When you’re flying across the country, or just puddle jumping from one city to another, you often spend a lot of time sitting around and waiting at the airport. You may just opt to buy a paperback novel and a snack at a convenience store and settle into an uncomfortable chair at the gate to wait for your flight to arrive.
Or you can get up, walk around, explore the airport and maybe stumble onto some fantastic shops or restaurants.
If you’re on flights to Toronto, don’t miss stopping by Fionn MacCool’s, an authentic cultural experience that will take you from Canada to Ireland as soon as you walk through the doors of Pearson International Airport. Located in terminal 3, Fionn MacCool’s will serve you a traditional Irish breakfast. Or, you can watch the bartender build you a Guinness while you wait for your flight.
Larger and busier airports tend to have more variety in shops and services for waiting travelers. For example, on flights to Orlando, make sure you check out the Magic of Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World stores for a fantastic preview (or review if you’re heading home) of all the sights in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Your children can “dance” with Goofy, who tilts off balance at the front door of Disney’s EarPort due to his shoe being stuck on a wad of chewing gum, or check out the size of a space suit at the Kennedy Space Center Store – all within minutes of getting off the plane.
But if you’re looking for more sophisticated shopping – don’t miss out on the stores like Erwin Pearl, The Gem Collection, Guess or The Schakolad Chocolate Factory for a delicious bite to eat.
Duty free and gift shops are plentiful if your flights to Los Angeles land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). If you need food, books, jewelry, clothing, shoes, perfume, a manicure or even candles, you’ll be able to find a store carrying exactly what you need. And because many of the stores are duty free, you won’t need to worry about paying taxes on bringing what you purchase home.
Once you’re shopped out, and if you still have time to wait while at LAX, consider kicking back at one of the cozy restaurants scattered all around the airport. Sample the latest brew at several of the breweries, or ask a bartender at one of the many watering holes to mix you an iced drink while you sit back and people watch.
When you plan your next flight across the country and have extra time to spend at the airport, take a walk around the terminal and see if there isn’t a great store or eatery for you to explore.
