cwerdna

I've got ~$280 in Southwest Airlines credit where travel must be completed by January 6, 2011. It was for giving up my seat on an overbooked flight to Vegas (for CES). I was originally going to use it to visit E3 (computer and console game convention) in LA in June, but I'm having second thoughts since I don't really game anymore.

Can anyone suggest places that Southwest Airlines flies to (go to http://www.southwest.com/ for the list) that are worth visiting? They should have a decent set of tourist attractions and and not have horribly expensive lodging. It'd be for just be for a single traveler, myself.

If it makes a difference, I'm an Asian guy and I don't like country music. I'm not a fan of art museums but did really like many of the Smithsonian museums in DC, esp. the Air and Space Museum. I like cars, gadgets, technology and don't like zoos. I'm not at all into sports, so anything to do with sports or sporting venues is of no interest to me.

The trip doesn't have to have anything to do w/aviation or technology though.

I'm in the Seattle area now and grew up in California, so no need to go there. Here are other places in the US I've either been to recently or have no need to go to again:
Chicago, Colonial Williamsburg, Detroit, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Orlando & Kennedy Space Center in FL, Portland, OR, Reno, NV, Salt Lake City, Washington DC, Yellowstone

I've been to NYC long ago and might want to visit again. I'm thinking of visiting Boston to see Harvard, MIT and some historic sites there. How about Philly?

Any suggestions? Why should I go there?

openflync

If you want to visit an exotic sounding place with a vowel at the end then perhaps OMAHA may be you desired destination!

Niomi

New Mexico! Beautiful landscape & the best Mexican food I've had anywhere ^ If you time it for one of the Native American festivals you can get a great cultural experience out of it too. It's a like a different world down there. My pueblo friend didn't learn English till 3rd grade

InkUnderNails

Deleted after re-reading OP.

BLI-Flyer

I'll second Las Vegas. Lots to do, great shows, you can get to the desert and/or mountains if you rent a car, and hotel prices are the best they've been in a long time.

vicarious_MR'er

i say san diego

Daawgon

New Orleans - while this is a pretty hot n'humid time of year, and the oil is flowing, so is the fantastic food and jazz!

Enjoy now, or maybe for Mardis Gras '11

cwerdna

I go to Vegas every year for CES and have also been there a few times not for CES.

cwerdna

Thanks. No need go to there. I grew up in California and have been there a few times already.

obscure2k

Please continue to follow this thread in the Southwest Airlines Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

DrumNum

haha...read the spirit magazine too on my last flight.

cwerdna

Ok. Sorry about that. I didn't think to post here since I've never even had enough SWA rewards to get a free flight. I've just got a voucher from giving up my seat and looking for recommendations on places to visit.

Red Raider LV

I'll second New Mexico. Nice scenery, not too expensive. Pleasant even in the summer.

And for a Tech guy like yourself, you may find some stuff of interest at Los Alamos.

toomanybooks

I know you said no Chicago, but you might want to come in mid-October for the Flyertalk educational seminar series (link in my signature).

334 Flyertalk-member registrants so far. Learn from the Legends.

tusphotog

I suggest Amarillo.

Seriously though, if I were the OP, I might look at Albuquerque/Santa Fe, Boston or Denver. All three are neat cities.