Known as the ‘Gateway to the West,’ St Louis stands on the edge of the Mississippi River and is instantly recognisable by its iconic Gateway Arch – the nation’s tallest monument at 630-feet. The Gateway Arch has beckoned visitors for more than 40 years with its awe-inspiring shape and commemorates Thomas Jefferson and St Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States. 

Why not sample one of America’s world-renowned beers at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, take a stroll through the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest and most renowned botanical gardens in the world, or visit the Missouri History Museum or St Louis Art Museum, within Forest Park. Celebrate America’s music at the National Blues Museum, where you’ll feel the rhythm that helped shape St. Louis and the world.

There are many unique neighbourhoods waiting to be discovered, including The Hill, known for its Italian culture and of course food, the historic charm of Soulard and the eclectic Delmar Loop where you’ll find great restaurants and nightlife. Before you head off on your road-trip, head for the Chain of Rocks Bridge and don’t miss a stop at Route 66 icon, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard for a treat you won’t forget!

Stay three nights in St Louis.

Head out of the city and enjoy the rolling Missouri countryside and iconic roadside stops. Visit Route 66 State Park where museum has some great Route 66 artefacts, and the legendary Meramec Caverns with its unique underground formations. Carry on to Cuba for some great photo opportunities with the city murals and stop at the oldest operating motel on historic Route 66, the Wagon Wheel, which is now a National Historic Landmark

Enjoy smoky Missouri barbeque in a St Robert restaurant and take a wander through the Route 66 Neon Park, where you will find restored vintage neon signs that once lit up Route 66 businesses.

Stay one night in St Robert

Hit another stretch of classic Route 66 today and soak-up some more Americana. In Lebanon, uncover the nostalgia of the Route 66 Museum, then snap a photo at the colourful vintage gas station, Gary’s Gay Parita. Once in Springfield – the official birthplace of Route 66 – dive into history at the fascinating History Museum on the Square and admire over 70 gleaming classics at the Route 66 Car Museum. A short side trip will take you into the scenic Ozarks, where you could stop at the Ozark Mill at Finley Farms, where the beautifully restored riverside mill showcases Ozark history.

Stay one night in Springfield 

Travel some of the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway to today’s stop in Southwest Missouri, Joplin. Joplin boomed during the mining days of the late 1800s and early 1900s, and many of the brick buildings on Main Street still remain today. Decades later, this area became part of Route 66, ushering in the energetic Mother Road culture. Learn more about the city’s history at the Joplin History and Mining Museum, take a photo-stop at Route 66 Mural Park with its red Corvette and three oversized nostalgic murals, and then dine at one of the wide variety of restaurants.

Stay one night in Joplin

Head north through the stunning Ozarks, to lively Kansas City. Immerse yourself in a vibrant urban scene filled with world-class jazz, mouthwatering barbeque, and buzzing neighbourhoods. Park your car and explore KC as it’s known, on foot or by the free streetcar, which will whisk you between neighbourhoods boasting shopping, dining, museums and nightlife. Some of the city’s key highlights include the National WWII Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and not forgetting the world’s first Museum of BBQ where you’ll learn everything and more about BBQ and why it’s such a staple in Kansas City.

Stay two nights in Kansas City

You’ll feel like you’ve been to Marceline before – its charm, style and spirit inspired Disneyland’s “Main Street USA.” From the town square to the train station, Marceline is the hometown that shaped Walt Disney’s imagination. Even if you’re not a Disney fan, you need to check out the Walt Disney Hometown Museum inside a beautifully restored 1913 Santa Fe Railway Station and features Disney family artefacts and stories that show how this small town helped shape a legend. Visit the Disney Family Farm and see the Dreaming Tree where young Walt sketched his ideas that would become the epicentre of his earliest artist exploration. You can also explore the galleries and boutiques of Main Street USA and get your last taste of Missouri BBQ.

Stay one night in Marceline

Fly from St Louis to the UK.