Stuck on a layover at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CTU)? As the main hub for US Airways, Charlotte is a popular layover destination. The airport is located roughly ten miles from downtown Charlotte, which makes the city a great destination for those on a long layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport, you can find a number of services to keep you occupied on your layover wait. There are a number of shops and restaurants that you can find listed by each concourse here. There is also an Information Counter and Visitor Center, Banking and ATM’s in the main terminal, business services and conference facilities are available (call 704-359-4013 for more info), Internet service is available through data ports located throughout the airport, Interfaith 24-hour place of worship, and a Post Office in Concourse D.

For the full Layover Guide to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, CLICK HERE!

If you’re looking for a hotel to rest and unwind before your next flight, there’s the Doubletree Hotel Charlotte Airport and the Holiday Inn Charlotte Airport nearby. For more hotel options near the airport, click here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport to see some sites, you can catch a taxi outside of Baggage Claim. On average, the cost for a taxi ride to the city center is $25.00 plus $1 gas surcharge. For more information on the Charlotte Airport’s taxi prices, click here. In addition, you can find contact information for a number of limousines, shuttle services, and contract vans here and car rental services here.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Charlotte Layover:

Charlotte Tours
If you have a limited amount of time to explore the city, a tour may be the best way to go to see a number of sights. There’s a number to choose from including Charlotte’s Longest Running Daily City Tour, Guided Historic Walking Tours of Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Trolley Tour and Charlotte Segway and Bike Tours.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens/
If you’re looking to stretch your legs in a beautiful locale, the UNC Botanical Gardens may be just the spot. The gardens include a greenhouse complex, a 3-acre Susie Hardwood Garden and a 7-acre Van Landingham Glen – each offering a variety of different plants.

Discovery Place
A great place to take children, the Discovery Place in Charlotte has it all – IMAX Dome Theater, hands-on science museum, Discovery Place Kids (opening Fall 2010) and the Charlotte Nature Museum.

Carolina Raptor Center
This non-profit organization helps rescue a variety of birds and raptors, with over 100 residing permanently at the center. To meet the creatures at the Raptor Center, click here and to read up on the various weekly programs offered, click here.

Carolinas Aviation Museum
If you don’t have enough time to make to Charlotte, you can find the Carolinas Aviation Museum only a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport’s main terminal. The museum has an extensive collection of planes and a great observation deck.

None of these interest you? Try the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Carowinds amusement park, or the Old Mecklenburg Brewery.

Have a suggestion or advice for Charlotte layovers? Leave a comment below!

Layovers in Minneapolis just got a lot more interesting.

MSP Tours, which are located at the Minneapolis St. Paul airport, is now offering self-directed audio guided tours of the Twin Cities specifically designed for those stuck on layovers at the airport:

MSP Tours will target those travelers, offering them exclusive, customized tours that take off every 10 minutes and utilize the Hiawatha Light Rail Line. Each tour brings them to the light rail’s 19 destination stops, among others, and back to the airport on time for their departure flight.

Every tour offers unique audio tips and testimonials, all provided by the Twin Cities’ biggest experts, artists, and aficionados.

For the full Layover Guide to Minneapolis, CLICK HERE!

So, how much time do you need?

According to MSP Tours, “with a layover of three hours or more, travelers can explore the Mall of America; Target Field; the downtown dining and shopping district; Nicollet Mall; Minnehaha Falls; the Mill City Museum; the Guthrie Theater; and more.”

Each tour costs $27.50 which includes Metro tickets, tickets to attractions, Nice Ride 24-hour subscriptions, Cardinal Bar promos, and a Macy’s Visitor Savings Pass.

It sure beats sitting around the airport.

Stuck on a layover at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina? As a hub for American Eagle, the airport serves North Carolina’s triangle region and is located in roughly 14 miles from downtown Raleigh, 14 miles from Durham and 18 miles from Chapel Hill, which makes these destinations accessible for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your North Carolina layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the Raleigh airport during your North Carolina layover, there’s plenty to do. The airport offer shopping and restaurants, and a number of services including wireless internet, XpresSpa, money exchange and ATMs, shoe shining, an interfaith chapel, a florist, and more.

For the full Layover Guide to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, CLICK HERE!

