travel guide

know before you go: SEA-TAC (SEA)

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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is one of my favorite airports of all time.  There’s a SubPop records store and a Beecher’s cheese shop. Those are two very random things that can make me happy, in one airport! That being said, just because it’s a personal favorite, doesn’t mean it rates highly in terms of convenience.  Not everyone is looking for that old Death Cab for Cutie vinyl to take with them.

It is located about 15 miles from Downtown Seattle, so prepare for any traffic accordingly.  Because it is a gateway for air and cruise ship travel to Alaska and Canada, on any given day there could be hordes of tourists everywhere.  There are 80 gates, a central terminal with two satellite terminals (regional and international arrivals).  Concourse A has Air Canada, JetBlue, Delta, and United. B has Southwest, Virgin and more Delta. C is Alaska (it’s hub is here, and includes a new lounge) and D are Alaska and American.  The South Satellite is for international carriers.  There can be a lot of walking between terminals and their tram isn’t the most convenient.

Now the fun stuff, if you’re landing in the daytime, you’ll descend over a hazy gray landscape dotted with the islands of the Puget Sound or you’ll see Mt. Ranier.  It’s really pretty.  There’s a couple of seafood restaurants in this airport, which might seem like a bad idea during travel, but they’re not terrible.  Of course, you’re in Seattle, so there’s Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and a random California shoutout to Coffee Bean.  In fact, if you’re entering security in the central terminal, you will be greeted by Starbucks.

Something that could be annoying: there’s 12th man stuff everywhere, literally I think every being who lives in Seattle is required to own a jersey or some sort of Seahawks gear and they must wear it to the airport.

Remember: ✈️ = black hole sun ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️ = nirvana

Ease of navigating through terminals: ✈️✈️ (there’s an underground tram that connects the concourses, but it’s somewhat inconvenient to get to.  It’s a very long walk between concourses, I’ve done it many times in the name of mac and cheese)

Convenience of security lines: ✈️✈️✈️ (can be a wait, especially if only one security area is open [they do a weird rolling system of opening security lines depending on the traffic].  However, there can be one separate line just for TSA Precheck which is ✈️✈️✈️✈️).

Dining: ✈️✈️✈️ (Ivar’s, Anthony’s, Beecher’s–concourse C such creamy mac and cheese goodness, there’s also locations in Pike’s Place and NYC), along with the usual fast food, coffee options)

Bathrooms:✈️✈️✈️  (clean)

Charging stations/wifi: ✈️✈️✈️✈️ (free wifi, charging stations under the seat everywhere)

Amenities: ✈️✈️✈️ (shopping is random, but interesting i.e. SubPop store, Alaska lounge, live music.  The amenities celebrate the city itself which I appreciate.)

Rental car facility: ✈️✈️✈️ (super easy to use, the buses come pretty frequently)

 

36 hours in Detroit

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IMG_5874.jpgMotown.  Motor City.  Hitsville USA.  Hockeytown.  The D.  Detroit Rock City.

If a city has that many nicknames, than there must be personality traits to match. Detroit sometimes gets a bad rep, but it’s a historically rich city with a lot of culture and pride.  It is a true, All-American City, in its industrial roots, perseverance, endurance and melting pot status.  I was only able to spend a weekend here, and honestly it wasn’t enough time to see everything I wanted to see (namely the Red Wings, Henry Ford Museum, Shatila bakery, Motown Museum, Meg White, and Ann Arbor).  More of a reason to go back one day…

detroit, you really got a hold on me*

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know before you go: Las Vegas (LAS)

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McCarran International Airport (LAS) serving Las Vegas, Nevada is one of my favorite airports to fly through.  There’s a lot to do here on a layover like gamble!  I’m not sure I’ve ever flown internationally from here, but I would say I average 6-8 domestic connections per year.  It’s a huge hub to and from the west coast with 110 gates.

First of all, it’s fairly close to the strip (less than 5 miles), and it’s cool to see Las Vegas boulevard from an aerial view as you start your descent.  This part always makes me very excited.  However, because Las Vegas is hella hot, both takeoffs and landings can be very turbulent.  This part makes me hesitant.  That’s Las Vegas in a nutshell.

The worst thing about flying into Vegas is that inevitably, one of your flight attendants will call it “Lost Wages.”  This is the worst joke, it needs to be retired.  Please.

