Travel help (Seattle-Vegas-Vancouver)

Well, my thread on my trip to Toronto and Buffalo last month was a great help, so I'm doing it again. I'll be heading to Seattle for a week three weeks from today. I've been to Seattle once before and did some of the stuff (EMP, M's game, etc) but I'll be looking for some more stuff to do. During that time, I'll likely be going to Vancouver for a night. I wish I could spend more time there but I have a feeling it's expensive. Any good suggestions for things to do there in one night?

Also, I'lll have a four-hour layover in Vegas. Is that enough time to head to a casino? Or would it not be worth it. I've never been to Vegas.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

You need at least a six-hour layover in Vegas to go to a casino. Otherwise, getting a cab there and back takes up way too much of your four hours.

For Seattle things, dig up one of Moddy's threads about the outing we had there.

 

Four hours is not enough time to leave McCarron and hit a casino. It's not that they are far from the airport, it's that the security lines can be long depending on when your departure flight is leaving. Slowest and longest security lines I've ever been in were there.

If you're flush with cash, you might have a cab take you down the Strip and back to the airport. But that'd be about it.

And do not play the slots in the airport. Horrible payouts there.

 

Vegas: McCarran is a zoo. Four hours isn't worth it to leave the airport, and then try to get back through security to make your flight. Bring a book, grab some lunch and a beer, avoid the tight slots at the airport.

Seattle: The Elliott Bay bookstore is an absolute must. It's in Pioneer Square (also where the Ebbets Field Flannels outlet is, if you're interested in that.) Those were the two big shopping highlights of my trip. ... Pike Place is cool. Touristy, but ya gotta see it anyway. ... 5th Avenue downtown was a pretty interesting walk, although I didn't actually stop in any of those places.

 

I'm from Vancouver but not a night life person. If I had one night there I'd make sure to walk the Sea Wall in Stanley Park and hit one of the fabulous restaurants, especially if you like seafood.

 

If you like sushi, go to Shiro's in Seattle. It's the best sushi in the country. Seriously.

 

If you intend to drive to Vancouver, be prepared for the border crossing. Save yourself the hassle of parking and use the Skytrain to get around. If you can, catch a B.C. Lions game. B.C. Place is like a sauna during the summer, but it's still a great time.

 

If you're driving across the border, use the truck customs (both north and southbound). It's Highway 543 in Washington, the exit from I-5 is about a mile south of the Peace Arch crossing (which is a complete mess due to construction).

It might also be a good idea to try the crossing at Lynden or Sumas, if you're going at a particularly heavy-travel time.

EDIT: Link to border-crossing wait times: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/border/

 

If you use the Lynden crossing, be sure to pick up some clogs.

 

Yaletown is the new trendy area in Van. Terrific eating there.

A walk up and down Robson is cool enough if you want to do some shopping or people watching.

 

Also: Bring a passport or birth certificate.

 

Passport. As of June, must be a passport.