The Complete 2021 Itinerary
Friday: June 11 Greensboro, North Carolina - Pre-Trip Dinner
Before the trip begins, students and their families are invited to a get-acquainted dinner at Greensboro Country Club. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet other students and the Grand Western Tour team.
June 12: Louisville, Kentucky — Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum
Visit the most famous race track in America! Our trip to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum typically includes seeing a horse race in action. The trip continues on to a family farm in Indiana for dinner. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Hampton Inn, New Albany, Indiana)
June 13: St. Louis — The Gateway Arch and a Cruise Down the Mississippi River
Our next stop is St. Louis, one of the oldest settlements in the Mississippi Valley. After viewing “Monument to the Dream,” a movie chronicling the construction of the Gateway Arch, we will tour the famous archway. Next up: a cruise down the Mississippi River on the “Tom Sawyer” riverboat. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott, St. Louis Downtown)
June 14: Salina, Kansas — The Heartland of America
Welcome to the geographical center of the continental United States. Salina is in the heart of the Kansas wheat belt and one of the leading flour-producing cities in the country. The evening includes a movie and a visit to a midwestern mall. (Meals: B) (Lodging: Comfort Suites, Salina)
June 15-16: Colorado Springs — U.S. Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods
Our trip continues to Colorado Springs, a resort city known for its magnificent views. These two action-packed days include a tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a trip to the National Olympic Training Center, a visit to the Garden of the Gods, and a trip to the top of Pike's Peak, 14,110 feet above sea level. (Meals: B, D, B, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, Colorado Springs)
June 17-19: A Train to Durango, Colorado and Mesa Verde
Explore Silverton, an old mining town, before boarding the train to Durango. This is one of the last narrow-gauge railroads still in operation in the United States, traveling through the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Next, enjoy a tour of Mesa Verde National Park and the preserved cliff dwellings of the Pueblo Indians who lived here for over 700 years. (Meals: B, B, L, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, Durango)
June 19: National Parks and Salt Lake City, Utah
The trip to Salt Lake City takes you by Canyonlands National Park and includes a visit to Arches National Park. In Salt Lake City, view the Great Salt Lake for which the city is named, and Temple Square, the center of Mormon activities and Utah's most celebrated historical spot. Students will also have the opportunity to hear the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Springhill Suites Downtown, Salt Lake City)
June 20-22: Jackson Hole, Wyoming — Grand Teton National Park
This colorful resort town serves as the southern entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. No trip to Jackson Hole is complete without a hike (or chairlift ride) to the top of Snow King Mountain where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Tetons. Students will have free time to explore this quaint town – a perfect spot for souvenir and t-shirt shopping — before enjoying a lively reenactment of frontier justice on the Jackson Town Square in what is the longest, continuously running shootout in the country! The trip includes dinner and a renowned western themed musical at the historic Jackson Hole Playhouse. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Antler Motel)
June 22-25: Big Sky, Montana and Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy an all-day excursion to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, traveling along the Snake River at the base of the majestic Grand Teton Mountains. Explore Yellowstone, where you can view the lakes, the volcanic pools, and the geysers, including Old Faithful. Be prepared to see buffalo, elk, wolves and bears.
We’ll spend three nights in Big Sky, Montana. Highlights include an excursion to Earthquake Lake — 190 feet deep and six miles long — formed during a 1959 earthquake; a variety of outdoor activities, including horseback trail riding, an organized hike, and our annual volleyball tournament. (Meals: L, D, B, L, D, B, L, D) (Lodging: 320 Guest Ranch, Big Sky, Montana)
“My favorite place was Big Sky, Montana! We stayed on a dude ranch and had a mixture of free time and scheduled activities. It was still fairly early on in the trip and I really had the opportunity to bond with everyone. I made so many new friends that summer.” — Mary Rinne Jackson, Raleigh
June 25: White Water Rafting on the Flathead River
Get ready for a white-water rafting trip along the Flathead River, which traverses the Flathead Indian Reservation. We’ll spend the night at the Kwataqnuk Resort overlooking the beautiful Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Kwataqnuk Resort)
June 26-28: Seattle — The Space Needle, MoPOP
A drive through Montana, Idaho, and Washington leads us to Seattle. The trip includes a visit to The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the famous Pike Place Marketplace and the Space Needle. A tour of the city takes you to unique sites of Seattle, followed by dinner at Ivar's Salmon House, a beautiful cedar replica of the Northwest Indian Longhouse filled with native artifacts and historical photographs (Meals: B, B, D) (Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn).
