Staying Occupied at the Airport

I was all set to write a little blog full of tips to keep you sane during a long layover at the airport. Since I'm going to be spending five hours in Denver International this Sunday, I thought some new ideas would be good for me too. But you know what's not really out there on the web...good ideas for ways to stay sane during a long layover.

All of the ideas seem so obvious. Read. Sleep. Work. Eat. Shop. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Talk to people. Basically, pack your smart phone, grab a snack, and sit around waiting for your next flight.

Not all that helpful for me...but maybe for a first time plane traveler. So despite what I deem obvious, here goes my airport to-do list.

1. Read. If you didn't bring a book visit a newsstand for a magazine, word puzzle, or novel.
2. Talk. On your phone or to people around you (ya know...if you're the friendly sort). If you're worried about your phone (or any electronic device) dying make sure you pack the charger in your carry on luggage.There are electrical outlets all around the gates that you can use.
3. Watch a movie or listen to music on your nifty pocket computer of choice.
4. Take a walk. If you're at an airport with moving floors you could ride those up and down and wonder at the weightless feeling you have while zooming past those walking on the boring, normal floor. If you're lucky enough to be at an airport with a tram, ride that back and forth and back and forth.
5. Write in a journal.
6. Catch up on work or surf the web. Your airport will almost certainly offer free wi-fi.
7. Sleep...if you can.
8. Shop. You can go online and see what shops your airport offers. You'll probably find everything from city souvenirs to Pandora jewelry and Coach. Bonus if you can find a duty free shop (where items are cheaper because the store is not charged a duty or tax and can keep prices lower). Duty free shops usually carry things like liquor, perfumes, candy, and jewelry and will be around international flight gates.
9. Eat. You can have a snack at your gate or a sit down meal. Check online for restaurant lists.
10. Leave. If your layover is long enough you can leave and visit the surrounding city. Just keep in mind you'll need enough time to get back to the airport and go through security again.

If you are going to have a long layover, research the airport online. Some airports have art galleries, nap or massage stations, or special VIP areas you may be interested in. But if you know beforehand, you won't have to waste time wandering around (unless that's what you want to do).

Layovers are just never going to be what I would call fun, but they can be made tolerable. If anyone has any unique ideas I'd love to hear them.