Route 66 - Westbound – Suggested Self Drive

Grapevine is located ten minutes from DFW Airport, Historic Downtown Grapevine is where your Route 66 West trip begins. Here you can connect with the locals while you walk, shop, and eat your way through this fun historic town. Find many boutique shops, galleries and artisans, wineries, food tour. You cannot miss the Grapevine Vintage Railroad a 1920's-era Coach & Depot (with daily round trip departures to Fort Worth) and Nash Farm a late 19thcentury farm. Visit Grapevine's working artisans, including Holder Dane Gallery, Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery, the R Town and the Grapevine Blacksmith. You will find their work throughout Grapevine during your stay. Grapevine has emerged into a fun, western, shopping, historic small city in the DFW metroplex. Lego Land and the Aquarium are the cornerstone of the Grapevine Mills Mall. Take in the view of the surrounding Grapevine area from 150-feet up at the Grapevine Observation Tower. 360-degree views include the skylines of both Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW Airport and beautiful Lake Grapevine.

Head north into Oklahoma for today's first stop in Durant - Choctaw Nation. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is the largest of three federally recognized bands of Choctaws and the third largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. The Choctaw Nation's reservation covers nearly 11,000 square miles in south-eastern Oklahoma. The Choctaw were a tribe of Native American Indians who originated from modern Mexico and the American Southwest to settle in the Mississippi River Valley for about 1800 years. Known for their head-flattening and Green Corn Festival, these people build mounds and lived in matriarchal society. We suggest to visit the Choctaw Cultural Centre which is dedicated to exploring, preserving and showcasing the culture and history of the Choctaw people. Durant is famous for shows and two pageants - the Magnolia Pageant and the Choctaw Princess Pageant. If craft beer is your thing, Lost Street Brewing in Historic Downtown Durant is a good stop. The Choctaw Resort, Spa, and Casino is a beautiful and fun place offering many options for live entertainment, dancing, restaurants, pools, and full service spa.

Today's 'Route 66 West' road trip takes you to and through the Oklahoma towns of Weatherford, El Reno, Clinton and Elk City. Weatherford is the home town of astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, veteran of four space flights and commander of the Gemini 9, Apollo 10 missions and the Apollo -Soyuz project. Top sights in Weatherford include the Stafford Air & Space Museum and Lucille's Roadhouse (not included). Just 25 miles from Oklahoma City is El Reno made famous for its delicious fried onion burger. We recommend a lunch stop at your leisure at the famous onion burgers at Sid's Diner, Johnnies Hamburgers, or Robert's Grill. A must stop in Clinton at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Elk City is the Natural Gas Capital of the World and has an unusual landmark, the World's tallest (non-operating) oil rig, right on Route 66. Its main landmark is its sprawling Museum Complex which includes the National Route 66 Museum with its enormous US66 shield. Visit the National Route 66 & Transportation Museum (not included) before reaching the old oil town of Shamrock, Texas. Continue to McLean, Texas, refuelling at an original Route 66 gas station along the way. The final stop today is Amarillo for a good meal and good night's rest. Amarillo restaurants offer a wide variety of dining options, whether you seek authentic Mexican dishes, juicy burgers, or classic American meals.

Driving out of Texas to New Mexico. Visit the ghost town of Glen Rio, where you can stand with one foot in New Mexico and the other in Texas. Glen Rio was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Today, the Glen Rio Historic District includes the old Route 66 roadbed and 17 abandoned buildings. Continue your journey Santa Fe where you will have two days to explore the relaxed pace, stimulating culture, fantastic food, and historic architecture. Santa Fee, New Mexico's capital sits in Sangre de Cristo foothills. It's renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and a creative arts hotbed. Start your day on Canyon Road, visit Loretto Chapel, have lunch at Santa Fe Plaza, explore the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, go inside the cathedral, experience Meow Wolf, visit the Museum of International Folk Art and Bandelier National Park.

Enjoy the interesting landscape along the Rio Grande in today's short drive to Albuquerque. Albuquerque's picturesque 'old town' is inspiring of the old west. Interesting stops here include the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre. Albuquerque is also known for its International Balloon Fiesta which takes place the first 2 weeks in October. If you happen to be here at other times of the year, there is still a wide variety of things to do. Take a ride on the world's longest Tramway to the top of the Sandia Park (not included). Scandia Peak Tramway runs from the base of Sandia Mountains to their summit called Sandia Park. It is the longest aerial tramway in North America spanning 2.7 miles.

