kids` airport diversion guide updated

KIDS’ AIRPORT
DIVERSION GUIDE UPDATED
By Jerome Greer Chandler
Flying with kids
can be a challenge.
Cooped up in a confining aluminum tube for hours,
herded through security, and generally cranky, kids crave
entertainment and diversion. This Cheapflights guide will
help you provide the necessary entertainment to keep your
kids occupied during travel. We’ll take a look at some of the
domestic and international key connecting airports and
what they have to offer kids. Interestingly, some otherwise
wonderful airports are all but bereft of things to keep kids
entertained. Others, such as Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and
San Francisco (SFO) offer places to either blow off steam,
or engage in flights of childlike fancy.
Legend
squares are for casual passengers who may not have as
much “baggage” as families. Lastly, black diamond lanes
are for flyers that know the drill and want to get through
fast, such as business travelers.
TSA says the idea is to give people who need extra
time-families traveling with small children in strollers,
for example-a bit of breathing space, without in-a-hurry,
laptop-toting frequent flyers breathing down their necks
and demanding they move faster. Families should look
for the green circle – that’s how you’ll know you’re in
the right lane. TSA says separating its security lanes has
already increased efficiency and saved time for family
travelers. Next time you travel with kids, it could just save
your sanity.
A caveat: while lots of airports are opening new,
innovative play areas and museums, don’t leave your
child there unattended. No matter how secure it seems,
supervised play is safe play.
Family Friendly Security Lanes =
Updated U.S. Airports =
Airports with Family
Friendly Security Lanes
What parents really want in an airport is a way to get their
family through security with the least possible stress. The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) www.tsa.gov
is starting to group security checkpoints. The TSA is hoping
this will speed the process for everyone. Green circle lanes
are for those who need extra time, such as families. Blue
UNITED STATES AIRPORTS
Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International
Airport (ATL)
Atlanta lays rightful claim to being
the world’s busiest airport. It’s also
the prime hub for Delta Air Lines. There’s an array of
changeable art spotted throughout the airport, and a nifty
model train exhibition near the entrance to Concourse
T. The current hit is a skeletal Yangchuanosaurus. ATL
partnered with the Fernbank Museum of Natural History
to display the skeleton in the airport’s atrium.
Baltimore/Washington
International Thurgood
Marshall (BWI)
A major focus city for discount airline
Southwest, Baltimore/Washington has
lots of kids passing through. The best
place to take them between flights is the
children’s play area. You’ll find it upstairs in the main
terminal, in BWI’s Observation Gallery. This is a one-of-akind place. There’s an array of airplane parts: a wing, tail,
wheels, evenpart of a fuselage. There’s also some really
innovative play equipment, and the area is carpeted.
Boston Logan
International (BOS)
Boston boasts some of the best museums on the planet,
the Children’s Museum of Boston among them.
The museum’s Kidport is in Terminal C, the departure
level of the main terminal. It offers hands-on, interactive
exhibits that compel a child to play and think. There’s
an airplane-climbing sculpture, a baggage-claim slide,
an infant and toddler play area, and a “what’s outside”
window display. The Terminal A facility sports a Kidport
designed by Playtime. There’s a replica of the unique
Boston control tower, and a wall rendition of
Terminal A itself.
Charlotte Douglas
International (CLT)
Charlotte doesn’t have a designated play area for kids per
se, but there are diversions at US Airways’ southern hub.
While there’s an in-terminal airport history exhibit, check
out the Carolinas Aviation Museum. It’s a three-to fiveminute drive from the airport. There, you’ll see more than
50 aircraft on display. Admission is $5 for children,
$8 for adults. The museum is open Sundays from 1pm-5pm;
Tuesdays through Saturdays 10pm-4pm.
Information: 1-704-359-8442.
