Looking for a quick trip for a long weekend.

[Lisa0825]

Ok, I have two airline vouchers to use wihtin the next 6 months. I don't have that much time off, but I get every other Friday off, so I was thinking about going someplace new just to see something I haven't seen. I live in the Houston area, BTW, and might travel alone or possibly with a friend. My airline vouchers are for American and Continental, and are good until December and January.

I was thinking about going to the Grand Canyon or other National Park. I have never been to a national park outside of Texas. I know there is a limit to what I can see on a weekend, but I figure I'd rather get a taste of it and use the airfare, than let it go to waste.

Does anyone have any input on a quick trip to make, or specifically any advice on getting to the Grand Canyon?

[babylonsister]

1. Have you ever been to Albuquerque, or Taos?

I haven't, and have always wanted to go to suck up the atmosphere. Just a thought!

I haven't been to the Grand Canyon either, though hear it's overcrowded in the summer.
Finding a place to stay might be a challenge depending on when you take the trip.

Good luck with your travel plans either way.

[spindrifter]

2. For a weekend you might consider

either Albuquerque, as suggested above, or Seattle. This is why: you can drive from Albuquerque up to Santa Fe and Taos. There is plenty to do and see in each of the three areas. In Seattle, the weather will probably be a huge change from what you are used to in Houston. You can go to Mt. Rainier if you take a 3-day holiday. I wouldn't suggest it if you are here just Sat. and Sun. You could also take a quick drive around the Olympic Peninsula to see the Rainforest. If you do 3 days, you could sight-see in Seattle the days you arrive and depart and take the boat to Victoria on the middle day.

[Lisa0825]

5. Thanks for the input!

I will be checking airfares and other details next month and see what materializes:-)

[babylonsister]

3. Lisa, check out these pics!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5301442

[Lisa0825]

4. WOW! Thanks!

Those were great! I was confused for a moment. I thought those were yours, and I was thinking, "That doesn't look like I remember her!" LOL

[hvn_nbr_2]

6. Couple more ideas

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Any of several national parks in Utah. Zion for scenic beauty. Arches for interesting natural phenomena. Bryce Canyon for downright strange natural phenomena. Canyonlands (and Dead Horse State Park) for scenery similar to Grand Canyon, but without the crowds; but it's probably too big to appreciate in a long weekend. And you'll have to drive a couple hours from Salt Lake City to any of them.

Saquaro National Monument outside Tucson. Not a national park (well, maybe it is now. I just saw a map that calls it a national park) but cool natural scenery and phenomena. An advantage is that its two sections are both right outside Tucson so no long drive from the nearest airport and also no worries about finding a place to stay because of crowds (unless the whole city of Tucson is booked). There's also the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum which is very cool and very close to both Tucson and national park/monument. Summer probably isn't the time to go, but on the other hand, it may not be any more humid and not much hotter than Houston. (It's the desert but it's humid in summer, so they tell me. I've only been there in other seasons.)

I don't have any idea if your airlines go to any of these places.

If your airlines fly to interior cities of California (Fresno, Modesto), then Kings Canyon, Sequoia, or Yosemite might be possibilities. They're all too far from major city airports to do on a weekend, and there will be crowds. (I would write off Yosemite without advance reservations. Not too sure about the others.)

[DrDan]

7. Montreal - then rent a car for a quick 2 hour drive to Quebec City

as refreshing as a trip to Europe

Thinking about this quick trip again myself. Did it last year - had a great time.