Authentic, vibrant, and unlike any other - Albuquerque is a dream destination for lovers of cuisine, culture and exciting activities. Cherished for its roadside charm, Holbrook sits within the Painted Desert, a remarkable area of rocky badlands that stretches from the Grand Canyon to the Navajo Nation. It's one of Arizona's most dazzling and lonesome landscapes, with layered brands that change colour seemingly every hour. Wide open space and vistas are in view today. Holbrook is cherished for its roadside Americana charm and sits within close distance to the Petrified Forest where petrified trees compete to glitter and shimmer in the light, and the Painted Desert - a remarkable area of rocky badlands that stretches from the Grand Canyon to the Navajo Nation. It's one of Arizona's most dazzling and lonesome landscapes.

Flagstaff is a beautiful college town surrounded by large stands of Ponderosa Pine forest, and is a town surrounded by many national Monuments: Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki. From red rock canyons to soaring peaks (Mt. Humphreys is 12,635 feet/3,852 meters), take time to explore the wide-open spaces. On your way to a local trail, visit downtown (rated "One of the Ten Most Charming Historic Downtowns in the USA") to experience local hospitality at the restaurants, breweries, boutiques, galleries, and music venues. After a walking tour, spend the afternoon at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Riordan Mansion, or Pioneer Museum (not included) to learn about this place we call home - the Colorado Plateau. The pioneering history, Native American culture, and quest for the great outdoors makes Flagstaff a serene and nature-inspired destination. Visit the 127-yearold Lowell Observatory, the Home of Pluto, for stargazing. Honoured as the First Dark Sky City in the world in 2001, Flagstaff's nights offer clarity to view the entire solar system at 7,100 feet/2,164 meters. Nature should be sustainable, and dark sky preservation is at the forefront in creating experiences that last a lifetime. Known as the "City of 7 Wonders", Flagstaff is surrounded by 360 degrees of natural allure. After a sumptuous breakfast at perhaps Macy's European Café or MartAnne's, consider a day of forging memories by venturing out to one or more scenic wonders such as (1) Grand Canyon National Park (2) Wupatki National Monument (3) Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (4) San Francisco Peaks (5) Coconino National Forest (6)Walnut Canyon National Monument, or, back to stunning (7) Oak Creek Canyon. All are within 90 minutes or less from downtown and each offers a unique experience and adventure. Ancient ruins and pueblos, mile-high canyons, the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the world - all within reach. Pack a picnic lunch, rent a bike, or take a local tour. As Arizona's "Craft Beer Town", you may want to download the Craft Brewery Trail Passport and sip a few locally brewed IPAs or Golden Ales. Afterwards, take in a show at the historic Orpheum Theatre, or listen to live music At a local gathering place. Whatever you choose to do, you'll be glad you visited.

Take a 2.5 hour's drive and you will arrive in Williams, where small town nostalgia meets grand adventures. The railroad town of Kingman is a small town nestled in the pine country of Arizona offers countless things to see and do. The train enthusiast can ride the Grand Canyon Railway through Arizona's high country. Route 66 history buffs can explore more than six blocks of historic buildings and shops bursting with memorabilia. World travellers will find a charming resting place at the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Outdoor adventurers will have trouble deciding between the numerous outdoor activities, from fishing and hiking to camping and horseback riding. Travellers of all walks of life will find welcoming accommodations that line Route 66 as well as the iconic Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

From Kingman, head west towards California. The Mojave River was the first artery bringing Native Americans to the Barstow area followed by the American Railroad system. The town soon grew around a railroad depot spurred by the Industrial Revolution. A century later, the automobile paved the way for Route 66, Interstate 40, Interstate 15, Highway 247, and Highway 58, lending to Barstow's moniker: "Crossroads of Opportunity". Today, the city of Barstow is located in the Inland Empire North region of San Bernardino County, midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Barstow is centrally located in the western Mojave at the entrance to the Mojave National Preserve. Travelers on Historic U.S. Route 66 will enjoy exploring the Barstow area as the city's connection with the Mother Road remains strong today.

A final westward track takes the Mother Road to its final end: Santa Monica. With nearly four miles of beaches and a vibrant urban scene, Santa Monica blends the sophistication of an international coastal city with the laid-back vibe of a California beach town. Fabled Route 66 once travelled along a stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard and reached the terminus of its 2,448-mile run from Chicago near the beach in Santa Monica. A sign commemorates the "end of the trail" on Santa Monica Pier, where travellers can marvel at amazing coastal views from atop the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park amusement park and dine at one of its famous dining establishments. At your leisure, stroll along Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, a half-mile of pedestrian-only street with top name brand stores and a variety of al fresco restaurants and fantastic street performers, or cruise along The Strand, a 22-mile long, paved trail that starts in Santa Monica and connects the city with neighbouring Venice Beach. Soak up Southern California's beach culture - famous for its surfers, body builders, street performers and spectacular ocean views. Just south of the Pier on Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica, the Original Muscle Beach outdoor gym area is considered to be the first of its kind in California, featuring ropes, parallel bars, swings and more where you can enjoy free entry and laid-back fun.

Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.