“One of my favorite memories was having breakfast at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. It was one of my favorite cities on the tour.” — Suiter Ragland, Raleigh
June 28: Gold Beach, Oregon — Birthday Celebration
Enjoy the phenomenal views as we travel down the Pacific coastline of Oregon to Gold Beach. We’ll spend the evening enjoying a barbeque, karaoke, and dancing on a beautiful outside area overlooking the Rogue River and the Pacific Ocean. At the stop, we’ll also celebrate those students who have birthdays during our trip. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Jot's Resort Hotel)
June 29-July 2: San Francisco — The California Redwoods, Alcatraz, Oakland A’s Baseball and More…
The drive to San Francisco includes a trip through the California Redwoods and a visit to the Grieg-French-Bell Grove. We’ll walk this scenic trail and take in remarkable landscape that is often featured in movies and TV commercials before continuing through the wine valleys of Northern California and on to San Francisco. In San Francisco, we’ll spend three nights in the Fisherman's Wharf area. A tour of the city will include a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and a visit to the artists’ colony of Sausalito, where students will have time to visit unique shops in this eclectic and picturesque community. Other highlights include a Major League Baseball game featuring the Oakland A’s and a visit to Alcatraz Island, once America's premier maximum-security prison.
Students will have free time to go shopping or sightseeing in specified areas, where they can ride cable cars, walk down the world’s crookedest street (Lombard Street), or visit China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, or Ghirardelli Square. (Meals: B, L, D, L, B, D) (Lodging: Marriott Fisherman's Wharf)
July 2-4: Anaheim — Disneyland, Hollywood
After a scenic drive to Anaheim, you will have free time to enjoy the fabulous Downtown Disney District. The next day includes a trip to Disneyland! Other highlights include a guided tour of Hollywood. Next, we’ll head to Laguna Beach for an afternoon of swimming and beachcombing. This seaside resort city is relatively isolated thanks to the surrounding hills, limited highway access and a dedicated greenbelt. (Meals: D, B, ) (Lodging: Embassy Suites Anaheim South)
July 4-6: San Diego — San Diego Zoo
Our trip to San Diego includes a visit to the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest zoological parks in the world, and a tour of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, which was in service longer than any aircraft carrier in our history. We’ll enjoy dinner on the beach in La Jolla and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. (Meals: B, B, L, D) (Lodging: Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego)
July 6: Las Vegas — The Strip + A Show
Viva Las Vegas! We’ll attend a popular variety show that has Las Vegas written all over it — from acrobats to comedians to magicians, there is something in the show to please almost anyone. After the show, we’ll drive down the strip and enjoy the city’s spectacular lights and sights. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: La Quinta Inn & Suites)
July 7: Sedona, Arizona --- The Grand Canyon and Pink Jeep Tour
One of the highlights of the Grand Western Tour is our visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most remarkable, awe-inspiring spectacles. The canyon, more than one mile deep in certain spots, stretches from 4 to 14 miles from rim to rim.
