Audience: dentists of all specialties, hygienists, practice owners, and clinical team leads planning short CE trips.
Executive Summary
Weekend live CE packs focused learning into a Friday through Sunday schedule with minimal clinic downtime. This guide highlights top U.S. cities for 2026 weekend courses, with airport and hotel tips, typical budgets, quick itineraries, and transit notes. Use it to shortlist destinations, then filter by city and date on your CE listings.
How to Pick a CE Weekend City
- Prioritize nonstop flights to reduce risk on Sunday departures.
- Choose a walkable venue area so you can skip long rideshares between sessions.
- Match city to format: hands-on labs near dental schools and simulation centers; lecture-heavy weekends near conference hotels.
- Plan team travel early to lock in room blocks and predictable costs.
Top Cities for 2026 Weekend CE
Las Vegas, NV
Airport: LAS. Venues: large conference hotels, sim labs. Stay: The Strip or convention-adjacent hotels. Transit: rideshare and monorail. Budget: value midweek rates, watch for event surges.
Orlando, FL
Airport: MCO. Venues: convention corridor and hotel ballrooms. Stay: International Drive or convention center area. Transit: rideshare, hotel shuttles. Budget: moderate, family friendly.
Chicago, IL
Airports: ORD, MDW. Venues: downtown hotels, university facilities. Stay: River North, Loop. Transit: CTA trains. Budget: higher downtown; strong dining options.
Dallas Fort Worth, TX
Airports: DFW, DAL. Venues: hotel conference centers, dental school spaces. Stay: Uptown, Downtown Dallas, Las Colinas. Transit: DART and rideshare. Budget: moderate.
Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ
Airport: PHX. Venues: resort hotels, conference centers. Stay: Old Town Scottsdale, Biltmore area. Transit: rideshare. Budget: moderate; ideal winter weather.
Atlanta, GA
Airport: ATL. Venues: downtown and midtown hotels, labs near academic centers. Stay: Midtown or Buckhead. Transit: MARTA rail from airport. Budget: moderate.
Boston, MA
Airport: BOS. Venues: medical and dental school facilities, downtown hotels. Stay: Back Bay, Seaport. Transit: MBTA. Budget: higher; very walkable in venue zones.
Los Angeles, CA
Airports: LAX, BUR, LGB. Venues: Westside hotels, dental school facilities. Stay: Westwood, Downtown, Pasadena. Transit: rideshare; Metro where convenient. Budget: higher; plan for traffic time.
Denver, CO
Airport: DEN. Venues: downtown hotels, university facilities. Stay: LoDo or Convention Center area. Transit: airport rail. Budget: moderate; outdoor add-ons.
Seattle, WA
Airport: SEA. Venues: downtown hotels, campus facilities. Stay: Downtown or University District. Transit: Link light rail. Budget: higher; walkable waterfront and dining.
Also consider: New York City, Nashville, San Diego, Washington DC.
Dates and Seasons: When to Go
- Seasonality matters. Winter favors Phoenix and Orlando. Spring and fall are ideal for Chicago, Boston, and Denver.
- Watch for big events that spike rates: marathons, conventions, and sports weekends.
- Book refundable hotel rates early, then track flight prices and re-check venue blocks before the cutoff.
- Plan comfortable walking between hotel and venue based on weather and early lab start times.
Where to Stay: Hotel Area Playbook
- Choose hotels within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the venue. The saved commute pays for itself in sleep and focus.
- Look for a 24 hour coffee option and quick breakfast near the venue for early labs.
- For teams, compare the course block vs independent deals. Sometimes two queen rooms beat suites on price.
- Check for quiet floors and safety measures if you expect late lab end times.
Getting Around: Airports and Transit
- Follow a nonstop first rule when you can, especially for Sunday afternoon flights.
- Use airport rail links where available to avoid Friday traffic into downtown.
- Confirm early morning transit options for Saturday starts. If unreliable, schedule a rideshare the night before.
