It may be stressful traveling this week through the nation’s airports, but there are some freebies and special events being rolled out that you may find useful and entertaining.

In addition to the events we listed yesterday at Boston’s Logan International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, you’ll find:

Two days of free valet parking at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). To get a coupon for the free parking, fill out this form.

Through Wednesday, November 25, 2009, you can stop by any Travelers Assistance Info Booth at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and pick up a free children’s book, courtesy of Cheerios and The Spoonful of Stories program. The books include: “Junkyard Fort”, by Jon Scieszka, “Tea for Ruby”, by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, “Sleepyhead”, by Karma Wilson, “Ballyhoo Bay”, by Judy Sierra, and “What’s Under the Bed?”, by Joe Fenton.

And don’t forget that many airports around the country have opened on-site dog relief parks.  The latest to open is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which now has a dog park with two sculptures by Doug Makemson of Commerce, GA, who says:

“The model for “Abby” was my beloved yellow lab, Abby, who was always willing to strike a pose. She had a full life and a mercifully rapid demise a few weeks after the sculpture was completed. She was the world’s best dog; I miss her. The sculpture is made mostly from parts of a backhoe and a bulldozer, and the stone is Gneiss, a type of granite, from an old quarry near Glade, Georgia. For me, “Abby” the sculpture will always make me remember Abby the dog, the most loyal friend I ever had.

You can see the sculptures – and a happy dog in the park – in this cute one minute video ATL airport posted to celebrate the opening of the dog park.

Happy Thanksgiving – more airport freebies tomorrow!

Categories: Air Travel, Entertainment, Events, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids, Parking, Pets
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Getting ready for Thanksgiving travel?

Many airports will be hosting special events and handing out freebies this week.

Here are few to get you started.

On Wednesday (November 25^th, 2009) at Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS):

• Every 15 minutes, from 9 am until 6 pm, Curious George will be handing out candy and activity books at the new Papyrus card and stationary store located pre-security in Terminal C.
• Between 6 am and 10 pm, over at the check-in lines for Terminal A, Microsoft will be distributing Bing Travel MasterCards worth $15 each. The cards can be used to defray bag check fees or to purchase items at airport concessions.
• And in the cell phone waiting lot between 3 pm and 7 pm, Dunkin Donuts will have a sampling van offering hot chocolate, coffee or peppermint mocha lattes to folks waiting to pick up friends and relatives.

And through Thursday, November 26h, over at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), anyone parking on the long-term parking decks will receive a $5 gift certificate redeemable at any of the airport’s 120 concessions through Jan. 15, 2010.

There are lots more special offers and freebies to be found later this week.

More details tomorrow.

Categories: Air Travel, Airport shops, Entertainment, Events, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff
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There’s a major and much needed modernization program going on at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).  Shops, restaurants and public areas are being upgraded, but I’m happy to report that no one is going to lay a finger on what many people consider to be the best part of this airport:  the cultural gardens.

Surrounding the main terminal lobby, this trio of three cultural gardens – which honor the Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian influences on the island – is an oasis offering lovely spots for relaxation, meditation, sunning and snoozing.

It will be tempting, but try not to spend all your time at HNL in the gardens, because the shops here offer plenty of treats.  So many, in fact, that I had a hard time choosing what to feature this week for Souvenir Sunday – the day we  highlight items you can buy at an airport that are under $10, “of” the city or region and, ideally, a bit offbeat.

Souvenirs in the running ranged from all manner of items celebrating President Barack Obama’s links to Hawaii;

Food items such as pineapple and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, and of course leis made out of everything from flowers and nuts to candy. .

This cute and somewhat practical oven mitt caught my eye:

But in the end I chose this Surfing Santa ornament as my pick for Souvenir Sunday this week.

Have you found a great souvenir at an airport?  If it’s under $10, not a shot glass or a magnet (too easy), “of” the city or region, and a bit offbeat, please snap a photo and send it along.

Your souvenir may be featured on a future edition of Souvenir Sunday.

Categories: Air Travel, Airport shops, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Shopping, Souvenirs
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A new exhibit at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)  is all about the history of the video game industry and includes some original video-game-related art and artifacts related to the Austin-based development of such video game classics as Wing Commander, The Black Gate and Thief: Deadly Shadows.

(Pen and ink concept art drawing by Denis Loubet for Ultima VI: the False Prophet; via Austin-Bergstrom International Airport)

In addition to sketches, storby boards and illustrations, the exhibit includes the paper punched tape used by Austinite Richard Garriott to record the video game code for one of his first games, Akalabeth..  There’s also a prototype cartridge of M.U.L.E.’s lost sequel, Son of M.U.L.E. and design documents from Warren Spector’s innovative classic Deus Ex.

Behind the Screens is from the collection of the University of Texas, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and is on display through January 26, 2010. Look for the exhibit in the pylon showcases located on the concourse between Gates 7-12.

Categories: Art, Entertainment, Exhibits, Fun Stuff, Museums, Openings
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Cleveland Rocks!

Kudos to the Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport  (CLE) and the non-profit group OneCommunity for working together to bring permanent free Wi-Fi to the airport.

Cleveland Airport joins many other smart airports that offer travelers free Wi-Fi year round.  And, lest you forget, from now through January 15, 2010, Google is covering the Wi-Fi fees at a 47 airports, from Seattle to Miami.  Here’s a full list of the participating airports . Let’s hope those airports continue offering the service for free after that.

Nap Time at ATL

You can now make a reservation at the first Minute Suites, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). These “suites”, located inside the terminal on the B Concourse have daybeds, pillows and blankets, sound masking systems, and a “napware” audio program.  Each suite also has a a TV, desk, phone, and a computer.   How much will you pay to snooze in a “suite”?  The minimum reservation accepted is 1 hour and costs $30. After that it’s $7.50 each 15 minutes.

If you try this out, please let us know what you think!

Categories: Air Travel, Hotels, Jet Lag, Openings, Wi-Fi
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