After spending the day exploring the Grand Canyon, we’ll head to Sedona, Arizona, a charming resort town surrounded by towering red rock monoliths that have served as the backdrop for many western movies. In Sedona, a stunning hike along Marg's Draw Trail ends on large slabs of red rock in a bowl surrounded by magnificent mountains. Have a blast riding in the jeeps on the Pink Jeep Scenic Rim Tour, a 90-minute tour of Arizona’s diverse landscape. The trip takes you 1,500 feet above Sedona along the Mogollon Rim, where majestic red rock formations blaze the trail for scenic beauty and rugged exploration. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Arabella Hotel)
July 8-10: Tucson, Arizona — A Luxury Resort
After Sedona, it’s off to a beautiful resort/spa in Tucson to enjoy swimming, tennis, hiking, the fitness center, or simply gazing at the desert night stars. (Meals: B, D, D) (Lodging: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa, Tucson)
July 10: EI Paso, Texas
EI Paso is the cultural center of the Southwest, enriched for more than four centuries by contributions from Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, Europeans and Asians. The city's international flavor is apparent in the variety of cultural facilities and events, 18 museums, more than 35 art galleries, and 28 artists of national acclaim. An exceptional dinner of local heritage will be enjoyed at the famous Carlos & Mickey's Casa Souza. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, El Paso)
July 11: Sonora, Texas – Caverns of Sonora
Located on a working ranch just outside of Sonora, Texas, the Caverns of Sonora is a National Natural Landmark, recognized as one of the most beautiful show caves in the world. In our guided tour, we will experience some of the most beautiful and rare formations in an incredible setting that is 98% actively growing. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: TBD, Sonora)
July 12: San Antonio, Texas — The Alamo
After our visit to San Antonio, you will surely remember The Alamo! “The Price of Freedom,” an IMAX movie about the historical impact of The Alamo, will set the stage for our visit to this notable site. A tour of the city will follow. Students will have free time to explore the historical spots of San Antonio and discover unique shops specializing in southwestern themes. Late afternoon, we'll discover more about Texas' most walkable city in a 2-hour scavenger hunt! We'll make a loop around the city in search of storied buildings, great green spaces and cultural institutions. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Menger Hotel)
July 13: New Orleans — The French Quarter
Our last stop is a memorable one. Our visit to New Orleans includes a visit to the famous French Quarter. Dinner at Coterie Restaurant serves as the perfect ending to our trip. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Hilton Inn)
July 14: Return to Greensboro, NC
Our trip home includes a detour for lunch at one of Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants: The Varsity, which opened in 1912 and is known as the world’s largest drive-in restaurants. The bus is expected to arrive in Greensboro between 7:00-7:30pm.
Before the trip begins, students and their families are invited to a get-acquainted dinner at Greensboro Country Club. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet other students and the Grand Western Tour team.
June 12: Louisville, Kentucky — Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum
Visit the most famous race track in America! Our trip to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum typically includes seeing a horse race in action. The trip continues on to a family farm in Indiana for dinner. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Hampton Inn, New Albany, Indiana)
June 13: St. Louis — The Gateway Arch and a Cruise Down the Mississippi River
Our next stop is St. Louis, one of the oldest settlements in the Mississippi Valley. After viewing “Monument to the Dream,” a movie chronicling the construction of the Gateway Arch, we will tour the famous archway. Next up: a cruise down the Mississippi River on the “Tom Sawyer” riverboat. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott, St. Louis Downtown)
June 14: Salina, Kansas — The Heartland of America
Welcome to the geographical center of the continental United States. Salina is in the heart of the Kansas wheat belt and one of the leading flour-producing cities in the country. The evening includes a movie and a visit to a midwestern mall. (Meals: B) (Lodging: Comfort Suites, Salina)
June 15-16: Colorado Springs — U.S. Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods
Our trip continues to Colorado Springs, a resort city known for its magnificent views. These two action-packed days include a tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a trip to the National Olympic Training Center, a visit to the Garden of the Gods, and a trip to the top of Pike's Peak, 14,110 feet above sea level. (Meals: B, D, B, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, Colorado Springs)
June 17-19: A Train to Durango, Colorado and Mesa Verde
Explore Silverton, an old mining town, before boarding the train to Durango. This is one of the last narrow-gauge railroads still in operation in the United States, traveling through the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Next, enjoy a tour of Mesa Verde National Park and the preserved cliff dwellings of the Pueblo Indians who lived here for over 700 years. (Meals: B, B, L, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, Durango)
June 19: National Parks and Salt Lake City, Utah
The trip to Salt Lake City takes you by Canyonlands National Park and includes a visit to Arches National Park. In Salt Lake City, view the Great Salt Lake for which the city is named, and Temple Square, the center of Mormon activities and Utah's most celebrated historical spot. Students will also have the opportunity to hear the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Springhill Suites Downtown, Salt Lake City)
June 20-22: Jackson Hole, Wyoming — Grand Teton National Park
This colorful resort town serves as the southern entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. No trip to Jackson Hole is complete without a hike (or chairlift ride) to the top of Snow King Mountain where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Tetons. Students will have free time to explore this quaint town – a perfect spot for souvenir and t-shirt shopping — before enjoying a lively reenactment of frontier justice on the Jackson Town Square in what is the longest, continuously running shootout in the country! The trip includes dinner and a renowned western themed musical at the historic Jackson Hole Playhouse. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Antler Motel)
June 22-25: Big Sky, Montana and Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy an all-day excursion to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, traveling along the Snake River at the base of the majestic Grand Teton Mountains. Explore Yellowstone, where you can view the lakes, the volcanic pools, and the geysers, including Old Faithful. Be prepared to see buffalo, elk, wolves and bears.
