Cowboys & Indians

Day 1
Tulsa Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 12:15
Arrive Chicago – 14:55
Journey Time – 8 hours 30 minutes

Depart Chicago – 17:05
Arrive Tulsa – 19:12
Journey Time – 2 hours 7 minutes

Tulsa is a distinctive mix of influences, offering Southern charm, Eastern elegance and Western Flair. Experience Native American ancestors, cowboy culture, and the wealth from oil in the 1900s. Tulsa is a hub of art deco and contemporary architecture. As you explore, look for the Golden Driller, the 76-foot-tall symbol of an oilfield worker. There are several stunning art museums, including the Gilcrease Museum, home of a comprehensive collection of western art, artifacts and archives on the Americas, and the Philbrook Museum of Art and Garden. The Brady Arts District is anchored by the Woody Guthrie Museum and Philbrook Museum downtown connecting delicious local restaurants and working artist studios. Shoppers will enjoy the historic district of Brookside filled with quaint boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and trendy restaurants, clubs and bars.

Overnight – Tulsa, OK

Hotel:
Wingate by Wyndham

---

Day 2
Tulsa

Either explore Tulsa or visit the towns of Bartlesville and Dewey. First stop is Woolaroc (stands for Woods, lakes, rocks), the country ranch and wildlife preserve of the famous oil tycoon, Frank Phillips. The small town of Bartlesville is where Frank and L.E. Phillips founded Phillips Petroleum Company in 1917, which grew to become one of the nation’s top oil companies. Visit the residence of Frank Phillips, and the Phillips Petroleum Company Museum. Look for the Price Tower, the only skyscraper built by Frank Lloyd Wright (preserved as a boutique hotel and art gallery). In the tiny town of Dewey, make a stop at the Tom Mix Museum to see silent movies of the first “King of the Cowboys”. Visit Prairie Song Pioneer Village, a 1800s living history museum.

Overnight – Tulsa

Hotel:
Wingate by Wyndham

---

Day 3
Tulsa 

Today visit the towns of Tahlequah, Fort Gibson and Muskogee. Tahlequah is tribal headquarters for Cherokee Nation, and is the location for the end of the famous ‘Trail of Tears’. Visit restaurants, shops, and historic sites in downtown Tahlequah. The Cherokee Heritage Center hosts many exciting annual events, and is home to the Trail of Tears exhibit, Diligwa 1710 Cherokee Village, and Adams Corner. Journey to Fort Gibson, the first army post in the Indian Territory that was in operation from 1824 to 1890. In Muskogee visit Ataloa Lodge Museum, one of the largest privately-owned collections of Native American history and culture in the United States and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum to experience the heritage and cultures of the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole tribes. Return to Tulsa for the night.

Overnight – Tulsa

Hotel:
Wingate by Wyndham

---

Day 4
Tulsa to Oklahoma City
107 Miles

Journey along historic Route 66 and enjoy the eclectic towns of Sapulpa, Bristow, Stroud, Chandler, and Arcadia. Stop for lunch at POPS – Arcadia’s newest stop on Oklahoma Route 66 – and sample from over 500 varieties of fizzy drinks and diner style food. Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state and Bricktown, the City’s renovated warehouse district provides plenty of evening entertainment with over 30 canal-side restaurant and clubs.

Overnight – Oklahoma City

Hotel:
Best Western Saddleback Inn

---

Day 5
Oklahoma City

Have breakfast at Cattleman’s Steakhouse in the heart of Stockyard City, where every Monday and Tuesday (year round) the country’s largest cattle auction takes place. Walk ‘over’ the expansive cattle pens to the ‘visitor friendly’ auction house to experience a real deal cattle auction. After exploring the western shops of Stockyard City drive to the world-class National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum which features a collection of classic and contemporary Western art, including the famous 18-foot sculpture, The End of the Trail. Other don’t miss attractions include: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Red Earth Museum, the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Topical Conservatory, American Banjo Museum, Boathouse District, Express Ranches Clydesdale Centre, the State Museum of History, the State Capitol, and Paseo Arts District.

Overnight – Oklahoma City

Hotel:
Best Western Saddleback Inn

---

Day 6
Oklahoma City to Lawton / Fort Sill
89 Miles

Southwest of Oklahoma City is Wichita Mountain Scenic Byway and Wildlife Refuge, home to free range buffalo, longhorn cattle, prairie dog town, elk, and deer. The Refuge Visitor Center encompasses dioramas, and hands-on exhibits, fine art, sculptures and exquisite taxidermy. Drive to the summit of Mt. Scott for breath-taking views. This legendary site boasts tales of ancient spirits, Spanish gold, and buried outlaw loot. Stop in Meers, once a bustling miner’s town and now home of the world famous ‘Meersburger’ – possibly the juiciest and most delicious burger you may ever eat. At the base of the ancient Wichita Mountains is Medicine Park –known as America’s cobblestone community, this tiny picturesque town has a fascinating history. The Plains Indians were well acquainted with this quiet oasis long before its time as a colourful resort town attracting celebrities, gangsters, politicians. Walk the scenic trail by Medicine Creek and Bath Lake.

