I have a free ticket to almost any city in the US that I need to use up in the next month, but only have 3 days available. Any suggestions as to a good city to visit in that timeframe, that won't frustrate me by not having more time?
The main contenders are New Orleans, Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Charlotte. Any suggestions are welcome.

Dear Kari:
How about San Francisco? You could spend one day in the city, one day on the coast (Pt. Reyes, et al.), and one day in the Sonoma County Wine Country.
(San Francisco--Muir Beach--Point Reyes--Bodega Bay--Jenner--Guerneville (Redwoods)-- Healdsburg--Sonoma--Sausalito--San Francisco). That would be a LOT more interesting than New Orleans, Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Charlotte.

I agree w/John, Kari. SF is so far ahead of other cities in the US in terms of sights, food, variety, climate. For 3 days, New Orleans would be my 2nd choice.

March is probably the busiest month of the year in New Orleans...Mardi Gras plus tons of conventions. For that reason alone, I'd try someplace else. San Francisco sounds like a wonderful idea to me!!

I love these nebulous questions. Let me guess, Kari, you live in Oakland, so San Fran is not the ideal vacation destination. Charlotte is certainly an off the wall idea --nice town, and I apologize to anyone from there, but of the ones you mentioned, and assuming that you haven't done any of them before, I suggest that either New Orleans or Las Vegas are fine ideas, because both are best for about three days. I would choose the one that is furthest or normally most expensive to get to from my home town as the freebie bonus.

Although three days isn't NEARLY enough time to do justice to the place, I'd rather spend three days in New York City than in any other city in the US, by a wide margin. It may leave you frustrated wanting more time, but you'll enjoy more in that three days than in any other city.

Charlotte may be a nice place to live, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to visit as a tourist.

Sorry, Charlotte -- uh uh. If you want the southeast, it's Savannah all the way, with second place to Charleston. Rent a car so you can poke along the coastal islands.

What about Albuquerque/Sante Fe rather than Phoenix? -- greater mix of cultures, etc.

Kari: I used to live in Charlotte. Everyone there used to say it's a nice place to live but I wouldn't want to visit there. We all used to agonize when we had friends/family in town about how we would manage to entertain them for a weekend. There just isn't much going on. Bottom line: only go there if you're considering moving there and you want to see what it's like. Even then, I'd still choose someplace else for your free ticket.

It depends on where you live, and where you've been before. Go somwhere where you'll get the most bang for the buck out of that free ticket. If you live on the east coast, go to San Francisco. If you live on the west coast, go to New York. My runners-up would be New Orleans, Key West, Chicago, Austin.

This is a toddlin' town, but March is not the greatest time to visit. REALLY unpredictable weather. Come back in June or September -- it's glorious then.

Charlotte is a dud. DOn't waste your time. I would go to Vegas. It's a grown ups Disney World. TOns of great shows and restaurants. Plus, the weather is usually predictable

My choices in order of preference are:

1. Las Vegas ( definitely number 1 )

2. San Francisco

3. San Diego

4. There are no other places on my list. Seen all of the others and have no desire to reapat.

As one poster mentioned, I wouldn't want to waste a freebie ticket on visitng next door.

How about Liberal, Kansas? They have the annual Pancake Race coming up in a few weeks. The day includes a pancake eating contest, a race down the streets of Liberal flipping pancakes, a parade and a talent show.
Liberal also has Dorothy's house from the Wizard of Oz. It is a happening.

KANSAS? You mean people actually visit Kansas? Without compulsion, I mean for a pancake flip? I've seen everything now! WOW!!! KANSAS!!!

Did I actually read that someone has suggested KANSAS as a place to visit?!! We spent a forgettable year there - went for a ride in the country and got lost - didn't realize we'd gone full circle until we saw the same dead dog in the road.
May I suggest New Orleans instead - it's not far to the fascinating Cajun country (around Lafayette) + plantations outside of New Orleans & near Baton Rouge.

In Liberal, Kansas, try the Days' Inn for clean rooms with free parking and Otto's for a meat loaf dinner, with live piano music on weekends. Go for it!

Did I mention we now have three pizza huts? Keep watching the national media-on Pancake day we will be on the tube and you all will see what you missed. Here flipping it to ya!

Susan-that dog wan't Toto was it? Cause you know he has been missing?

Ugh.....I wish people would stop displaying their NON comedic talent on these forums (as in the Kansas lameness).....please leave the stupid humor for your office Christmas parties or neighbor's summer barbeques. THAT being said, to answer you, Kari, my vote is for San Francisco, as a few others have suggested. It's a great walking city, plenty to see and do and a moderate climate. Wherever you decide to go, though.....enjoy that freebie!

Sam-honey loosen up. Take a deep breath and relax. Life is to short.. Maybe that is why you are not invited to those social events because you don't have a sense of humor. That said, Kari, my point was try something completely out of the ordinary since it is a freebie. Kansas isn't such a bad place.