Coast To Coast Explorer

Arrive at the airport and proceed to your hotel. There is much to see and do in this worldly metropolis. Tonight consider a visit to one of New York’s most popular destinations, Rockefeller Center. It is a hub of activity, with thousands of visitors and New Yorkers alike taking in an array of exciting attractions. Whether you’re looking to spend the afternoon ice-skating, joining the audience of a television show, or shopping at its world-class retail stores, the Rock has something for everyone. A two-night stay has been arranged in neighboring Newark. Accommodations: (STD) Travel Inn or similar (2 nights)

New York is an adrenaline-charged, history-laden place that holds immense romantic appeal for visitors. Wandering the streets here, you’ll cut between buildings that are icons to the modern age. New York City is the ultimate cosmopolitan city in the world; there is lower Manhattan’s Chinatown and the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side, the more artsy concentrations of SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East and West Villages. Of course, there is the celebrated architecture of corporate Manhattan, with the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown forming the most unforgettable images. New York is full of wonderful establishments, monuments and countless sights. Tour the United Nations, the Whitney Museum of Art and the world-class Metropolitan Museum of Art. Take a ride through Central Park on a horse drawn carriage, or tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Admire the lights of the Brooklyn Bridge from the South Street Seaport. Visit the famous Empire State Building which soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. Visit the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of modern architecture. This museum is home to a fine collection of 20th century art, including works by Chagall, Degas, Kadinsky, Picasso and Van Gogh. Tour Radio City Music Hall where America’s most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences at since its doors opened in 1932 and home to the world-famous Radio City Rockettes.

Pick-up Rental Car Leave the excitement of New York behind and travel to historic Philadelphia. Perhaps the most famous attraction here is the Liberty Bell Pavilion, which houses the 2,080 lb. bell and is located within the National Historical Park. Just across the street, is Independence Hall which is known for being the place where Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was constructed and adopted on July 4, 1776. Another unique piece of history still reserved in Philadelphia is the Betsy Ross House. She is said to have sewn the first United States flag that was presented to George Washington. Philly is not all historical buildings and artifacts. The Philadelphia Zoo was the first National Zoo in the U.S. and is currently home to over 1,300 animals. The Please Touch Museum is the only one of its kind; it caters to younger audiences and offers a chance to explore hand-on exhibits. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western City Center or similar (1 night)

Enjoy this morning in Philadelphia before departing to Washington D.C. Bustling with activity, America’s capital city is powered by politics and tourism. Washington, D.C. attracts nearly twenty million tourists each year making tourism the second biggest industry of the area just after the federal government. Surprisingly, admission to most major attractions is free. The District, as it is called by the locals, centers on the capital city and then spreads into a variety of distinctive neighborhoods. They include Downtown, with its art galleries and nightlife and Dupont Circle with hip clubs and trendy shopping. Capitol Hill and the National Mall feature most of the city’s most prominent buildings and museums, including stately presidential monuments and most branches of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution. Accommodations: (STD) Comfort Inn Alexandria or similar (2 nights)

Today you will have a chance to explore more of the nation’s capitol. Visit the city’s most famous sites which are mostly concentrated along the National Mall, often called the “Nation’s Front Yard”; it expands from the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac to the Capitol Building and Supreme Court on Capitol Hill. Along the Mall are the majority of the 18 museums which comprise the Smithsonian Institution, the War Memorials, and the Washington Monument which offers rides to the top of the obelisk and lies south of the illustrious White House. Other points of interest are Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress, the National Cathedral, and the National Zoo. Of course, there is more to Washington than historical site-seeing. Washington has also developed an active nightlife. Besides the world-class restaurants, you can see Broadway shows, Washington-only political satires, and live music of all types. At the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, you can catch live theater and music performances.

Depart the bustle of the capital city and continue to Charleston West Virginia for an overnight stay. En route you will visit Strasburg, a town in Virginia, founded in 1761, known for its pottery, antiques and Historic District. Your drive now takes you through the Appalachian Mountains which are cloaked in deep, dense forests of spruce, oak, birch and beech, and home to such forest animals as the black bear, raccoons, bobcats and foxes. The characteristic birds of these forests are the wild turkey, grouse and wood duck. Pass through Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley, where its downtown is designated as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places On through the George Washington National Forest.. Today’s drive ends in the historical city of Charleston which is located at the juncture of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers and today is the largest city in the state and the state capital. Charleston is known for its genuine hospitality. This beautiful city contains many parks, the largest is the Kanawha State Forest. Accommodations:Hampton Inn or Similar (1 night)

