My husband are trying to plan a sort of last-minute trip and could use help with ideas.

This is for our 35th anniversary. Our son is getting married on October 15, and we would like to leave a couple of days after the wedding. Because of the wedding and other recent unexpected expenses, this needs to be a low-cost trip.

We have about $370 in Delta credit, and we also have a companion ticket available. We need to book the credit by Sept. 30.

We also have about 160,000 Marriott points. We know that we might have to pay for a night or 2.

We have 4 or 5 nights for this adventure. We'll be flying out of Atlanta on Delta. We'd like to stay at a Marriott if we can, to use the points. We have to fly within the 48 contiguous states. We're leaning toward visiting a national park, but that isn't something we have to do.

We've been concentrating on national parks the last couple of days. We thought about Yellowstone and Grand Tetons; having a problem finding a Marriott that is close to the parks.

Also have thought about Seattle and the area.

If you had to plan a trip with these constraints, do you have somewhere you can think of that would work? Thank you!

What about Zion and Bryce??

Fly into Vegas, look for a Marriott property in Springdale.

Moab just got a Fairfield Suites. Fly in out of SLC which is a delta hub. 5 days is perfect for Moab and you get 2 parks plus. You will not run out of things to do! Oct is a great time to visit too!

I believe the closest Marriott prop to Zion is in St George or right at the I15 exit to Zion
Minimum of 45 min away.

Most of the facilities in Yellowstone will be closed when you plan to visit, unfortunately.

I like Dayle's suggestion of Arches and Canyonlands, or your idea about Seattle.

Lee Ann

I think Moab is a good idea especially with SLC being a hub! I've been twice in late October and had great weather. I want to go back as I still haven't made it up to Devil's Garden.

I checked Springdale and they won't have a Marriott property until December - a Springhill Suites.

I would vote for Moab, good weather and the hotel is close enough to the parks so you aren't wasting drive time every day.

Other ideas:
Great Smoky Mountains NP
Shenandoah NP
Sedona

I know there are a lot of Marriott properties in MA and surrounding states, and it is foliage season. Everyone always says you need to book early, but I always seem to notice vacancy signs. Don't have any knowledge of how the point system works. You could fly into Boston or Providence or Manchester I think, rent a car and hit the road. Go to the shoreline, north or south, the mountains, the Berkshires, Unfortunately, by then Acadia is locking up for the end of season -- unless over the past few years the shops and restaurants have extended their season. That would be Bangor.

Hope the wedding is wonderful and the marraige strong. Happy Anniversary. Planning this should be easier then choosing wedding cake!

What about heading south? Like to somewhere in Florida?

Thank you all for the ideas! We looked at all of these and, finally, we decided to fly into Salt Lake City and stay in Moab. From there we can go to several national parks. Thanks so much!

Moab is a great choice. You could easily spend the whole time there and not see it all.

Have a great trip.

Fantastic!

From Moab you can visit Arches, Canyon lands, Dead Horse Point, and a few others places within a day trip range. However, be aware that there is so much to do right in the Moab area, that you probably won't want to go further!

Hiking
Mountain biking
Canyoneering
Rafting
Horsebackriding
Off roading
ATVs
rock Climbing
Photography
Air tour
Hovenweep National Monument is a good day trip as is the Needles District of canyonlands
And on and on