- If driving, factor hotel parking fees and weekend street rules into the budget.
Sample 48 to 72 Hour Itineraries
Hands-on weekend in Chicago
Friday: arrive by 2 pm, check in, syllabus review and welcome. Saturday: 8 to 5 lab with faculty rotations, small group dinner within walking distance. Sunday: morning case planning session, depart mid afternoon. Notes: stay in River North or Loop; CTA from ORD or MDW is reliable.
Lecture plus team track in Orlando
Friday: afternoon arrivals and kickoff session. Saturday: lectures for doctors, team breakouts; short walk or shuttle to dinner. Sunday: half day session, depart midday. Notes: International Drive hotels often include shuttles and breakfast.
Hybrid workshop in Phoenix Scottsdale
Friday: pre course quiz and setup, sunset walk. Saturday: morning lecture, afternoon hands on. Sunday: breakfast debrief and mentorship sign ups. Notes: plan for sun and dry air; rideshare works well between Old Town and venue areas.
Budgeting Your CE Weekend
| Line Item | Value Tier | Moderate Tier | Premium Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 400 to 900 | 900 to 1,800 | 1,800 to 3,000 |
| Airfare | 150 to 350 | 350 to 650 | 650 to 1,000 |
| Hotel per night | 120 to 180 | 180 to 280 | 280 to 450+ |
| Meals and incidentals | 60 to 90 per day | 90 to 140 per day | 140 to 220 per day |
| Ground transport | 30 to 60 | 60 to 120 | 120 to 200 |
Cost savers: book early, share rides, use venue blocks, bring snacks and a refillable bottle. Keep itemized receipts in your CE folder for documentation.
Packing and Prep Checklist
- Syllabus, laptop or tablet, chargers, and badge ID.
- Clinical items if requested: loupes, closed toe shoes, scrubs or lab appropriate attire.
- Admin: consent templates, billing codes list, ROI worksheet for notes.
- Travel: refillable water bottle, light jacket, comfortable shoes.
Safety, Accessibility, and Wellness
- Review neighborhood safety around the venue and hotel, especially for late lab dismissals.
- Share dietary needs with organizers in advance; map quick healthy options nearby.
- Ask venues about accessibility entrances, elevators, and seating if needed.
- Schedule buffer time for rest and recovery before Monday clinic.
Find and Filter Courses Fast
- Filter by city, date, format, and topic. Add a hands on ratio filter where available.
- Save favorites and set alerts for target weekends in 2026.
- Before purchase, verify provider recognition and certificate details and review refund terms.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Booking a cheaper hotel far from the venue and losing time in transit.
- Forgetting about big events that double rates and clog traffic.
- Underestimating airport to venue transfer time on Friday rush hour.
- Not having a backup Sunday flight option in case of delays.
Mini City Comparisons
| City | Airport | Airport to Venue Area | Walkability | Cost Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | LAS | 10 to 20 min rideshare | High near convention hotels | Value to Premium | Big conferences, mixed formats |
| Orlando | MCO | 20 to 25 min rideshare | Medium in convention corridor | Moderate | Team travel, lecture plus team tracks |
| Chicago | ORD, MDW | Rail options to Loop | High downtown | Premium | Hands on labs near campuses |
| Dallas Fort Worth | DFW, DAL | 25 to 35 min rideshare or DART | Medium | Moderate | Balanced cost, strong venues |
| Phoenix Scottsdale | PHX | 15 to 25 min rideshare | Medium | Moderate | Winter workshops, hybrid weekends |
| Boston | BOS | Rail or 15 to 25 min rideshare | High in Back Bay, Seaport | Premium | Academic venues, walkable |
Conclusion and Next Steps
Pick cities with nonstop flight access, walkable venue areas, and predictable budgets. Book refundable rooms early, verify course recognition and certificate details, and pack smart for labs. Then enjoy a focused, productive weekend and head back to clinic ready to implement.
