Things to do at MSP and DTW During Transit
 

I've never been to either airport before, and I will be transiting at either one soon.

Does anyone know if there's anything really worth doing at either airport? Like a particular restaurant or any activity to do airside?

Say, if there was one thing that someone who's never been to either airport would absolutely have to see or do or eat, what would it be?

i have been to DTW and didn't find much to do but you may try this - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/north...stone-dtw.html

Of course, it depends how long your transit time is.

Both airports are ideal for indoor walking. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/north...-nwa-hubs.html

At MSP you can take the light rail from the terminal to the Mall of America.

The fountain at DTW is very entertaining and well worth a visit.

for DTW:

1. walk through the tunnel that connects the A gates with the B/C gates, wait untill the fast drum song comes on, stare directly at the flashing light for 30 seconds, and get a seizure.

2. take the tram and try to see if you can stand up without holding on to anything during the shaky part of the ride, if you still haven't fallen yet, try it with your eye closed and standing only on one foot.

3. buy some bread and feed the birds around gate 45 until enough bird start gathering around you so that you've caused enough of a sceen for security to have to come and tell you to stop.

For #1....just stand in the center at one end so that the lights/tunnel fill your entire vision and ENJOY...one of the coolest things you will see in your entire life...they could CHARGE for the show!

#3 THAT IS TOO FUNNY! But why gate 45? Do birds congregate there for some reason?

Haha. I supposed I wouldn't be able to do that without passing through security and having to reclear?
Would a 3 hour layover be enough time?

Every time I come through MSP, I take the train to MOA and get Chipotle. 3 hours is PLENTY. Clear security on the top level above the transit center. Almost always no line. It's about a 15-20 minute ride one way.

It's easily done. Plan on an hour for the trip time (going from terminal to train station, taking the train there and back, and reclearing security), plus whatever time you want to spend at the mall. Exit the terminal in the middle of the bridge connecting the C and G concourses and take steps or elevator down to the light rail station. I have never seen that security line very long.

See http://www.metrotransit.org/rail/

Also, if you're a Worldclub member, stash your carry-on luggage in a locker in the C concourse club.

I recommend buying a Day Pass in the World Club. Makes the time go by quite comfortably.

You can get a pretty good haircut airside at MSP. You used to be able to get haircuts at lots of airports, I think. Not too many airport barbershops left.

How do they get their scissors and blades past TSA?

Steak houses used to have butcher knives chained to the kitchen. Not sure how that would work with a barber.

DTW:

Visit all 4 WCs
Window seat at the center A WC
Watch a DTW-LAS flight board (worth it!)
Watch a DTW-FLL/PBI flight board (almost as much fun)
See the fountain
Sign a stone
Ride the tram
Visit C
Sushi
Mrs. Fields
PB&J
Spot the heavies (747s, A330s, A340s, 767s?

Lots of others, let us know what you find interesting.

You would have to leave security, but the plus is you could leave your carry-on bags (except what you needed for a quick trip to MoA) in one of the airside security lockers, thereby making your re-entrance through TSA a little easier.

These lockers exist at the entrance to the F Concourse and right inside the security checkpoint on the concourse connector. That's where I'd recommend leaving your things, actually, because two levels below that security checkpoint is the escalator down to the light rail which will take you to MoA. All in all, a really easy option.

As always, you'd want to leave some buffer time in case you get lost in the mall (it happens! :)) or something else delays you. If that 3 hour layover is from scheduled arrival time to scheduled departure time of your flight, it's not really a three hour layover (more like 2:10 or something if you include taxi time on landing and arriving 30+ minutes before departure for the next flight). But you could still do it.

Not sure how they do it, but there is a barbershop between the D E concourses.