Chicago O’Hare
International (ORD)
Chicago too has some of the best museums anywhere and
one of them has migrated, at least in part, out to O’Hare
International. The Chicago Children’s Museum sports a
Kids On the Fly interactive exhibit. It’s post-security, in
Terminal 2. There’s an air traffic control tower, a fantasy
helicopter, cargo plane, and luggage station. Kids On
the Fly is fully accessible to passengers with disabilities.
O’Hare International Airport is named for an authentic
hero: Lt. Commander Edward “Butch” O’Hare, who won the
Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. In ORD’s
Terminal 2 you’ll find a restored F4F-3 Wildcat, the kind of
craft O’Hare flew. Teach your children well here. The display
is more about the man than the machine he flew. Speaking
of teaching the children, the Chicago Fire Department and
the Chicago Children’s Museum partnered to put together
an educational area in Terminal 5. There, kids learn how to
respond in case of emergencies, such as fire.
Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky
International (CVG)
This airport just off the banks of the Ohio is a major hub
for Delta Air Lines. To keep children entertained between
flights, Cincinnati has a Kidsport located in one of the most
prominent places in the airport: the top of the escalator on
Concourse A. There are miniature buildings to explore, and
rocking chairs for parents to sit and supervise. The Cartoon
Network is on in the background.
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International is American Airlines’ largest
hub and one of the most innovatively kid-friendly airports
around. DFW has a trio of Junior Flyer Clubs. One is located
in Terminal B, at Gate 12. The 685-square-foot area is
aviation themed with runway, roadway, car, airplane, and
control tower. The gear is padded, and there’s a place for
mom and dad to sit and exercise parental control.
The Terminal C club is at Gate 14. It’s a bit smaller at
600-square feet. Over in International Terminal D, the
Junior Flyer’s Club is at Gate D-30, next to McDonald’s,
which makes for a convenient combination. Television
monitors in the play areas broadcast the Boomerang
channel. DFW also boasts one of the most bewitching
airport rides in the country – Skylink. Ostensibly Skylink is
there to connect flyers from one terminal to another.
Kids know better. Its prime reason for being is to provide
them with a swift, phantasmagorical panorama of one of
the busiest airports on the planet. Skylink is free. Just add
imagination.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
There’s a small, unsupervised play area on the mezzanine
level of Concourse B, United Airlines’ main concourse. While
otherwise bereft of neat things for kids to do, Denver offers
a free underground train. They find it fascinating.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne
County Airport (DTW)
Detroit, a large Northwest Airlines hub, sports seven count ’em - play areas. All are located in the relatively new
McNamara Terminal, and are arrayed along the boarding
concourses. You’ll find four play areas in Concourse A, two in
Concourse B, and one in Concourse C. In the check-in lobby
of venerable Smith Terminal there’s a neat Sturgeon display.
Kids love it. These fish have been swimming in the Great
Lakes since the days of the dinosaurs.
Las Vegas McCarran
International Airport (LAS)
One of the best airports in the country for catering to
kids is Las Vegas McCarran International. A focus city for
discount airline Southwest, Las Vegas long ago learned that
providing a place for children, as well as adults, to play was
simply good business. There’s an aviation-themed play area
located on the second floor of the airport’s D Concourse,
overlooking the rotunda. That’s where flyers catch or exit
the automated trams that connect with Terminal 1.
The area sports a miniature control tower, and a tunnel
(they’re always intriguing). For older children, check out
the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum. While there are
displays throughout the airport, the most prominent one
is located on Level 2, above baggage claim. It’s an area
passengers have to pass through on their way to or from
parking and the C and D security checkpoints. The museum
is terrific. There are interactive videos, old newspaper
clippings, dioramas, and a vintage Cessna 172 dangling
from the ceiling.
Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX)
Milwaukee Mitchell
International (MKE)
Los Angeles International’s Flight Path Learning Center
of Southern California chronicles the golden years of
commercial aviation. Located adjacent to LAX at 6661West
Imperial Highway, you’ll have to leave the airport to get
there, but if you’ve got a decent amount of time between
flights, it’s worth it. The center features aircraft models,
extraordinary aviation displays and free admission. The
museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to
3pm. Telephone 1-310-215-5291.
