It’s Impossible to Be Bored in This Popular U.S. Airport

I used to adore flying as a kid, and while I got a little more nervous around it following the COVID-19 Pandemic (I was almost stuck in Vancouver alone, and I’m a massive germaphobe, you can imagine where the hesitation came from), I’m starting to get back into traveling more this year, and that often means hopping on a plane if I don’t want to be stuck in my car for hours on end.

Since I was born and raised in Atlanta, and still live there now, that means that when I fly, I have to go through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport — one of the busiest airports in the WORLD! Yes, I’ve gotten lost a few times and sprinted through the airport out of breath more often than I’d care to admit, but there have also been times I’ve arrived WILDLY early for my flight, only to find that I need something to do to entertain myself. Fortunately, the Atlanta airport is perfect for that, but you’ve gotta walk through the space between terminals to know what I’m talking about!

Before we dive in, it’s very important you know the layout of the Atlanta airport, because it’s MASSIVE. It’s not necessarily confusing, as it all moves in one direction, pretty much, but if you fly in after midnight and are trying to make it to baggage claim, expect to see some confusing reroutes (ask me how I know). Since I try to fly the cheapest I possibly can, those airlines usually fly out of the terminals further away from the Domestic side of security, so, if you’re wondering, yes, I have had to sprint from getting a donut at Krispy Kreme in Concourse C all the way to the end of Concourse E. It wasn’t pretty (but I made it, so points to me).

To get in between the concourses, most people take the Plane Train, which is an indoor train that stops at each concourse. It moves quick and saves time when it’s working properly, and I’m guilty of hopping on it and just focusing on getting to my gate 95% of the time. But that other 5% of the time? When I’ve got the time, or there is something wrong with the train, that’s when I’ll walk through the airport to the concourses, and it’s when I’m reminded just HOW much history is honored all throughout the airport.

This particular exhibit is between Concourses B and C, and I have, quite literally, spent an hour walking through these and reading every single display when I had time before a flight. It took up time, was genuinely fascinating to read through, and I count it as a hidden perk of the Atlanta Airport — it’s impossible to be bored if you know where to look. That doesn’t even touch on the details and historical items all throughout the actual concourses as well, but I feel that’s a little more normal or mainstream at hotels  — I see them at MCO Airport in Orlando all the time, but they just aren’t as alluring to me. To have a whole space dedicated to history, and have different areas be themed entirely uniquely? Yep, I love it.

I know I’ll be flying a ton later this year, so you can bet I’ll be on the lookout for more unique things around my home airport, as well as the others I fly to! Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest news to help you plan your upcoming vacation!

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Have you ever noticed these exhibits around the Atlanta airport? Tell me in the comments!