Many travelers consider airports a necessary evil - nothing more than a building to traverse to get from point A to point B. However, some terminals make it worthwhile to spend extra time exploring, with an array of fascinating exhibits, art galleries, and even, in some cases, museums.

In California, for example, San Francisco International Airport is a notable example. Its onsite SFO Museum operates 14 galleries around the airport and recently unveiled an exhibition of the work of glass artist Preston Singletary (on display through October 18, 2026). The museum also highlights the history of aviation, with exhibits like "VX Forever: The Legacy of Virgin America" (up through November 2, 2025), as well as important people in history — "Harvey Milk: Messenger of Hope," on display indefinitely, tells the story of an essential figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Los Angeles International Airport, meanwhile, oversees an art program that showcases the work of local and regional artists with temporary and permanent installations, as well as occasional live music and dance performances. Among the newest works on display is "Everyday Transcendence," a vibrant, 226-foot-long mural in Terminal 4 created by California artist Allison Kunath.

Further north, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is another rewarding place for art lovers; its diverse exhibits include paintings, glass, sculpture and photography. Standout works include "Chalchiuhtlicue," a series of five colorful sculptures in the International Arrivals Facility created by Marela Zacarias and inspired by the beauty and culture of Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

Airport Exhibits in the Eastern USA

In the east, Nashville International Airport's Arts at the Airport program is currently hosting exhibits, including "Time Travelers," a mixed-media collection by James Allen that reimagines books as sculptures, and "Extended Joy," a work by Karl Hale created from recycled street signs. The airport also stages a variety of live musical performances in multiple locations throughout the year, around the clock.

In Florida, Jacksonville International Airport has been celebrating the arts since 1995 through its JAA Arts & Culture Program. Over the years, JAX has showcased more than 700 artists, including temporary and permanent exhibits. Nearby, Palm Beach International Airport is home to the PBI Art Gallery, where the current "Winds of Change" exhibition showcases the creations of multiple artists. And at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, travelers can check out work including "A Journey," an eye-catching terrazzo work by Marielle Plaisir.

Art viewing options in the northeast are possible at facilities including Pittsburgh International Airport, which is home to both a visual arts and performing arts program, and Philadelphia International Airport, which hosts diverse exhibitions of modern and contemporary art as well as nostalgia with a local focus — including a selection of vintage records that exemplify Philadelphia's strong musical roots and movie posters representing films made in the city.

Airports Across the Oceans

Across the Atlantic, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport showcases original artwork in all its terminals, and even features a dedicated museum area in Terminal 2E. The Istanbul Airport, meanwhile, is home to the Istanbul Airport Museum, which showcases Turkish culture and history with an impressive 316 works from 29 museums. In addition, the Istanbul Airport is hosting "The Pioneers of Modern Science," which showcases the accomplishments of Muslim scientists, as well as the history of Islamic science.

On the other side of the Pacific, Brisbane Airport hosts exhibits including "Land, Sea and Sky" by indigenous artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, and even the car park is home to multiple original murals. The airport has even managed its own artist-in-residence program.

Globetrotters can also get a dose of creative inspiration in Japan, where Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) displays artwork by Hiroshi Senju in various locations, while Narita Airport (NRT) features a Mini Gallery of Japanese Art with items from the Tokyo National Museum.

Airline Museums

Travelers looking for a deep dive into airline history can find even more to explore by taking a quick side trip from a few airport terminals.

At New York City's JFK airport, for example, it's a quick walk from Terminal 5 to the TWA Hotel, which is set within the iconic, Eero Saarinen-designed TWA Flight Center. Even if they're not checking into a hotel room, visitors can explore curated exhibits of vintage, 20th-century TWA uniforms, sip cocktails in the restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation, which now serves as a super-cool cocktail lounge, and marvel at the mid-century airport architecture.

American Airlines frequent flyers, meanwhile, can find a worthwhile reason to leave the hectic terminal complex at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Located just a few minutes away by car is the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum, which is home to a vintage DC-3, as well as loads of exhibits about the carrier's long history; there's even an "evacuation slide" to try out.

SkyMiles enthusiasts may find their ticket to airline nostalgia heaven in Georgia, where the Delta Flight Museum is another must-see for airline fanatics. Located just minutes by car from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, this large venue offers opportunities to try out a flight simulator, admire vintage uniforms, and view a variety of aircraft, including the first 747-400 ever built.