There are a few Airline clubs and lounges in the airport as well, including the American Airlines Admirals Club on the second floor of Terminal 2, the U.S. Airways club in Terminal 1 across from Gate A22, and the Delta Airlines Sky Club which is planning on opening December 2010 in Terminal 2.

The airport also offers the following art exhibits to enjoy at the airport in between flights, and the RDU Observation Park where passengers can watch planes land and take off from the airport’s longest runway. A playground and picnic tables are nearby.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are many hotel options available near the airport. For a list of hotels near the airport in Morrisville, click here.  You can also find hotels in Raleigh here, Durham here, and Chapel Hill here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport during your North Carolina layover, taxis are available outside the airport – click here for more information and rates. In addition there are shuttle and limo services, rental cars, as well as bus and rail.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Raleigh, North Carolina:

Raleigh Museums

If you want to stroll around and see some exhibits during your layover, there’s a lot of museums in Raleigh to choose from including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural Sciences, Artspace, and the Marbles Kids Museum.

Raleigh Parks

Get outdoors and enjoy your time at one of Raleigh’s parks including Mordecai Historical Park, Frankie’s Fun Park, Pullen Park, and Historic Oak View County Park.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Durham, North Carolina:

Duke University

Stroll around the campus of Duke University and check out the libraries, arts, and events.

Durham Museums

Durham has a lot of museums to choose from depending on your interests including the Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Life & Science, Nasher Museum of Art, and the Insectarium.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Chapel Hill, North Carolina:

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and offers a lot including an arboretum, trails, gardens and more.

Morehead Planetarium

The Morehead Planetarium is a great place to take the kids on a North Carolina layover, and here you can find planetarium shows, exhibitions, events and activities.

Have a suggestion for a North Carolina layover? Leave a comment below!

Las Vegas is certainly the place for indulgence, and nothing says pampering quite like Sin City’s five star hotels and casinos. These properties will give you a taste of everything the city can offer. But before spending your money in Las Vegas, check out online casino reviews to find the best place to cash in your chips!

Wynn Las Vegas

Directly located on the Vegas Strip, The Wynn Las Vegas is only minutes away from the airport. The hotel is complete with 2,000 rooms, 22 restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, a shopping center, a car dealership, and an 18-hole golf course.

The Bellagio

Best known for the 1,000 dancing fountains that are choreographed to music in the front of The Bellagio, this Vegas hotel is a destination in itself. Fifteen minutes from the airport, the hotel has a salon, swimming pool, casino with 2,700 slot machines and 140 gaming tables, botanical gardens, art gallery and a lobby featuring 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers.

ARIA Resort & Casino

The ARIA Resort & Casino has it all – 16 restaurants, 10 bars, 38 meeting rooms, 4 ballrooms, as well as luxury rooms and an on-site casino. Close to everything, it is the full Sin City experience.

The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino at the Venetian

The The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino at the Venetian is located right on the Vegas strip within the Venetian Hotel, and has over 3,000 suites that have a separate common space separate from the bedroom. In addition, the Palazzo has a casino, swimming pools and spas, restaurants and lounges, and more.

Vdara Hotel

Clsoe to all the LA attractions, the Vdara Hotel is a luxury hotel that includes amenities such as an on-site gym and grocery store, restaurants, pool, a spa and fitness center, shopping, golf, and a fine art collection.

Four Seasons Las Vegas

Nothing says luxury quite like the Four Seasons Las Vegas. Here you can find a gym, pool, spa, immediate access to the Mandalay Bay casino, golf, business activities and top notch accommodations.

CLICK HERE for the complete Layover Guide to Las Vegas

Crystal River, Florida has a series of fresh-water springs that attract that largest population of manatees in all of North America.

While it’s a bit out of the way, snorkeling with the Crystal River Manatees can be a fun long layover (minimum of 2 days) from a Tampa or Orlando layover. Crystal River is located roughly 87 miles from Orlando, and 80 miles from Tampa.  With a rental car, the trip from each airport is at least 2 – 2 1/2 hours.

While the water temperature in the Crystal River springs stays around 72 degrees, the winter air can drop down into the 30’s, so warm clothing (especially for after snorkeling) is a must! All the tours offer wetsuits and snorkel gear.

