Events

Airports celebrate Super Bowl LX & its fans

Events

Super Bowl LX will be played on Feburary 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California and will pit the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.

68,500 ticket holders will get to see the game live in the stadium.

Thousands more will be attending Super Bowl Week events throughout the Bay Area all week.

Many of those fans will be flying into the region for the Big Game and area airports are getting ready to welcome everyone before the game and to send them home after.

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC), is just five miles from Levi’s Stadium and will be accomodating 234 additional commercial flights scheduled by American, Delta, United, Alaska and Southwest Airlines on top of the airport’s regularly scheduled flights.

In addition to selfie-ready Super Bowl LX graphics and special pop-up shops, the airport is joining with San Jose Animal Care and Services to host a pet adoption event on Feburary 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Terminal B baggage claim area.

And for fans not interested in driving to Levi’s Stadium for the Big Game, SJC is offering $15 all-day parking in Airport Lots 2 and 4 and sharing public transit options.

To get the game day parking deal, use promo code SUPERSAVESJC and book through SJC’s Game Day Parking Website.

To get to Levi’s Stadium from SJC Airport:

The Santa Clara Valley Transporation Authority‘s (VTA) route 60 bus connects SJC Terminals A and B to VTA light rail at the Metro/Airport Station (First Street, near Brokaw).  From there, the light rail Green Line is a 15-minute ride to Levi’s Stadium (Lick Mill Station), then a short walk to Levi’s Stadium. 

Purchase VTA single rider tickets or a VTA day pass.

San Francisco Int’l Airport ready for Super Bowl LX

Airlines have added 28 additional flights into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for the Super Bowl.

That includes 10 extra arrivals on Friday, February 6th and 13 additional departures on Monday, February 9th.

And just in itme for the Big Game, Waymo is now serving the airport with autonomous taxi rides.

Starting Monday of Super Bowl week, SFO will have a variety of “fan zones” located in multiple terminals.

In Harvey Milk Terminal 1, look for the NFL Super Bowl LX photo booth. It will have a mock football field and a SFO logo. Find it post-security, across from Equator Coffees.

Terminal 2 will host a SFO Tailgate Party with a gridiron floor, giant inflated footballs, games and prizes. Find it post-security, near Compass Books.

And in Terminal 3, look for hologram welcome screens with 49er Hall of Famers Steve Young and Jerry Rice in the F Gates Food Court and E Gates exit.

And, for those who are in the airport during the Big Game, there will opportunities to watch the action live on monitors in the International Terminal A Food Court, in Terminal 3 near Peet’s Coffee and in the Terminal 3 F Food Court.

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK)

At Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), they’re expecting commercial operations to be normal during Super Bowl week, with a big spike in general aviation traffic.

Ice-skating at Munich Airport during the Holiday Market

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Ice-skating – and curling – at Munich International Airport

As part of its annual Christmas and Winter Market, Munich International Airport also offers ice-skating, along with curling.

While not free, visitors can skate all day on the Munich International Airport ice rink for a fee of €5 (about $5.80 US). Skate rental is available for €5.

On Wednesday, the ice-skating rink turns into an ice disco at 6 pm with an on-site DJ.

For those who want to watch or try curling, there’s a curling rink as well.

Delta is rewarding kind and courteous travelers

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It’s not just the DOT that wants airline passengers to be kind and courteous this holiday season.

Delta Air Lines has rolled out a Centennial Cheer program for the holiday that will reward travelers for assorted moments of kindness.

The campaign caps off Delta’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations and is designed to encourage, recognize and reward 100,000 acts of kindness between Delta passengers and employees now through January 5, 2026.

According to the airline, Delta employees are on the lookout for travelers who go out of their way to be nice and will be rewarding those “caught in the act” with limited-edition Holiday Medallion cards that are redeemable at the Delta Shop for various gifts, from Centennial merch to a limited number of Centennial Gift Sets featuring two commemorative trading cards and a $500 Delta Gift Card valued at $500.

“Whether it’s helping a seatmate with their bag, sharing a phone charger or simply thanking a reservations specialist, those gestures create the kind of connection that makes travel feel special. That’s what Centennial Cheer is all about, recognizing and celebrating the kindness we see every day,” said Erik Snell, Delta’s chief customer experience officer. 

Delta will also be sending out holiday-edition Well Done Certificates so Medallion Members can acknowledge Delta employees. More than 40,000 certificates will be sent to Delta 360°, Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion Members with confirmed holiday travel. Eligible Members can also request these certificates by visiting deltamedalliontags.com

Free holiday movies at Tampa Int’l Airport

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“The Grinch” and “Elf” for free at TPA

Tampa International Airport (TPA) has a giant flamingo greeting travelers in the main terminal year round. During this holiday season the airport also has free movies.

