Arrive Early: 10 Reasons to Love DTW

Story by Max White

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is often ranked among the best airports in North America, making traveling easy and fun those of us living in the area and those coming through.

There are two terminals at DTW – the McNamara Terminal, which is home to Delta, AeroMexico and AirFrance, while the Evans Terminal is home to the other airlines. If you’re traveling through DTW, here are some of the reasons to love it.

Trying local food

While both locations have dozens of restaurants, there are some local Detroit favorites that have spaces at the airport for you to eat.

Inside the McNamara Terminal, you have options like Andiamo, Grobbel’s Gourmet Deli, Leo’s Coney Island, Mezza Mediterranean Grill or Plum Market.

At the Evans Terminal, try out Atwater Brewery, Jolly Pumpkin, Detroit Street Café or National Coney Island.

Shopping

Both terminals have duty free, where you can stop if you’re traveling internationally, but inside the Evans Terminal, you can check out the Detroit Marketplace for a locally-themed gift, The Detroit news for souvenirs, travel essentials and more, or Frivolous which has unique, innovative gifts.

The McNamara Terminal has more than a dozen shops, which include Michigan Treasures, a boutique with local and regional gifts, Michigan Sports which has the best of Detroit sports teams, Green – A Natural Living Store with organic and repurposed apparel and snacks, and much more.

Have a local beer

Detroit is known for its beer, and we show it off at the airport. While many of the bars will feature Detroit and local beer in both terminals, the Evans terminal has two local breweries inside.

Atwater Brewery, which has three locations in Michigan, has a spot inside the terminal serving up favorites like Dirty Blonde or Vanilla Java Porter. Also, Jolly Pumpkin has a location where you can try their sour beers and get some great food.

Walk through the light tunnel

The incredibly beautiful light tunnel is only available in the McNamara Terminal. The 700-foot tunnel connects Concourse A with Concourses B/C and features nearly 9,000 feet of glass panels illuminated by LED lighting with a musical score.

Grab a coffee by the water feature

The feature is also inside the main area past TSA at the McNamara Terminal, there is a beautiful water feature next to a piano and a bar and coffee bar. It was designed by WET Design in California, and is inspired by the lines of a flight map.

Let the kids play

If you’re traveling with families, the McNamara has three kids play areas with small scale climbers and play structures. They are located at Gates A8, B20 and C4.

Inside the Evans Terminal, you can find it at Gate D16.

Calm down at the spa

If you have enough time and too much stress, you can get a massage or beauty services before your flight.

Be Relax has locations at Gates A18 and A46 in the McNamara Terminal, and offers massages, nail car, facials and waxing ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes.

Unwind at airline lounges

If you have access, Delta has four Delta Sky Club locations in the McNamara Terminal. One located in the main level after TSA, with the others located near gates A65, A11 and C1.

Inside the Evans Terminal, there is the Lufthansa Club between gates D6 and D8.

Learn about Detroit and Michigan

Throughout both terminals, you can walk around and see different art and history where you can learn about the Motor City and the State of Michigan. It includes displays about a marsh just south of the airport, Motown and more.

Easy parking

There are so many parking options at the airport, both run by DTW and other companies. At the airport, you can park directly at the McNamara Terminal with a garage and at the Evans Terminal with the Big Blue Deck. There is valet parking, and green lots where you can get shuttled to your terminal.

If you prefer to park off-site, there are several options that offer park-and-ride services to both terminals.

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