Heartland of America Self Drive Tour

Welcome to Dallas. The “Big D” is a glittering city of skyscrapers with a past and present rich in the stuff that American legends are made of. From barbecue and steaks to cowboy boots, country music and the nostalgia of the old west – “big things happen here.” Upon arrival, pick-up your rental car and transfer independently to your hotel.

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 & Museum. Enjoy worldclass architecture as you wander through the Dallas Arts District, or experience breathtaking 360-degree views of Dallas from the Reunion Tower’s GeO-Deck. While Dallas offers plenty of glitz, nearby Fort Worth showcases its heritage and cowboy spirit. The Stockyards National Historic District, National Cowgirl Museum & 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.

Today, cross 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.

Oklahoma City offers all the culture, cuisine and attractions you’d expect in a modern metropolis. Check out the city’s different “Districts” – 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 & Western Heritage Museum, or visit Stockyards City, home to a number of 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.

It’s time to get your kicks on Route 66 and let the golden age of the road whisper to you 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 a number of charming towns and quirky attractions. As you travel the Mother Road to Tulsa, stop at POPs in Arcadia and choose from over 700 different soda pops (for the road), and 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.

Enriched by its oil heritage and a haven of Southern comfort, Tulsa boasts 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 Ole Lady on Brady - 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 an art form.

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 expertise of locally owned and operated restaurants.

Today, step out and experience Wichita like its 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.

En route to Dodge City you’ll pass through Yoder, a central 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 most best preserved military post of the Indian Wars era. Now it’s time to get the heck into Dodge. Dodge City, Kansas is recognized as 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 near the city.

This morning we recommend joining the Trail of Fame Walking Tour. Winding its way through the historic district to Boot Hill Museum, the trail is marked with sidewalk medallions and statuary to commemorate its many famous and infamous residents, including Wyatt Earp, "Doc" Holliday and General Custer. At Boot Hill Museum you'll be 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 of the original Boot Hill Cemetery.

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, 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-story brothels. Today, the area's beautiful buildings house a collection of boutiques, art galleries and sidewalk cafes.

From Pueblo you’ll discover the scenic beauty and favorable climate that has lured visitors to Colorado Springs for years. 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 different perspective by taking a trek on Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

This morning, visit Garden of the Gods where you'll delight in 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.

Today you’ll want to get out and explore some of the city’s must-sees. 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 where you’ll find 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.

Return your rental car at the airport prior to your departure.