Five Things to Do on Your Layover at: Detroit-Metro Airport

August 25, 2010 at 10:29 AM | by kjb | Comment (1)

We�ve all had layovers that were a little longer than initially expected. Mechanical delays, weather emergencies, and all kinds of other issues make that tight 45-minute connection turn into something extraordinary. We can�t get promise your flight will depart on time, but we can offer some time killers at the airport.

Five picks for spending a few extra hours within the McNamara terminal at Detroit-Metro Airport:

· Sushi Stop:
Delta uses Detroit as a gateway to the East, so it�s not surprising that you can start your vacation or business trip with a little sushi right in the terminal. Sora has all your sashimi favorites, but they also have plenty of noodle bowls for those long cold Michigan winters. Prices are somewhat reasonable, but the best thing is that the place isn�t gross. There�s no prepackaged fake crab rolls here, and we�d even say it�s actually pretty darn good considering its location. It�s near gate A35 near the gates typically used for Tokyo-bound flights.

· Work On Your Fitness:
DTW's McNamara terminal makes the airport one of our favorites, but you still might want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the terminal. During longer layovers make your way to the Westin hotel that�s right in the airport. It has its own entrance not too far from the center of Concourse A, and they�d be happy to have you inside to test out their treadmills, weights, and elliptical machines. Along with providing an escape from the terminal the hotel offers day passes to the gym for just $15. It�s worth it if you�re a little more ambitious than us�we�re usually the ones in line for a cookie and frappuccino.

· C�mon Ride The Train:
If you�ve never been to this airport before or you've just got a lot of time to kill, nothing beats riding the terminal train. It�s not quite as fun as the monorail at Walt Disney World, but it�s pretty close. We�ve mentioned it before, and its unique ability to whisk passengers back and forth between opposite ends of Concourse A which seems to go on forever�78 gates to be exact. Just don�t be alarmed if you hear some angry birds while waiting to board, as the airport loves to play scary animal noises to keep away the feathered friends that sneak through the TSA lines.

· Look At The Lights:
If you�re connecting on mainline Delta jets you�ll probably be spending all your time within Concourse A, but you might want to take a little trip to either Concourse B or C just to see what�s going on below the runway. There�s a long tunnel connecting the different parts of the terminal, and it�s tricked out with glass walls and LED lighting effects. There�s trippy sound effects too and sometimes it�s a little too much fun when we�re rushing to our gate. There�s always someone taking pictures or stopping in the middle, so it�s not only us who think it�s cool.

· Make A Wish:
The center of Concourse A is where you can find one of the coolest fountains in any airport. Just like the rest of the airport, it�s been featured on television and on the big screen in movies like Up in the Air. The area behind the fountain is filled with huge windows with views of the runway, and there�s usually at least one 747 hanging out waiting to go depending on the time of the day. We can�t guarantee tossing a coin into the fountain will get you a free upgrade to first class, but it�s worth a shot. Just don�t stop by the fountain too late in the day, as we once saw workers standing on top sucking out all the coins with a Shop-Vac.

Bonus Pick: If all else fails, there�s always the graffiti rocks!

Got a layover elsewhere? Check out our similar stories on what to do at Chicago-O'Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

[Photos: Jaunted]

Jaunted

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