
For nightlife, make sure you visit Bricktown, a former warehouse district that has been reinvigorated with restaurants, cafes, night clubs and a vibrant atmosphere.
Overnight - Oklahoma City, OK
Day 12
Oklahoma City to Tulsa to Springfield, MO
Springfield has been bustling since the St. Louis-San Francisco railroad arrived in 1870. Even though most of Route 66 through here is now Interstate-44, remnants of the old road are everywhere just off the highway.
Interestingly, Springfield is considered the mother of the Mother Road itself. It was here that Cyrus Avery of Oklahoma who fought for a route through Oklahoma met with John Woodruff of Springfield, to plan and promote the idea of an interregional link that would bring trade and access to the area. In honour, Springfield has preserved much of the old highway frontage along St. Louis Street as well as the 'Chestnut Expressway.' If you're a fan of western lore, delve into the 'Wild' Bill Hickock legend surrounding his fellow gambler Dave Tutt. There are so many different stories no one really knows what happened.
Overnight – Springfield, MO
Day 13
Springfield to St Louis, MO
Route 66 from Springfield to St. Louis takes you through the lush rolling hills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains. The road follows the Great Osage Trail, a major Indian path across the state and a route used by Jess James, of famed James Gang fame, who locals knew as 'just a nice Missouri boy!' One of the most famous attractions on Route 66, Meramec Caverns was also used by the James Gang as a hideout when escaping the law. Lester Dill who owns Meramec Caverns started the American advertising institution, the bumper sticker, when he gave away portable advertising to all who stopped by to visit.
Much of the rural Ozark region, punctuated by the second oldest mountains in the world, looks much as it did when the first settlers arrived.
In St. Louis, the original Route 66 tracked through town very near the Gateway Arch and we definitely recommend riding the elevator inside Arch to the top of the 630 foot structure. Spectacular views of the Mississippi River await. In the evening, you can catch up with the St. Louie Blues, which were born right here and taste the fruits of Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer.
Overnight – St Louis, MO
Day 14
St. Louis to Chicago, IL
Most of today will be spent travelling through Illinois farmlands on your way to Chicago. Route 66 through Illinois was first used by Native Americans as a trading path followed by fur trappers and traders who sought a path to the Mississippi River to ship their goods downstream to French New Orleans. Al Capone and the rumrunners kept the road busy right after it became the first fully paved highway in Illinois in the early 1920s. When the old Route 66 road signs came down in 1977, the strong relationship of the road to the people who travel it brought new Historic Route 66 signs back almost immediately. When the highway department would not pay for them, bake sales, auctions, festivals and other truly American events raised money to bring them back.
Chicago has so much to offer – some of the best attractions include Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lake Michigan, the Art Institute of Chicago, the theatre district, and the Magnificent Mile. This evening, enjoy Chicago’s many restaurants, stroll along the shore of Lake Michigan or jive to the beat at a jazz or blues club.
Overnight – Chicago, IL
Day 15
Depart Chicago
Make sure you make the most of your full day in Chicago before you catch your plane. Savour memories of your adventure along the 'Mother Road' all the way home.
Depart Chicago – 1710
Arrive London Heathrow – 0655*
Journey time – 7 hours 45 mins
* Next Day Arrival
*** Additional Stops for 21 Night Itinerary ***
For full '21 Night Itinerary Summary' listing please scroll up (left hand side of this page)
Los Angeles, California - 1 extra night (3 in total)
There's so much to see and do in this amazing city... Take a tour of Los Angeles and Movie Stars Homes, the Hollywood Trolley Tour, the California Science Center, the Music Center, the Japanese American National Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Grand Avenue, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and more.
Grand Canyon, Arizona - 1 extra night (2 in total)
Take a full day to explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. First stop should be the Visitor Centre located at the South Rim Village. Here you can pick up information on short hikes, special areas that you may wish to visit during the day and helicopter or airplane rides over the Grand Canyon. A visit to see the El Tovar Lodge if you are not staying there is a must, but we also suggest any of the scenic stops or even taking one of the guided coach tours that will explain the history and geology of the area. Another must is a visit to the IMAX Theatre located close to your hotel for a thrilling 3D show based around the Grand Canyon.
We strongly suggest you that spend one of your evenings and maybe even an early morning at the Grand Canyon Rim to experience the spectacular sunrise and sunset.
Santa Fe, New Mexico - 2 nights
One of the original routings of Route 66 that was abandoned went through Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico which was established 13 years before Plymouth Colony was settled by the Massachusetts Company. The city began with a handful of European style dwellings constructed by Spanish settlers and soon became the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande River. It began to prosper when Don Pedro de Peralta settled in 1610, the same year that Hampton, Virginia, the oldest continuous city on the East Coast, was settled. Santa Fe served as the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, and the capital of the New Mexico Territory.
Once you arrive, it will be challenging to decide which locations to visit. Everything is focused on the Plaza, the center of the historic downtown. We suggest visiting the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building still in use in America, constructed in 1610. It is now a southwestern history museum. The Museum of Fine Arts, next to the Palace, is older than the state itself. The extensive collection of southwestern art also includes paintings by Georgia O'Keefe, who called Santa Fe home for many years.
There are cultural museums of many other varieties, including the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, and World Folk Art, with diverse works from artisans all over the world. If that's not enough, there a huge list of art galleries, a myriad of restaurants and other interesting shops. Enjoy whatever you choose to do, there is more than enough to fill two days.
St Louis, Missouri - 1 extra night (2 in total)
Try your hand at some science experiments, interact with butterflies or immerse yourself in a little arts and culture – it's all in a day's fun in St. Louis, Missouri. From sports and shopping - to tours and attractions.
Springfield, Illinois - (Not to be confused with Springfield, Missouri already included) – 1 night
Springfield became the Illinois state capital in 1837 with the help of a young lawyer and politician named Abraham Lincoln. He lived in the city until he left to become the 16th President of the United States, in 1861. From that moment on, the city’s history and future have been inexorably tied to this most famous and beloved American citizen.
Over one million visitors a year come to see Springfield’s historic Lincoln sites, which include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, the Lincoln Home and Neighborhood, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln’s New Salem, and more. Other attractions include the Dana-Thomas House, the Old State Capitol, the Illinois State Capitol and the Executive Mansion.
Chicago, Illinois – 1 extra night (2 in total)
There's so much to see in this iconic city - famed Magnificent Mile, Michigan Avenue, Watertower Place, the Navy Pier, the Merchandise Mart, Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum to name but a few!