Here is a ridiculously cute video of a manatee baby getting a stomach rub:

Crystal River, itself, is a small town that revolves around the manatee tourism. Hotels include the Days Inn, Best Western, and other nearby hotels can be found here.

Snorkeling with the manatees is a truly remarkable, unique experience where you can interact with these gentle creatures in their own habitat. Crystal River has a number of tour operators, including Birds Underwater, Florida Manatee Tours, and more.

Layover Guide would recommend renting a car from the Orlando or Tampa airport for the Crystal River excursion. The winter months have the best viewing, and the peak season is from October 1 through March 31. We would recommend calling the tour operators before booking to inquire about the amount of manatees that are expected in the time you plan on visiting. Manatee populations vary by year, as well.

CLICK HERE for the Layover Guide to the Orlando International Airport (MCO)

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Stuck on a layover at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)? The airport is located roughly 17 miles (27 km) from downtown Chicago and is an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Saudi Arabia layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in O’Hare with hours to spare during your layover, there’s plenty to do. To help you get situated, you can find Airport Maps listed by Terminal number, here.

The O’Hare airport offers a number of services that you can take advantage of during your Chicago layover, including dozens of restaurants, retail stores, gift and news shops, lounges, and cafes. The airport also has a full-service business and conference center.

During your Chicago layover, you can also take advantage of a health club, a massage center, and a salon inside the airport. The Spa Nation (773-601-0630) is located in Terminal 3 and offers massages from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, the Health Club (773-601-1723) is located in Terminal 2 and offer a workout, swim, sauna, tanning, and massages.

The O’Hare airport also offers a number of passenger lounges including United, UAL/Lufthansa, American, Continental, Northwest World Club, Delta, and Iberia. For lounge location and contact numbers, click here.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, the airport is close to a number of hotels, which are listed here. If you’re looking to venture a little further into Chicago from Schiller Park, you can find a comprehensive list of Chicago hotels at varying price points here.

If you’re planning on leaving the Chicago O’Hare airport during your layover, there are many transportation options including taxis, rental cars, airport shuttles, ATS rail, CTA trains, and buses.

Here’s the LayoverGuide.com’s top picks of things to do on a Chicago layover:

Stuck on a layover at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)? The airport is located in Queens roughly 12 miles from downtown Manhattan, making it an accessible destination for those on a long layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck on a layover inside the airport, there’s plenty to do while you wait. Shops, restaurants and services are listed here by terminal. Wireless Internet service is available throughout the airport and you can choose a daily plan or use your existing account – click here for more information.

If you’re looking to store your bags, there’s luggage storage located in Terminal 1 Arrivals (first floor – (718) 751-2947), Terminal 4 Arrivals (first floor – (718) 751-4020) and Terminal 8 for passengers of American Airlines ((718) 995-9292). Call ahead for hours of operation and rates. Luggage wrapping is also available in Terminal 4 in the Arrivals Lobby.

CLICK HERE for the Layover Guide to LaGuardia Airport, New York

The Lounge JFK is available for select first-class passengers, and an additional fee of $40 per person ($20 for children) for other passengers. Open from 4a.m. to 1:30a.m. daily, it is located in Terminal 4. Additional airline lounges are located throughout the airport including British Airways in Terminal 5, American Airlines in Terminal 8 (day passes are available for $50) and Lufthansa in Terminal 1. For additional lounges, click here.

If you arrive on an overnight layover, or are looking for a nearby hotel, there are many options to choose from. Most offer courtesy shuttles (to connect to a courtesy shuttle, take AirTrain to Federal Circle Station). Here’s the airport’s suggested list of hotels, or check out New York City hostels.

CLICK HERE for the Top Ten Restaurants on a New York Layover

If you’re planning on leaving the airport, taxis are available outside of Arrivals. A flat fare of $45 is available between the airport and Manhattan – the receipt should show that it is a flat fare. For more pricing samples, click here. In addition there are public transportation options including the AirTrain, Subway, and Transit Bus Service – click here for more information. If you have your own car and are looking for cheap airport parking, click here.

Layoverguide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A New York Layover:

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Have a suggestion or advice for JFK layovers? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a San Francisco layover at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? The airport is located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your San Francisco layover, click here for useful tips.

