Cowboys & Native Cultures

Day 1 - Arrive Dallas Fort Worth

Arrive at Dallas Fort Worth and collect your Intermediate car, the rest of the day is at leisure exploring the historic town of Grapevine.

Day 2 - Grapevine, TX

Spend the morning experiencing the Grapevine Glockenspiel, featuring the Would-Be Train Robbers, Nat Barrett & Willy Majors or explore Grapevines working artisans including Holder Dane Gallery, Vetro Glass Blowing Studio & Gallery & the Grapevine Black Smith. The afternoon can then be spent sampling some of Grapevines local craft brews at the Hop & Sting Brewing Company. This evening why not dine at one of the many restaurants located in downtown Grapevine offering favourites such as steaks, BBQ’s & Tex-Mex. Finish the evening on Main Street taking in the different sounds from restaurants & winery tasting rooms.

Day 3 - Grapevine, TX

Start the day with a visit to Cowboys Golf Club, the only NFL themed golf club in the world. A local pro will be happy to assist with a short golf lesson. After head over to Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys - why not take a tour of the AT&T Stadium. After a stadium tour you could stop for lunch next door at Texas Live! a world class dining entertainment & hospitality district adjacent to the Globe Life Filed, home of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. Head back to Grapevine for dinner and local entertainment

Day 4 - Sulphur, OK

Depart Dallas and make the drive north towards Sulphur. Begin your First American’s Experience at the Chickasaw Cultural Centre. This state-of-the-art complex shares the story of the Chickasaw Nation through exhibits including Spirit Forest, Removal Corridor & the Chickasaw Village. Then head over to Tishomingo to enjoy lunch. A popular lunch spot is Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, famous for its country music career & ‘the Voice’ star Shelton serves up live music, hospitality & delicious steak & burgers. After lunch take in the historic sites such as a stop at the Chickasaw Council House Museum where you will find the original Council House as well as the largest collection of Chickasaw art, artefacts & archival material. Next, visit the Chickasaw National Capitol Building. Opened in 1898, this building served as the Chickasaw Nation’s Government until 1907. Overnight in Sulphur

Day 5 - Oklahoma City, OK

Travel to the small town of Elgin to immerse your senses at Sia (Must make prior arrangements at least a week in advance). Here you will learn about the amazing roll certain birds, especially Eagles, play in First Americans’ culture. See the birds up close and personal as you are taken through the spiritual world of these amazing creatures. Arrive in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma’s Capitol. Oklahoma City is a culinary mecca, for starters try lunch at The Collective or Parlor – both concept locations that offer multiple kitchen dining options. For those who love water, head over to RiverSport Adventures. Here you can spend the afternoon kayaking on the river, zip-lining from the above on the ground ropes course, trying your hand at the artificial white-water rapids or enjoying the forced water surfing. Not so adventurous – jump on the light rail and visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art – home of the most comprehensive collection of glass by artist Dale Chihuly. Relax and take a stroll through Scissortail Park and the Myriad Gardens. Visit Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. This sombre but beautiful site is a monument to the victims, survivors, and rescue workers of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Wrap up your evening in Bricktown – Oklahoma’s largest entertainment district. Take a tour on the canal in a water taxi before wrapping up your evening with a beverage and live music in the district or take the light rail to Automobile Alley or Mid-Town for a beverage on one of the rooftops with a skyline view. Overnight Oklahoma City

Day 6 - Oklahoma City, OK

Spend the morning exploring the Historic Stockyards City & see working cowboys going about their daily lives. Shop at a custom boot or hat maker & visit the catwalks & auction arena where all the action really happens (live cattle auction every Monday and Tuesday mornings – year-round). After why not visit Oklahoma City’s newest premier Smithsonian affiliated attraction, the First American Museum. Here you will learn of each of the 39 tribes headquartered in Oklahoma. Enjoy interactive exhibits, see artifacts dating back hundreds of years and most of all experience America’s true history. Enjoy an authentic meal before leaving for the next venture. Another must see would be the National Cowboy and Western Museum. This all-encompassing museum highlights many aspects of the Western experience. Galleries include Western performers, Native American culture, the sport of rodeo, fine arts and the latest outdoor experience – Liichokochkomo. This evening suggestion would be a short 20minute drive to Arcadia to visit POPS, take a sampling of your choice of over 700 options of soda pop and then continue to Luther to the Chicken Shack for delicious fried chicken and (most nights) live music. Overnight Oklahoma City