Midwest Airlines’ prime hub has a terrifically entertaining
aviation museum. The Mitchell Gallery of Flight is located
near Concourse C, and admission is free. It’s open sevendays
a week, from 7am to 10pm. Here they can learn about
General Billy Mitchell, the visionary Army Air Corps officer
who foretold the shape of modern aerial warfare. There’s
also a fine collection of model aircraft.
Information: 1-414-4503.
Miami International
Airport (MIA)
Looking for a place kids can play at MIA? Go to Gate 35
on the D Concourse, the American Eagle gates. There’s
a children’s recreation area there. The airport also
has rotating children’s art exhibits postsecurity in the
Concourse D/E Connector area. Miami is a major Latin
gateway for American Airlines.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
International (MSP)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, a major Northwest Airlines hub, has
a couple of nicely outfitted play areas: one in the main
Lindbergh Terminal, the other in the HumphreyTerminal.
Each is about 1,000-square feet. The Lindbergh play area is
on Concourse C. The Humphrey facility is on that terminal’s
second floor. Kids can climb about on a mock airplane,
control tower, and lounge about in seats that resemble
luggage. The walls are decked with interesting facts about
aviation.
Nashville International
Airport (BNA)
Fly to Nashville and you expect music. You won’t be
disappointed even at the airport. BNA, which is a
major focus city for discount airline Southwest, sports
three live music stages for all genres and rhythms, not just
country. There’s a Welcome to Music City Stage on the
baggage claim level, and two other stages, one at each of
the security checkpoint entrances. If music hath powers to
soothe the savage beast, it might just work on kids too. If
it doesn’t, there is a children’s’ play area in the Concourse
Connector. Once a major makeover of BNA is complete,
there will be six music stages, and new play areas on
Concourse C between Gates 15 and 17, as well as at the end
of Concourse A.
New York John F. Kennedy
International (JFK)
New York Kennedy is an airport built for business travelers,
but here’s one of Kennedy’s best-kept secrets for kids. The
AirTrain is free when you’re using it to connect between
terminals. It’s sleek, fast, elevated and guaranteed to give
you and your children a fascinating bird’s eye view of
one of the most colorful airports anywhere. Try it.
Newark Liberty
International Airport (EWR)
Newark has its own AirTrain, and it too is free. Continental
Airlines is the prime player at EWR, and that means a lot
of kids connecting with their families. When they do, one
of the very best diversions around is a couple of laps of the
airport on AirTrain. The set-up is supposed to be there for
connecting travelers, but lots of folks ride just for the
fun of it.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Children flock to central Florida. They come for Disney
and Universal Studios, but before they even hit the theme
parks, they can get a taste of the area’s entertainment
options right at Orlando International Airport. First, the art.
We don’t mean highbrow, unapproachable art, but stuff
that’s accessible by kids. Look for whimsical characters at
each level of the parking garage. One kid-favorite is the
life-size bronze called The Traveler. It’s on the “A” side of
the Hotel Atrium. Gates 100 through 129 are decorated
with large floor mosaics of fish, flowers, and ferns. Children
love to trace the patterns with their feet, and jump from
one image to another. As for real fish, there’s a 3,000-gallon
salt-water tank with 100 of the aquatic creatures. You’ll
find it in the main terminal food court. On occasion, a diver
descends into the airport depths to feed the critters.
Orlando has a couple of Kennedy Space Center stores in
the main terminal. Kids can actually touch a portion of an
asteroid from Mars, and see life-size astronaut models.
