Exploring Dallas Airport: Activities And Attractions

Dallas Fort Worth Airport is an international airport that is larger than the island of Manhattan. With upwards of 81.8 million passengers travelling through in 2023, it is one of the busiest airports in the world. If you're looking for things to do at the airport, you're in luck! Here are some suggestions:

- Yoga and meditation: There are two yoga rooms located after security, one at Gate D40 and the other at Gate E31. There are also multiple interfaith chapels throughout the airport where you can meditate and reset before your flight.

- Art walk: DFW Airport has partnered with the Nasher Sculpture Center to create an outdoor sculpture garden. You can also find art installations throughout the airport, including Wish by Terry Allen and Circling by Christopher Janney.

- Shopping: Terminal D offers a variety of shopping options, from low to high-end luxury stores such as Chanel, L'Occitane, and Diptyque.

- Dining: There are plenty of dining options at DFW Airport, including Tex-Mex cuisine at Cantina Laredo, Texas barbecue at Hickory or The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que, and European-style bakery and market at Eatzi's.

- Lounges: The Club at DFW Airport Lounge in Terminal D offers complimentary snacks and high-speed Wi-Fi, while the American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Terminal D, Gate D21, features a cocktail bar, shower suites, and solid food options.

- Spa and wellness: XpresSpa offers premium spa services such as massages, facials, and nail care in Terminals A, D, and E.

- Gaming: Gameway in Terminal E, Gate 16 offers unlimited gaming for $45, with nine gaming stations and eight desktop gaming PCs.

Eat at Whataburger, Cantina Laredo, or The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que

Dallas Fort Worth Airport, or DFW, has plenty of eateries to choose from, but three stand out: Whataburger, Cantina Laredo, and The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que.

Whataburger

Whataburger has been serving hot, made-to-order burgers and more since 1950. You can find their DFW International Airport location in Terminal E27. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and pancakes.

Cantina Laredo

Cantina Laredo, located in Terminal B, serves authentic Mexican food inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City with a modern twist. You can enjoy grilled fish, chicken, or steak topped with signature sauces like chipotle-wine and Portobello mushroom or sautéed artichoke heart and roasted red bell pepper. Their award-winning margarita, the Casa Rita, is made from fresh lime juice and the finest tequila.

The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que

Voted 4th place in the World's Best Airport Restaurants by the Daily Meal, The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que is located by Gate A-16 and is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. They serve world-famous Barbecue and Salt Lick Cellars wine.

So, whether you're craving a juicy burger, some modern Mexican cuisine, or mouth-watering barbecue, Dallas Airport has you covered!

Visit Founders' Plaza

If you're looking for something to do at Dallas Airport, why not visit Founders Plaza? This observation area is the perfect spot for plane spotting and has been named one of the best places for it in the world. It's also a great place to relax with friends and family and enjoy a picnic, with tables and grassed areas available.

Founders Plaza is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm and is completely free to enter. It's located at the North end of the airport, near the north exit, and offers magnificent views of planes taking off and landing. The variety of aircraft is impressive, and aviation enthusiasts will particularly enjoy listening to the air traffic control communications from the FAA tower, broadcast via a radio at the plaza.

The plaza also has a commemorative monument, which was funded by donations from the Friends of DFW, civic leaders, and community members. The monument's dimensions and features represent significant facts about the airport. For example, the four panels represent the airport's original four passenger terminals, and the 35" wide side panels represent the 35 miles between Dallas and Fort Worth.

If you want to make your mark on this popular viewing area, you can buy a brick with a personalised message for $125.

Play video games at Gameway

If you're looking for something to do at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, why not play video games at Gameway? Gameway is the world's first premium video game lounge located in airports. There are two locations at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport: one at Gate 16 in Terminal E and the other at Gate 42 in Terminal B.

Each Gameway lounge offers a variety of video games to keep you entertained while you wait for your flight. The Terminal E lounge has 22 stations, while the Terminal B lounge has 14. Each station is equipped with an Xbox One that includes 19 preloaded games, such as Fortnite, FIFA 18, Call of Duty WWII, NBA 2K18, Minecraft, and Rocket League. You can either log into your own account or play on Gameway's account.

To make your experience even better, Gameway provides premium gaming headphones and ensures that all stations are meticulously cleaned and disinfected. The pricing starts at $17.99, with customers paying 42 cents per minute or $20 for unlimited gameplay.

So, if you're looking for a fun way to pass the time at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, be sure to check out the Gameway video game lounges!

Do yoga

If you're looking for a way to unwind and stretch your body while waiting for your flight at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, you're in luck! The airport offers a free yoga studio in Terminal D, Gate D40, overlooking the American Airlines tarmac. This peaceful space provides yoga mats, hand sanitiser, and a view, allowing you to relax and stretch before or after a long flight.

The yoga studio is equipped with a looping DVD that provides yoga instruction, making it an excellent spot to learn about yoga if you're new to the practice. Additionally, you can borrow a yoga mat if you don't have your own, making it convenient for travellers.

For those who prefer walking, the LiveWell Walking Path in Terminal D offers a 7/10-mile-long path marked with signs between 12 floor art medallions from gates D6 to D40.

Keep in mind that yoga rooms in airports are communal spaces, so it's important to be considerate of other travellers. Remember to remove your shoes, refrain from bringing food and drinks, silence your electronic devices, and respect other yogis by keeping your practice quiet.

With its yoga studio and walking path, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport provides excellent opportunities for travellers to stay active and relaxed during their time at the airport.

Visit the art installations

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) houses an impressive art collection, with more than 30 artworks, including terrazzo floors, an outdoor sculpture garden, and paintings. The airport's public art programme features multi-million-dollar commissioned public art pieces and inspiring walking paths showcasing works by local, national, and international artists.

The airport takes its public art vision seriously, installing art in various forms, such as sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and more. Many of these pieces can be found in International Terminal D and at Skylink stations. The Skylink train can take you between terminals, so you can easily access the art installations.

The DFW art programme aims to expand further, with plans to add new commissioned works in Terminals C, E, and F, along with a dynamic digital art programme and rotating exhibitions. This expansion will bring nearly a 60% increase in art installations, with 17 new additions expected between 2026 and 2030.

If you're an art enthusiast, you can join an airport tour or explore the terminals to discover the diverse art installations at DFW Airport. The airport also offers free docent-led walking tours of its art collection, which take between 60 and 90 minutes and can be booked online at dfwairport.com/art.

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