Leave the charms of Charleston and drive through Daniel Boone National Forest, named after the eighteenth century frontiersman and explorer. The forest is home to a variety of notable features, including lakes, trails, rock climbing and Wilderness. Today’s journey ends in Lexington Kentucky, known as the “Thoroughbred City”. It is located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region and is home to the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland race course and Red Mile race course. Lexington was founded in 1775 in what was then Virginia It is a town of mostly gentle rolling plateau and at the center of the Bluegrass Region – an area noted for its fertile soil and excellent pastureland – the home of horse and stock farms. Accommodations: Best Western Regency or similar (1 night)

Depart Lexington for an approximate 6 hour drive starting in Kentucky then across the States of Indiana and Illinois and then across the Mississippi River into St. Louis Missouri. Indiana is the smallest state in the continental US west of the Appalachian Mountains and it’s residents are known as Hoosiers, but the origin of the term is unknown. You will drive through Hoosier National Forest in the hills of south central Indiana then arrive in the largest city on Route 66, the city of Saint Louis. St. Louis was founded on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1762 and became the “Gateway to the West”. Lewis and Clark left St. Louis on their famous journey across an unfamiliar land to the Pacific Ocean. Route 66 came through here in 1926 and continued the traditions of travel. The famous St. Louis Gateway Arch serves as a symbol for the conquest of the West. Accommodations: Best Western Saint Louis Inn or similar (2 nights)

In the early 1900’s St. Louis gained international acclaim for hosting the World’s Fair, the Olympics, and the first International Balloon Race. Visit Union Station, a wonderful example of historic preservation and once the busiest railway station in the world. Its unique architecture is modeled after the walled medieval city of Carcassone in southern France,and now restored and converted into a shopping center. By the same token, Saint Louis boasts many historic homes, such as the Daniel Boone Home and the Campbell House Museum. Or, take the time to visit Grant’s Farm, which once belonged to Ulysses S. Grant, America’s 18th President, and then purchased by the Busch family almost a hundred years ago. Today the estate, with compliments of Anheuser-Busch, is a wildlife preserve. Travel in an open-air coach around Mirror Lake to Grant’s Cabin, constructed by him in 1856. Ride past Deer Park and view bison, elk, antelope, zebras, llamas and ostriches. Se the famous Clydesdales in their pastures next to the stables. Around Saint Louis you will find pieces of the past including diners, petrol stations, a one place to stop is Ted Drewes who have been selling frozen custard in St. Louis since 1930.

Depart St. Louis and continue on the trail of this historic road. Your next stop will be Rolla, home of the Totem Pole Trading Post, built in 1933. Note the curbs on the roadside, these where intended to make sure traffic stayed on the road, only to tip cars over in practice. Continue on to Springfield which is recognized as the birthplace of Route 66 since on April 30, 1926, officials in Springfield proposed the name for the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles Highway. Traces of the Mother Road are still visible along the streets of Springfield. The red booths and gleaming chrome in diners, the stone cottages of tourist courts and the now-silent service stations that saw America fall in love with the automobile. Springfield mixes its past with the future as historic Route 66 borders downtown Jordan Valley Park, the colorful downtown area, the city’s square and the site of several historic events as it bypasses the city on the north side. Take a moment and enjoy the interesting shops and creative eateries that surround the historic downtown area. Here you will enjoy a variety of delicious cuisines, flea markets, novelty stores, boutiques and night clubs.
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Springfield or similar (1 night)

Leave Missouri behind today and drive toward historic Oklahoma. On the way there, visit Dale’s Old Route 66 Barber Shop on the corner of Utica St. and Euclid Ave in Joplin for a real bit of nostalgia. Continue on your journey to Tulsa.Tulsa was first settled in the 1830s by the Lachapoka Band of Creek Native American tribe, who established a home under a large oak tree at the present day intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and 18th Street. Tulsa is one of the cities that claims to be the birthplace of U.S. Route 66. Known for its Western Swing music it sits on the Arkansas River at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Influenced by historical native American presence, it is considered the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma and houses art museums, and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of art deco architecture, as well as cultural centers, zoos and wildlife preserves. The Philbrook Museum, located in the former estate of oil pioneer Waite Phillips, is considered one of the top 50 fine art museums in the U.S.and offers a combination of historic home, gardens and art collections. Accommodations: Holiday Inn Select Tulsa or similar (2 nights)

By the 1920’s, Tulsa was a boomtown pumping oil and Business is still booming with a thriving aerospace industry and a number of major corporations situated here. Architecture fans shouldn’t miss the Art Deco façades at the Boston Building, Union Depot, and the Philtower. The Philbrook and the Gilcrease museums are the place for art lovers. The Gilcrease contains a copy of the Declaration of Independence. For something different, enjoy the beautiful grounds of Oral Roberts University. Oklahoma is rich with Native American influence, culture and history. Visit the Cherokee Heritage Center at Tsa-La-Gi. At the Cherokee Heritage Center, you can experience Cherokee life the way it was before it was touched by European influences. You will witness tasks such as food preparation, basket weaving, weapon making and recreation. Have a first-hand view of Cherokee crafts such as pottery and jewelry. While at the center, be sure to visit the museum and ancient village, as well as the Ho-Chee-Nee Prayer Chapel and Cherokee Hall of Fame. Beloved cowboy Will Rogers was born and raised in Tulsa. Visit his birthplace and memorial to learn more about his life.

