Heartland Harmony

Welcome to Chicago, the starting point of your escorted tour of America's Heartland. Chicago is one of the largest cities in the USA sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums. Upon arrival at the hotel, a welcome drink with your tour guide and fellow travellers awaits you!

Today we have a full day of exploring this wonderful city. We will enjoy the best of Chicago by jumping onboard a Chicago Shoreline Cruise and having a Music themed Sightseeing tour with a local guide hopping off to take pictures along the route. Then we will enjoy Chicago's Entertainment Scene - popping into Buddy Guys and Kingston Mines for some great live music!

It's time to leave Chicago for our next stop - St Louis Missouri. The city is known for its iconic 630ft Gateway Arch, which can be viewed in its full glory from the replica paddlewheelers found on the mighty Mississippi River. Today we will enjoy sightseeing and visiting the Gateway Arch before free time this evening to explore the Soulard district, home to barbecue restaurants and clubs playing blues music.

This morning you have time to explore the local St Louis attractions at your own pace. Then, this evening, you'll be free to enjoy dinner and the local entertainment spots downtown!

After breakfast we will make our way to Branson. This Ozark town, in southwest Missouri, is a well known family holiday resort. Its Country Boulevard is famously lined with theatres, which once hosted mostly country music performers but today present diverse entertainment. Also along the strip are the Marvel Cave, the Wild West-style Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction and Silver Dollar City, an 1800s-themed amusement park with live music. We will take you on a driving tour of the city before the "Legends Show" this evening. Then it's time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Branson Landing!

Another fun filled day awaits you. Perhaps you want to see another show (or two) or maybe a day at Silver Dollar City is your plan. This special place in the heartland of America is a one of a kind Theme Park nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and is just one of the many attractions that can be found in Branson (Extra Charges Apply)

After breakfast we will depart for Tulsa - stopping for lunch in Miami Oklahoma. We will Visit the Church Studio (Previously owned by Leon Russell) and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. You will have plenty of time to discover the downtown area at your own pace… Then we will enjoy a leisurely meal and local music in the Blue Dome entertainment district of the city! In Tulsa, you visit The Church Studio, and guests choose either the Bob Dylan Center or the Woody Guthrie Center, included in the tour price. The other can be added as an optional extra.

This morning we will depart for a day trip to Pawhuska Oklahoma. We will visit the Mercantile and learn about TV's Pioneer Woman before making the short drive to Ponca City to discover the secrets of the Marland Mansion! When we return to Tulsa you will have free time to enjoy Tulsa's nightlife.

Today we will leave for Oklahoma City. It's known for its cowboy culture and Capitol complex and is surrounded by working oil wells. The reflecting pool and empty glass and bronze chairs of the Oklahoma City National Memorial are in memory of the victims of the 1995 bombing. We will pay a visit to the National Monument & Museum before visiting the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. After a bit of sightseeing in Oklahoma City we will sample the nightlife in Bricktown.

Following breakfast, we head to America's Mother Road - the Iconic Route 66! We will enjoy a few "quirky" stops along the way including the Route 66 Museum. This evening - we will enjoy free time exploring Oklahoma's Entertainment Districts.

Leave the hotel for breakfast at the world famous "Cattlemen's Steakhouse" and enjoy shopping at the Oklahoma Stockyards neighbourhood. This afternoon, it is time to learn about the Native American History of Oklahoma as we take a short drive to the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center in Sulphur. Then it is on to Texas, where our evening entertainment will be in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas.

Today we will explore Grapevine Texas and other local landmarks! Then it's Free Time this evening to enjoy a wonderful meal & live music Downtown.

A visit to the 6th Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza is followed by a tour of JR Ewing's Southfork Ranch. We will then travel a few miles to Fort Worth Stockyards followed by a visit to Billy Bob's - the world's biggest honky tonk.

Sad but true, we've reached the end of your escorted tour of America's Heartland - it's time to go to the airport for your onward flight...