The airport’s game room is the Power Arcade. It’s on the
South Walk of the Landside Terminal building. Outside the
terminal is a pair of parking garages. Nothing special there
except that the ones at Orlando contain a central atrium
filled with Florida fauna, fountains, streams and such. It’s a
great place to escape while waiting for a flight. Speaking of
escape, if you can afford the time to leave the airport, check
out the B-52D in Memorial Park. It’s a short drive from the
terminal. The massive airplane is impressive.
Portland International
Airport (PDX)
The people who run Portland International Airport (PDX)
www.flypdx.com seem to do almost everything well, not the
least of which is catering to families with children.
There are lots of opportunities for kids to work off steam
before being strapped in for a long airplane flight.
Pre-security near the checkpoint for Concourses D and E,
you’ll find a multi-colored jungle gym, replete with padded
surfaces. It’s got a pair of stairs that lead to a couple of slides
and a “lookout” with a toy telescope and steering wheel so
kids can spy aircraft out on PDX’s tarmac.
Post-security on the C Concourse there’s a play area with a
bunch of attractions: Lego tables, bead maze, play cars, and
a TV monitor that’s set for children-friendly channels. Best
of all, the area is close to restrooms and has plenty of seats
for parents.
Need something more stimulating than mere play? Take
them to the ABC lobby post- security. You’ll find a stunning
Columbia River exhibit with interactive monitors and native
artifacts, maps, photos, and excerpts form the journals of
Lewis and Clark. When you’re flying east from PDX, get a
window seat for your child and see if they can spot the areas
they saw on the map. That’s the essence of interactivity.
Stop by Creative Kidstuff on Concourse C to get your kids
come travel-worthy games to keep them occupied during
the long flight.
Phoenix Sky Harbor
International Airport (PHX)
US Airways’ home base, and a prime focus city for discount
airline Southwest, Phoenix Sky Harbor gets a lot of family
flyers. Kids have four places to let off steam. All these play
areas are fitted with padded climbing gear, designed for
young children, and are post-security. You’ll find them in
Terminal 2’s upper concourse area, on both of Terminal 3’s
concourses, and in Terminal 4’s International Concourse,
near Gates B15-28. Looking for kid-friendly art? There’s
a presecurity gallery in Terminal 4, on Level 3. It’s free
and open 24/7. Some of the rotating exhibits are geared
specifically for kids.
SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT (SLC)
On the windward side of the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City
International (SLC) www.slcairport.com is one of the more
scenic airports in North America. It’s also a very family
friendly airport, offering a variety of activities for children
and their parents.
If you want to let the children burn off some extra energy
during a layover or before a long flight there play areas
located in the airport – you can find them in concourses A,
B and E. If you would like to pick up something to keep the
kids occupied in flight, stop at Creative Kidstuff, located in
terminal two, concourse C. This award winning toy store
sells many creative, hands-on learning toys that will keep
children occupied, while stimulating their growing brains.
SLC also has an extensive art collection displayed
throughout the airport for your children’s viewing pleasure.
And if you have a really long layover or flight cancellation
you may want to take the kids to play some golf. Rated
one of the top 5 golf courses by Golf Digest magazine,
Wingpointe Golf Course is located less than a mile from the
airport and is open 11 months out of the year. Wingpointe
has junior golf instruction for children ages 8-17. This public
golf course offers reasonable rates and is perfect for the
golfing family.
San Francisco International (SFO)
San Francisco International, a major transpacific launchpad
for United Airlines, is one of those airports that speaks
of an earlier, more elegant era of air travel. If you want
to transport your children to that time, take them to San
Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library & Louis A.
Turpen Aviation Museum. It’s free, and you’ll find it in the
new International Terminal. The 11,500-square foot facility
is modeled after the 1937 waiting room at SFO. There are
some extraordinary Pan Am exhibits, and lots of fascinating
models. Kids of around nine or ten will find it flat-out
fascinating. The museum is open Sundays through Fridays
from 10am to 4:30pm. It’s closed Saturdays and holidays.
