Heartland of America
- Duration
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,894
MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: The drive from Texas to Colorado, through America’s heartland, is entertaining, exhilarating and packed with captivating discoveries. Bookended between Dallas and Denver, familiar sounding names such as Tulsa, Wichita and Dodge City are part of your trip as is the longest drivable stretch of Route 66, through Oklahoma. Wyatt Earp and Buffalo Bill Cody come to mind here and there, but the magnificent vistas provided by snow-capped mountains, brilliant blue skies and towering rock formations in Colorado might leave the deepest impression.
Cross the states of Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado on this 15-day trip into the Heartland of America where you will see a cowboy or girl, you will fall in love with that silky southern drawl and you will pack your cowboy boots because this is the adventure where you will pull them off completely.
Dallas is booming. The sun is strong in this modern city and maybe it had felt so the day a U.S. President met his end here, an event which led to The Sixth City, a museum within the former Texas School Book Depository building which chronicles the life, assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Even if you are not interested in the fascinating and continuing mystery of J.F.K’s last day, you will be after this excellent little museum.
Dallas is really a place to indulge; all portions are large, so take down that massive Texas steak and honking frozen margarita with pleasure, they were invented here. Catch a musical performance inside of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s only designed theatre, the Kalita Humphreys, or get into some live country music which goes so well with your boots, you can’t help but tap them to the music.
Cross through the green domain of some of the fiercest warriors in all of the Americas, the Chickasaw people in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Go back in time in Oklahoma City where you can imagine families packing their wagons before setting out on the dusty and dangerous road of bandits and cowboys to a better life at the American West at The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The greatest road trips ever happened on Route 66 and yours won’t be the exception.
In Tulsa, the Arkansas River glistens and the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art of the American West at the Gilcrease Museum draws you further into the souls who once forged, fought and built the place you now stand.
Once a trading post along the Chisholm Trail, in Wichita wander the Old Town District for the best in New American cuisine. Polish off those boots before stepping into Dodge City, Kansas, the embodiment of the Wild West where, card players, pearl-inlaid gun wearing cowboys and frilly, perfumed girls in brothels all jostled together in this town right out of a Western movie set.
Through sunlit Pueblo, a town instrumental in bringing the railroad to Colorado and onto Colorado Springs where Nikola Tesla once sent surges of experimental power from his lab causing blackouts. It’s a hiker’s dream in the Garden of the Gods Park, where Great Plains grasslands and pinon-juniper woodlands merge with the mountain forest of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. The sun seems to be captured in the sandstone rock formations which are so striking they are almost hard to look at.
Denver has a laid-back feel, maybe it’s all the cowboy boots pounding the pavement, but the food, the art scene and the shops speak of a sophistication which makes Colorado’s largest city instantly appealing. Visit the mansion of famed Titanic survivor and activist Molly Brown for a powerful morning before heading out on a historic walking tour with the Rocky mountains as a backdrop. Your boots may be scuffed from good use by the time you head home, but the memories etched on the leather from the Heartland of American will last a lifetime.
- Duration
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,894
Itinerary View Trip Map
Dallas
Arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival you might have time to start exploring the city, with its glittering skyscrapers and a past and present that created many American legends. From barbecue and steaks to cowboy boots, country music and the nostalgia of the old west – ‘big things happen here.’
Overnight Dallas
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Dallas
Dallas has everything you can imagine for an exciting and diverse visit. Explore the life of President John F. Kennedy at The Sixth Floor Museum. Get an in-depth look at 8 years of presidential history at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. While Dallas offers plenty of glitz, nearby Fort Worth highlights its heritage and cowboy spirit. The Stockyards National Historic District, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and Billy Bob's Texas - the largest honky-tonk anywhere - are just a few examples of where you can rustle up a Wild West adventure in Fort Worth.
Overnight Dallas
Dallas - Chickasaw Country - Oklahoma City
Departing from Dallas, your drive takes you across the south bank of the Red River, the state line between Texas and Oklahoma, into Chickasaw Country. Spend the day at the Chickasaw Cultural Center or visit various museums and historic sites for a trip back in time along the famous Chisholm Trail. Continue north through rolling short-grass prairie to the heart of Oklahoma, a region once part of the wild-and-rowdy Great American Frontier. Upon arrival in Oklahoma City, we recommend visiting the Bricktown Entertainment District, the city's hottest entertainment and dining area.
Overnight Oklahoma City
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City offers all the culture, cuisine, and attractions you'd expect in a modern metropolis. Check out the city's different ‘Districts’ such as Uptown, Midtown, Paseo Arts, Boathouse, Automobile Ally, and Bricktown. All have fabulous restaurants and unique attractions. Explore the vast, diverse history and artistry of the American West at The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, or visit Stockyards City, home to several shops specializing in all things western. Stockyards City also houses the Oklahoma National Stock Yards where every Monday the public can witness a live cattle auction.
Overnight Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City - Route 66 - Tulsa
It's time to get your kicks on Route 66 and let the golden age of the road come alive through neon signs, drive-in theaters, quaint motels, and unique diners. Cutting through Oklahoma, the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 makes its way past several charming towns and quirky attractions. As you travel the Mother Road to Tulsa, stop at POPs in Arcadia and choose from over seven hundred different soda pops or explore the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler. Upon arrival in Tulsa, be sure to view the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge at the symbolic midpoint "East Meets West" sculpture, honoring the ‘Father of Route 66s’ connection to the historic highway.
