Fly Drive USA

Depart the UK on your scheduled flight to Dallas Fort Worth. Collect your rental car and transfer to historic Downtown Grapevine. Your base here for the next three nights allows you to experience nearby Dallas and Fort Worth whilst having a great place to return to each evening. Live entertainment is abundant in Historic Downtown Grapevine.  Stroll up and down Main Street enjoying various different sounds and entertainers at restaurants and winery tasting rooms.

This morning, why not discover the bank that the outlaws ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ robbed as well as the carillon clock tower with its interesting history? Nearby is the Vetro glassblowing workshop with studio and gallery, blacksmith, chocolate maker and the historic Bermuda Gold jewelry store. For lunch, enjoy a juicy burger or delicious steak in one of the many restaurants before heading across to Dallas. This is a city full of surprises. The home of the legendary Dallas Cowboys & Mavericks offers a wide variety of dining options and first-class entertainment and shopping opportunities. Whilst here, see the Sixth Floor Museum commemorating the murder of John F. Kennedy. Dallas is a city where southern hospitality and Texan influences meet.

Today, make the short journey to Fort Worth where a wealth of attractions await. Why not start with a tour of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the world’s only museum dedicated to honoring women of the American West. Next head to the Stockyards National Historic District, where you can explore the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and Stockyards Station – here legends are memorialized and unique Texas gifts abound.  Fort Worth herd in the world’s only twice daily cattle drive – Texas Longhorns driven by genuine Texas cowhands so don’t miss that treat. Perhaps saddle up at the bar at one of the local saloons or purchase yourself some western wear at one of the local shops before heading to dinner. If you stay here to dine, afterward you may wish to visit Billy Bob’s Texas – the largest Honky Tonk in the World!

Today you leave Texas and cross the state line into Oklahoma. Three destinations are on the itinerary. In Duncan at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center learn about the famous cattle drives, how the term ‘cowboy’ originated 150 years ago, and how cattle thieves were dealt with. Catch some tunes and lunch in Tishomingo at Blake Shelton’s honky tonk restaurant Ol’ Red. Once in Sulphur, spend time exploring the Chickasaw Cultural Center and spend time in the great outdoors in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

Before heading north, we suggest a back track to The Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum to see a large collection of souvenirs from singing cowboys. Now head north and stop to see Turner Fall overlook before heading into Davis, where if you desire, a delicious BBQ lunch can be enjoyed at Smokin’ Joes Rib Ranch. Bedre Fine Chocolate is a chocolatier run by Chickasaw Nation where you should definitely try their chocolate dipped potato chips. Next it is on to Oklahoma City where your hotel is located.

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. And the newly opened (2021) First Americans Museum is dedicated to the 39 Tribes whose tribal nations are all headquarter in Oklahoma.

In Guthrie, learn about the violin at the “Double Stop Fiddle Shop & Music Hall” by bluegrass musician Byron Berline. In Ponca City take the fascinating tour of the 1920’s oil baron E.W. Marland Mansion and then walk the self-guided tour of Standing Bear Memorial Park. The picturesque frontier town of Pawhuska is the home of TV cooking show ‘The Pioneer Woman’, Ree Drummond. Pawhuska is also the capitol of the Osage Nation. 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.  A visit to WOOLAROC, a museum & nature reserve, rounds off the day before arriving in Bartlesville where you overnight.

Today is all about ‘a little bit of Oklahoma’s Route 66’. First stop is in Miami, (pronounced Miama) see the Coleman Theatre and the only 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer organ located in its original home. In Chelsea stop at Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park to see the ‘World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole’. In Claremore, visit Will Rogers Museum. Will Rogers was a Cherokee variety entertainer, actor, radio announcer, author and philosopher. Just east of Tulsa in Catoosa, stop for a selfie at the iconic Route 66 Blue Whale. Such a fun day experiencing a little of the iconic route! By days end, head to Tulsa where your hotel is located.

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 a folk singer known for “This Land Is Your Land”. The new Bob Dylan Center 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. The Greenwood Rising District tells the story of the Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and the horrific Tulsa Race Riots. If you still have time available, The Gathering Place is a 28-acre park! We suggest you spend the evening in Cheery Street; one of the most lively parts of Tulsa.

Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee Nation. Visit the Cherokee Nation Museum complex before driving to Cherokee Heritage Center to experience the Trail of Tears exhibit, Diligwa 1710 Village and Adams Corner (pre-removal). A great place for lunch while in Tahlequah is Sam & Ella’s Chicken Palace (though their house specialty is pizza).  Next stop, Fort Gibson Historic Site and then onto Muskogee to find the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. You will find local wine at Pecan Creek Winery or take a break at the Muskogee Brewing Company.

While in Muskogee, consider breakfast at Back in Time Diner before spending the day in the beauty of Robbers Cave State Park, the former hideout of the bandits Belle Starr and Jesse James. Explore on a hike, by horseback, bike, or canoe. Here, too, you can try rock climbing/rappelling, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and disc golf. At the Fort Smith National Historic Site you can learn about the manners and customs of 1900’s bandits and outlaws such as the Dalton Gang, James Gang, Cherokee Bill and the Rufus Buck Gang were known to call this home. You’ll overnight over the border in Arkansas.

History was made at the Chaffee Barbershop Museum in March 1958, when Elvis Presley got his first military haircut before joining the United States Army. Upon arrival in Little Rock, visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. The Rock Town Distillery shows how bourbon, vodka or gin is made from rye, wheat or corn. The River Market Entertainment District offers plenty of restaurants and daily live music in numerous bars.

Before departing Little Rock, head south to the Central High School National Historic Site, the only school in the US to teach in a national park. Tours are available should you wish to join one. Just north of Memphis is Historic Dyess Colony – The Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash and worth a stop. Continue following the Mississippi River into Memphis, known for American blues and rock ‘n roll.

We have allowed a full day for you to explore Memphis  – and there is much to see! Start at The National Civil Rights Museum before heading to Sun Studios where Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Ike Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their music. Next onto Graceland. By today’s standards, you are likely to think Graceland doesn’t look very big. But, it is filled with everything Elvis and in the 1950s, Graceland was the top address in Memphis, a princely building, and for many years the home of Elvis Presley. In the evening spend time on Beale Street and experience the live music in the rustic bars.

En route to Nashville, we suggest a stop in Lynchburg at the oldest registered whiskey distillery, “Jack Daniels”. Once in Nashville, visit the Belle Meade Plantation where Victorian architecture resides. Then it is on to Music Row and the historic RCA Studio B, nicknamed “the home of a thousand hits”. Musicians like Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers recorded their music here. In the evening you will probably hear many well-known songs in the bars and restaurants on Broadway on the ‘Honky Tonk Highway’.

You couldnt possibly fit all ‘Music City USA’s attractions into one day, so we’ve allowed a second. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (featuring Elvis’ golden Cadillac), the National Museum of African American Music, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the Ryman Auditorium – a converted church that was the first site of the Grand Ole Opry.  At Parthenon in Centennial Park you will learn why Nashville is also called the Athens of the South. Why not enjoy your evening with a hearty steak dinner accompanied by live music in the Wildhorse Saloon – Nashville’s premier Line Dancing venue.

Today you make your way to Nashville Airport to return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.