Information: 1-650-821-6700. In search of something
soothing? There’s a nice aquarium in Boarding Level C, the
Departures/Ticketing Level of Terminal 1. Something more
active, even interactive? The SFO Kids’ Spot is post-security,
in Terminal 3, Boarding Area F, near Gate 87A. There’s a
crawling apparatus, and a Plasma Wall, which shoots arcs
of energized color activated by sound. It’s a great place for
children to de-energize before boarding.
Seattle/Tacoma
International Airport (SEA)
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Alaska Airlines recently opened a terrific play area for
children just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Central
Terminal. Located post-security, the 1,400-square-foot
affair is fitted with aviation-themed play equipment. The
stuff is soft foam and fabulous. Kids especially like the
airplane, control tower,and baggage cart. There’s a familyfriendly restroom here with rocking chairs for parents and
babies as well as seating around the play area for mom and
dad to sit and rest a bit.
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT (YYC)
Washington Dulles
International Airport (IAD)
Perhaps the most magnificent aviation enclave on
the planet is a quick drive from Washington Dulles
International. It’s the National Air Museum’s Steven F.
Udvar-Hazy Center. There the family can see the Dash 80,
the prototype 707, the airliner that ignited the modern jet
age; a super-secret SR-71 Blackbird; the B-29 Enola Gay, the
craft that dropped the Abomb on Hiroshima; and even the
space shuttle Enterprise. How close is Dulles? The Donald
D. Engen Observation Tower offers a panoramic vista of the
international airport, the East Coast transatlantic gateway
for United Airlines. While there’s no admission charge per
se, there is a $12 parking fee. The easiest way to access
the center, and save some money, is to catch the Virginia
Regional Transit System bus from Dulles. Board it outside
the Main Terminal on the Ground Level, at curbside location
2E. The fare is $0. 50 per person. For a schedule, go to the
airport Web site. For information about the Udvar-Hazy
center, call 1-202-633-1000.
Calgary International (YYC) www.calgaryairport.com may
be the most family-friendly airport in Canada. The main
attraction for kids is the Spaceport.
Spaceprort is a 5,800-square foot educational and
entertainment enclave located pre-security on the
Mezzanine Level near the Destinations Food Court.
Here you’ll find a piece of moon rock on loan from NASA,
a one-quarter scale space shuttle, and plenty of interactive
displays. As an added bonus, admission is free.
If you want your children to burn off energy before
boarding, head to the playground in the Concourse D checkin area, or smaller “activity centers” near most departure
gates post-security.
Looking for a good toy shop? Who’s Who in the Zoo/Just
Plane Fun can be found pre-security in the Main Terminal.
This store also sells scores of aviation toys.
Kids rarely scream with ice cream in their mouths. Feed
them at the Sweet Factory candy and ice cream shops. You’ll
find the ice cream enclaves on Concourses A and D.
TORONTO PEARSON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YYZ)
Put kids in the “Comfy Cars” when you’re traveling through
Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International
(YYZ) www.gtaa.com. In Terminal 1, you’ll find them in the
Domestic Departures area next to Gates 140, 144, and 106.
In Terminal 3, look for a Comfy Car and jungle gym next to
Gate C34. More Comfy Cars are on Pier B, near Gate B14
in Terminal 3. Also in Terminal 1, you’ll find play areas for
children to release some excess energy. There’s plenty of
room for parents in these plays areas, too, so you don’t
have to worry about leave your kids unattended at the
airport.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT (YVR)
Canada’s Pacific air portal, Vancouver International (YVR)
www.yvr.ca, has children’s play areas throughout the
airport. If you’re in search of a nursery, there’s one located
across from the USA airline check-in area on the Departures
Level. It has cribs and changing facilities, however it is not
supervised so parents need to be attuned to other children/
parents in the area.
Traveling with older children? If you’re so inclined, your kids
can release their pent up energy before boarding the next
flight by playing video games. The food court on Level 2
of the Domestic Terminal has a bunch of games to suit any
personality them.
