Springtime in Texas

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Day 1 – Home to Kansas City 

Our journey begins as we travel south with an overnight in Kansas City. You can enjoy the Manager’s “Kickback” Reception or dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

Included Meals: Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites 

Day 2 – Kansas City to Branson, MO 

Motor along Midwest’s countryside before arriving in Branson where we’ll board the Branson Showboat Belle for a entertaining dinner cruise. Once we dock, we’ll head over to the the C.J. Newsom’s Classic Country & Comedy show where the sultry vocals of classic Patsy Cline songs as well as foot-stomping arrangements of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Chuck Berry fill the air! What a fun night as Terry Sanders tickles our funny-bones and we’re treated to a backstage tour after the show! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Radisson 

Day 3 – Branson to Texarkana, TX 

After breakfast we’ll head to the Clinton Presidential Library & Museum for an interesting tour of our 42nd President. Enjoy a state dinner style lunch at the Museum’s “Cafe 42” before we visit the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site where the 1957 crisis over the desegregation of this school became a significant event in the civil-rights movement. Then we check into the Hampton Inn and have dinner & the evening on our own to enjoy. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites 

Day 4 – Texarkana to Waco, TX 

Have breakfast at the hotel before we are off on a beautiful drive, taking in the lovely passing scenery! It is prime time to see the lovely blue bonnets swaying in the breeze. First is a special and unique stop at the Magnolia Market, created & owned by HGTV’s Fixer Upper Joanna & Chip Gaines! There’s something here for everyone. You will have lunch on your own at one of the Market’s food trucks. Then this afternoon we visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, which is dedicated to the history and lore of the legendary Texas Rangers – the oldest state law enforcement agency in the nation and an enduring symbol of Texas and the American West. Enjoy dinner together this evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 5 – Waco to Fredericksburg, TX 

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we motor through rugged hill country featuring rippling brooks and cowboys working their ranches. We’ll make a stop to tour the Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum in Austin. We’ll have a picture stop at the Capitol. Then we’ll venture to Johnson City to the quaint Pecan Street Brewing, a brewpub & restaurant in the heart of Texas hill country, for a nice lunch. Then it’s just a few short blocks away to see LBJ’s Boyhood Home. Dinner is included tonight at a local favorite. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites (2 Nights) 

Day 6 – Fredericksburg 

Breakfast is served at the hotel before we board the motorcoach for a narrated, driving tour of the LBJ Ranch. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the Texas White House. Next we’ll stop at Wildseed Farm, the nation’s largest working wildflower farm, for lunch and a tour. Then we tour the National Museum of the Pacific War where the history of the Pacific War will come alive as we walk through the life of Chester Nimitz, a highly respected leader of the Pacific campaign of WWII. Dinner is included at another local favorite. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7 – Fredericksburg to San Antonio 

Our wildlife tour this morning at the famous Y.O. Ranch will leave us wondering if we are still in Texas or have been transported to the African safari! We’ll view and photograph exotic animals from around the world that live right at the ranch. This afternoon, visit beautiful Mission San Jose, known as “the Queen of Texas Missions.” Next we tour the oldest standing church in Texas, the San Fernando Cathedral. After settling into the Drury Plaza on the Riverwalk for a two night stay, you may choose to enjoy the manager’s reception or have dinner on your own nearby. The Cathedral which is just one block away, has an evening laser light show you may want to experience on your own. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Plaza on the Riverwalk (2 Nights) 

Day 8 – San Antonio 

We start with a visit to the IMAX Theater where we’ll experience the story of the Alamo. After the showing, we will tour the Alamo, the place where Texas liberty was birthed, and 200 heroic defenders lost their lives to General Santa Anna’s army. Lunch is served at the Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse. The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk. Departing right from our hotel, you may want to cruise the San Antonio River, enjoyable both during the daytime & at night! For dinner you can choose to eat at the Manager’s Kickback or dine at one of the nearby restaurants. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Day 9 – San Antonio to Corpus Christi, TX 

Wake this morning to the fresh air of the Rio Grande and then depart for King Ranch, the largest ranch in the world. With a step-on guide, we will drive through parts of this immense ranch, enjoying wildlife & livestock viewing and a historical narration before being treated to a King Ranch Barbeque! Motor along to the sparkling shores of Corpus Christi. We’ll board the World War II USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier for a fascinating tour. Then we’ll visit the Texas State Aquarium for an exciting undersea journey that begins at the shore and continues deep into the waters of the Gulf. 

Included Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Embassy Suites 

Day 10 – Corpus Christi to Houston, TX 

Today we will travel to the bustling town of Houston. A visit to the Johnson Space Center will show us the leaps and bounds by which NASA is pressing forward in its quest for knowledge of the unknown. Lunch is included at the Space Center. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Springhill Suites 

Day 11 – Houston to Arlington, TX 

We leave sunny Houston today and head north to Arlington. We will stop at the George H.W. Bush Library & Museum for a self-guided tour of our 41st President. Then we check into the Comfort Suites for a two night stay. An included dinner is planned tonight. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Suites (2 Nights) 

Day 12 – Arlington/Dallas 

Through a fascinating city tour, we’ll take in the sights of Dallas with stops at Kennedy Memorial, Dealy Plaza and City Hall. Visiting the 6th Floor Museum is a must! We will again be treated like dignitaries during lunch at Cafe 43, George W. Bush’s cafe. Next we’re off to the George W. Bush Presidential Center & Library. Then we’re guests for a VIP tour of the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys! Receive the ultimate tour experience of this incredible stadium that opened in 2009. Dinner is served at a great restaurant in Arlington. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 13 – Arlington to Oklahoma City, OK 

This morning we will see billions of U.S. dollars printed from an enclosed walkway that’s suspended above the production floor of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – truly a fascinating process & tour! Today we visit the Oklahoma City Bombing Museum and remember the people who lost their lives. After checking into our hotel, we’ll enjoy dinner together. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 14 – Oklahoma City to Independence, MO 

After breakfast we make our way to the Oklahoma Firefighter Museum for a quick stop to see how valuable firefighters are. Next stop is the National Cowboy Museum where we’ll gain a better understanding of the American West during our self-guided tour. This evening you can enjoy the Manager’s Reception at the hotel. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 15 – Independence to Home 

After breakfast we journey homeward. Enjoy lunch at Pizza Ranch before returning home from a grand Texas tour! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch