Fly Drive USA

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Oklahoma City. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and proceed to the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, your base for the next two nights.

Oklahoma City is one of the fastest growing cities in the US and you will always find something new and interesting. Visit all the significantly diverse districts, like the Riverboat District where the Olympic Rowing Teams train for upcoming competitions, as well as urban whitewater rafting and surfing for visitors. Water taxis take you through Bricktown Entertainment District, home to restaurants, music venues, breweries, a baseball stadium, and the American Banjo Museum. Head to the Stockyards City district and its main street featuring many shops to support the working cowboy – hat makers, saddle makers, boot makers, and all cowboy clothing. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is a showcase of North America’s Cowboy past to present. The newly opened (2021) First Americans Museum is dedicated to the 39 Tribes whose tribal nations are all headquartered in Oklahoma.

This morning you will leave Oklahoma City behind and head for Elk City as you drive along the world-famous Route 66. On route, we recommend stopping for a spot of lunch in El Reno, famous for its legendary fried onion burgers. You’ll also pass by Clinton, be sure to make a stop here as this is where you’ll find the National Route 66 Museum. Once you arrive in Elk City the rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Elk City has many activities to choose from both indoors and out. Outdoor fun includes hiking, biking and horseback riding while indoor fun can be had at any number of museums in the area.

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to get back on the road and head to your next stop Duncan. Just like before there are plenty of places to visit along the way and we recommend visiting Medicine Park, a quirky cobblestone resort town, known for live music. Or, for the history buffs out there perhaps a visit to Fort Sill which was an active army fort up until 1869 and is also the gravesite of the famous Apache chief, Geronimo. Both Medicine Park and Fort Sill provide easy access to Wichita Mountain Scenic Byways should you wish to take a little detour before heading to Duncan. Upon arriving in Duncan and checking in to your hotel, why not visit the Chisholm Trail Heritage Centre, where you can learn about the fascinating stories of the often notorious cattle drive? In the evening be sure to visit downtown Duncan where you’ll find a number of dining options and an eclectic variety of shops.

Today you will make the journey over to Durant, known as the “Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma,” Durant boasts a unique combination of small-town charm and a highly celebrated Native American heritage as well as offering everything from downtown shopping to outdoor adventures. We have a couple of recommendations during your time in Durant, with the first being a visit to the nearby Lake Texoma State Park, where you will relish endless opportunities for nature exploration. Or, perhaps visit the Fort Washita Historic Site & Museum, a notable attraction that gives you a  glimpse into Oklahoma’s diverse history. The evening is yours to do as you please, but if you’re looking for somewhere to eat, we recommend Bob’s 6th Street Cafe, an old-fashioned diner that specialises in big flavours.

Back on the road this morning as you head towards Tahlequah. You may decide to take the Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway, a beautiful awe-inspiring drive north toward Tahlequah. On route, be sure to plan a stop in Muskogee. This is where Native American heritage and military history come together and one particular highlight we recommend is a tour of a World War II submarine at the U.S.S. Batfish & War Memorial Park. You’ll then arrive in the capital of the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. During your time here, you’ll learn about Cherokee history and culture at the Cherokee National Museum & Heritage Centre. This vast centre is home to the Ancient Village, Adams Corner Rural Village, the Trail of Tears exhibit and the Cherokee National Museum providing an in-depth look at the Cherokee heritage. 

This morning you’ll head north and rejoin Route 66 as you head towards Miami for a short visit. Route 66 winds through Miami’s downtown area, where the Coleman Theatre, a Mother Road landmark built in 1929, was recently refurbished. You could also visit Claremore, just a little further down Route 66 home to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where you can explore the life and accomplishments of this dynamic political pundit, comic and global celebrity. Tulsa is the final stop today and your base for the next two nights. Tulsa is a young vibrant city– and was established by oil money and oil barons. Tulsa is the birthplace of the Tulsa Sound. Visit the Woody Guthrie Center, Guthrie is a folk singer known for “This Land Is Your Land”. The new Bob Dylan Centre houses the entire collection of Dylan archives – an influential songwriter who was the first musician to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. In the Pearl District, you will find the Tulsa music district including the Church Studios by Leon Russel. Tulsa is considered to be the birthplace of Historic Route 66, so don’t miss all the photo ops around town – Golden Driller, Praying Hands, Buck Atom Space Cowboy, East Meets West symbolic intersection, and the Centennial Plaza. Mother Road Market is a great place for lunch or dinner, though there are many great restaurants to be found all throughout Tulsa. For those looking for a little bit of retail therapy check out the boutiques in and around the downtown area, including the Deco and Brady Arts Districts. In south Tulsa, Woodland Hills Mall is more than a million square feet of retail heaven with 165-plus stores.

This morning you will make a slight detour off Route 66, as you head northwest towards Ponca City. On route, you may decide to take a trip to Bartlesville, a city known for its rich and turbulent, oil prospecting history dating back to 1905. Or, perhaps a visit to the picturesque frontier town of Pawhuska, the home of the TV cooking show ‘The Pioneer Woman’. Pawhuska (Osage County) is the location featured in the true story book ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ which outlines the Osage Nation, their varied past, and the first case of the FBI. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Ponca City where you may decide to take a fascinating tour of the 1920’s oil baron E.W. Marland Mansion or a self-guided tour of Standing Bear Memorial Park, should you have enough time before the evening draws in. 

As promised today you will head back to Oklahoma City for one last adventure. This is your chance to see everything you didn’t get to see at the start of your journey. Perhaps you could take in a museum or two, we highly recommend either the National Memorial Museum or the Museum of Art. Or, perhaps you’d prefer a stroll around Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City’s newest 70-acre outdoor space just steps away from the core of downtown Oklahoma City. Here you will find beautiful gardens, children’s playgrounds and water activities such as kayaking and pedal boating. 

Enjoy your last morning in Oklahoma City before making the short journey back to the airport, where you will return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.