DETAILS: Salt Lake City

GETTING THERE: Delta and Southwest fly nonstop from Washington to Salt Lake City, with fares running close to $400 round trip. Connecting flights cost about $100 less.

STAYING THERE: The Homewood Suites at Hilton (423 W. 300 South, 801-363- 6700, http://www.homewoodsuitessaltlakecity.com) is an all-suites hotel with plush rooms, a big free breakfast and a good location near the Gateway, a vibrant retail district. Rates from $109. The most elegant property in town is the Grand America Hotel (555 S. Main St., 800-621-4505, http://www.grandamerica.com), which has a spa, daily afternoon tea and indoor/outdoor pools. Rates from $309. The Red Lion Hotel (161 W. 600 South, 801-521-7373, http://www.redlion.rdln.com; from $100) is topped by the Sky Bar and is near Brewvies Cinema Pub (beer and flicks), the jazz club Zanzibar and Jersey's Sports Grill.

EATING THERE: Spend Sunday brunching at the Little America Hotel (500 S. Main St., 801-596-5792; $27), a decades-old tradition. At Temple Square's Joseph Smith Memorial Building, find potpies and sandwiches at Nauvoo Cafe (15 E. South Temple; under $9); three cheese ravioli ($13) and salmon teriyaki ($17) at the Garden (10th floor); and a dinner buffet ($35) at the Roof (10th floor). Info for all three restaurants: 801-539-1911. At Squatters (147 W. Broadway, 801-363-2739), pair home-crafted beers with such bar eats as pizza ($10-$12) and burgers (from $8).

INFO: Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, 801-534-4900, http://www.visitsaltlake.com. -- A.S.