We’ll spend three nights in Big Sky, Montana. Highlights include an excursion to Earthquake Lake — 190 feet deep and six miles long — formed during a 1959 earthquake; a variety of outdoor activities, including horseback trail riding, an organized hike, and our annual volleyball tournament. (Meals: L, D, B, L, D, B, L, D) (Lodging: 320 Guest Ranch, Big Sky, Montana)
“My favorite place was Big Sky, Montana! We stayed on a dude ranch and had a mixture of free time and scheduled activities. It was still fairly early on in the trip and I really had the opportunity to bond with everyone. I made so many new friends that summer.” — Mary Rinne Jackson, Raleigh
June 25: White Water Rafting on the Flathead River
Get ready for a white-water rafting trip along the Flathead River, which traverses the Flathead Indian Reservation. We’ll spend the night at the Kwataqnuk Resort overlooking the beautiful Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Kwataqnuk Resort)
June 26-28: Seattle — The Space Needle, MoPOP
A drive through Montana, Idaho, and Washington leads us to Seattle. The trip includes a visit to The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the famous Pike Place Marketplace and the Space Needle. A tour of the city takes you to unique sites of Seattle, followed by dinner at Ivar's Salmon House, a beautiful cedar replica of the Northwest Indian Longhouse filled with native artifacts and historical photographs (Meals: B, B, D) (Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn).
“One of my favorite memories was having breakfast at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. It was one of my favorite cities on the tour.” — Suiter Ragland, Raleigh
June 28: Gold Beach, Oregon — Birthday Celebration
Enjoy the phenomenal views as we travel down the Pacific coastline of Oregon to Gold Beach. We’ll spend the evening enjoying a barbeque, karaoke, and dancing on a beautiful outside area overlooking the Rogue River and the Pacific Ocean. At the stop, we’ll also celebrate those students who have birthdays during our trip. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Jot's Resort Hotel)
June 29-July 2: San Francisco — The California Redwoods, Alcatraz, Oakland A’s Baseball and More…
The drive to San Francisco includes a trip through the California Redwoods and a visit to the Grieg-French-Bell Grove. We’ll walk this scenic trail and take in remarkable landscape that is often featured in movies and TV commercials before continuing through the wine valleys of Northern California and on to San Francisco. In San Francisco, we’ll spend three nights in the Fisherman's Wharf area. A tour of the city will include a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and a visit to the artists’ colony of Sausalito, where students will have time to visit unique shops in this eclectic and picturesque community. Other highlights include a Major League Baseball game featuring the Oakland A’s and a visit to Alcatraz Island, once America's premier maximum-security prison.
