13 Cool And Thoughtful Amenities At Airports Around The World

Jacob Shelton
Updated September 13, 2019 13 items

Airports across the world are a whirling torrent of stress for travelers, but if you know how to navigate their recesses, you can have a pretty entertaining layover. International airports like LAX and Incheon in Seoul, South Korea, are massive. Because of their size, they feature rooms and amenities that are only available to passengers with a keen eye - and you don't have to fly first class to take advantage of them. 

Many airports offer gardens and solitary spaces for travelers to relax, but other terminals across the world have even more to discover. Yoga rooms, underground tunnels, and even secret facial recognition areas are built into some of the most prominent airports in the world - not to mention the dog park that you can find when traveling through Atlanta. Check out these hidden airport locations around the world.

  • JFK International Airport In New York Features A Dentist's Office

    JFK International Airport In New York Features A Dentist's Office

    What Happens There: Need a cap fixed? Feel like you have a cavity and just want to get it filled so you can get on with your life? All that can be accomplished within the walls of JFK International Airport. While the JFK dentist's office is mostly used by employees, passengers are more than welcome to stop by. 

    How You Get There: The JFK dentist's office can be found on Farmers Blvd. 

    And if you're looking for something to munch on after your dental work, check out our list of the best places to eat in JFK Airport.

  • McCarran International Airport In Las Vegas Has A Secret Bedroom

    What Happens There: Ideally, guests can retreat to these secret rooms to get some much-needed sleep. More than likely, however, visitors will spend their time staring into the void, thinking about how much money they spent over their three-day weekend. If someone's exhausted enough and has the time, they can grab a nap before boarding their plane. 

    How You Get There: Find the ZEROlevel Fitness & Wellness section. Once there, sleep rooms can be rented for $5 an hour, with discounted rates for longer blocks of time. Aside from a chance at much-needed relaxation, a room rental also grants users access to a gym and showers.

  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport In Honolulu Has A Secret Garden

    What Happens There: Many travelers undoubtedly use this spot to contemplate whether or not they should just drop everything and stay in Hawaii. Others have simply used the space to clear their heads before a long flight. The area has Chinese, Japanese, and Hawaiian gardens along with numerous ponds filled with fish. The garden also features miniature waterfalls and greenery as far as the eye can see. 

    How You Get There: Find the gardens surrounding the Terminal 2 ticketing lobby and the E gates of the airport.

  • O'Hare International Airport In Chicago Features A Yoga Studio

    What Happens There: Like many hidden airport spaces, this yoga studio is meant to help passengers and employees alleviate the stress of air travel. The space is open daily, and anyone can stop by to stretch out or work their core while they wait for their flight.

    How You Get There: Go to the mezzanine level of Terminal 3 to find this 15-by-16-foot bamboo-floored space. Frosted glass provides guests with privacy while they center themselves. The space is painted in soothing tones to calm travelers' nerves after bouts of turbulence.

  • Burlington International Airport In Vermont Has A Public Garden On Its Roof

    What Happens There: If you want to relax and contemplate your travels while passing through Vermont, head to the roof of Burlington Airport's parking garage for a special surprise. The roof features walkways winding through lush areas of flowers situated near a solar panel array.

    How You Get There: The rooftop garden is truly an airport secret. There are no signs telling passengers how to get there, so some investigation is required. Once you're in the parking garage, keep walking towards the top until you come to a "heavy, unmarked door." Push through to find a garden you'll likely have all to yourself.

  • Schiphol Airport In Amsterdam Has A Meditation Center And Chapel

    What Happens There: Whether you're religious, spiritual, or just want to take a break from the rest of the world, Schiphol Airport's Meditation Centre boasts three rooms offering very different experiences. The Quiet Room is a space for prayer or meditation, the Reading Room is designed for reading spiritual literature, and the Meeting Room is a place where travelers can gather. 

    How You Get There: Head up to the second floor and look for a sign featuring a kneeling figure. Inside the center, you can take time for yourself or speak to one of the full-time religious leaders on staff.

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Has A Dog Park

    What Happens There: Traveling with a dog is always a little stressful. This Atlanta-area airport provides several different spots for canine companions to stretch their legs and get a drink on some grassy turf. There are two outdoor parks and various relief areas.

    How You Get There: Hartsfield-Jackson features numerous pet relief areas throughout the property, but to find Poochie Park - the 1,000-square-foot dog park - head to the ground transportation area near Domestic Terminal South. The park is just outside of the doors marked W1 and W2.

  • Dubai International Airport Features A Walking Tunnel

    What Happens There: The walkway in Dubai International Airport serves many functions. It's a digital aquarium offering dazzling displays of technology while simultaneously acting as one of the world's largest pieces of facial recognition tech.

    How You Get There: Guests actually have to walk through this tunnel to fly out of Dubai. The passageway was implemented as a means of foregoing stringent airport security policies in favor of tracking travelers throughout the airport. With 80 cameras in the walkway scanning passengers as they travel through the area, it offers a visual feast, directing travelers to look straight into a camouflaged camera.

  • Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Provides Hidden Showers

    What Happens There: Passengers can use these showers to clean up after a long flight. While the facilities can be used for as long as necessary, only 15 minutes of hot water are available for each guest. 

    How You Get There: The shower rooms can be found near the Plaza Premium Lounge by Zone A, and they're open to the public. Although the rooms are marked with a sign, they're easy to miss if you're not looking for them. Towels are available for purchase from a shop around the corner, and the facilities feature a place for guests to store their items while showering.

  • What Happens There: While waiting for a flight, travelers can kick back and check out the view from the top of LAX. This can be done from the top of the Theme Building's observation tower or with one of the telescopes provided by the airport - both options are free. 

    How You Get There: Anyone familiar with LAX will recognize the giant dome structure in the middle of the parking section, but few people realize that it's open to the public during the second weekend of each month. Just park in one of the airport's many garages and walk up to the Theme Building.

  • Denver International Airport Features Underground Tunnels

    What Happens There: The mysteries of Denver International Airport have spawned a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, many of which concern the airport's underground tunnels. However, according to those in charge, the massive tunnels are actually used to move baggage from one end of the airport to the other. 

    How You Get There: It is neither safe nor legal to venture beneath Denver Airport, so do not attempt to do so. However, past visitors have found surprisingly easy ways into the tunnels that run parallel to the tram. Near the end of Concourse C is a large steel door which adventurous guests have used for years to enter and explore the tunnels.

  • Incheon International Airport In South Korea Has A Cultural Experience Center

    What Happens There: There's no reason to be bored in South Korea's Incheon International Airport, but travelers looking to take in some culture during a layover will love the Korea Culture Experience Center. Inside, travelers learn to make Korean crafts like fans and pencil cases at no cost. It's a great way to pass the time for both kids and adults. 

    How You Get There: The two experience zones are near the gates directly across from the live music stages at either end of the terminal. The rooms are decked out with various craft items, so just pop in and start crafting.

  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Features Dedicated Quiet Areas

    What Happens There: In the quiet areas, passengers can rest, get some much-needed shut-eye, and recharge their batteries - both personal and technological. 

    How You Get There: The designated quiet areas in the Minneapolis-area airport are in Terminal 1, the busier of the two terminals. To reach one of these areas, go up to the observation deck between Concourses D and E, behind the escalators and baggage claim. Once there, enjoy spacious benches and plenty of power outlets.