Facing the rising sun, we start today's wonderful journey. Go north along Highway 15, pass through the San Bernardino Forest, and enter the largest Mojave Desert in North America. The lonely Joshua trees dotted the endless Gobi Desert, which is very interesting. On the way, we will pass the famous ghost town. More than a hundred years ago, it was a town rich in silver mines. However, due to the collapse of the value of silver, the silver mine in Caligo was stopped in 1890. At present, the town is mainly for sightseeing, with the theme of the western desert ghost town. There are many small shops in the town selling souvenirs. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the world's gambling city-Las Vegas! Check in at the hotel after 3 pm, you can take a rest or go to the casino to try your luck.

Departing from Santa Monica, Los Angeles → Caligo Ghost Town (60 mins) → Las Vegas → Las Vegas Night Tour (Optional)

Driving Distance: 300 miles

 

Today we will go to the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, to appreciate the magic of the Creator. Even though the world has changed, time has engraved a long-lasting confession in the Grand Canyon, and it is spectacular to be in it. Afterwards, we will drive on the historic Route 66, which is affectionately called the "Mother Road" by Americans. Then we will stay overnight in the small town of Williams, Arizona.

Las Vegas → South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (3 hours) → Drive on US Route 66 → Williams

Driving Distance: 310 miles

 

Today we will go to Sedona. Sedona is one of the places with the largest magnetic field energy in the world. It attracts millions of tourists every year. Its beautiful red rock landscape is praised by people. This place is very mysterious and is considered to have supernatural spirituality. It is an ancient sacred place revered by Indians. Legend has it that because of the special structure here, there is a mysterious energy circle focus point. As long as you come here and step on this red rock land, it is enough to activate your life energy and change your life. Therefore, many pilgrims come to worship and replenish life energy every year.

Williams → Sedona → Sedona Church → Airport Mesa Viewpoint → Blue Label McDonald's → Tlaquepaque Art and Shopping Village (3 hours) → Bell Rock Trail (40 mins)

Driving Distance: 60 miles

 

Today, we will go to the Petrified Forest National Park, the world's largest and most beautiful concentration of petrified forests. It is famous for its large number of petrified forests of different densities, which are named Black Forest, Crystal Forest, Rainbow Forest, etc. Finally, we will go to Albuquerque, New Mexico, sit in the center of the old town, admire the Pueblo-style architecture, and see the distinctive brick walls, flat roofs, beams and small arched structures. Visit the Hot Air Balloon Museum, which has a good collection of hot air balloon equipment.

Sedona → Petrified Forest National Park (1.5 hours) → Albuquerque → Albuquerque Old Town (60 mins) → Hot Air Balloon Museum (Optional, 60mins)

Driving Distance: 390 miles

 

Bidding farewell to Albuquerque, the world's hot air balloon capital, we will head to the old town of Santa Fe. The old town has colorful open-air markets, ancient buildings, art galleries and museums, as well as various fashionable restaurants and commercial facilities. Then drive to the Great Sand Dunes National Park at the southern tip of Colorado. It is the 58th national park in the United States and enjoys the reputation of the "Sahara Desert" of the United States. Stay overnight in Alamosa.

Albuquerque → Santa Fe → Santa Fe Plaza (60 mins) → Taos Pueblo (30 mins) → Great Sand Dunes National Park (90 mins) → Alamosa

Driving Distance: 280 miles

 

Today we will first go to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The unique red sandstone landform forms a variety of strange rock landscapes. Then we will go to Red Rocks Park near Denver, which is one of the most popular suburban parks among local people. The amphitheater in the park is the only naturally occurring amphitheater with perfect acoustics in the world. The Beatles' first stop in the United States was here. Finally, we will visit Denver, the capital and largest city of Colorado, and check in the cute big blue bear, the magnificent Colorado State Capitol and the famous 16th Street Business District. Stay overnight in Fort Morgan.

Alamosa → Colorado Springs → Garden of the Gods (30 mins) → Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater (40 mins) → Denver → Denver Big Blue Bear (15 mins) → Colorado State Capitol Building (outside, 20 mins) → 16th Street Business District (60 mins) → Fort Morgan

Driving Distance: 330 miles

 

Today we continue to drive east to North Platte. This is the intersection point where the North Platte River and the South Platte River merge to form the Platte River. Train fans must not miss the famous Golden Spike Tower! Named for its resemblance to a golden spike, the tower offers a view of the busy Union Pacific Bailey Station, the world's largest railroad yard. In the afternoon, we are going to take a visit to the Great Platte River Road Arch Monument, another important landmark on the Platte River, where you will learn about the life, culture and history of western immigrants.

