Will you be traveling in the next month for the holidays? Are you already dreading the potential delays? The crowded airports? The anxious-looking passengers? The potential hours spent in the airport? While you can’t control the weather or your flight-mates, you can indulge in some stress-free activities that can be found at some of the major airports. Here are some of the special activities that can help add a little holiday cheer during your travels:
Ice Skating | Denver, CO & NYC
Denver International Airport is opening its free skating rink for the fourth season on November 22nd in the pre-security area in the DEN plaza; skate rentals are also free. This will be open from 9:00am to 9:00pm. As a bonus, they will offer hot chocolate, hot cider, and even live entertainment on Friday afternoons.
JFK Airport will open their runway rink on November 30th adjacent to the hotel’s 1958 Lockheed Constellation cocktail lounge. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 12, and rentals are $10 and $8 respectively. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 4:00pm – 9:00pm, Friday 4:00pm – 10:0opm, and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00am – 10:00pm.
Holiday Market
Munich International Airport in Germany will be opening their large, roofed open space between terminals 1 and 2 for the 21st year. This space will be transformed into a winter wonderland that features a skating and curling rink, more than 45 decorated trees, live music, festive activities, and more. Skates can be rented for a small fee.
Beer Passport
Colorado is known for a successful craft brewing scene, and Denver International Airport is offering a Beer Passport that you can use to score a free pint while you wait for your flight. You must pick up a Beer Passport at an information booth (or one of these four brewpubs: Tivoli, Breckenridge, New Belgium, or Great Divide). Order a beer at each of the four brewpubs and get your stamp to receive your free pint.
Short Stories
If you’ve ever forgotten your book or tablet at home, you may be happy to hear that you can print a free short story to pass the time at these airports: Oakland International Airport, Dane County Regional Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Akron-Canton Airport, Capital Regional International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. These airports have installed dispensers or slim kiosks that invite readers to request or pick up a story (for adults and children).
Cuddle an Animal
More than 70 airports have certified therapy animals to help de-stress and pass the time for travelers. While dogs make up the majority of these animals, there are cats like “Stitches,” an 11-year-old mixed-breed cat at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that you can cuddle. Denver International Airport has a program called CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) that includes more than 100 dogs – and a cat named “Xeli” – to keep you company. San Francisco’s International Airport had the Wag Brigade with “LiLou” the pig. And Seven Oaks Farm occasionally visits Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport with their miniature horses.
Visit the Zoo
On the subject of animals, perhaps you can check out some of the wilder animals at the Philadelphia International Airport. PHL Airport and the Philadelphia Zoo have a monthly program that brings exotic mammals and birds to the airport for travelers to see and experience. These animals can range from armadillos to a red-tailed hawk, to macaws and more. The airport will also hand out free trading cards that feature each animal guest coming from the zoo, to travelers and children.
Arrive by Boat
Boston Logan International Airport has begun to offer a ferry for passengers to skip the TSA line and reduce congestion traveling to the airport. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority offers a water taxi service that gives passengers a “Ticket to Skip” pass when they arrive at their airport. This ticket allows travelers to receive preferred lane access and move ahead of the TSA line. USA today says, “The MBTA ferry and the water taxis run year-round and serve the Boston waterfront as well as the nearby Hingham and Hull communities.”
Wherever you end up traveling to this holiday season, and however you decide to make those plans happen, hopefully you can enjoy the experience as fully as possible. These services and offers from the airports above are designed to bring a little holiday joy to travelers this year. The most important aspect of any traveling experience is to be sure to enjoy your time and be thankful for the ability to travel anywhere in the world!