36 Hour "DayTrip" from Vegas

As always, I've booked early and will be back at Gold Coast in October this year (Gold Coast is now our new home base after the closure of both Sahara and Riviera). Last year we had a little outing from Vegas and flew to San Francisco one morning, had the day there, stayed over night, had another day sight seeing then flew back to Vegas in the evening. I have the same plan this year, though want to visit somewhere other than San Francisco.

Ideally I want somewhere about 2 hours or so flight time, fun, interesting, plenty to do in 36 hours, "cool" and cheapish. On my list are Seattle, Portland and Phoenix with Santa Fe also on there for no real reason (I know nothing of Santa Fe).

Wondered if anyone has any thoughts? Are any of those locations cheap to fly to in October? Which airlines serve them? Am I barking up the wrong tree completely?

Should I be heading to LA, San Diego? Somewhere else? I don't drive when I am on holiday so need somewhere easy to get around (Uber/Bus/Metro etc), somewhere with a downtown that I can walk about and see the sights.

Over to you Vegas Gang, I'm all ears. Any and all suggestions gratefully received!

Thanks all

TNU

 

Fun fun!! I guess a big part of this turns on what type of experiences you seek. I'm a huge fan of everywhere on your list, write about most of them frequently.

Santa Fe -- Fly in to Albuquerque (I assume there is direct) but SF is a long haul north though I am sure there is shuttle service. Once there you can easily kick around the Plaza and environs, walk up Canyon Road. It's such a magical little burg. It's helps to be in to native sw-ern art and cuisine.

Phoenix -- Just back from two trips over there recently. "Downtown" Phoenix has really bootstrapped over the years, but like so many western megatowns, often the best stuff is spread all around. (Not having a car in the west can be a real limitation, but you're only dealing with one night.) Fly to Sky Harbor, hop a ride or shuttle to old Scottsdale, hang out there.

Portland/Seattle -- I'm grouping these awesome PNW lead cities. Like PHX gobs of flight options and light-rail service from both airports to downtown. Choose your poison, really, as I love both. Seattle has become a leading food town, Portland is beer central (and a bit more compact). Culture, music, shopping ... it's all there. And October can be an awesome month in the PNW and particularly if you are in early.

LA -- Skip it. And I'm a native SoCal-er. "LA" is huge, with tons of great urban nodes but they are spread all over god's green acre. And LAX verily sucks and I'm not sure any of the other Vegas-servicing airports give you an advantage. LA just isn't an overnight thing, not with what these other places have to offer. If you are keen on So Cal, check out flights in to John Wayne (or even Long Beach) and just get down by the water in Newport or Huntington.

SD -- The nice thing -- among many -- about SD is that the airport is right by where you want to be, which is downtown ... or maybe out in Coronado. Do you want water/beach? If so, this is it.

Me? For out and out different, Santa Fe. It's also your tightest travel option. So after that: Portland, Seattle, San Diego, Scottsdale, LA.

 

San Diego. Weather is usually great in October. I mean, it's great year round, but in October it's more likely to be cloudless.

 

What about the Grand Canyon? I know it's not a city, but it's something you have to see once in your lifetime. If you've already been there never mind.

 

Denver might be an option. Easy train ride from the airport to the downtown area which has lot of pubs & restaurants (16th street mall) and nearby touristy things.

 

And Sedona. Awesome area.

 

Sedona is so cool. But not exactly in the wheelhouse for someone using public or hired transport.

 

Yes that's true, you have to have your own wheels.

 

I would also opt for Santa Fe. I have been there once and really loved it.

 

Thanks guys. I think I've settled on Seattle, then if I can't make that work Santa Fe. I'm thinking Pike Place, Space Needle, Filson Store, Pop Culture museum and spending some time on the waterfront should keep me busy. Thanks again