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Six US Airports That Are So Good You'll Enjoy Your Layover
With impressive architecture, food and drink outlets that rival city-centre hotspots, and relaxation spaces fit for luxury hotels, these are the flight hubs worth lingering at.
Most airports are soul-destroying places, but there are some glorious exceptions to the rule—hubs where a flight delay is almost welcome. The United States boasts more than a few airports that defy the norm, offering pleasant environments to while away the time. From a Minnesota airport with a $150,000 Steinway piano for passengers to play, to a California hub featuring therapy animals like a tutu-wearing pig named LiLou, these terminals elevate the travel experience. In Oregon, an airport resembles a giant community park with trees, while Colorado's hub hides a bar behind a fake bookshop. Texas offers live music performances weekly, and Tennessee impresses with awe-inspiring architecture and some of the state's best chicken. These six US airports may just make you wish your flight is delayed.
Best US Airports
1. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport — Minnesota
The vibe: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport feels more like a high-end mall than a transit hub, despite handling over 33 million passengers annually. Terminal 1 features huge glass walls, soaring ceilings, and sound-dampening soft flooring, while Terminal 2 has a boutique atmosphere. Both are staffed by friendly "Minnesota Nice" employees and include public pianos, including a $150,000 Steinway for impromptu recitals.
Food and drink: Forget bland fast food. Delays here are an excuse to taste the Twin Cities, with options like Stone Arch for Minnesota craft beers and walleye sandwiches, LoLo American Kitchen for gourmet street tacos and craft cocktails, and Angel Food Bakery for fresh-baked bread. In Terminal 2, Minnesota Wild Bar offers a lively atmosphere amid hockey paraphernalia.
What to do and where to stay: Enjoy "Quiet Seating" zones for naps, pay $60 for the Escape Lounge with runway views, or book a "day stay" at the InterContinental MSP Airport, which has elegant guest rooms and a direct bridge to the terminal.
2. San Francisco International Airport — California
The vibe: Part airport, part cultural destination, San Francisco International features restorative architecture with curving ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass. The "Wag Brigade" therapy animals, including pig LiLou, roam terminals to soothe passengers for free.
Food and drink: Take a culinary tour of Northern California with Napa Farms Market selling artisanal produce, Amy's Drive Thru for organic burgers, and Bourbon Pub by Michael Mina for gourmet comfort food like wagyu burgers. Napa Valley Chardonnay is readily available.
What to do and where to stay: Use complimentary yoga rooms, enjoy spa-style showers at The Club SFO for $75, or explore the SFO Museum with aviation exhibits. For overnight delays, the Grand Hyatt offers plush bedrooms with runway views via AirTrain connection.
3. Portland International Airport — Oregon
The vibe: Back to nature in spectacular style, with a nine-acre curved timber roof made of locally sourced Douglas fir and walkways lined with trees and plants, creating an enormous park-like atmosphere.
Food and drink: Portland's "food cart" culture is integrated, with Grassa for hand-crafted pasta, Screen Door for fried chicken and waffles, and Loyal Legion with 96 beer taps. A "fair price" policy ensures terminal meals cost the same as city restaurants.
What to do and where to stay: Watch short films at the Hollywood Theatre micro-cinema or take the Max light rail to the Hyatt Regency Portland, featuring Mount Hood views and a 55-foot granite bar.
4. Denver International Airport — Colorado
The vibe: Rugged and outdoorsy, with a tented roof mimicking the Rockies and quirky elements like the "Blucifer" horse statue, talking robot gargoyles, and murals throughout.
Food and drink: Farm-to-table dining includes Root Down for organic, locally sourced dishes like Colorado lamb sliders and Snooze for "pancake flights." Williams & Graham, a speakeasy hidden behind a bookstore façade, offers cocktails.
What to do and where to stay: Relax on outdoor decks with fire pits or reset at The Westin Denver International Airport, which has an indoor pool and lounge with airfield views.
5. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport — Texas
The vibe: A live music annex with dozens of performances weekly at venues like the "Asleep at the Wheel Stage" and "Ray Benson's Roadhouse," attracting travelers in cowboy boots and tech hoodies.
Food and drink: Dine like an Austinite at The Salt Lick BBQ for brisket platters, Tacodeli for breakfast tacos, Second Bar + Kitchen for cocktails, and Austin Beerworks for local craft beer. The Saxon Pub offers seclusion in cool, dark booths.
What to do and where to stay: Enjoy fresh air and aircraft views at the East Terrace patio or book a room at the Hilton Austin Airport in a repurposed Air Force headquarters building.
6. Nashville International Airport — Tennessee
The vibe: An architectural ode to music, with a "airwave" roof mimicking soundwaves, a 50-foot-tall glass entrance, silvery support columns, and living walls that act as natural air filters.
Food and drink: Try Hattie B's Hot Chicken for spicy sandwiches, Slim & Husky's for artisanal flatbreads, and Ole Red for "Hillbilly Iced Teas" and live music. Nashville Tracks offers tasting flights of Tennessee bourbon.
What to do and where to stay: Visit the "Record Node" outdoor observation terrace for panoramic views, get a massage at The Massage Bar, or stay at the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal with a rooftop bar and pool overlooking runways.