Fort Morgan → North Platte → Golden Spike Tower (Optioanl, 60 mins) → Kearney → Great Platte River Road Archway Monument (Optioanl, 40 mins) → Lincoln

Driving Distance: 410 miles

Today we will visit Lincoln, the new capital of Nebraska. Nebraska is the only state in the US that implements a unicameral system. Visit the state capitol with its retro style and listen to the stories of migrants and Native Americans. We will then head to Omaha, the old capital of Nebraska. Although Omaha is no longer the state capital, it has retained the title of the largest city in the state. One of the reasons is that Omaha is home to many billionaires, the most famous of which is Warren Buffett. Let's take a leisurely walk in the Omaha Old Market! After lunch, we will drive to the capital of Iowa, Des Moines and visit the majestic Iowa State Capitol. The huge golden dome and jeweled interior decoration will surely amaze you!

Lincoln → Nebraska State Capitol (Outside visit, 40 mins) → Omaha → Omaha Old Market (60 mins) → Iowa State Capitol (30 mins) → Iowa City

Driving Distance: 250 miles

 

Today we will continue explore around Iowa City. First, follow our tour guide to pay a visit to Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum built to commemorate President Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States and the first president born west of the Mississippi River. Then we will head to another national historic site, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, which is the home of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States and who made outstanding contributions to ending the Civil War. Finally, we will drive to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin. Here we will spend some time ouside the Wisconsin State Capitol. It is not only the tallest building in Madison, but also a classic architectural example of the late neoclassical Beaux-Arts style.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum (Optional, 60 mins) → Galena → Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (Optional, 40 mins) → Madison → Wisconsin State Capitol (Outside visit, 30 mins) → Milwaukee

Driving Distance: 300 miles

 

Experience the best of Chicago all in one day! This is a world's top architecture city with fascinating architectures to discover. You will take a walk in Millennium Park, observe the Cloud Gate, and enjoy the spectacular view of the city from 360 Chicago!

Milwaukee → Chicago → Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (20 mins) → Grant Park (10 mins) → The Art Institute of Chicago (Optional, 120 mins) → Chicago Water Tower (10 mins) → Michigan Avenue (Pass-by) → Chicago Cruise (Optional, 75 mins, it will not be able to participate in during the closure) → 360 Chicago (Optional, 75 mins) → Gary

Pass by: Navy Pier, Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, Marina City, Trump International Hotel and Tower and Willis Tower Observation Deck.

 

Today we will go to the former automobile capital of the world - Detroit. The three American automobile giants GM, Ford, and Chrysler are all headquartered in Detroit and its surroundings. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is definitely a stop that history fans and car enthusiasts must not miss. This museum collects various models of Ford cars from different periods. It not only records the past and present of Ford cars, but also vividly writes the American Industrial Revolution. You will see more than 1 million exhibits including the mounts of many presidents, sports cars and racing cars as well as military vehicles and aircraft used during the world wars. Then let's pay a visit to the GM headquarters and head to Toledo after the visit to stay overnight.

Gary → Detroit → Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (Optional, 75 mins) → GM Renaissance Center (30 mins) → Toledo

Driving Distance: 350 miles

Let's Rock & Roll in hot Cleveland! First, we will go to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame built in 1984. The museum is located on the shores of Lake Erie. The overall building looks like a huge white sailboat ready to go. Here you can get up close and personal with rock music and pop icons such as Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. You will also see the guitars and drums used by U2 and Michael Jackson! Additionally, there is also a high-fidelity headset in front of each celebrity exhibition area, so you can listen to the famous songs at your will. Finally, we'll arrive in Pittsburgh, the “Steel Capital of the World”. 

Toledo → Cleveland → Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Optional, 90 mins) → Pittsburgh → Duquesne Incline (Optional, 50 mins) → Point State Park (30 mins)

Driving Distance: 250 miles

 

At the end of the journey, we will go to Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania today. Located in the fertile Hana Valley, Harrisburg has played a key role in American history - whether as a major link in railroad and water transportation, or as the site of major battles in the Civil War. After visiting the elegant and retro Pennsylvania State Capitol, then we'll head to visit the Hershey's Chocolate World. The company has already developed its factory into a town. Take the chocolate making tour bus and watch all the links of chocolate production. The process is also very creative. Finally we will arrive in the City of Brotherly Love-Philadelphia to visit the Independence Historical Park and witness the history of American independence.

Pittsburgh → Harrisburg → Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex (30 mins) → Hershey → Hershey's Chocolate World (60 mins) → Philadelphia → Independence National Historical Park (60 mins, you can see the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell)

Driving Distance: 320 miles

 

Today, we will go to the University of Pennsylvania, which has the Wharton School of Business, which is rated as the "best business school in the world". One-hour campus tour to learn about the school's history and excellent achievements; visit the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Paleoanthropology, which has a rich collection of collections. The Chinese exhibition hall is the most dazzling part of it. The most famous ones include Saluzi and Quanmao Guā in the stone carvings of the Six Horses of Emperor Taizong of Tang Zhaoling, the huge Buddhist murals of Guangji Temple in Shanxi, and the world's third largest crystal ball; you can also enjoy lunch in the campus cafeteria of the University of Pennsylvania and experience the wonderful university life. After leaving the University of Pennsylvania, we will drive back to New York.

Philadelphia → University of Pennsylvania (4-hour experience, the fee includes: campus tour arranged by the university official or official agency + anthropology museum ticket + lunch) → New York

Driving Distance: 100 miles