Highlights of Route 66 with Mother Road Festival & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Get your kicks on Route 66 on a cross-country journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. Known as the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 passes through eight states and connects many of the towns, cities, and roadside landmarks that helped define American road travel. Journey along much of the original route, visiting Route 66 museums, classic roadside attractions, and communities that preserve the history of the Mother Road. Along the way, experience two signature events. In Springfield, Illinois, attend the annual Mother Road Festival, where classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, live entertainment, and Route 66 celebrations fill the downtown streets. In Albuquerque, enjoy the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, including the Balloon Glow and Mass Ascension, when hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons fill the New Mexico sky. Leave Route 66 briefly to visit Grand Canyon National Park and take in spectacular views of the South Rim. Continue to Las Vegas, where you can explore the casino resorts and attractions of the Las Vegas Strip, relax at the pool, or join an optional excursion to Hoover Dam. The journey concludes in Los Angeles with visits to Santa Monica and the Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign. Sightseeing also includes Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, and Beverly Hills before your Route 66 adventure comes to an end. From classic Americana and classic cars to the Grand Canyon and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, this tour combines iconic road-trip experiences with some of the American West’s most famous destinations.
Tour Itinerary
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. Once settled into your hotel, perhaps start exploring the city with a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk or browse the shops, restaurants, and attractions lining Michigan Avenue, better known as the Magnificent Mile.
Known as the “Windy City,” Chicago is celebrated for its striking architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and deep-rooted blues and jazz heritage. Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour that includes the sign marking the beginning of historic Route 66. The afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps visit the 103rd-floor Skydeck of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) for panoramic city views, admire masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago, or join 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, the museum features exhibits, photographs, maps, and memorabilia celebrating the history and culture of America’s most famous highway. Continue to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, for the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival. Enjoy classic cars, vintage motorcycles, vendors, and specialty food stalls while live entertainment fills the streets with the sounds of R&B, Motown, rock, and pop favorites spanning the decades.
Cross the mighty Mississippi River and continue to St. Louis, known as the “Gateway to the West.” Your 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 skyline 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 treat since 1929! (B)
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