If you are stuck in SFO airport during your San Francisco layover, there are a number of things to keep you entertained as you wait for your connecting flight. Check out the interactive map of the terminals to help locate various services. The airport has a selection of shopping and dining options, banking, DVD rentals, TripTel Business Center in the International Terminal, banking, a medical clinic, and more. In addition, Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals.

If you’re looking to rest and unwind in the airport during your San Francisco layover, there are two XpresSpas – one in Terminal 3 and one in the International Terminal. You can also use the Freshen Up showers located in the Main Hall of the International Terminal, where you’ll find ironing services as well.

The airport has an aquarium, “Under Water Planet: Learning About the Fishes of the World” at Boarding Area C (pre-security area) in the Departures Level of Terminal 1. The aquarium displays three aquatic environments: The Coral Reef, Lake Malawi, and The Amazon.

You can also check out Kids’ Spot II in the North terminal near Gate 87a, which features interactive exhibitions from San Francisco’s Exploratorium. There are displays featuring weather elements (Turbulent Orb, Aeolian Landscape, Fluvial Storm), a Plasma Wall, and other hands-on displays.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are a number of hotels nearby the airport. For a comprehensive list of San Francisco hotels at varying price points, click here.

If you have the time to check out some sights, you may want to ditch your luggage at the Airport Travel Agency (International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security 650-877-0422), and hop on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). To give you a rough estimate, travel time to the downtown financial district (Powell or Montgomery stations) is roughly 40 minutes each way. Remember to always budget extra time to get back to the airport and get through security, especially if you’re flying Internationally. Additional transportation options include taxis, rental cars, Caltrain, and more.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A San Francisco Layover:

Ride A Cable Car
You can check out all the different cable car routes in San Francisco here. One route that we suggest, is from the Powell Station in the Financial District (right near Union Square), hop on the cable car at 4th and Powell. You can hop on and off, and it will give you a true San Francisco experience and some great views.

Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf
Take the BART to Market Street, and take a cable car (The Powell/Hyde cable car bring you to the Wharf’s western end at Hyde and Beach Streets). Although the pier can be a bit of a tourist trap, there’s come great things to see from Fisherman’s Wharf that make it worth the trip. The sea lions usually hang out on the wooden docks off the side of the pier, and there are great views of the Bay, and Golden Gate Bridge. If you have the time, take a ferry tour for a two hour tour of Alcatraz prison.

Lombard Street
Nothing epitomizes the hills of San Francisco quite as much as the curvy, Lombard Street. Grab a taxi and drive down the steep hill. You can ask the taxi driver to drop you off at a great North Beach restaurants for lunch such as North Beach Restaurant or Trattoria Contadina.

Tours Galore
Viator has a great list of San Francisco tours including some more unusual tours. All tours are two hours or less.

CLICK HERE to read all about  Gwyneth Paltrow and the Turlington sisters favorite San Francisco hotels, restaurants and shops!

Got a suggestion for a San Francisco Layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a Washington D.C. layover at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? As a main connection point for national and international flights, you’ll find that there’s plenty to do in the Dulles airport, and in the surrounding areas of Washington D.C., depending on the length of your layover.

If you’re stuck in the airport on your layover, you’ll find that there’s plenty of services. To get situated, you can find a map of the terminals here. The airport offers lots of shopping and dining options (to view a PDF map and listing of vendors, click here) There’s an interfaith chapel open 24/7. The airport also has animal relief areas.

There are a number of Airline Clubs, including Air France, AA, ANA, British Airways, Lufthansa, United, and Virgin (for locations click here) A USO Lounge for Military personnel is located at the Main Terminal, Arrivals Level across from baggage claim #12. A Military ID is required to enter.

Wireless Internet access is available throughout both Reagan National and Washington Dulles International Airports. Once you’re in the airport, following the directions listed here to connect to the WiFi Internet. The airport also offers group tours for students in a variety of categories. To find out more information and apply (you have to fill out a form) click here.

Looking to catch up on some rest on your layover? Here’s a list of hotels within ten miles from the airport.

The airport is located approximately 25 miles from downtown Washington D.C. which makes it accessible for those on a lengthy layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you are able to leave the airport on your layover, click here for useful tips.

