20 Airports Worth the Layover

Air travel can be stressful enough. From uncomfortable seats to time zone changes and lengthy airport time with kids, you may just wish you'd never left home. The good news is that there are worse places to be than an airport. In fact, these 20 airports are so awesome (some are even kid-friendly!) that you and your brood may never want to leave.

If you find yourself in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, thank your lucky stars for this relaxing layover. While there, find Holland Boulevard between lounges 2 and 3, where there are colorful, contemporary chairs to chill in, a library that decorates the area with its impressive book collection and giant teddy bears for your kids to cuddle with. The kiddies can even sample the famous Nemo Science Museum, with interactive areas setup to mimic the museum itself.

One of the country's busiest airports is also a very family-friendly place (though, with all those travelers, you'll want to be extra vigilant in keeping an eye on the small ones). In addition to two play areas, stop by the airport's atrium to check out the fully assembled skeleton of a dinosaur. Atlanta's art program is in constant rotation, and three youth art galleries feature work by local students.

Boston's international airport has three play areas known as Kidports, all of which offer plentiful space for kids to run off their energy and where parents can relax during a layover. In Terminal A, check out a KidPort with climbing structures and slides. Terminal C has a space that looks like an airfield, including play areas that look like vintage airplanes and hand-painted walls filled with blue sky and clouds. Find rocking chairs throughout the airport to comfort the smallest ones away from home.

There's a worldwide consensus that Singapore's Changi Airport is one of the best in the world. Maybe it's the free foot massages, movie theater and media centers. It could be one of the many gardens sprinkled throughout, including butterfly, sunflower and cactus gardens. Whether it's any of those reasons or the on-site swimming pool, it's a pretty easy guess to figure out why this airport often wins that coveted top spot.

You know you've found a good airport when Nickelodeon Magazine calls its Kids on the Fly exhibit the "most awesome airport play area." Kids on the Fly is an interactive, educational play space where children can run off their extra energy by exploring an airplane, control tower and helicopter model. Every year, the exhibit is updated with new activities, so return visitors are never bored. Elsewhere around the airport, find a mother's room for nursing and plenty of family restrooms.

The scenery at Colorado's ginormous Denver International Airport makes it a perfect place to relax on a layover. With abundant sunshine throughout the year and a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains, there's (almost) no need to leave the airport to discover the natural magic of Denver. View the versatile permanent art fixtures as well as the temporary exhibits on display while you wait, but don't get lost because DEN is the largest airport in the U.S.

Detroit tops the list for play spaces, with seven different fun areas spread throughout the airport. Though you could just hop from one to another throughout the course of your layover, you might also want to check out KidZoo, a shop packed with toys, games and a television that plays children's shows. Make sure you also visit the Light Tunnel, connecting the A and B/C concourses. It has a colorful light show choreographed to music.

This massive Texas airport doesn't skimp when it comes to entertainment for small travelers. There are a bunch of areas throughout the airport called Junior Flyer Clubs, which are outfitted with interactive playgrounds, toys and games. If you want to change things up, visit the McDonald's play space or step outside for some fresh air while you check out the airport's sculpture garden.

Energy-filled Hong Kong International Airport is a welcome layover. The busy airport offers a variety of entertainment experiences, including something for each member of the family. Practice your swing at GreenLive Air, the indoor virtual putting green, or visit the 3-D IMAX theater with one of the largest movie screens in town. For a unique treat, enjoy free entry to the Aviation Discovery Centre and try landing a plane (for a $40 fee) with the flight simulator that sets this airport apart from the rest.

Admittedly, Honolulu Airport isn't the most attractive airport, not that it needs to be with landmarks like Waikiki Beach not far away. But if you happen to find yourself connecting to flights there, visit one of the beautiful, scenic cultural gardens on site. The gardens represent Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese heritages, all of which have heavy influence on the islands. The dazzling structures and serene ponds will make you forget you're in an airport.

Switching flights in Seoul, South Korea, at Incheon Airport? Congratulations, you've hit the airport jackpot! This place is filled with nap zones, free internet areas, digital gyms and there are even free showers for those on long trips! Plus, this dazzling airport hosts numerous shows and events that share the beauty and wonder of South Korean culture. If you've got any kind of craving, you can find an array of bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants all around this hospitable air hub.

The art-filled terminals of the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, will keep the attention of any wanderer. You'll find local art in the form of paintings, sculptures and hanging exhibits, along with internationally inspired pieces. The open lobby, made of stone and steel, is designed to feel like the inside of a plane, comfortably coaxing you onto your next flight.

A layover at Munich Airport in southern Germany is like going on a day trip within a trip (very "Inception"). With activities like miniature golf, an around-the-world themed playground and amenities like free Wi-Fi, there's no room for any member of the family to be bored, no matter how long the layover. Get the family together on the observation deck to watch the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, fuel up, load up and take off.

Food, food and more food awaits you at the Tokyo Narita Airport. Travel the world through cuisine and without leaving the airport's three terminals. Japanese, Thai and Chinese restaurants are a few among many styles of food you'll find, not to mention the cafés, bars and fast-food joints that are also there. After eating to your heart's content, you and the fam can stroll the airport to view the rotating exhibits of the art gallery or take in the variety of Japanese cultural events.

With lots of public art and rotating exhibits on display, Nashville's air travel hub provides a diversion from typical airport tedium. Known for its musical roots, Nashville delivers even in the airport, where close to 100 bands perform on its stages every year (generally on Thursday and Friday afternoons). For those looking for something more traditional, take advantage of three padded play areas, replete with tunnels, slides and climbing structures.

As if the home of Disney World wasn't already entertaining, getting stuck in the Florida airport isn't so bad, either. Though play spaces are limited, there is a video arcade and lots of shops selling merchandise from Disney, Universal Studios and other local attractions. Visit the Kennedy Space Center stores, which house space memorabilia, such as pieces of asteroids and a life-size model of an astronaut. The highlight of an Orlando layover, however, is the airport's 3,000-gallon aquarium, which contains over 100 underwater creatures.

Two aviation-themed areas mixing education with play help families kill time in Philadelphia's airport. Interactive displays entice older kids, while children of any age will enjoy exploring a jumbo jet and control tower, where they can pretend to be pilots or air traffic controllers. Check out the airport's website prior to departure to download games and puzzles for additional diversion.

Three aquariums in the ticketing area start a kid-friendly trip off right, and the airport's Kids' Spot features a weather-themed play area and an interactive plasma wall. If you've got school-age children in tow at San Francisco's airport, head to the aviation museum in the international terminal's main hall, or check out one of the educational self-guided tours available on the airport's website.

A padded, colorful playroom is particularly friendly for the younger kids. There's also an attached mother's area with adjustable lighting, rocking chairs and foot stools, so traveling moms can ensure even the littlest travelers get the utmost attention. As you wander the airport, keep your ears open for live music, seven days a week.

Zurich Airport in Switzerland remains famous for its family-friendliness, especially when it comes to lengthy stopovers. Colorful playrooms are packed with toys for all ages, including games adults could enjoy, including foosball. One of the best moments of your layover will be breathing in fresh air on the observation deck, where you'll see the landing strip and where the planes take off. The kids will love the view and enjoy themselves at the playground (and play planes) nearby.