Day 7 - Bartlesville, OK

Today make a stop at the Standing Bear Park, Museum and Education Center in Ponca City where you can listen to the story of Chief Standing Bear and what would lead up to the first civil rights trial heard by the US Supreme Court. After why not stop ay Marland Mansion, known as “Palace on the Prairie”, this Italian-inspired villa shares the story of wealth that the 1920s celebrated in the state. Boasting over 43,000 square feet, you will be lead though the life of one of Oklahoma’s most extreme citizens. Make a pit stop for lunch at The Mercantile in Pawhuska, OK. This establishment (owned by Food Network Star Ree Drummond aka Pioneer Woman) will surely bring your taste buds to the comfort foods Oklahoma is known for. Visit the Osage Nation Cultural Center. Here you will learn of one of the most unique histories of the First Nations. Brush up before you arrive (maybe on the flight over) by reading the book Killers of the Flower Moon. Next up, Woolaroc – standing for Woods, Lakes and Rocks, was ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips. The ranch includes a 3,700-acre drive-through wildlife preserve, a museum housing world collection of “Uncle Franks” treasures and the ranch home. Stop at Frank and Lolla’s in Bartlesville for your local fill of great Oklahoma eats. Visit with the locals and make new friends.

Day 8 - Tulsa, OK

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. Continue to Tulsa.

Day 9 - Tulsa, OK

This morning head to the Greenwood District in Tulsa for a truly moving experience at Tulsa’s newest attraction, Greenwood Rising. Greenwood Rising tells the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 using history, technology & interactive design features to educate people on what happened in this district 100 years ago. After, explore the Philbrook Museum, housed in a grand historical mansion set on 25 acres of exquisitely manicured Italian -inspired gardens. The extensive collection features Native America, modern & contemporary art. For lunch why not stop at Ike’s Chili - Tulsa’s best chili since 1908. Ask for the chili three-way and get ready for a celebration of flavour. After lunch spend the afternoon at Gathering Place, Tulsa’s newest outdoor space. Enjoy a kayak tour on the lake, a stroll through the verdant hills or enjoy one of the many changing exhibits. After, a recommended stop would be Tulsa Cave House, a quirky, craggy house built into the side of a hill started out as a Prohibition-era restaurant. It was rumoured to have a hidden, underground speak easy frequented by outlaw Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd and his crew. Dinner gives you plenty of options as Tulsa is full of fantastic & delicious local restaurants. Overnight Tulsa

Day 10 - Muskogee, OK

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.

Day 11 - Fort Smith, AR

While in Muskogee, consider breakfast at Back in Time Diner – then spend the day in the beauty of Robbers Cave State Park, the former place and hideout of the bandits Belle Starr and Jesse James. Explore Robbers Cave State Park on a hike or rent a horse, bike, or canoe. Here, too, is 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.

Day 12 - Little Rock, AK

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.

Day 13 - Memphis, TN

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 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Just north of Memphis is Historic Dyess Colony - The Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash. Continue into Memphis along the Mississippi River in the state of Tennessee. Memphis is known for American blues and rock ‘n roll.

Day 14 - May Memphis, TN

Today is a full day with much to see -- The National Civil Right Museum and Sun Studios - where Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Ike Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their music, then 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.

Day 15 - Nashville, TN

En route to Nashville make a stop in Lynchburg at the oldest registered whiskey distillery, "Jack Daniels". Upon arrival in Nashville, visit the Belle Meade Plantation where the Victorian architecture is present. Then 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’.

Day 16 - Nashville, TN

Nashville, “Music City USA”, is your destination for the whole day. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (with the golden Cadillac of Elvis), 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. Enjoy your evening with a hearty steak dinner with live music in the Wildhorse Saloon – Nashville’s premier Line Dancing venue.

Day 17 - Depart for Home

Spend the morning enjoying the last sights & sounds of Nashville before making your way to the airport for your flight back to the UK

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