Need some in-flight diversions? Aside from booking your
child a window seat, stop off at Kids Works and grab your
child a game or two from one of the highly recommended
brands including Disney, Sesame Street, Crayola, Hasbro,
and Lego (caution, Lego pieces tend to get lost in airplane
seats cushions). Kids Works (604-214-8001) is located
post-security, Level 3 of U.S. Departures. The search for
something more substantial is found at the Inuit Sculpture
Exhibition. The exhibition portrays family life in the harsh
Arctic, emphasizes how vital it is for each member of the
family to contribute in order to survive.
LONDON HEATHROW
AIRPORT – LONDON, ENGLAND
London Heathrow www.heathrowairport.com is one of the
largest airports in the world and also a major hub for many
airlines. If you have a layover in London on the way to your
next European vacation, don’t despair – there are plenty
of options for keeping the kids occupied. First stop: the
information desk (located near the departure areas of
each terminal), where your kids can get free coloring
and activity packs.
Terminal 2 features the Penauille Servisair lounge and
welcomes kids and adults. For £17.95 per person, you can
refuel on complimentary snacks and drinks, take a nap or
watch TV. Make your way to Terminal 3 where you’ll find
the Jetterz Kids Club, a supervised play area for children
ages five to 14. The club is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and costs £15 for two hours per child, and £10 per hour
afterward. The club comes complete with a TV, DVD player,
books, movies, computer games and a range of toys to
excite any age. You can also trek over to Terminal 4 where
the KLM Holideck Family Lounge is located. These are
the only two play areas in the airport, but the other three
terminals have family-friendly restaurants, stores and
facilities that will keep kids entertained. Lounges are set up
in the other terminals for those families with long layovers.
While most of the lounges are “executive” some do allow
children and infants. In Terminal 4, the KLM Holideck is open
from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers three floors of activities
for families. There is a Flight Deck with an observatory area
featuring panoramic views of the airfield and also the latest
in Playstation games to keep the older kids entertained.
FRANFURT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
– FRANKFURT, GERMANY
INCHEON INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT – SEOUL, KOREA
Combine food and fun at Frankfurt International
Airport www.frankfurt-airport.com. The Food Plaza in
Terminal 2 has a large play area next to the McDonald’s
where kids can let loose some energy and parent’s can
fuel-up for the next flight. If you’re laying over in Terminal
1, or have enough time to transfer terminals before your
next flight, the Visitors’ Terrace is full of miniature aircraft
for kids to climb on. There is also an airfield activity center
in the Visitors’ Terrace where, for a fee, kids can explore
aircraft models and watch planes leave and land from
panoramic window views. There are also two free children’s
play areas in Terminal 1 (in the corridor between Halls B and
C) and Terminal 2 (Transit Area D and E).
Thanks to hosting the summer Olympics in 1988, Seoul
has regained its status as the heartbeat of Korea and sees
millions of visitors a year who travel through the airport.
Families taking the long flight over needn’t worry about
being stuck at the Incheon International Airport
www.airport.kr/eng/airport/. There are playrooms located
on the third floor in the main terminal and remain open 24/7.
This means that even with the time changes and napping
schedules, your kids can still get their exercise in while
traveling. There is also an electronic game room and an
Internet lounge for the older kids.
NARITA INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT – TOKYO, JAPAN
It’s a good idea to let the kids run off some built-up energy
after a long international flight. Let ‘em bang around at
Narita International Airport’s www.narita-airport.jp/en
playroom’s and kids’ parks. The “kids’ park” is a set area
near various boarding gates that children can play in while
they wait to board. The areas are surrounded by padded
benches to avoid last-minute trauma before boarding the
plane. In addition to the various play areas, there is also a
Children’s Playroom located on the third floors of Terminals
1 and 2. The playrooms come equipped with toys, games,
TV and videos.
PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE
AIRPORT – PARIS, FRANCE
There’s much to do in Paris, and that includes activities at
the airport. If you have some time to kill at Paris Charles de
Gaulle Airport www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ and need to release
some built-up energy, head to the many conventional play
areas throughout the airport. Located in the boarding
lounges of Terminals 2C, 2D and 2E, the play areas come
equipped with ball pits, toboggans and mazes to keep kids
entertained for hours.
For the older kids, there are pay-to-play areas that
feature pinball machines, pool tables, video games, and
more. Arcades are located throughout Terminal 3. At the
international boarding area at Terminal 3, the Gully play
areas feature distorting mirrors, interactive world maps,
mini-tunnels, hopscotch and TV rooms clad with beanbag
chairs and comfy coaches so kids can relax while watching
their favorite flicks.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT – HONG KONG
Located in Terminal 1 on level 6 is the Hong Kong
International Airport www.hongkongairport.com Kid’s
Land play area. Situated between gates 23 and 25, the area
features four TV lounges and plenty of games. If you have
a few hours to kill at the airport, head to the SkyPlaza at
Terminal 2 and take in a movie. The 4D Extreme Screen
Cinema has over 300 seats and a 3D projection screen that
is the largest in all of Asia. The Aviation Discovery Center
at the SkyPlaza has themed exhibits for kids that include
flight simulators, motion rides, interactive aviation games
and more. Also in the SkyPlaza is i-Sports, a recreation area
for sports lovers featuring sports simulators for soccer,
basketball, golf, boxing, skiing, car racing, and others.
SINGAPORE CHANGI
AIRPORT – SINGAPORE
Rest assured, if you’re stuck in the Singapore Changi
Airport www.changiairport.com you’ll have plenty to do
before your next flight. For starters, grab a nap in one of
the napping centers located in Terminals 1 and 2. Rates vary
based on occupied space, but it might be worth the price to
keep the kids on a napping schedule. Also in Terminal 1 is a
swimming pool open to all travelers in Singapore airport.
Bring your swimsuit with you and you’ll get towels and
shower amenities at the pool. In addition to nap rooms and
a full-size pool, the Singapore airport features plenty of
areas for kids to explore.
Located in Terminal 1 are The Bamboo Garden and the
Cactus Garden. The Bamboo Garden feature five species
of bamboo, and is near gate D46 on Level 2. The Cactus
Garden, voted Singapore’s best rooftop garden in the 2001
Singapore Garden City Award, showcases more than 40
species of cacti. The cacti are located next to Harry’s Bar
on Level 3. If your kids need more stimulation, head to the
Explorers Lounge, which features entertainment programs
from the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. The
lounge is also located on Level 3. For entertainment fun
24-7, head to the Nexus Lounge and let the plasma TV’s and
free Internet service engage you and the kids. There is also a
movie lounge in Terminal 1 on Level 3.
There’s just as much to do and see in Terminal 2.
For starters, walk through the Fern Garden, where you can
enjoy dozens of ferns and amazing landscapes. Find
inner-peace and quiet in the Koi Pond, where kids can
watch the colorful freshwater fish and flowing waterfalls.
The Fern Garden and Koi Pond are located on Level 2. The
Orchid Garden – a Singapore favorite – features 15 species
of orchids and the Singapore national flower, Vanda Miss
Joaquim. The Orchid Garden is near the Pacific Coffee café
on Level 2. What kid doesn’t love sunflowers? Visit the
Sunflower Garden for an upbeat walk among hundreds of
sunny flowers. The sunflowers are located on Level 3.
Also on Level 3 is the entertainment area, which features
a 24-hour movie theater and gaming station featuring
Microsoft Xbox games. For longer layovers, take a trip
though Shopping City, Singapore airport’s own shopping
center filled with more than 300 retail stores.
Recently opened is Terminal 3, where families can enjoy a
state-of-the-art fitness center including a swimming pool
and natural retreat full of sandstone art and waterfalls.