Blaine, WA

Blaine sits right on the Canadian border at the north end of I-5, making it Washington's primary gateway to British Columbia. The Peace Arch Border Crossing here handles heavy traffic between Seattle (2.5 hours south) and Vancouver (30 minutes north). Most visitors arrive via I-5 or the scenic coastal Route 548 from Ferndale. The town revolves around border services with duty-free shops and restaurants. The iconic Peace Arch monument straddles the actual border with "Children of a Common Mother" carved into its stone face.