I used to travel to Europe so often--at least twice a month--that I needed a new clump of pages glued into my passport. My jet lag was so persistent that it disappeared; I could sleep whenever I wanted, no matter what time of day or what position I happened to be in. At the time, I loved the frequent travel, whose many benefits included great shopping.

I don't just mean the great shopping in Paris, London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. I mean at those cities' airports. I'm not talking about the duty-free, either, although I did take advantage of plenty of great deals on single malt whiskey, perfume and Hermes scarves.

I deliberately got to the airport early to wander the concourses and spend whatever local currency I had left. I particularly loved the fancy food sections, where you could get wild salmon, vacuum sealed but still smelling of wood smoke; tins of decent tea; bottles of grappa with labels so pretty they were like artwork; sea salt in cobalt glass jars; and handmade chocolates in cloth-covered boxes. I'd shop for gifts year-round, scouting for bargains and for the one-off. I'd raid what my friends called my gift closet whenever I needed something lovely for a hostess, a friend or a sister, presenting them with things that were hard to find in the U.S.

Shopping choices at domestic airports back then--this was 15 years ago--weren't varied and didn't offer much that was exceptional. But today many retailers understand how important it is to have something besides a newsstand and a gift shop full of kitsch, especially now that many people have plenty of time to spare whenever the security lines aren't terribly long.

Here are a few of my favorite airport shops.

Albany International. The Shop of Capital Region Museums showcases a well-curated selection of fine art, crafts and historic materials from 70 regional museums and cultural institutions, which collectively represent an amazing variety of themes and special interests. You'll find all sorts of things from the Adirondack Museum, The Hyde Collection, the National Racing Museum, the Irish American Heritage Museum, MASS MoCA, Schenectady Museum's Design Craft Council Collection, and the Albany Institute of History and Art (which bills itself as the country's oldest museum). There are special collections of jewelry, pottery and textiles, historic prints, books and CDs, as well as Adirondack pack baskets, traditional Shaker boxes and Iroquois carved stones. Everything is beautiful but, in addition, purchases here help support local artists and participating museums.

Chicago O'Hare. It's a toss-up between the Chicago Historical Society Gift Shop and The Field Museum Store. I particularly like the books at both, which are great souvenirs for exhibition, or a reasonable consolation if you don't get to visit one or both museums on your business trip. There also are nice jewelry, crafts, music and cool gifts for kids. Prices range widely; you can find something appealing for a "secret Santa" gift, or you can splurge on a sculpture.

Minneapolis/St. Paul. Fly Babies has really cute infant and toddler clothes, and the added appeal is that the shop is inside Radio Road, a store that specializes in clothing and accessories (jewelry as well as luggage) for female travelers. Be sure to check the airport's shopping subsite, which often has coupons for the shops and food court. If you don't find a discount at Radio Road, you may get a bargain at another airport concession.

Orlando. I'd make a special trip to Lush in London for its gentle, candy-colored soaps. Its products are made in small batches and are pure, meaning no chemicals such as surfactants or preservatives--and no animal fats, so I felt comfortable giving them to vegetarian friends. They're also fresh; each item is dated, so you know how long it's been sitting on the shelf.

Pittsburgh International. L'Occitane en Provence isn't just a nice retail store; it's eye candy. (And nose candy, too, although not the controlled-substance kind: I'm talking lavender and vetiver, which is a perennial grass.) Before this French institution opened retail outlets in the U.S., I got reams of gifts at its stores in France. The soaps are packaged beautifully and last forever; the moisturizers and lip balm are sublime, and both are superb remedies for the dry air on planes.

Portland International (Oregon) A favorite haunt in the city is Powell's Books, one of the most influential independent bookstores in the country. The bookseller has three locations at the airport, all with used and new books and a good selection of newspapers and magazines. Go to browse; if you need help with a gift, the staff is reliable enough to make trustworthy recommendations on everything from the best new author to the best games and toys to entertain children on a long flight. An added benefit to shopping at the airport: a break on prices. Beside no sales tax, a law mandates that retailers and restaurateurs have to offer the same prices for the same items as their off-airport locations.

Sea-Tac (Seattle). I first became a fan of Ex Officio clothes when I was in Tanzania. While there I was taken by the number of ex-pats, in the safari business or not, who wore this brand of clothing. Separates and accessories are often made out of technical fabrics that wick moisture, repel insects and/or block the sun, but they are also noteworthy because they are reasonably fashionable for something so functional. Ex Officio's flagship store is at the airport, not in downtown Seattle, a fitting location for a company that specializes in outfitting adventurers and travelers.