Depart Tulsa this morning and drive toward the Oklahoma’s state capital, Oklahoma City. It is at heart a cowboy town and this can be seen at Stockyards City. It was founded in 1910 and is popular for its restaurants and shops specializing in Western wear, custom-made boots, and saddles. It is located next to the Oklahoma National Stockyards, which claims to be the largest live cattle market in the world. Cattle auctions, open to the public, are held all day Monday and Tuesday. Visit the National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center .The history and culture of frontier life are depicted in a wide range of exhibits in this large-scale museum. Paintings by well-known artists Charles Russell and Frederic Remington are the highlight of the Atherton Art Gallery. The American Rodeo Gallery features a bunkhouse, a display of brands and a barbed wire collection. Walk through Property Junction, a life-size recreation of an authentic frontier town. Visit the revitalized Bricktown Canal, constructed by excavating an old street. Many restaurants and clubs built patios to take advantage of the view. Water taxis are a popular and enjoyable means of transport between shops, cafes, and nightclubs here. The Paseo Historic District has galleries, studios, and restaurants in a historic part of town. This artists’ community, which resembles a Spanish Village with stucco buildings and clay tile roofs, serves as home to writers, painters, potters, photographers, dancers, and actors. Enjoy studio visits, performances, shopping, and dining in this delightful area.
Accommodations: Quality Inn Southwest or similar (1 night)

Leave Oklahoma City behind and drive toward the Lone Star State today. As you head into Amarillo make a stop in the town of Shamrock to visit the U-Drop-Inn Restaurant and Service Station dating from 1936 and the Pioneer West Museum, located in the historic Reynolds Hotel, for a glimpse on how life was in these parts when Route 66 was indeed the Mother Road. Continue to Amarillo. The combination of the railroad and ranchland has made Amarillo a cattle-shipping capital. While agriculture remains the foundation of the economy, Amarillo’s location on a famous major highway, Route 66, has given way to making it a tourist destination. A must see is the Cadillac Ranch; this roadside attraction features 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs standing upright in a row, buried nose-first in the ground. The sculpture is the brainchild of Amarillo millionaire Stanley Marsh III, who chose classics dating from 1948 to 1963. Visit Route 66’s Historic District. This mile-long stretch of road originally belonging to Route 66, now features shops, clubs and restaurants. The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum showcases the development of the American Quarter Horse from colonial times to present day is traced through interactive exhibits, dramatic video presentations and live demonstrations. Several locals host horse-drawn wagon rides through miles of scenic ranch land followed by mouth-watering meals.
Accommodations: Best Western Amarillo Inn or similar (1 night)

Leave Big Texas behind as you drive into the southwestern charm of New Mexico. First on this road you will encounter the town of Tucumcari. Here you will find the beautifully restored Blue Swallow Motel with its famous blue neon and the Tucumcari Historical Museum where you can experience the legendary past of this town. Next on the way is the town of Santa Rosa which contains more than ten structures still in operation from the glory days of Route 66. Continue to Albuquerque for a two-night stay. Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest city and a study in contrasts: old and new, natural beauty and manmade wonders, frontier town and sophisticated metropolis. Even the landscape, which accommodates both majestic mountains and vast desert plains, reveals the area’s diversity. Albuquerque is also blessed with a wide cultural mix that is reflected in all aspects of day-to-day life. Places worth visiting are the historic Old Town, trendy Nob Hill and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway. This 20-minute excursion is the world’s longest aerial tram ride, and also one of the most scenic. Once at the top, you may like to ski, mountain bike, or just enjoy the view. There are restaurants at both the top and the bottom.
Accommodations: Quality Inn and Suites Albuquerque or similar (2 nights)

Today take a short drive to neighboring Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Flanked by crooked streets and Pueblo style buildings, Santa Fe has an old world feel with a central plaza where you will find many shops, restaurants and art galleries. Santa Fe is known as the “City Different” because of the blending of cultures which is reflected in the harmonious inhabitants and different architectural styles. Visit the Mission San Miguel. The San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in Santa Fe, was built in 1626 for the servants brought to Santa Fe by the Spanish. The mission was damaged during the Pueblo Revolt in 1680 and was rebuilt in 1710. View the famous “Miraculous Stairway” at the Loretto Chapel. Legend holds that a carpenter mysteriously appeared to build a staircase to the choir-loft. Amazingly, he used no nails or supports to build the corkscrew staircase and then disappeared before he could be paid. A remarkable view can be had from The Cross of the Martyrs, located on a small hill on the 600 block of Paseo de Peralta. It serves as a reminder of the 21 Franciscan monks that were slain during the Pueblo Revolt.

