11 Of The Most Interesting Airports In The US To Make Your Layover More Fun

Airports are much like cities on a smaller scale. They're cultural centers unto themselves, often with their own public transportation system, unique eateries, and shops. Some even have chapels, fitness centers, lodging, and museums. But they weren't always this way. Air traffic boomed in the 1990s, and by 1999, the number of annual domestic passengers in the U.S. swelled to over 573 million. This coincides with a phenomenon that took off in the 1990s in which airports transformed to alleviate travelers' boredom, fill their spare time, and make a lot more money in the process. Pittsburgh International Airport's "Airmall" opened in 1992, and its success paved the way for modern airports, now chock-full of brand name stores, boutique shops, cafes, bars, food courts, and spas.

Today, the U.S. remains the busiest aviation market in the world, with 876 million passengers flying domestically in 2024. There are more than 5,000 public airports across the U.S., ranging from mega-hubs in Denver and Chicago, to countless regional hubs in smaller cities. And their goal of keeping travelers busy — and spending — hasn't changed. If anything, it's only increased, thanks to new technologies, airport lounges with high-end offerings, and robust public art programs. Some of the best airport experiences are actually on the funkier side, like Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport's full-size bookstore, or the giant pink flamingo that greets travelers at Tampa International Airport. Denver International Airport's famous — and slightly unsettling — blue stallion sculpture is one of many urban legends swirling its grounds, and LaGuardia Airport just completed a multi-billion-dollar renovation complete with monumental art installations. Without further delay, here are 11 exciting airports in the U.S. that will add a bit of fun and intrigue to your layover.

One of New York City's primary airports, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is a hub for tens of thousands of travelers every day, with direct service to dozens of U.S. and Canadian destinations. Recently, LGA completed an $8 billion redevelopment project, upgrading Terminals B and C with spacious interiors and easier ways to get around. Terminal B, in particular, is worth a swing through if you have time. It has countless shops and a mesmerizing aquatic centerpiece that features 4,000 gallons of water in continuous flow from the ceiling into a pool below, augmented with lights, video, and music.

Art lovers will appreciate the airport's installations made by renowned artists who visually interpret the spirit of New York City. Considered by many to be the epicenter of the contemporary art world, New York City brims with world-class creativity, so it's no wonder that LGA has many impressive installations on display. Sabine Hornig's enormous photo of an inverted skyline fills monumental windows, and Laura Owens' architectonic mosaic is a love letter to NYC icons like pizza, the MetroCard, and the Cyclone rollercoaster at the now-defunct Astroland on Coney Island — all made with more than 625,000 ceramic tiles. Owens' work is an ode to the signature mosaic tiles of New York City's subway stations, widely considered some of the world's most jaw dropping subway stations. At the departures level, a huge suspended piece by Sarah Sze hangs in the air like an ethereal globe, featuring more than 900 images of New York at different times of the day. 

Built in 1995, Denver International Airport sits on a whopping 53 square miles of land northeast of the city and is now considered one of the world's busiest airports. Its distinctive Jeppesen Terminal rises from the plains with a multi-pointed, tent-like roof made of fabric — an award-winning architectural marvel inspired by the peaks of the Rocky Mountains rising in the distance. If you're driving in, you'll see what locals call "Blucifer," the notorious blue horse sculpture known for its glowing red eyes and 32-foot-tall rearing stance. The sculpture, which is formally titled "Mustang," unfortunately led to the death of its maker, artist Luis Jiménez, when a section of the art piece fell on top of him. The airport has become a magnet for conspiracy theories over the years, ranging from it being home to a UFO hangar, to an underground bunker site for secret society members . Of course, the airport denies these urban legends, but it sure adds to the fun of a stopover here.

Located near the A Gates in the international terminal, book a session at Golf DEN to practice your swing with virtual fairways and a lounge atmosphere. There are also myriad shops and restaurants, including Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Mister Oso in Concourse C. Another unique feature is the airport's outdoor decks — located in all three concourses — perfect for soaking up Denver's famous year-round sunshine and watching the planes take off by the cozy fire pit.

Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) is a perfect stopover place for the whole family. Keep an eye out for Jett, the SEA Otter, a cuddly mascot who wears a green scarf and is accompanied by handlers who can help you find your way. And for more cuddly action, travelers of all ages will enjoy greeting the SEA Pups, a team of 11 certified therapy dogs who love nothing more than sharing a hug or getting pets, all in service of helping travelers have a calmer and more enjoyable experience in the airport. Look for Tuck the dalmatian, or Senshi the chocolate lab, whose favorite treat is apples. There's a children's play area near Gate A1 where kiddos can run off some energy, with a children's Little Free Library right across from it. There's another Little Free Library geared toward book-lovers of all ages just a couple of doors over at Gate A3.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has also instituted TSA's new eGates that let you breeze right through airport security without stopping, an initiative of the CLEAR program. Additional amenities include private workspaces, or "escape pods" known as Jabbrrboxes, which are booked with a keypad for anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. You can also download the STQRY (pronounced "story") app to take a self-guided tour of all of the art pieces on display throughout the airport.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is about as Midwestern as it gets, with dining options such as Barons' Beer Garden and Miller Brewhouse, homages to Milwaukee's brewing history. The city has been the home of Miller Brewing Company since 1855, and Pabst Blue Ribbon was produced here between 1844 and 1996. Plus, a German-inspired destination on the Milwaukee River is now considered one of America's best breweries.

History is alive and well at MKE, where you can also while away the time at Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a museum highlighting artifacts and archival materials that celebrate southeast Wisconsin's aviation history. The airport's Summerfest Marketplace shop celebrates the city's annual summer music festival with a huge range of merchandise. If you're looking for a good page-turner for your travels, one of the city's most storied bookshops has a full-size location right in the Main Terminal. Renaissance Books has a long history in Milwaukee — the first downtown location was established in 1959, followed by the airport location two decades later. While the downtown shop has since closed, MKE keeps the tradition strong. It's easy to visit even if you're not flying anywhere, as the bookshop offers free parking and is situated before the security checkpoint.

Travelers at Nashville International Airport (BNA) are in for a treat. The airport hosts a wealth of live musical performances around its campus, which is fitting for the aviation hub serving Music City U.S.A. Spaces throughout the airport are dedicated to music, with two pre-security stages and two more located post-security. The airport even has a so-called "house band," Joe West, and it's easy to see why BNA is considered one of the best airports in America for live music. Various artists take the stage throughout the year, showcasing genres like country, blues, jazz, gospel, and more.

In addition to music, Nashville's airport is chock-full of visual art. Widely considered one of the top airports in the country for public art, it's a great place to wander and witness amazing installations by renowned artists. The Arts at the Airport program highlights Tennessee creatives, and its collection of over 230 artworks is on display throughout the concourses. There are rotating temporary exhibitions in a number of spaces, plus a wide range of large-scale works like Jacob Hashimoto's "The Unscalable Rampart of Time," which consists of 9,000 paper kites suspended from the ceiling in a stunning formation.

In northwestern Nevada, Reno is an underrated city that offers a less chaotic gambling scene than Vegas. It's also the gateway to the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and Lake Tahoe, the latter of which is less than an hour's drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). While not a large airport in comparison to some of the others listed here, this aviation hub is nevertheless stocked with plenty of ways to spend time — and hopefully not too much cash — in the form of quite a few slot machines.

Additionally, RNO is expanding its public art program with installations that celebrate regional talent. And thanks to a local non-profit organization called Paws 4 Passengers, a team of volunteer therapy dogs cruise the airport to give travelers of all ages something cute and snuggly to focus on rather than the incidental annoyances that sometimes accompany air travel. Look for the dogs wearing vests that say, "Pet me!"

A small airport about 22 miles southeast of the much larger and busier Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Long Beach Airport is a vintage treasure that oozes California cool. For good reason, it's known as "America's coolest airport" and it's a true historic gem. The aptly-named Historic Terminal, which resembles a white cruise ship in the Streamline Moderne style of Art Deco architecture, opened in 1942 and is now a designated historic landmark.

A large-scale redevelopment project has strengthened the airport's legacy of design innovation and passenger experience. As part of the project, an indoor-outdoor post-security courtyard was added, complete with palm trees and places to eat. Even the ticketing hall feels airy and inviting, located in its own modern building. If you have a bit of extra time, head just a couple of blocks north to The Hangar Food Hall, a former aircraft construction hub turned foodie's paradise with 14 vendors serving everything from craft beer and superfood bowls, to döner kebabs and Korean barbecue.

When it comes to small airports, one not to be missed for great scenery is Sedona, a breathtaking destination in the Southwest that has earned the title of the world's "most mindful" escape. This is one for the pilots out there, and those chartering private flights, as Sedona Airport doesn't have any commercial flights — you'll have to look to Flagstaff or Phoenix for those connections. That said, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention this unique destination, which is often called America's most scenic airport. It was awarded the 2025 Airport of the Year by the Arizona Department of Transportation, primarily for its recent technological and safety upgrades.

