mireaux7

Ok, so heres the dilemma. I am about to earn a free airline voucher from Southwest Airlines good for RT fare to any city they fly to.

I will admit I was dismayed that they recently lost routes to all Hawaiian destinations that was carried by ATA. (anyone know precisely what happened here?)

So with that being said, Im now confined to the contiguous states that they do fly to.

Im open to visiting really any city, but I want to have a fantastic time. Im here in Dallas, and would like to get away. (So a flight down to south padre isnt exactly what Im bearing in mind)

what primarily attracts me to a city is how tourist friendly it is, (not just local hospitality, but also ease of navigation to nearby sights), lodging expenses, shopping.

My trip doesnt have any exact dates set for when I go. I will earn the voucher some time this autumn, and must use it by next spring. So more than likely, Id say my actual trip would probably be either in Oct or Nov.

My trip duration isnt set in stone either, but ideally would be about 4 days, 3 nights.

In regards to Southwest, Ive studied the cities they fly to, and narrowed it down to some cities Id like to visit: Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, Seattle, New York City, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston (via Manchester, NH), Washington DC, Tampa, Ft Myers/Naples, Ft Lauderdale.

Ive been to Vegas twice already,and although Ive listed it, its actually at the bottom of my list just because I want to go somewhere Ive never been to before. Ive also been to L.A. 3 times as well. Everyplace else above I have never been to. But I still have these 2 cities listed being that I wouldnt mind going again if they somehow fared out as being the best option.

Of particular interest, I thought a trip to Reno/Tahoe would be nice. I did some mild study on the area, nothing deep, just some basic info listed on Wikipedia. I saw that the Tahoe is seperated from Reno by about 25 miles (so a rental car would be feasible to commute between the two cities)

I also would like to visit the Cabo Wabo Cantina at Lake Tahoe. In regards to Reno, I was saddened to read that many casinos were torn down (gaming would be an enjoyable aspect of me going to Reno). If anyone can provide me with detailed info on Reno/Tahoe, please do.

I like places where I dont have to depend heavily on a rental car as a mode of transportation. What id really like to do, is find a "tour package" that is all-inclusive and includes lodging fare and all amenities where someone would pick me up each day at my hotel and id get to see various attractions, etc.

As far as the 3 florida cities ive listed, im really open to any city in florida. But since ive never been to florida, i envision my first trip there having some sort of coastline for me to enjoy. (thus my exclusion of orlando). Ive heard Ft Myers/Naples and Tampa are nice, but I do have a preference for enjoying the ocean water over the gulf water, so I was wondering about how things are in Ft Lauderdale?

Seattle also seems nice, but I dont know how transportation fares out there. Would I need a rental car? Id like to see the space needle and also the outdoor fish market.

As far as NYC, ive always imagined my first trip there. Ive heard the city is overwhelming, so naturally I wouldnt know where to go, or what to see. (id probably end up getting lost more than anything). So, naturally I would indeed want to have a tour package lined up should I go there. Id like to savor the locally reknown Grimaldi's pizzeria, times square, manhattan, see Liberty from a distance (as If heard that theres too much hassle involved with taking a ferry over to the island).

San diego: the only thing I know about this town is they have an awesome zoo. is there anything else to do here?

San Francisco: Id like to see chinatown, the golden gate bridge, pier 49, fishermans wharf. (may even make a sidetrip down to Santa Cruz on this one)

so with all said, any suggestions or advice?

easytraveler

The only cities that would be good for a 3-4 day visit without a car would be New York or San Francisco. Every other city, even Boston, you'll need a car for part of the trip. Others like Los Angeles and San Diego, you'll definitely need a car for the whole time.

yk

You should consider Philadelphia. You didn't list it but I'm 100% sure Southwest flies to Philly.

It is a great walking city. You can take the local commuter rail from the airport right into the city. You can get a decent 4* hotel thru Priceline for ~$80-90.

It has excellent (and affordable) restaurants, good shopping, great museums and history. Perfect for a 3-4 day trip. Weather is nice in October.

I've lived in PHiladelphia and Dallas before, so I think I know what I'm talking about.

Marginal

If your ambition is to visit the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Lake Tahoe, you aren't setting your sights very high. And who told you Reno is tearing down cansinos?

It's too bad you've already been to Vegas. It sounds like your kind of town.

dfr4848

First, ATA went bankrupt and ceased operations. Couldn't get financing it needed and with fuel costs, etc...

You're asking for subjective answers so you'll likely get lots of answers based on personal preferences. With that in mind, my list in order would be:

1. San Francisco

2. Seattle

3. Washington

You wouldn't need a car in these places, unless for ex you wanted to do a day trip to the wine country from SF (well worth it IMO).

Boston and NY would be on the list, as long as you keep in mind that (as you noted) you've got to go to Manchester for Boston or in the case of NY you go to Islip, which is 50 mi from Manhattan. That can be a lot of commuting time that you may not want to deal with.

mireaux7

marginal,

wikipedia would be the source that informed me that reno has tore down several casinos and has built condos on the existing ground

the keyword to use on wikipedia for that info is: reno

cabo wabo cantina would just be one of the many things id like to do if i visited reno/tahoe. but since ive never been, naturally i am soliciting feedback on suggestions of what else there may be to do there.

mireaux7

yk,

never really gave much thought on philly, but im open to the idea as well.

a lot of what you said about it does appeal to me.

seems like a great town laden with american history.

besides, an authentic philly cheesesteak is really starting to sound good.

ill have to toss in philly with my bag of other cities to consider now.

kaudrey

Washington DC has great weather in the fall, usually, and you don't need a car here. The metro is great for tourists and we have hop-on/hop-off trolleys as well.

