Route 66 Revisited

Depart this morning to begin the journey along Historic Route 66. Make a photo stop at the Old Joliet Prison for a look at its beautiful limestone façade. In Wilmington, come face to face with the legendary Gemini Giant, a reminder of the old Launching Pad Drive-In. Then stop at Dwight, see the historic Ambler/Becker Texaco Station, which dispensed fuel for 66 continuous years. In Atlanta, a 19-foot tall Paul Bunyon greets you and outside St. Louis you will stop at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge which spans the mighty Mississippi River. Imagine the sights and sounds of 1930s roadsters as they cross the bridge. Tonight, enjoy the Manager’s Kickback Reception. Meal: Drury Kickback Reception

Begin the day at the Gateway Arch National Park which features the Museum of Western Expansion which commemorates President Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation. See the Gateway Arch, which stands at over 600 feet and then take to the water for a narrated cruise along the Mississippi River. After lunch you will make a stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 favorite, for a tasty treat. Then visit the National Museum of Transportation and see why it is considered one of the largest collections of transportation vehicles in the world, including the Bobby Darin “Dream Car” and the rare Chrysler Turbine Car. Tonight, dinner is at Favazza’s on the Hill. Meals: B, D

Begin this day on Route 66 with a drive through Lone Elk Park. This wildlife management area is home to bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer so keep an eye open as you pass through. Near Stanton, a stop is made at Meramec Caverns, a complex cavern system formed from the erosion of large limestone deposits over millions of years. See the rare and colorful mineral formations as well as pre-Columbian Native American artifacts. Later, you will stop at the Fanning 66 Outpost and see the over 42-foot tall Red Rocking Chair, once named the largest in the world. Meals: B, D

Just a short 13-mile stretch of historic Route 66 runs through Kansas. In Galena, make a photo stop at the Kan-O-Tex Service Station to see the rusty old tow truck that inspired the character “Tow Mater” for the animated movie series Cars. In Baxter Springs, stop into the Route 66 Visitors Center to see the exhibits and visit the gift shop. Two miles west of Riverton you will cross the famed “Rainbow Bridge,” a single-span concrete Marsh arch bridge spanning Brush Creek. This is the sole surviving bridge of this type on the entire length of the former highway. Later, arrive in Claremore. Meals: B, L

The day begins at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Housed in a beautiful limestone facility, the museum features the largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia in the world. The collection includes all of his writings, photographs, artifacts and speeches. The Museum also contains twelve galleries, movies starring Rogers in the theatre and his tomb is on the grounds overlooking Claremore. Later, visit the JM Davis Arms Museum. Home to the unique collection of J.M. Davis of over 12,000 firearms and thousands of non-firearm artifacts ranging from Old West saddles and spurs, John Rogers statuary, Toby mugs and Beer Steins, World War I posters, and local Claremore and Rogers county history. Then, make a quick photo stop to see the Blue Whale of Catoosa, one of most recognizable attractions on old Route 66. Meals: B, D

Depart Oklahoma today and cross into Kansas. You will stop at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Home in Atchison for a visit to the museum. This historic building and museum is the birthplace of aviator Amelia Earhart. The house was built in 1861 in a Gothic Revival style and is on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Later, cross over to Missouri. Tonight, take advantage of the Drury Inn’s Manager’s Kickback Reception.  Meals: B, L, Drury Kickback Reception

Housed in a surviving portion of the Pike’s Peak Stables, the Pony Express Museum documents the history of the first fast mail line across the continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast. Hear the stories of these amazing riders and their amazing journeys. In Marceline, visit the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. Located in the restored Santa Fe Railway Depot, the museum houses a collection of memorabilia from the Disney’s family farm where they lived from 1905 to 1909. In Hannibal, visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home, a National Historic Landmark, along with Becky Thatcher’s House, Huckleberry Finn House and the newly restored Grant’s Drugstore. Meals: B, L

Begin the day at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum which documents the life of the 16th U.S. president, and the course of the American Civil War. Combining traditional scholarship with 21st-century showmanship techniques, the museum ranks as one of the most visited presidential libraries. Then, visit the Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site to see where a young Lincoln lived and worked followed by a visit to the Lincoln Tomb. Later, tour the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House. This Prairie School-style home was built in 1902-1904. In the evening visit the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the Legends Neon Park where re-creations or restorations of neon signs of past Route 66 businesses brightly glow. Meals: B, D

Before departing town, make a photo stop at Shea’s Gas Station. Then, you will take a drive down a 1.4 mile-long stretch of restored hand-laid brick road segment of the original Route 66. There will be time to take some selfies on National Register of Historic Places attraction. Then return home. Meal: B