Description
Experience a legendary 300-mile road trip down the Mother Road starting in the heart of downtown Chicago at the iconic Route 66 “Begin” sign and ending in St. Louis where you’ll drop the car off. You’ll then fly from St. Louis to to Los Angeles to finish this amazing adventure in Santa Monica, the famous last stop on the one and only Route 66. Be sure to get some pictures under the “End of the Trail” sign on Santa Monica’s Pier.
Chicago, Illinois
Opened on New Year’s Eve in 1920 and regarded as one of Chicago’s most iconic places to stay the Drake Hotel’s traditional charm and classic décor has given it movie star billing with scenes from “Risky Business”, “What Women Want” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” on its credit list.
The hotel’s elegant guestrooms and varied dining venues along with a prestigious setting in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighbourhood on the Magnificent Mile close to Lake Michigan’s Oak Street Beach makes the Drake Hotel the perfect jumping off point for exploring all that this vibrant city has to offer. Getting around Chicago is easy and one of the best ways to explore the city is on one of the popular hop on hop off bus tours. With stops at Chicago Skydeck, Millennium Park, 360 Chicago Observation Deck at the John Hancock Centre, the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, Navy Pier and much more – it’s a great way to explore the main sights and attractions of Chicago at your own pace.
traveplanners recommends pre-booking your Chicago City pass for entry into Shedd Aquarium VIP, the Field Museum of Natural History, Skydeck Chicago and many more of the city’s famous attractions. It’s time to leave the Windy City and make your way to Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. On Route from Chicago to Springfield stop off and take a tour of the Old Joliet Prison best known for being a favourite filming location for shows such as the Blues Brothers and Prison Break!
Springfield, Illinois
Located in the heart of Illinois’ capital city the Wyndham Springfield City Centre hotel offers a perfect location for tourists. Adjacent to the Prairie Capital Convention Centre and a few blocks from the State Capital Complex this hotel has a prime location.
Designed with comfort in mind, this City Centre hotel offers 369 guestrooms that all feature upscale amenities such as down pillows, hypoallergenic beds, a HDTV and free Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly services are also available along with garages, valet parking and daily room service making this hotel the best choice for convenience.
Collinsville, Illinois
Snap a photo with the iconic Route 66 World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. Explore the past at the Cahokia Mounds UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing ancient Native American civilization. Discover vibrant festivals celebrating local culture and cuisine including the International Horseradish Festival.
Head to St Louis airport to drop the car off and fly to Los Angeles for a three night stay in Santa Monica for a true Hollywood ending to your journey.
Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Spend some time strolling along the beaches of Santa Monica or browsing the adjacent indoor/outdoor shops at Third Street Promenade – and finally make your way to Santa Monica’s Pier where you’ll find the “End of the Trail” sign that marks the official western end of Historic Route 66.
For more details on this fantastic Illinois Route 66 adventure call one of our travelplanners on 020 3542 8888 today.