Depart Albuquerque via Gallup. This small town’s two known Route 66 landmarks were lost to fire in past years; all that remains is the actual road. Press on into Arizona. Holbrook, Arizona became a frontier town in 1881 and it has remained so ever since, only the theme has changed. Historic Route 66 provided a means for those seeking better futures after World War II. Close by are the ancient Native American lands of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Nations. Also nearby is the Petrified Forest National Park. There is an abundance of beautifully colored petrified logs that existed 225 million years ago. The 28-mile drive through the park has scenic overlooks, wonderful photo opportunities are found at Rainbow Forest, Agate House and Blue Mesa. Part of the Painted Desert also lies within the park where many hardened dunes can be found. These hardened dunes are spectacular bands of grays, reds, oranges and yellows. The area is especially beautiful at sunset and sunrise when the land appears to glow in hues of violet, blue, red and gold. This evening, explore Holbrook’s Main Street for shopping and dining. Accommodations:
Best Western Adobe Inn Holbrook or similar (1 night)

This morning depart for Grand Canyon National Park which is located close to this route on the way to Flagstaff. On the way, the town of Winslow offers The Old Trails Museum and the Minnetonka Trading Post whose façade is made of petrified wood. Continue to the Grand Canyon. The overwhelming size and brilliant colors of the Grand Canyon easily make it one of the natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon was carved out by natural elements including the Colorado River over vast geological spans of time. The South Rim has an assortment of viewing areas that can be reached by shuttle or car. There are many paved and unpaved walkways along the rim. Visit the Bright Angel Lodge for an excellent vantage point. The lodge is a historic landmark and also offers a gallery, restaurant, exhibits and a great view. Guided hikes also leave from the lodge and talks are often offered by the park rangers. For the adventurous, hiking trails and guided mule rides will take you down to the Colorado River. Rafting trips along the river are also a spectacular way to enjoy the canyon.
Accommodations: Best Western Pony Soldier or similar (1 night)

Leave the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon behind as you drive toward Las Vegas this morning. Even though, Las Vegas and, as a whole, the state of Nevada do not form part of this historic route, it is such an impressive highlight that is worth the deviation. Las Vegas has something to offer everyone. From the outrageous live shows to the excitement of casinos, the action never stops from morning to night. Stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as “the strip.” Each hotel and casino has a distinctly different theme and all are wondrous displays. Take a trip up to the top of the Stratosphere hotel tower, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Enjoy dinner at the Top of the World, or simply admire the view from the observation deck. Accommodations: Best Western Mardi Gras Inn and Casino or similar (2 nights)

Visit any of the premier hotels including Caesars Palace, The Venetian and Paris for luxury shopping. If you’re searching for a bargain, drive to one of the outlet malls featuring designer names at discounted prices. Make sure not to miss the nightly fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel. Using a dramatic combination of music, water and light, the Bellagio delivers spectacular performances nightly with its majestic fountains. For a different side of Vegas, visit Fremont Street. This historic street features shops, restaurants and casinos. Above you hangs a canopy screen where more than 12 million lights put on a spectacular show. Enjoy an overnight stay in Las Vegas.

Leave the glitz of Las Vegas behind and drive toward Santa Monica where you will enjoy a two-night stay. Both a seaside town and bustling city, Santa Monica has activities for both young and old, from beach games and bike paths to art galleries and nightclubs, from shopping and fitness to theater and concerts. Santa Monica’s cultural offerings run the gamut, with over 75 museums and art galleries within the walkable 8.3 square mile city limits. Not to mention the array of public art and sculpture exhibited in the streets. Visit Santa Monica Pier,. It features an aquarium, an amusement park and the famous Hippodrome building, a mix of California, Byzantine and Moorish architecture that has been featured in many films. Accommodations: Carmel by the Sea or similar (2 nights)

Today, Spend some time at the beach; with 3.5 miles of Southern California beaches and over 300 days of sunshine, the beach is a welcome retreat for vacationers and locals alike with a range of activities for everyone. Swimming, surffing, volleyball, skating and biking are among the favorite beach-side pasttimes of this area. In the evening, countless dining experiences are available; Santa Monica is the reputed birthplace of “California” and “fusion” cuisines which are marked by an artistic blending of culinary styles and the freshest of organic ingredients. Or, you can choose to explore the neighboring City of Angels. Visit the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Shop the famous Rodeo Drive, where luxury retail commands the street. Have lunch in Venice Beach, home to famous Muscle Beach, where the sand and surf are secondary to the lively scene of people that inhabit the sidewalk.

Depart Los Angeles Airport. Drop-off Rental Car