While you won't find a shopping mall or spa at Sedona Airport, you will be able to take in spectacular views of the surrounding area. A popular vista known as Airport Scenic Overlook offers a panoramic overview of Sedona and its surrounding rock formations like Chimney Rock, Thunder Mountain, and Coffee Pot, among others. The popular overlook takes advantage of the airport's location on top of a mesa 500 feet above the city and can be reached by driving up Airport Road and parking in the gravel lot. That's not all, though, as you can also choose to strike out on one of two marked trails to take in the unique setting. The Sedona View Trail is 0.7 miles and connects to a lower parking lot, while the Airport Loop Trail circles the airport's perimeter for 3.2 miles.

With one of the best public art programs in the country as far as airports go, Tampa International Airport goes above and beyond to bring travelers joy and awe throughout its terminals. It was rated the number one airport in the country where the art is worth arriving early for, according to USA Today, and its large-scale installations are sure to delight. One of its most recent commissions takes the form of a 22-foot pink flamingo in the Main Terminal, created by artist Matthew Mazzotta. Travelers can peer up at the giant bird from below as if standing underwater while its beak grazes the floor. Other pieces include the "Palimpsest" beaded sculpture by Nick Cave and Bob Faust, and an array of 171 Polaroid images and stories titled "Greetings from Tampa Bay" by Sheryl Oring.

Along with a wide range of shopping and dining options, Tampa International Airport has also given a lot of thought to boredom busters. It provides a self-guided tour that you can request materials for ahead of time on its website, daily scavenger hunts, and other activities that can be arranged in advance, such as airfield tours.

In addition to a public art collection on display throughout its terminals, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has a dedicated museum that includes art and Arizona-related aviation history. A number of printable museum guides can be found on the airport's website, so you can take a self-led tour of the artwork and artifacts. There's also an initiative in Terminal 3 called Culture Corner, which showcases a diverse range of Arizona-based performers and interactive cultural and educational activities. Local artists regularly perform live in Terminals 3 and 4 as part of a program called Traveling Tunes, with each month dedicated to a particular musical genre or era.

In addition to dozens of shops and dining options, PHX also has a mile-long "fitness trail" that offers desert, mountain, and city views. Known as FitPHX, the prescribed route runs from Gate A30 to Gate D18. Along the way, you'll see the downtown skyline, Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain, as well as an architectural feature called the Diamondhead Baffle Ceiling, which was designed as an ode to the Imperial Sand Dunes near Yuma, Arizona.

Topping J.D. Power's North America Airport Satisfaction Survey in 2025, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has a lot to offer. It's one of the country's larger airports, so by design, it also has a lot to see and do. In a similar vein to Phoenix Sky Harbor, MSP has a walking path in Terminal 1, which extends 1.4 miles long and is great for getting your steps in, people-watching, and browsing the shops along the way. If you have a long layover, the on-site InterContinental Hotel is an upscale way to spend the night, offering two restaurants, a top-floor cocktail bar, and a spa for total relaxation.

You'll find a robust and vibrant public art program at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Plus, each terminal has an aviation-themed children's play area so the kids can stay occupied prior to boarding. Travelers of all ages can spend some time with dozens of registered therapy animals located throughout the airport, ready to help calm your nerves and receive cuddles. While the program mostly consists of therapy dogs, you can also keep an eye out for a therapy cat named Stitches.

With thousands of airports across the country, selecting the most interesting among them is no easy feat. Mega-airports may have more to offer than regional ones, but design and location often play a far greater role in what makes an airport memorable. To narrow down our selection, the author drew from personal experience traveling to many of the airports on this list. In addition, we relied on tourism boards such as VisitDenver.com, VisitLongBeach.com, and ExploreMinnesota.com. For a side-by-side look at how these airports measure up, we reviewed rankings and reviews by reputable outlets like TimeOut, USA Today 10 Best, Business Insider, Colorado Public Radio News, OnlyinYourState.com, Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, and JDPower.com.

Location-specific information about airport amenities, art programs, on-site activities, events, and facility upgrades came from official sources such as PortAuthorityBuilds.com, FlyDenver.com, PortSeattle.org, MitchellAirport.com, SedonaAirport.org, RenoAirport.com, TampaAirport.com, SkyHarbor.com, and others. We sourced passenger-related data from FAA.gov, TSA.gov, FlightConnections.com, and FlightsFrom.com. Finally, we gathered insights from former travelers by examining countless reviews on Tripadvisor and discussion forums on Reddit.