I think NRST is the cleanest way (of existing ways) too.
In a related matter: I would like to see NRST (or Search Nearby) allow *multiple* choices for filtering. Right now, it's *either* Airports, Filtered Airports, Navaids, Fixes/Intersections, Custom Waypoints, or All Types. I would like to see these be checkboxes (allowing multiple things to be selected) instead of the current radio buttons (which allow only one thing to be selected). And since the list box is small "All Types" is just too much.
This is especially important if you add ATC Frequencies as one of the list of filters in NRST or Search Nearby. But even if you don't, I'd like to see the radio buttons become checkboxes. As an added benefit (?) you can then take "All Types" out of the list.