Route 66: Unique & Quirky America
From St. Louis to Chicago
"Get Your Kicks on Route 66" as we tour this historic highway on a leisurely stretch from St. Louis to Chicago. Route 66 was established in 1926 and ultimately stretched almost 2,500 miles through eight states. It captured Americans’ imagination and exposed millions of citizens to small towns across the country. We begin in St. Louis and then make our way northward through Illinois. During our exploration of this famed route, we will visit unique and quirky roadside attractions and learn more about 'The Mother Road' at the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. We'll also explore the architectural wonders of downtown Chicago, home to the first skyscrapers in the world. This tour is a slice of Americana you're certain to love.
Route 66: Unique & Quirky America
September 24 - September 30, 2024Highlights
- Visit Quirky Route 66 Roadside Attractions
- Explore Gateway Arch National Park
- Meet the World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales
- Get Nostalgic at the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
- Tour the National Blues Museum
- View Chicago's Architecture
- Suggestions for things to see and do
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Tuesday, 24 September 2024: Arrive St. Louis; Welcome Meeting and Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into St. Louis no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at 5:30pm in the lobby of our hotel. We will make introductions and then enjoy our Welcome Dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight St. Louis - 3 nights
Wednesday, 25 September 2024: Gateway Arch National Park; River Cruise; Budweiser Brewery & Clydesdales Visit (B,L)
We begin our day exploring St. Louis, and of course any tour of this city must first stop at Gateway Arch, the world's largest arch and the nation's tallest monument. This National Historic Landmark was built to recognize the westward expansion of the United States and is commonly referred to as "The Gateway to the West." While here, we will ride the tram 633 feet to the top of the arch and then catch some of the best views of downtown on a fascinating one-hour riverboat cruise. Afterward, we'll have lunch together before heading to Budweiser Brewery. From the Prohibition era to Super Bowl commercials, there is perhaps nothing more iconic in Budweiser’s storied history than its team of Clydesdale horses. More than just a mascot, the Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch for more than 80 years. We will get up close and personal with the horses during our visit to the Budweiser Brewery campus. And of course, we'll enjoy a beer! We return to the hotel late this afternoon.
Thursday, 26 September 2024: National Blues Museum; Local Route 66 Stops (B,L)
In 1914, the composer and trumpeter W.C. Handy penned a song called “The Saint Louis Blues,” which became one of the first crossover blues hits and forever tied this city to Blues music. And so, we begin today with a tour of the National Blues Museum, encountering legends, unsung heros and trailblazers who brought the blues to life and influenced other more popular forms of music. From here, we will explore iconic Route 66 sights in and around St. Louis, from kitschy neon signs to classic landmarks, making stops along the way. Of course we'll be sure to stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, which first opened on Route 66 in 1941. You might want to try the "concrete,” a malt or shake so thick it can be served upside down. Dreamed up in 1959, this is the stand's most popular item. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.
Friday, 27 September 2024: Route 66 Stops; Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (B,L)
Our first stop as we leave St. Louis will be a walk across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. This was the original Mississippi River crossing on Route 66, and although cars no longer traverse it, we can! It became a well-known spot on the route thanks to the bridge’s intense curve that happens in the middle of the structure. We continue our journey along the Mother Road, well-known for its quirky roadside attractions, filled with history and nostalgia that were meant to entertain and comfort drivers on the open road. "The Bunyon Giant" looks like the traditional Paul Bunyan character, but instead of an axe, he is holding a giant hotdog! We will also see the world's largest catsup bottle, because, "Why Not?" Many small service stations dotted Route 66. We'll peek into one that was recently restored to its original condition. After lunch together, we continue to Springfield, Illinois, hometown of our 16th President. At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, we can step inside key moments in Lincoln's life, from triumph to tragedy. Overnight Bloomington, IL - 1 night
Saturday, 28 September 2024: Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum; Gemini Giant; End Route 66 Sign (B)
We continue our Route 66 exploration as we make our way to Chicago, the launching point of this famed roadway. The Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac is a must-see destination for anyone traveling this historic road. The museum, the repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road, is housed in the historic Pontiac City Hall building, which was constructed in 1891. We continue on to the Windy City, both the beginning and end of Historic Route 66. Before we reach the literal "end of the road" we'll have an opportunity to see the iconic End Route 66 Sign. Overnight Chicago - 2 nights
Sunday, 29 September 2024: Chicago Architecture Tour; Free Time; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
We begin our day with a walking tour of Chicago's stunning architecture. We find ourselves in "the Loop," an area of the city that grew in popularity once highways began to traverse this area, including Route 66. Hear stories of the city's unique history and how some of its earliest and most striking skyscrapers came to be. These innovative, modern buildings were some of the first to "scrape the sky" in the world. View their dazzling facades and get a glimpse of their gorgeous interiors. This afternoon is yours to enjoy the city further. Take in views of the city from the skydeck at Willis Tower, enjoy a stroll in Millennial Park or poke into the Art Institute of Chicago. Your Tour Leader will have suggestions or you can accompany her on her itinerary. Tonight, we will gather together for our Farewell Dinner.
Monday, 30 September 2024: Return Home (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Schedule your departure from either Chicago-area airport at your convenience. Your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Route 66: Unique & Quirky America
September 24 - September 30, 2024Pricing
Room Share
$2,584.00Single Room
$3,557.00Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Thursday, 28 Mar 2024: Last day $250 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2024: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Saturday, 10 Aug 2024 results in a cancellation penalty of 50% of your Total Tour Cost.
Saturday, 10 Aug 2024: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after
your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your
cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Route 66: Unique & Quirky America
September 24 - September 30, 2024Flight Information & Tour Details
Arrival And Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" or "Multiple Destinations." For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: STL - St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Lambert International Airport)
Arrival Date: Tuesday, September 24th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local taxi or shuttle. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: CHI - Chicago, US (Greater Chicago Airports (ORD, MDW))
Departure Date: Monday, September 30th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Want To Arrive A Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$132.00 Roomshare $260.00 Single
Lodging / Hotels
St. Louis: Drury Inn - STL Convention Center
Bloomington, IL: Hampton Inn Bloomington West
Downtown Chicago: Embassy Suites Downtown Magnificent Mile
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or any other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour takes a minimum of 10 travelers and a maximum of 14. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation.
Travel Insurance is NOT included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Route 66: Unique & Quirky America
September 24 - September 30, 2024Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Please note WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged or walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 70% Easy
- 30% Moderate (extensive walking, some long travel days)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 3 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In late September, the weather in the Midwest region is variable, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the low 80s. You can expect partly cloudy to mostly sunny days, with occasional showers and some gusty winds as we travel closer to Chicago. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information.
For This Trip You May Want—
- Clothing that can be easily layered
- Comfortable walking shoes with good tread
- Rain jacket
- Fleece jacket for warmth when needed
- Swimsuit
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle
- Portable cell phone battery for long drives
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
We will use the WTT Coach during the course of this tour. Luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicle and the requirement that travelers be able to manage their belongings on their own.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase and a day pack or shoulder bag to keep with you in the coach.
- Maximum suitcase size: 22-24 inches in height. This is the size of bag that fits into the overhead bins of aircraft. Suitcases larger than this will not fit properly in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The weight of your bag should not exceed 30 pounds as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides will be paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping waitstaff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or any other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour takes a minimum of 10 travelers and a maximum of 14. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation.
Travel Insurance is NOT included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.