SavTrav

I vote for DC or NY.

Washington DC - very easy to get around - lots of free musuems to go to. Always lots of stuff going on. Great Restaurants and you can find moderately priced accomadations or find some really great, but more expensive places to stay.

New York - I've been a couple of times, and it still overwhelms me. Don't worry about seeing everything - you wont be able to anyway. Just go and figure that you will be back again someday. Easy to get around and lots of different neighboorhoods to visit. This would be a much more hectic trip, it you are trying to relax - I don't think NY is it. Also the price of hotel rooms will go up considerable compared to DC.

Happy Traveling!

dmlove

Don't fret - Southwest vouchers weren't good for Hawaii anyway.

dmlove

Wikipedia is not always the best source for the most accurate information.

dmlove

I just read the information on Wikipedia - actually, it is accurate, but it doesn't say that "a lot" of casinos were torn down and converted to condos. It says many older or smaller casinos were torn down and some were converted to condos. It also says sevral local hotel casinos have gotten significantly larger -- these are the more Vegas-like casino-hotels. The point is there are plenty of casinos in Reno, if that's your interest.

Andrew

I think the best part about the SW vouchers is how flexible they are. Not only are there no change fees, you can use them last minute if there is availability, for no extra fees.

Ever want to be spontaneous? Want to go away for the weekend? See if Southwest has availability leaving tomorrow and if they do, book it. Then try to get a last-minute hotel room with Priceline or Hotwire hotel. If you succeed (last minute cheap deals can often be had), go for it. If not, cancel your Southwest ticket if you want, since there's no fee or penalty to do so.

Andrew

And if Seattle is on your list of places, not sure why Portland, Oregon isn't. It's got a great public transportation system, and hotels tend to be lots cheaper than Seattle. Plus, there is lots to do in the city as well as plenty of natural beauty; you could rent a car just for part of the time to drive out to the Columbia River Gorge or see the spectacular Oregon Coast.

mireaux7

Ill have to say that Portland,OR doesnt get much spotlight in regards to other cities. Its not that I wouldnt want to go there, but I am clueless as to what is there to see and do.

I ask that you enlighten me on Portland as it does unfairly seem to bask in Seattle's shadow.

mireaux7

dmlove

actually SW vouchers were valid for Hawaii, but it took 32 credits for a RT, as a standard 16 credit voucher that gets you RT in the 48 states, would only provide one-way to Hawaii.

Andrew

Well, there are a lot of Portland lovers on the board here - just search for "Portland." I live in Portland and love it. If you want to see some pictures of it (I'm a photographer), try my website, PortlandBridges.com . (also pictures of the Oregon Coast, which is an easy 90 minute drive).

Basically, Portland is much smaller than Seattle but has a great selection of nice restaurants, a decent arts scene, great old neighborhoods, good shopping (no sales tax), and amazing natural beauty. We have our homeless people and bits of crime like every other city, but people who visit invariably comment on how clean it seems to them. We have very few slums - only a few moderately bad neighborhoods but a lot of old neighborhoods with great houses. A lot of character.

Seattle is a great city, too, and it does overshadow Portland somewhat in availability of certain cultural and entertainment events. Portland has no NFL or MLB sports teams (only the NBA). But Seattle is also very crowded especially if you have to drive. Traffic on I-5 nowadays is awful. Portland is much more manageable, a great walking city with excellent public transit (good buses, trains, and streetcars).

If you visited in the summer (which, I know, you probably won't), you could enjoy the spectacular International Rose Test Garden (Portland's climate makes it ideal for growing roses). There are also Japanese and Chinese gardens (all year) and other terrific parks.

If you like books, Portland's Powell's books (a whole city block of books) is the US's largest independent book seller, a must-see here for booklovers.

Not that I'd try to dissuade you from visiting Seattle, but what is it about Seattle you've heard that Portland lacks?

J62

There was another long thread on this a while back to which you can refer. Lots of good info there.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35086008

dmlove

actually SW vouchers were valid for Hawaii, but it took 32 credits for a RT, as a standard 16 credit voucher that gets you RT in the 48 states, would only provide one-way to Hawaii

I did not know that! Maybe you should save the voucher then for when Southwest decides to enter the Hawaiian market itself to pick up the pieces of the failed ATA and Aloha.

mclaurie

Seems a shame to limit a free ticket to a 3-4 day trip. Most people try to use a free ticket to go to the furthest or most expensive place from wherever they live (like Hawaii) and that generally calls for more than 3 days.

If you want a beach vacation, Ft. Lauderdale is doable without too much dependence on a rental car if you stay downtown and use the water taxis. There's not a huge amount of sightseeing there though, it's more a relaxing beach vacation.

I love San Diego and there is a lot to see there. You can manage without a car, but it's easier with one.

You should know Southwest's airport in NYC is more than 1 1/2 hrs. outside Manhattan. Most people don't consider that airport (Long Island Islip MacArthur --ISP)really a NYC airport. Hotel prices in NYC are outrageously expensive and while the weather is gorgeous in the fall, it's an expensive time to visit.

I think for a city visit, San Francisco, Washington and Boston are all good options and cities where you'd feel you'd seen a fair amount in 3 or 4 days. If you went to Phildadelphia, you could actually do a daytrip to NYC by train or bus to get a taste, and that's not a bad option.

I have to add I was somewhat dismayed to see most of these options require you to make 2 or sometimes 3 plane changes. Maybe you're used to that living in Dallas, but I wonder if there aren't any options with a nonstop flight?