TRUE ROAD WARRIORS KNOW THAT A LONG
LAYOVER AT TH AIRPORT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A ONE-WAY TO
BOREDOM
BOSTON LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Re-create history: Have your own tea party on
Boston Harbor. Just
take the Massport courtesy bus (Route No. 66) from the airport to
Logan Dock, where you can catch either a scheduled catamaran to
Long Wharf downtown and Quincy and Hull on the South Shore or pick
up a water taxi to more than 10 different jumping-off spots.
Depending on your destination and schedule, you may have time to
explore on shore, too. Just remember to BYOT (Gourmet Bean in
Logan's Terminal B is a convenient source). About $10 one way, plus
tea. For more info, see
www.massport.com/logan/getti_typeo_water.html
Distance from airport: half a mile. Best transportation option:
courtesy bus.
CHICAGO O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
There's so much of Chicago at O'Hare now, there's no need to take a
train ride to get your taste of downtown. The Terminal 1 outpost of
the Billy Goat Tavern and Grill delivers the infamous Coke (no
Pepsi), cheezborgers, and cheeps; in Terminals 3 and 5, Gold Coast
serves up Chicago-style hot dogs; O'Brien's Restaurant and Bar in
Terminal 3 replicates its Old Town location's deli-and-burger menu.
Afterward, mosey on over to the Field Museum Store (773-462-9465)
in Terminal 1 or the Chicago Historical Society gift shop
(773-601-9272) in Terminal 3 for souvenirs. The kids'll never know
you didn't set foot in the city. A pedestrian tunnel links the
terminals. Passengers can also use the ATS airport train.
DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Follow in pioneers' footsteps on the Elm Fork section of Campión
Trails, just a crow's flight (or cab ride)from the airport. There's
a trailhead on O'Connor Road in the Las Colinas Urban Center; from
there, the paved path wanders 3.3 miles along the Trinity River,
past crossings once used by wagon trains heading West. Amateur
botanists will like the signs identifying plants and trees; horse
lovers can get a glimpse of their favorite mammals on the adjacent
polo fields. And you'll be exercising instead of grazing on the
airport concessions. For more info, see
www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/trails/campion.html
Distance from airport: seven miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Call the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge a paradox:
It's a Superfund cleanup site and a haven for - among more than 300
species - the American bald eagle. It's also right down the highway
from the airport. (303) 289-0232
www.rma.army.mil/refuge/refgfrm.html
Distance from airport: four miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
FRANKFURT AIRPORT
Like to practice your swing in the dead of a Northern European
winter? Then take a quick hop over to Deutscher Indoor Golf
Verband, or DIGV for short. Use the robotic tutor to improve your
top swing, and then show your stuff on a virtual course (Pebble
Beach, anyone?). Practice chipping and putting on the greens. Take
a lesson from one of the on-site pros. Then unwind at the lounge or
browse the pro shop. Just like real
golf, only warmer.
011-49-6543-50-57-0,
www.digv.org
Distance from airport: half a mile. Best transportation option:
taxi.
HOUSTON GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT
Head north, away from downtown traffic, to Old Town Spring. It's a
turn-of-the-century railroad town revitalized by enterprising
merchants, now offering antiques, gifts, clothing, and accessories.
If browsing isn't your thing, you'll find almost as many eateries
as stores (befitting the touristy ambience, one joint sells funnel
cakes). Most of the shops are open 10 a.m. to five p.m. Monday
through Saturday, and noon to five p.m. on Sunday. Caution: Not for
those allergic to cute. (281) 353-9310,
www.oldtownspring.com
Distance from airport: 15 miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
Metrolink, the city's light-rail system, whisks passengers from the
airport terminal right into downtown in 20 minutes, leaving plenty
of time for a quick trip to Laclede's Landing, an entertainment
district with cobblestone streets, museums, and shops on the
riverfront (the Museum of Westward Expansion is a must for history
buffs). The fare is $3.25; what you spend after that is up to
you.
Distance from airport: 14 miles. Best transportation option:
train.
LAMBERT - ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Just a 15-minute cab ride away is Southall, known as Little India -
though it would be better called Little Punjab for its Northern
Indian flavor. For a great meal, try Roxy's (114-8 The Green,
011-44-208-574-2597) or Gifto's Lahore Karahi (162-164 The
Broadway, 011-44-208-813-8669). Save room for dessert at one of the
nearby sweet shops, and save some cash for the Bollywood music and
DVDs at A.B.C. Music (7 The Broadway, 011-44-208-574-1319).
Distance from airport: six miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT
Take a 20-minute cab ride to
Venice Beach and watch the beautiful
people grunt and lift weights. Or, take a free shuttle to the
Hilton Los Angeles Airport and lift weights yourself at the 24-hour
fitness center. Pool and four whirlpools, too. $10. (310)
410-4000.
Distances from airport: 12 miles and one mile, respectively. Best
transportation option: taxi and courtesy shuttle bus.
MEXICO CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Just 15 minutes away by taxi is the Alameda, a park and gathering
place that happens to have several of the city's best museums at
its borders. Start at the Palacio de Bellas Artes (at the
intersection of Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas and Avenida Juarez,
011-52-5512-25-93), where you'll find murals by the famed Mexican
triumvirate, José Orozco,
Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Cross the park lengthwise, past the Benito Juárez Memorial, to the
Alameda Museum, graced by a huge Diego Rivera original, "Dream of a
Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda." Then compare the dream to
reality.