On December 6, the holiday favorite “The Grinch” will be shown and on December 13 the “Elf” with Will Ferrell and James Caan will be shown for free in TPA’s pre-security Main Terminal Event Space on Level 3 between the shuttles for Airsides E and F.

The space will open at 4 p.m. and the movies will begin at 4:30 p.m. As a bonus, TPA will also provide free popcorn for moviegoers.

Saturday, Dec. 6th

grinch-movie-poster

Saturday, Dec. 13th

Elf-Movie-Poster

Airport hosts hologram of country music star

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September is not only Bourbon Heritage Month, but it evidently also marks one year since the launch of ROW 94 Whiskey, founded by country music singer and songwriter Dierks Bentley.

To mark the month, Bentley and his bourbon teamed up with Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to install a life-sized Dierks hologram in the airport’s post-security rotunda area.

The hologram welcomes travelers to Louisville, tells them the story of the ROW 94 whiskey and directs them to the airport’s District Distillery Marketplace, where signed and limited-edition bottles are available for purchase.

To celebrate the two-month promotion, on Friday, September 12, the real Dierks beamed in live to SDF from Nashville and gave away a guitar, so no doubt there were plenty of passengers doing double takes.

Photo Credit: Dan Dry / PriceWeber

Reno-Tahoe Int’l Airport ready for Burning Man

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Thousands of the 70,000 to 80,000 people attending the Burning Man 2025 festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert will arrive and depart via Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).

And, as it has in the past, the airport is ready for the Burning Man visitors.

The airport partners with Air Playa Info to host a welcome table in the airport terminal lobby to assist with travel questions, including transportation via the Burner Express Bus and via Burner Express Air.

RNO Airport’s depARTures Gallery is also presenting a Burning Man-themed exhibition.

“Tiny Titans: The Power of the Maquette” provides a glimpse into the creative process of two Burning Man artists, Mark Rivera and Turburam Sandagdorj (a.k.a. STuro), through models of the concepts that turn into the giant installations that get built out on the Playa.

Places to go. Great food & drink. Free cookies.

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Travel signs

We can’t go everywhere that looks pretty. And we can’t eat and drink everything that looks tasty.

But we want to.

Especially when our inbox and our mailbox are full of tantalizing announcements and tasty treats.

Here’s a sampling.

Complimentary cookie at DoubleTree by Hilton

If you’ve stayed at a Doubletree by Hilton hotel, you’ve no doubt already nibbled on one (or more…) of the complimentary warm chocolate chip cookies they offer guests at check-in.

But on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – August 4 – anyone who stops by any of the 400 or so DoubleTree by Hilton locations across the United States can enjoy a complimentary cookie of their choice: the original warm chocolate chip cookie or an allergy-free alternative.

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

Over dinner at Atoma, the highly-acclaimed Seattle restaurant known for its fried, Scandinavian-inspired rosette cookie appetizer made with Walla Walla onion jam and soft farmer cheese, we learned all about the 15th Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival.

The multi-week epicurean experience takes place across three Hawaiian islands each fall, and this year runs October 17 -18 on the Island of Hawaii, October 24-26 at Kaanapali, Maui and October 30 to November 2 on Oahu.

Birding in Tennessee

Here in Seattle, we’ve been seeing eagles, hummingbirds and, as always, loud crows in our neighbohrood.

But the new, free Guide to Birding in Tennessee, put out by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), is a great reason to head east with our binoculars.

Available online and at Tennessee Welcome Centers, the 30-plus-page guide offers seasonal tips and regional recommendations for spotting everything from bald eagles and sandhill cranes to colorful warblers, waterfowl and rare migratory visitors.

The guide also lists birding festivals and includes a list of accessible trails, boardwalks and scenic overlooks.

(Sandhill_Crane_Graham_Gerdeman)

Live music line-up at Memphis International Airport

If you’re flying to or through Memphis International Airport (MEM), check to see if any of these live music events will be happening when you’re there.

  • August 8: Elvis tribute artist Finley Watkins
  • August 28: Rachel Maxann
  • September 26: Memphis Symphony Orchestra quartet
  • October 10: Memphis Symphony Orchestra quartet
  • November 7: Memphis Symphony Orchestra quartet

It’s going to be a zoo at PHX airport

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) hosts an ongoing Culture Corner presenting free activities that include live art demonstrations, crafts, displays, readings, and more.