Washington Flyer Taxis serve Washing Dulles International Airport exclusively, and operate 24 hours. Taxis accept main credit cards and provide transportation at metered rates. Approximate one-way fares to Washington, DC, range from $57 to $61 (more precise rates can be found here) and taxi reservations can be made by calling 703-572-TAXI (8294). You can also take the Washington Flyer Super Shuttle service. To get a Super Shuttle rate quote, click here. In addition, there’s the Metrorail and Metrobus. To connect to the Metrorail from the airport, purchase tickets at the Washington Flyer Coach ticket counter located at Arrivals Door #4 in the Main Terminal (you can find a schedule and ticket prices here, and a Metrorail systems map here, located towards the bottom of the page).

Virginia Regional Transit provides direct bus service between Dulles Airport and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, and to other locations in the region. Fare is 50 cents per person each way. The bus stops outside the Main Terminal on the Ground Level at curbside location “2E.”

LayoverGuide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Washington Dulles Layover:

Washington, D.C. Tour
If you want to see the sights in a short period of time, a tour might be your best bets. There’s tons to choose from including Old Town Trolley Tours, DC By Foot walking tours, Segway Tours, Monuments By Moonlight and many more!

National Monuments
There’s tons of monuments to see in the U.S. Capital. To see a map of the city monuments, click here. At the top of any visitor’s list is the Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument. Here’s a full list of monuments.

The Smithsonian
With over 19 museums, there’s tons to do at the Smithsonian. Pick up a map at the Smithsonian Institution Building and decide among the mriad possiblities – everything from science and technology to history, art and design.

White House and U.S. Capital
The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. and you can arrange a tour by making a request through one of your members of Congress at least a month in advance. Without any planning, you can visit the White House Visitor Center (southeast corner of 15th and E Streets) which is open daily from 7:30 a. m. until 4 p.m.

Georgetown
Stroll along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown – Washington D.C.’s oldest neighborhood. It’s a great place for some shopping, stop for a drink in a bar, or to grab a bite to eat.

None of these interest you on your Dulles layover? You can also see a show at the Kennedy Center, visit Mount Vernon or check out one of these other options!

Have a suggestion or advice for Washington D.C. Dulles layovers? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Detroit, Michigan? The airport is a hub of Northwest airlines and is located inRomulus, Michigan (approximately 16 miles from Detroit’s city center), which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Detroit layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your Detroit layover, there’s plenty to do. The airport’s award-winning concessions and restaurants includes shops of every types of gifts and travel accessories and a selection of fast food and restaurants of a number of different cuisines. The airport also has a number of services including children play areas, currency exchange, banking and ATMs, shoeshine and more. You can also connect to Wi-Fi service throughout the terminals through Boingo Hotspot.

To find location of shops, restaurants and services, here is a map of the McNamara Terminal and here’s a map of the North Terminal.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, the airport is home to the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Hotel located inside the McNamara terminal. The hotel offers spa and massage services, a gym and pool, and many additional amenities. If you are looking for a hotel in Detroit to spend your layover at, click here for a comprehensive list of hotels of varying price points.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport during your Detroit layover, there’s a few transportation options. Metro cabs (Tel: 734.997.6500) are available outside of arrivals and a one-way trip to downtown Detroit runs approximately $43. In addition there are rental cars, and SMART buses that stop on the lower level’s outer roadway in the North Terminal. Here’s the SMART bus schedule.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Detroit Layover:

Hart Plaza

Situated along the Detroit riverfront, the Hart Plaza has a little bit of everything including an ice skating rink, theaters and public art. You can also walk or take a cruise along the river.

Belle Isle

Only a quick 5 minute boat or car ride from Detroit, Belle Isle provides great views of Detroit as well as a bunch of sites and activities. Including hiking, history, and architecture, Belle Isle is a great place to spend an hour or a day. Also check out the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.

Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Institute of Arts is home to over 65,000 works of arts spanning from mummies and African masks to famous paintings. In addition, check out theexhibitions and events!

Eastern Market

If you’re in Detroit on a Saturday, check out the Eastern Market. This public market is a great “taste” for the city with hundreds of stalls selling all types of foods from veggies and fruits to even goose or rabbit.

Have a suggestion for a Detroit layover? Leave a comment below!