Distance from airport: six miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
You can get off the plane and onto the greens in no time at
International Links Miami. The 135-acre course next to the airport
has rolling fairways lined with trees, large greens, and a killer
No. 14 known as Heartbreak Ridge (its green is an island). Greens
fees range from $85 to $125; the driving range is $6. 1802 NW 37th
Ave., (305) 633-4583.
Distance from airport: one mile. Best transportation option:
taxi.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
With a layover here, there's no excuse to arrive at your meeting
without a manicure. Or pedicure,
massage, haircut, facial, leg wax,
and oxygen treatment. The D-parture spa, with two locations at the
airport, lets you zip in for a 10- or 20-minute single treatment,
or combine several for a relaxation package. Starting at $10. (973)
242-3444,
www.departurespa.com
On airport property. AirTrain runs between the terminals.
NEW YORK LAGUARDIA AIRPORT
Channel your inner movie star at the Museum of the Moving Image in
Astoria, Queens, just 15 minutes from LaGuardia by taxi. Besides
the photos, movie stills, equipment, props, and a theater that
screens serials daily, the museum has interactive exhibits where
you can create your own animation, revisit years' worth of
political campaign commercials, and more. $10. (718) 784-0077,
www.movingimage.us
Distance from airport: four miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT
Stroll along the Canal St. Martin, tagged by trend seekers as the
next It neighborhood in Paris. Built in 1825 as a shortcut between
loops of the River Seine, the canal still has its metal footbridges
and nine locks, and the footpaths flanking it still exhibit a slice
of local life. Shops and restaurants line the banks. Have the
cabbie drop you canalside at Rue Beaurepaire and walk toward Rue
des Récollets.
Distance from airport: 15 miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
RALEIGH - DURHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Stop at the only airport in the country next to a state park, and
what's the natural thing to do? Hit the trails for a 20-minute walk
or a longer hike, of course. Then rent a rowboat or canoe (daily in
the summer, weekends in spring and fall). You'll feel miles away
from your next flight. William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood
Ave., (919) 571-4170.
Distance from airport: four miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Your inner child loves toys, so head to the nearby Burlingame
Classic Toy Museum, where you'll see classics from your childhood,
including Tinkertoys, Erector sets, Lincoln Logs, and others. Plus,
there's a collection of Pez memorabilia, including the entire
Peanuts gang. Can't live without something? Two words: gift shop.
They'll ship that Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head for you. 214
California Dr., (650) 347-2301.
Distance from airport: five miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
NORMAN Y. MINETA SAN JOSÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Amateur Egyptologists, take note: The best collection of artifacts
in the western United States is within reach. Modeled after the
Temple of Amon at Karnak, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum &
Planetarium has a full-scale replica of a noble's tomb, human and
animal mummies, tools and objets d'art, and a garden filled with
statues of the gods. $9. 1342 Naglee Ave., (408) 947-3636,
www.egyptianmuseum.org
Distance from airport: three miles. Best transportation option:
taxi.
SEATTLE - TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Who doesn't have a little time for fun and games now and then? Hit
the lanes at Acme
Bowling Billiards & Events, a capacious new
bowling center five minutes from Sea-Tac. Forty lanes, billiards,
an arcade, plasma TVs, and a restaurant. Plus
Wi-Fi. 'Nuff said.
100 Andover Park West, Tukwila; (206) 340-2263. Or check out Sykart
Indoor Racing Center. Go-karts on a track - can you say corporate
team building? 17450 W. Valley Hwy., Tukwila; (425) 251-5060.
Distance from airport: Both locations are five miles away. Best
transportation option: taxi.
TOKYO NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
You can't do Tokyo, but you can do a real Japanese temple in
Narita-shi, the small town one train stop from the airport. Take
the Keisei line and walk from the station to the town square just a
few blocks away. Walk past the McDonald's and follow the street
downhill for about a kilometer to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and
Park. The grounds include centuries-old buildings, a prayer wheel
and bell tower, and a park. (Our thanks go out to Michael G.
Newman's excellent guide at
www.mgnewman.com/narita/.)
Distance from airport: six miles. Best transportation option: train
or walking.
WASHINGTION DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTYou barely have to leave the airport terminal to get your
Smithsonian fix. The National Air and
Space Museum now has a Dulles outpost, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. A cavernous hangar is filled with three floors of aircraft and space artifacts, including the famed World War II B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay. Flight simulators let you take off on your own. If you want to watch, there’s an IMAX theater and a tower to observe Dulles operations. Free. 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., (202) 633-1000, nasm.si.edu
Distance from airport: six miles. Best transportation option: taxi.
RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORTBrowse the bookshelves for something to read on your connecting flight at Olsson’s bookstore in Old Town
Alexandria. One of several Olsson’s locations in the D.C. area, this shop specializes in Civil War and military history but also carries a wide selection of literary fiction, biographies, nature books, and music. Plus, there’s a coffee shop where you can get your caffeine injection. 106 S. Union St., Alexandria; (703) 684-0077;
www.olssons.com/alex.htmDistance from airport: five miles. Best transportation option: taxi.
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