Students will have free time to go shopping or sightseeing in specified areas, where they can ride cable cars, walk down the world’s crookedest street (Lombard Street), or visit China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, or Ghirardelli Square. (Meals: B, L, D, L, B, D) (Lodging: Marriott Fisherman's Wharf)
July 2-4: Anaheim — Disneyland, Hollywood
After a scenic drive to Anaheim, you will have free time to enjoy the fabulous Downtown Disney District. The next day includes a trip to Disneyland! Other highlights include a guided tour of Hollywood. Next, we’ll head to Laguna Beach for an afternoon of swimming and beachcombing. This seaside resort city is relatively isolated thanks to the surrounding hills, limited highway access and a dedicated greenbelt. (Meals: D, B, ) (Lodging: Embassy Suites Anaheim South)
July 4-6: San Diego — San Diego Zoo
Our trip to San Diego includes a visit to the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest zoological parks in the world, and a tour of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, which was in service longer than any aircraft carrier in our history. We’ll enjoy dinner on the beach in La Jolla and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. (Meals: B, B, L, D) (Lodging: Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego)
July 6: Las Vegas — The Strip + A Show
Viva Las Vegas! We’ll attend a popular variety show that has Las Vegas written all over it — from acrobats to comedians to magicians, there is something in the show to please almost anyone. After the show, we’ll drive down the strip and enjoy the city’s spectacular lights and sights. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: La Quinta Inn & Suites)
July 7: Sedona, Arizona --- The Grand Canyon and Pink Jeep Tour
One of the highlights of the Grand Western Tour is our visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most remarkable, awe-inspiring spectacles. The canyon, more than one mile deep in certain spots, stretches from 4 to 14 miles from rim to rim.
After spending the day exploring the Grand Canyon, we’ll head to Sedona, Arizona, a charming resort town surrounded by towering red rock monoliths that have served as the backdrop for many western movies. In Sedona, a stunning hike along Marg's Draw Trail ends on large slabs of red rock in a bowl surrounded by magnificent mountains. Have a blast riding in the jeeps on the Pink Jeep Scenic Rim Tour, a 90-minute tour of Arizona’s diverse landscape. The trip takes you 1,500 feet above Sedona along the Mogollon Rim, where majestic red rock formations blaze the trail for scenic beauty and rugged exploration. (Meals: B, L, D) (Lodging: Arabella Hotel)
July 8-10: Tucson, Arizona — A Luxury Resort
After Sedona, it’s off to a beautiful resort/spa in Tucson to enjoy swimming, tennis, hiking, the fitness center, or simply gazing at the desert night stars. (Meals: B, D, D) (Lodging: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa, Tucson)
July 10: EI Paso, Texas
EI Paso is the cultural center of the Southwest, enriched for more than four centuries by contributions from Native Americans, Spanish Settlers, Europeans and Asians. The city's international flavor is apparent in the variety of cultural facilities and events, 18 museums, more than 35 art galleries, and 28 artists of national acclaim. An exceptional dinner of local heritage will be enjoyed at the famous Carlos & Mickey's Casa Souza. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Quality Inn, El Paso)
July 11: Sonora, Texas – Caverns of Sonora
Located on a working ranch just outside of Sonora, Texas, the Caverns of Sonora is a National Natural Landmark, recognized as one of the most beautiful show caves in the world. In our guided tour, we will experience some of the most beautiful and rare formations in an incredible setting that is 98% actively growing. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: TBD, Sonora)
July 12: San Antonio, Texas — The Alamo
After our visit to San Antonio, you will surely remember The Alamo! “The Price of Freedom,” an IMAX movie about the historical impact of The Alamo, will set the stage for our visit to this notable site. A tour of the city will follow. Students will have free time to explore the historical spots of San Antonio and discover unique shops specializing in southwestern themes. Late afternoon, we'll discover more about Texas' most walkable city in a 2-hour scavenger hunt! We'll make a loop around the city in search of storied buildings, great green spaces and cultural institutions. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Menger Hotel)
July 13: New Orleans — The French Quarter
Our last stop is a memorable one. Our visit to New Orleans includes a visit to the famous French Quarter. Dinner at Coterie Restaurant serves as the perfect ending to our trip. (Meals: B, D) (Lodging: Hilton Inn)
July 14: Return to Greensboro, NC
Our trip home includes a detour for lunch at one of Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants: The Varsity, which opened in 1912 and is known as the world’s largest drive-in restaurants. The bus is expected to arrive in Greensboro between 7:00-7:30pm.
