Cultural issues like hugging or pot-lucks aside, here are some very general issues that often may separate the two in some cases:
1. Most Baptists will insist on baptism (by immersion) following a profession of faith and will insist on it prior to joining the church. While most non-denominational churches practice believer's baptism by immersion, sometimes they will not require immersion as a condition of church membership. Some won't even require baptism. And some non-denominational churches won't even have formal membership at all. (By insistence I don't mean it's insisted on as a condition of salvation. Most Baptists will instead say something like "Believer's baptism is the first step of obedience" after salvation.)
2. A smaller number of Baptists than #1 will also require believer's baptism (by immersion) prior to partaking in the Lord's Supper as well. Most if not all non-denominational churches will practice what is often called open communion where all who confess belief in Christ alone (and who aren't living in open and unrepentant rebellion/sin) are invited to partake. This would be the practice of the majority of Baptist churches today as well.
3. Historically, Baptists have usually practiced congregational church government, with decisions often being made by congregational vote. (What requires a vote will tend to vary from church to church.) To a somewhat greater extent, I think non-denominational churches will have more of the decisions made by elders or via some other non-democratic process. In recent years, there's been a move toward Baptists having multiple elders besides the pastor (a pastor is also an elder.) But if Baptist is on the door, the most important decisions (whatever that means in that church) will likely be made by a congregational vote.
4. In both cases, the churches are usually autonomous, meaning that no outside (human) authority can tell them what to do. Baptists more often will be part of some kind of Baptist denomination, convention or association. In these cases, they are still considered to be autonomous, but the affiliation is seen as a way to more effectively cooperate with like-minded churches to fulfill the Great Commission by planting new churches and sending out missionaries. In denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention, the Conservative Baptist Association and others, this includes supporting seminaries for the purpose of training pastors and other ministry workers.
In the above cases, the reasons for the different practices stem from differing interpretations of the Scriptures on these issues. Unfortunately, in some cases many people in the churches, including some in leadership, will not always be able to explain these things clearly i.e. why they do things different than other churches do. And that goes for all kinds of churches, not just non-denom or Baptist.
Of course, the above are generalizations. Both Baptist churches and non-denominational churches are basically independent and so it resists generalization in some cases. There are all kinds of Baptist churches, from Southern Baptist, to independent fundamental Baptist to Landmark Missionary Baptist, etc. With regard to non-denominational, many are independent "Bible" churches that are strongly opposed to things like speaking in tongues. (Most Baptists would oppose it too.) Whereas many other non-denominational churches will be charismatic and will embrace tongues and more. In certain parts of the country, particularly the rural South, it is often assumed that a non-denominational church is likely charismatic.
Many non-denominational churches (especially if it's a Bible church) will have a statement of faith that teaches a pretribulational rapture and will require all pastors, elders and teachers to agree with this. While many Baptists also believe that doctrine, often it will not be a requirement in order to pastor or teach.
Again, these are all just generalizations. Some non-denominational churches will be more "Baptist" in some respect than some Baptist churches.
With regard to particular churches, many will have a website which lists their beliefs that can tell you a lot about it prior to even setting foot in it. Since you are in the Pacific Northwest it might be even harder to generalize than it would be in other areas, perhaps especially with regard to Baptists.
Hope that helps!
