5 exciting PNW casinos perfect for a summer weekend getaway

The first time I stepped foot in a casino, I was a high school freshman traveling with my grandparents. We'd stopped at the Golden Nugget in Sparks, Nevada for a meal, of all things, so I only caught a slight glimpse of the casino floor. Not a dazzling impression - but on that same trip, I had plenty more casino visits as we made our way to a family reunion. Turns out, casinos - especially casino arcades - can prove great babysitters for bored teenagers.

I bring up that story because it's a reminder that casinos have more than just gambling available. Maybe it's because of Las Vegas, but for a long time now, casinos have been viewed as entertainment destinations for families and adults. Because of that, they're designed with more amenities than slot machines and craps tables in mind.

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Casinos are more than gambling: they're travel destinations

Comfortable hotels, delicious restaurants, and performance venues are just the start of what casinos can offer. In fact, casinos can go well beyond these comforts - eager to pull in visitors from all walks of life. The Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore hosts a waterpark, aquarium, and Universal Studios. The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas has a shopping mall and gondola rides.

But sometimes you don't want to travel that far to experience a delightful vacation with entertainment catered to all ages. Instead, take a look at these local casinos in the Pacific Northwest where a day's drive can get you to your destination.

Remember: always gamble responsibly, if you choose to gamble

Washington State has set up a self-exclusionary program that allows you to opt-out of gambling - essentially a blacklist you can join which will prevent you from being able to gamble within the state's participating casinos.

If you're still looking for a fun place to travel this year with the family, check out the destinations below.