Overnight Tulsa
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Tulsa
Enriched by its oil heritage, Tulsa is a haven of Southern comfort - not the drink - and cosmopolitan style with plenty of interesting things to do. The Brady Arts District, one of the city's oldest areas, features historic buildings brought back to prominence, including the Woody Guthrie Center and the Old Lady on Brady aka The Brady Theater. The eclectic Cherry Street District offers antique shopping, art galleries, and top local restaurants. And you won't want to miss the Philbrook Museum of Art, home to a stunning collection of art and 23-acres of immaculate grounds that raise landscape design to new heights.
Overnight Tulsa
Tulsa - Wichita
It's time to slow down and soak up the sights, sounds, tastes and character of the heart of America as you head into Kansas. Kansas' largest city, Wichita served as a gathering place for thousands of years, eventually becoming a trading post along the Chisholm Trail. One of the best ways to get a feel of Wichita is to explore the Old Town District. We recommend taking a leisurely walking tour where you'll hear the history of the district while sampling the culinary delights of locally owned and operated restaurants.
Overnight Wichita
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Wichita
Today, step out and experience Wichita as if it was 1865 with a visit to Old Cowtown Museum. This living history museum allows you to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and activities common to a Midwestern cattle town. We also recommend visiting the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Here, at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, the iconic 44-foot Keeper of the Plains steel sculpture pays tribute to the Native Americans who made the area their home before the arrival of settlers.
Overnight Wichita
Wichita - Yoder - Fort Larned - Dodge City
While on your way to Dodge City, the drive takes you through Yoder, a focal point for the surrounding Amish communities. Take a step back in time and enjoy Yoder's quaint mixture of past and present as horse buggies intermingle with cars and trucks. Continue to Fort Larned National Historic Site, the best-preserved military post of the Indian Wars era. Now it's time to get the heck ‘into’ Dodge. Dodge City, Kansas is to many the epitome of the Wild West. If time permits, hop on the historic Dodge City Trolley for a narrated tour of historic sites in and around the city.
Overnight Dodge City
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Dodge City
This morning you might want to join the Trail of Fame Walking Tour. Winding its way through the historic district to Boot Hill Museum, the trail features sidewalk medallions, and statues to commemorate certain famous and infamous residents, including Wyatt Earp, ‘Doc’ Holliday and General Custer. At Boot Hill Museum it feels like being transported back to the dusty streets of the 1870s and 1880s. Stroll down the boardwalk and peer through the windows into a time gone by or plant your feet atop the original Boot Hill Cemetery.
Overnight Dodge City
Dodge City - Pueblo
Entering the colorful state of Colorado your destination is Pueblo, a sunny playground nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River. Once inhabited by infamous ruffians like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody, today’s Pueblo is a thriving town that values culture and arts as well as livestock shows and hot-rod expos. Kick off your visit in the Union Avenue Historic District, the town's original city center that once housed trading posts, gambling saloons and second-storey brothels. Today, the area's beautiful buildings house a collection of boutiques, art galleries and sidewalk cafes.
Overnight Pueblo
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Pueblo - Pikes Peak - Colorado Springs
From Pueblo, the scenic beauty and favourable climate that has lured visitors to Colorado Springs for years makes for a riveting day of driving. A stunning backdrop for this modern city is Pikes Peak. Experience the mountain up close by driving up the scenic Pikes Peak Highway or gain a distinct perspective by taking a trek on Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Overnight Colorado Springs
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Colorado Springs - Garden of the Gods - Denver
Visit the Garden of the Gods this morning and understand why this is one of the most photographed landscapes in the state. Imagine dramatic views of the foothills and towering red sandstone rock formations set against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. From here it's on to the ‘Mile High City.’ With the impressive Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Denver effortlessly blends the city's Old West heritage with today's modern skyscrapers and urban energy.
Overnight Denver
| Duration | 1 Nights |
|---|
Denver
Today, the city’s must-sees are yours to discover and explore. Larimer Square remains the heart and soul of the city, and according to some it's the place to start your Denver experience. The hip district of Uptown is home to Denver's largest green space, City Park. The gold-domed Colorado State Capitol with its ‘Mile High’ marker on the 13th step overlooks downtown, and a visit to Cherry Creek Shopping Center will round out your Mile High experience.
Overnight Denver
Denver
Make your way to Denver International Airport for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay in the area.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: April 1 - October 31, 2023
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 15 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
- Detailed day by day itinerary
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Dallas
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Oklahoma City
- 2 nights moderate accommodations Tulsa
- 2 nights moderate accommodations Wichita
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Dodge City
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Pueblo
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Colorado Springs
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Denver
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- Walk or run in Central Park
- Enjoy world-class architecture as you wander through Dallas Arts District
- Rustle up a Wild West adventure in Fort Worth
- Visit various museums and historic sites (optional) for a trip back in time along the famous Chisholm Trail
- Travel the Mother Road to Tulsa along the longest drivable stretch of Route 66
- Explore Pueblo, a sunny playground nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River
- Experience the mountains up close by driving up the scenic Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
1 Oct 2023