Since January, local art, culture and history groups have stopped by the PHX Culture Corner to present everything from calligraphy, puppet making and airplane construction to Navajo weaving and petroglyph creation.

This week, the culture corner is going to be a zoo.

On Wednesday, July 30, between 1 and 3 p.m., educators from the Phoenix Zoo will be at the PHX Culture Corner with some animals that make their home in the Arizona desert.

Scheduled to make an appearance are a tiger salamander, an Arizona pocket mouse, a desert tortoise, domestic rabbits, and a red-tailed hawk.

If you’ll be at PHX early afternoon on Wednesday, then head post-security in Terminal 3, near Gate F3 for a chance to visit with some zoo animals.

And no pocketing the Arizona pocket mouse.

Go fly a kite & other things we’d love to do

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North America’s largest & longest-running kite festival

During the third full week of August, the charming coastal town of Long Beach, Washington hosts the Washington State International Kite Festival, the largest and longest-running kite festival in North America.

And it’s free.

The 2025 festival takes place from August 18 to 24 and includes kite competitions and performances, including synchronized kite ballet and mass ascensions where hundreds of kites fill the sky at once. Other kite festival activities include kite-making workshops, nighttime lighted kite flying and lots of opportunities to fly your own kite.  

While in Long Beach, be sure to visit the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame.

The museum is home to more than 1,500 kites from 26 countries and includes a 300-piece Japanese kite collection and a set of WWII military kites.

(Kids with kite photo up top courtesy State Library and Archives of Florida via Flickr Commons)

This Oregon inn had us at “popcorn”

 

The Setting Inn Willamette Valley is a boutique retreat with an on-site wine tasting room in Newberg, Oregon, the heart of Oregon Wine Country.

We were fortunate to spend a delightful evening there a while back and loved the wine, the complimentary breakfast delivered to amenity-rich room, the indoor and outdoor gathering spots and the walkable grounds.

Now one of the inn’s new guest experiences has us contemplating a return trip.

From now through October, The Setting Inn is offering a Popcorn Pairing package that includes a bottle of The Setting Wines’ 2024 barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc with two bags of small-batch rosemary parmesan popcorn from Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn, a family-owned Newberg favorite. 

Cruise news: Holland America’s behind-the-scenes tours

Holland America Line’s popular behind-the-scenes tours of its cruise ships were on pause for the past few years due to a variety of health and safety reasons.

But they’re back on the paid activity list.

Available fleetwide by the end of July, each behind-the-scenes tour visits shipboard locations such as the navigational bridge, galley and engine control room, main laundry, recycling center, bakery and bars.

Holland America Line will also be marking America’s 250th birthday in 2026 with a special round-trip cruise from Boston. The seven-day “America’s 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage” aboard Zuiderdam departs July 4, 2026, and includes a special call at Norfolk, Virginia, with access to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.

Bob Ross Experience at Indiana’s Minnetrista Museum

In 1887, the Ball family—makers of the famous Ball mason jars—moved their glass manufacturing business from Buffalo, New York, to Muncie, Indiana.

Today, that property is home to the 40-acre Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

From 1983 to 1988, Bob Ross filmed “The Joy of Painting” in one of the homes on the property, which served as the studio for WIPB-TV. 

Now, the home is the site of the Bob Ross Experience, an exhibition featuring original paintings and artifacts, and the restored television studio where the show was filmed.

Visitors can stand where Ross stood at his easel and even take a painting class from a Certified Ross Instructor.

Airport attractions: horses, stars & free cards for moms

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Whoa, Nellie: thoroughbreds at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

They’re not flying horses. But if you’re flying through Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) you can take a selfie with a horse.

The 150th Preakness Stakes – the second race in the Triple Crown series of thoroughbred horse races – takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, May 17.

To celebrate the Preakness Stakes race and the accompanying Preakness Festival, two large models of thoroughbred horses are now on display at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Both horses are located on the upper level of the airport, near the center of the terminal and the C security checkpoint. One horse is located pre-security and the other is located post-security.

Passengers may snap a selfie with one or both of the horses.

But, unfortunately, no rides.


Fresh art at Denver International Airport

We’re looking forward to flying into Denver International Airport (DEN) soon and seeing this cool new constellation-inspired artwork near Gate C54.

Free Mother’s Day cards at Norfolk Int’l Airport

Flowers, phone calls, brunch, and big hugs are in store for many moms this weekend.

And maybe a bonus postcard.

Over Mother’s Day weekend Norfolk International Airport (ORF) will be handing out free “Thanks, Mom” postcards at the Information Desk between 9 a.m. and 9 p.,m.

They’ll even give you a free stamp to send that postcard (while supplies last).