Obviously just tinkering with some ideas for a trip third week of May, 2008.

Originally I expected to arrive in Salt lake City 9-10PM on my last day. Sleep near the airport and catch a noon plane home.

Well, I took a look at a map and noticed that a few of the major sights "appear" to be close to the airport.

How about staying just on the East side of Route 15 near W North Temple.

I could get up early and spend an hour or so in the area then go off to the airport around 10AM for a noon flight.

How long will it take me to get past car rental return from there?

A dumb idea?

It's definitely doable. Downtown Salt Lake is just minutes from the airport and most car rental returns are at the airport.

Very doable to see sights, but you would only have an hour or so. On the other hand, you do NOT want to stay at any hotels on North Temple, west of I-15. Let's just say they have a hight rate of police/emergency service needs along that stretch! You could certainly see the temple grounds and Cathedral of the Madeline. I am not sure what other sites you want to see. It will only take 15 mins (max) to get to the airport. Rental car return is quick. Have fun.

Barbara & Stanton, Thanks.

I figure I'll see the Temple grounds at night when we arrive (9-10PM). I imagine it's all lighted (lit?) up at night.

Then an early breakfast and spend an hour or two in the morning and leave for the airport around 10AM to return the car and catch an 11:50 flight.

Looks like that will work.

Oh, forgot to ask.

Can you recommend a motel/hotel in the area of Temple Sq? Nothing fancy but clean and comfortable.

Read a bit. Little America, Peery, Salt Lake Plaza? Any of these acceptable?

Thanks.

Little America would be a good choice. It is located right on the Trax line - which is free downtown, and very easy access coming off and getting on the freeway to the airport. I don't think they charge for parking like some of the other downtown hotels.

Little America is on the Trax line but it's a mile from Temple Sq.

With very limited time, is there anything recommended that closer?

I stayed at the Hotel Monaco recently, which was closer and nice, but I had to pay for parking. It's only three blocks closer and more expensive. Little America is only 5 blocks from Temple Square a very short ride on Trax.

Little America is too far away. Hotel Monaco is gorgeous, but expensive (more than others--but you might want to check out their rates at the time you are coming. That chain of hotels can have great deals and they are amazing hotels) Anything around the convention center. They change names so often I forget. A Sheraton, a Hilton etc. Those are all fine to stay in for one night and are very close to everything. Basically: Anything on Sout Temple, 100 South, 200 South, or 200 West, West Temple, Main, State, 200 East. If you Google the address for Abravenel Hall, there is a hotel across the street from there.

I disagree about Little America being too far away. I think you'll spend more time waiting for parking valets, or getting a car out of a parking garage and dealing with the downtown traffic than you will spend on Trax.

The Sheraton is definitely not closer. There are a couple of Marriotts and a Hilton a few blocks closer, but they are more costly.

Isn't there also the Shilo Inn? Or has it changed names too? I don't spend much time downtown and I certainly agree it's hard to keep up with the chain hotel name changes.

I money was not an issue, I'd choose Hotel Monaco too. The restaurant downstairs is excellent - Bambara.

Barbara, how was San Diego?

We had a great time in San Diego. The weather was nice and warm. Unfortunately my aunt died while I was gone, my dad flew in from Alaska to be with her, his sister. His back went out the day after he got here and he had surgery two days ago (the day of her funeral) and he will be staying with me for the next few weeks. Oh and I got a cold in San Diego. So things are a little stressful right now. Hopefully, I'll do a little trip report once I get him settled.

Thanks for asking! Have you been skiing yet?

Yes, the Shilo is still there! That's the one I was thinking of. Gosh, it is amazing how many brain cells we need to think of something when it is so obivous

I guess I don't see getting a car in and out of parking. I would drive to the airport, return the car the night before. Then take a hotel shuttle to the hotel and then take it back to the airport the next day. Or just park the car overnight and then get it in the morning. I thought Myer would be walking around to see sights. I guess it depends on what you want to do Myer.

I think Little America is ahead on points.

In no particular order: Inexpensive,
regular hotel with motel-style rooms (the best of both worlds),
about 5 blocks from Temple Sq and directly on the Trax line,
easy self-park and getaway to the airport from the motel-style rooms.

It looks like either an early breakfast and close to 2 hours of wandering around or skip breakfast and have a bite at the airport.

I took a quick look at an SLC city map and thought that staying at the airport for a next day noon departure may not be the best way to complete the trip.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Myer - the Little America Coffee Shop is great and opens at 6:00 a.m. No need for airport food.

Just FYI, Temple Square is open 9 - 9. http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/loc...-1-1-1,00.html

Barbara,

Thanks. The coffee shop sounds great.

I guess it's possible to take a quick look at the state capitol grounds then back over to Temple Sq.

It appears efficiency will be the operative word.

You'd probably be better off driving up to the Capitol if you are interested in seeing it. It would be a long walk up hill from the City Center Trax stop. You might enjoy an early morning walk through Memory Grove http://www.utahcityguide.com/utbound...ID=60360421154

Ahhh. The limitations of a map.

Didn't know it's uphill to the capitol.

Is parking around Temple Sq an issue around 9AM?

If so I may just leave the car at the hotel, take the trax and if I decide to take a quick look at the Capitol grounds a taxi would do. Or not at all.

Thanks.

I would stay at the Shilo where they have quick self-park & a coffee shop. You can walk to Temple Square, spend an hour, then pick up your car & drive yourself to the airport. It is a nice hotel & reasonably priced.