Overnight – Lawton / Fort Sill

Hotel:
Plantation Inn

---

Day 7
Lawton / Fort Sill to Sulphur
94 Miles

Fort Sill Army Post has 26 buildings housing exhibits on the Cavalry, including the frontier Buffalo Soldiers, as well as their American Indian counterparts. Visit the grave of Geronimo and Indian Chief’s at Knoll Cemetery where several Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache chiefs are buried. Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan tells the story of the most famous cattle trail(s) of the old west (2017 is the 150th Chisholm Trail anniversary). Here, you will smell the wildflowers of a springtime Oklahoma prairie, listen to the thundering hooves of a cattle stampede, and feel the wind and rain on your face as a storm rages in the multi-sensory theater. Many springs from the Arbuckle Mountains form a seventy-seven (77) foot fall to a natural swimming pool making the majestic Turner Falls in Davis, the largest waterfall in Oklahoma. The park is accented with beautiful picnic areas, nature trails, caves, and geological wonders. Stop at Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies – eat now or save for later, they are truly delicious! The Chickasaw Cultural Centre is the largest tribal cultural centre in the United States. We highly recommend Smokin’ Joes Rib Ranch (Davis) for dinner.

Overnight – Sulphur 

Hotel:
Artesian Hotel

---

Day 8
Sulphur to Ponca City to Wichita
242 Miles

Start the morning early with a walk in Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The Travertine Ranger Station Visitor Centre is a great place to start. Now head north to Ponca City to visit the magnificent Marland Mansion, a 55-room “Palace on the Prairie” and the Standing Bear Statue, a tribute to all Native Americans. The surrounding park honours the six tribes around Ponca City. In the afternoon head north toward Wichita. The Old Town red-brick warehouse district in downtown Wichita has great shopping during the daytime and undergoes a nightly transformation offering a variety of nightclubs with music from rock and jazz, to country, blues and reggae.

Overnight – Wichita

Hotel:
Hotel Old Town

---

Day 9
Wichita

Wichita, the iconic “Keeper of the Plains”, is located at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers, and pays tribute to the Native Americans who made the area their home before the arrival of settlers. Relive the city’s early days at Old Cowtown Living History Museum. Learn about Wichita’s Native American heritage at the Mid-America All-Indian Centre or enjoy contemporary art at the Wichita Art Museum. The Museum of World Treasures features the third most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world along with Egyptian mummies, plus artifacts from European royalty and American presidents.

Overnight – Wichita

Hotel:
Hotel Old Town

---

Day 10
Wichita

Today visit the towns of Yoder and Hutchinson. The quaint Amish village of Yoder is home to the unique Carriage Crossing Restaurant. Browse the Kansas Station and the Mercantile Shoppe for handmade Amish crafts and quilts. Spend your afternoon in Hutchinson. The Strataca- Kansas Underground Salt Museum is a tour 650 feet underground in salt deposits formed 275 million years ago, and is still a working salt mine. Stop at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Centre, a world-class space museum featuring the largest collection of U.S. space artifacts outside of the National Air and Space Museum.

Overnight – Wichita

Hotel:
Hotel Old Town

---

Day 11
Wichita to Cottonwood Falls
75 Miles

Today you will discover where the West truly begins. The tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America. Today less than 4% remains, mostly here in the Kansas Flint Hills. The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway is a spectacular route offering unchanged views of the Great Plains grasslands. Visit The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the only National Park dedicated to interpreting the significance of this unique ecosystem. End your day in the charming tiny town of Cottonwood Falls. Every Friday, the Emma Chase Cafe offers a catfish fry followed by acoustic country, bluegrass, gospel, or old time rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions with local musicians. On Sunday mornings you can join the biker or antique auto club breakfast.

 Overnight – Cottonwood Falls

Hotel:
Grand Central Hotel

---

Day 12
Cottonwood Falls to Manhattan
60 Miles

Head to Council Grove, which looks much like it did a century ago. It originated from negotiations in 1825 between U.S. Commissioners and Osage Indian chiefs, granting travellers safe passage along the Santa Fe Trail. Self guided walking tours include a dozen historical landmarks, the most popular being Hays House, the oldest continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Manhattan is the home to K-State University and maintains a youthful profile. Explore the Flint Hills Discovery Center, the downtown shopping, and Aggieville for restaurants and nightclubs.

Overnight – Manhattan

Hotel:
Best Western Manhattan

---

Day 13
Manhattan to Lawrence
84 Miles

Stop in Topeka, named as one of 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade. Interesting stops include Kansas State Capitol tour, Museum of History, NOTO Arts District, and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, where visitors gain an insight into the Civil Rights Movement. Founded to keep the territory free from slavery, Lawrence is said to be one of the only U.S. cities founded strictly for political reasons. Lawrence today, is touting itself as “one of the most well-preserved and unique communities in the United States”. It is home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. There is a five-block downtown district lined with eclectic boutiques, sidewalk cafes, antique shops, and art galleries and studios. Live music plays along the street every night of the week. Other great visits in Lawrence include Spencer Museum of Art, Dole Institute of Politics and KU Natural History Museum.

Overnight – Lawrence

Hotel:
Best Western Lawrence

---

Day 14
Lawrence

Spend more time at some of the Lawrence attractions or travel to nearby Olathe and learn about early pioneer life at the Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop and Farm Historic Site.

Overnight – Lawrence

Hotel:
Best Western Lawrence

---

Day 15
Lawrence to Kansas City
40 Miles

Kansas City’s nickname is “City of Fountains”. It is vibrantly stylish, and known for its dynamic art scene, public artworks, jazz music, abundance of museums, fantastic shopping, and, of course, BBQ. Kansas City is shared by both Missouri and Kansas with “State Line Road” separating the two. There are 100’s of activities including Village West Sports and Entertainment complex, Legends Outlet Shopping, Arabia Steamboat Museum, American Jazz Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Newman Museum of Contemporary Art, Downtown Overland Park and Moon Marble Company – to name just a few.

Depart Kansas City – 14:21
Arrive Chicago – 16:05
Journey Time – 1 hours 44 minutes

Depart Chicago – 18:10
Arrive London Heathrow – 08:05
Journey Time – 11 hours 44 minutes

---

Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.