The Heart of 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 Norman, OK

Motor along Midwest’s countryside before arriving in Oklahoma City where we’ll tour the National Cowboy Museum and gain a better understanding of the American West. Dinner is at your leisure to choose a restaurant in the area.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 3 – Norman to Arlington, TX

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! After lunch on our own, we visit the crown jewel of Fort Worth, the stunning Bass Performance Hall, which is characteristic of a classic European opera house. After checking into our hotel for a two night stay, dinner is included at Saltgrass Steakhouse.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Suites (2 Nights)

Day 4 – Arlington

Through a fascinating city tour, we’ll take in the sights of Dallas with stops at Kennedy Memorial, Dealy Plaza, the Sixth Floor Book Depository, and City Hall. After lunch on our own we’ll tour the C.R. Smith American Airlines Museum. Then it’s off to the Dallas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, for a VIP tour! Receive the ultimate tour experience of this incredible stadium that opened in 2009. The evening is free for you to pursue your own interests.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Arlington to Fredericksburg, TX

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we motor through rugged hill country featuring rippling brooks and cowboys working their ranches. Visit the Texas Ranger Museum before we arrive in Austin, where we tour the Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum. Before leaving Austin, we’ll have a picture stop at the Capitol. Then we’ll head to Johnson City to see LBJ’s Boyhood Home. Dinner is included tonight at Andy’s Steak & Seafood.

Included Meals: Breakfast , Dinner 

Hotel: Fredericksburg Inn & Suites

Day 6 – Fredericksburg to San Antonio

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. Then we’ll motor to Fredericksburg for shopping and lunch on our own, followed by an included tour of the National Museum of the Pacific War. 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. Check into the beautiful Drury Plaza at the Riverwalk. Enjoy dinner at Texas Land & Cattle Steak House.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Drury Plaza on the Riverwalk (2 Nights)

Day 7 – San Antonio

A local guide helps us spend the day exploring fascinating 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. Later, learn about the many ethnic groups that settled in Texas at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Lunch is served at a local favorite restaurant. This afternoon, visit beautiful Mission San Jose, known as “the Queen of Texas Missions.” Later, browse the colorful Mexican Marketplace at El Mercado. You may choose to enjoy the manager’s reception or have dinner on your own nearby.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception

Day 8 – San Antonio to McAllen

Motor south into the Rio Grande Valley. We’ll stop in Edinburg, enjoy an included lunch in an authentic Mexican Restaurant, and visit the museum of South Texas History. Later this afternoon, we’ll arrive in McAllen and check into the remodeled Drury Suites. Enjoy a relaxing evening on our own; perhaps you have friends wintering in the area you’d like to visit! The manager’s reception is available tonight at the hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception

Hotel: Drury Suites

Day 9 – McAllen

Today you have a couple of options to choose from. Some may want to visit friends that are staying for the winter months here in McAllen. Others may want to join the coach for a free tour to South Padre Island. A special sight will be the Iwo Jima Memorial on the campus of the Harlingen’s Marine Military Academy. Return to the hotel for the manager’s reception and a restful evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception

Day 10 – McAllen to Corpus Christi

Wake this morning to the fresh air of the Rio Grande and depart McAllen for King Ranch, the largest ranch in the world. We will visit the museum, enjoy a King Ranch Barbeque and have a historical tour. Motor along to the sparkling shores of Corpus Christi. Unpack for a relaxing two night stay here.

Included Meal: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Embassy Suites (2 Nights)

Day 11 – Corpus Christi

This morning 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. Then we’ll board the World War II USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier for a tour. Lunch today is served at Landry’s Seafood Restaurant. Later, enjoy sweeping views of the harbor as we take a scenic circle tour of Mustang Island and Port Aransas. Free time is given to browse the charming shops of this area. This evening is at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 – Corpus Christi to Galveston

Today we will travel to the enchanting town of Galveston. On the way, a stop at the Johnson Space Center in Houston will show us the leaps and bounds by which NASA is pressing forward in its quest for knowledge of the unknown.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Holiday Inn Resort

Day 13 – Galveston to Little Rock, AR

Leave sunny Galveston today and head north to Little Rock, Arkansas for a restful two night stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites (2 Nights)

Day 14 – Little Rock

We will start our morning with a visit to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site where the 1957 crisis over the desegregation of this school became a significent event in the civil-rights movement. After an included lunch we will take in the Clinton Presidential Library, explanding our knowledge of our 42nd President. Then after a little “down time” we’re guests at the Marlsgate Plantation, famed as one of the most resplendent plantation homes built in the Arkansas Delta. The stately, columned Greek Revival Mansion from the 19th century is shaded by ancient oaks & a pecan grove and overlooks the waters of Bearskin Lake – truly a step back in time! Our visit becomes even more grand as we’re seated to a lovely dinner at Marlsgate!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 – Little Rock to Blue Springs, MO

Today we’ll stop in Branson for an included lunch & tour of the city. This evening we will be staying at a Drury Inn & Suites in Blue Springs, where a manager’s reception is available to enjoy.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites 

Day 16 – Blue Springs to Home

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

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch