After flying for many hours, with one more connection to go, it may seem like a mirage. A yoga space? At DFW? Fortunately, it’s for real.
The airport may be deep in the heart of Texas, but yogis and vegetarians need not fear. DFW provides plenty to eat, interesting art to admire, and even free loaner yoga mats.
While quite a few dining outlets offer vegetarian and even vegan options, Au Bon Pain takes top honors. For one thing, you can find this eatery in almost every terminal. Look to gates A25, A38, B22, C22, C33 and D27 to find vegetarian sandwiches, black bean burgers, hummus sandwiches and a vegetarian salad with chickpeas and feta. Vegetarians and vegans will be relieved to find Au Bon Pain’s soups clearly marked as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and/or low-fat.
Other contenders for a decent veg meal include Manchu Wok (Gates A25, C22, E15) for healthful stir-fried vegetables in light garlic sauce with steamed white rice or less healthful deep-fried veg egg rolls; 360 Gourmet Burritos (Gate D18) for design-your-own burritos; Qdoba (A16) for burritos; Subway (Gates A33, B16) for an always reliable vegetable sandwich; Red Mango Yogurt (Gates A25, A39, C22, D22) for dairy lovers; Ice Box Café (Gate A14 ) features both healthful prepared vegan salads and deliciously calorie-laden desserts; and Grove Natural Snacks (Gates A39, C14, E6) for your airport-priced trail mix.
You might want to travel in yoga garb, or at least pants that aren’t too tight, to avail yourself of the DFW Yoga Studio at the start of the B gates. A screen separates this area from foot traffic, but it’s not private enough to strip down to your skivvies. You can follow a perpetually playing yoga video or do your own thing. Be sure to sign the guest book so the DFW powers-that-be feel inspired to continue providing this yogic opportunity.
DFW has also put lots of time and effort into its art displays. As you walk through the D terminal, keep your eyes downcast to take in a series of beautiful, brightly colored mosaics. Stroll through “Centering,” a glass, metal and terrazzo sculptural labyrinth by artist Christopher Janney which is both art and musical instrument. Soothing sounds compete with the general airport clamor of takeoffs and landings.
You may be in a hurry to reach your destination, but let yourself enjoy DFW’s opportunities for good food, culture and a rare airport stretching sanctuary as you pass through this busy transportation hub.
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