The confusing thing is that it is split into Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.   There is no Terminal 2.  Not sure if David Copperfield made it disappear or what, but it’s not there.  Terminal 1 (concourses A-D) has a lot of domestic, but not all.  Terminal 3 (also D along with E) has international and some domestic.

I love people watching here.  There’s no other airport where the arrivals and departures are so bipolar.  When people get here, they’re ready to party, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed.  And then when they leave…well they look more like Conor McGregor after 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather.

The security lines are always a bit hairy, and you’ll watch the TSA video featuring celebrity impersonators/Vegas entertainers like a hundred times, but once you’re in, there’s chimes and flashing lights and all sorts of commotion from the slot machines!

They have good fast food options, it’s easy to get from one concourse to the other (although from the Southwest C gates takes half your life).   You have to take a tram from the gates to baggage, but it’s quick.  The baggage claim area is huge.  Their rideshare waiting area can be tricky to get to (have to cross the street into a parking structure whose elevator levels have the weirdest designations)–random mezzanine level, huh?). But overall, if you had to have a layover here, it wouldn’t be a complete loss (unless you do get tempted by the shiny machines with the flashing lights).

Remember: ✈️ = lost wages to ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️ = viva, las vegas!

Ease of navigating through terminals: ✈️✈️✈️ (good signs, it’s a long walk)

Convenience of security lines: ✈️✈️ (get there early)

Dining: ✈️✈️✈️ (mostly fast food, great hours, and there’s Coffee Bean and Starbucks)

Bathrooms:✈️✈️ (always crowded, need more)

Charging stations/wifi: ✈️✈️ (free wifi available, not enough charging stations in the gate areas, but have designated areas that are always packed)

Amenities: ✈️✈️✈️✈️ (Gaming facilities.  People watching can occupy you for hours.  Only a few lounges (AmEx and United), some Xpress Spas, weird B list mall stores, no luxury purveyors because I think they want you to spend the money in their casinos instead)

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24 hours in Minneapolis

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In honor of the Minnesota State Fair, here’s a quick guide for the 1/2 of the Twin Cities. Recently on my way back from the east coast, I decided to take an extended layover to visit one of my friends in Minneapolis.  I’d never seen this city in the summer, only when the snow drifts were higher than my head, and I’d always heard about how beautiful the city of a thousand lakes was when the weather was more amenable.

After landing at MSP, I could see why people might say that.  The skies are terrifically blue with lush greenery everywhere and the people are all outside on their bikes, running in the streets.  Minneapolis is known as a cultural blender of a city, and it’s great to see city dwellers of all types enjoying their city.  Love is all around, no need to waste it…

you’re gonna make it after all…

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3 days in Nashville

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Of the places I’ve lived, I’d say Nashville was the most fun (and I grew up minutes from Disneyland).  I LOVED living in Music City and go back whenever I can.  It seems everyone else in the US has this idea, as tourism and people moving to Nashville is at an all time high.  So much so that they are undertaken a huge project to increase the size of BNA to accommodate more flights (including a new nonstop from London–watch out, Nashville, Harry Styles is coming for you).

It’s no wonder why…this is a world class destination.  There’s no way you can fit it in 3 days, but I sure as hell try when I visit.  I usually return for a concert, Bonnaroo/CMA fest, sporting event, special occasion–whatever the reason for your trip, just know that you will leave Nashville less rested, a few pounds heavier, but your soul will be more fulfilled than when you arrived.

Pack your antacids and settle in kids, this is gonna be a long one, but it should have you..

Chillin like a Nashvillain…

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Eclipse travel edition: 36 hours in Boise

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IMG_2127.jpgOh boy, oh Boise.  Since many people (read: members of my family who are reading this) will be flocking to Boise this week for the total eclipse of the heart of the sun, I thought a Boise guide would be apropos.

When you think of Boise, you may think of potatoes or Boise State University, but this capital city is really trendy, with new restaurants and revitalization of its downtown core.  They don’t call it the Portland Jr. for nothing (although I think it stands on its own quite nicely).  The proximity to world class skiing doesn’t hurt either.   I was pleasantly surprised visiting Boise, it’s serene and wide open.  I’m a person who appreciates space, and “sleeper” destinations that aren’t yet overrun by tourists.

Turn around, bright eyes…or you may miss all there is to see!

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