GET YOUR ‘KICKS’ ON – AND JUST OFF – 'THE MOTHER ROAD'
Legendary Route 66 is there to be experienced, not just driven. Stretching across eight states and nearly 2,500 miles, it's replete with interesting, historic and delightfully quirky sites – no more so than along Oklahoma's 400-mile, unbroken stretch, much of it enhanced by new roadway markers. And then there are those fascinating just off Route 66 sites calling out to be explored. Here are three exciting road trip itineraries, all of them including Oklahoma, which you can consider and perhaps tailor to your own special interests.
CHICAGO – GRAPEVINE:
A 16-day ‘deep dive' into Route 66 arriving at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, picking up 'The Mother Road' at its Chicago lakefront starting point and continuing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, including Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Sulphur, and ending at DFW International Airport.
GRAPEVINE – SANTA MONICA:
An 18-day itinerary starting at DFW airport, heading north toward Oklahoma City on Interstate 35, taking side trips east to Durant, headquarters of the First American Choctaw Nation, and Tishomingo and Sulphur with their Chickasaw Nation sites and/or west to Duncan and the famous Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum. Then on to enjoy Oklahoma City and Elk City on Oklahoma's Route 66, before heading into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Route 66's terminus at Pacific Oceanside Santa Monica, California for travel back home via LAX international airport.
ROUTE 66 – BEGINNING TO END:
A 21-day immersive experience, starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica with two full days each in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
And here are some unmissable on- and off-Route 66 Oklahoma attractions:
THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM
Located in Oklahoma City, this unmissable site is a treasure house of both magnificent Western art, including the renowned 1915 End of the Trail statue of a wounded Native American on horseback, and of the world's most extensive collection of items dedicated to the American cowboy and rodeo lifestyles.
THE STAFFORD AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Right on Route 66 in Weatherford between Oklahoma City and Elk City, this museum encompasses a treasure-trove of space memorabilia and exhibits, including a Titan 2 rocket and Apollo 11 survival items, curated by Gemini + Apollo astronaut Thomas P Stafford who was born in Weatherford. Next stop as you head west: Clinton, home to The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, covering the fascinating history of 'The Mother Road.'
DUNCAN AND THE CHISHOLM TRAIL
Easily reached from Interstate 35, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center brings the storied cattle trail of the 1800s vibrantly to life in the heart of Duncan, which offers small-town charm.
To learn more, about Oklahoma's Route 66 and more visit: travelok.com/gb/international/book-your-holiday