My (absolutely wonderful) vacation at Nashville International Airport

You might think that you already spend a lot of time in airports. Most flyers do.

But the growing list of airports offering tourist passes to ticketless visitors is a sure sign that there's fun to be had on the other side of the security checkpoint. This is especially true if you're not running around with carry-on bags and don't have a flight to catch.

Currently, there are about a dozen airports that you can visit without a plane ticket. The list includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Unauthorized visitors may also apply for a visitor pass at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), Tulsa International Airport (TUL), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Tri-Cities Airport (PSC), Capital Region International Airport (LAN) and Bishop International Airport (FNT).

On July 1, Nashville International Airport (BNA) became the newest airport to launch a visitor pass program.

Music City Airport has many stages for live music. And, back in 2013, it became the first airport in the country to receive beer and liquor licenses that allow passengers to roam the secured side of the airport with purchased beverages. Most recently, the airport spent $1.7 billion upgrading and expanding its terminal and celebrated the opening of a Hilton hotel on the site, which has an airplane theme with a pool and bar.

I had airline credits about to expire and a major anniversary on the calendar, so it seemed like the perfect time to plan a getaway. The trip included a stay at the new Hilton BNA Nashville airport and a day at the Nashville airport, courtesy of the new BNA Passport guest pass program.

Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal Hotel

Our flight from Seattle brought us to Nashville in the afternoon. It took all of five minutes from the airport, across the pedestrian bridge and to the lobby of the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal hotel.

Our corner room on the eighth floor of the hotel overlooked the road entrances and the terminal building. We had great views of the planes taking off and landing. The fitness center on the ninth floor offered views of both the airport and downtown Nashville.

From the pool, fire pit and bar on the 10th floor roof, we could see the runways, the Nashville skyline and the surrounding landscape. At cocktails in the evening, we even saw fireworks in the distance.

Obtaining a BNA Passport

The BNA Passport program is limited to 75 ticketed guests per day. You must complete the application online between seven days and 24 hours before the scheduled visit.

The form asks for your name as it appears on a Transportation Security Administration-approved photo ID, your date of birth, your gender, your email address and the date you plan to visit. A drop down menu asks the reason for your visit. Two options: “Greeting a Family/Friend at the Gate” and “Shopping/Dine at the Airport.”

We applied as soon as we booked our flights to Nashville and headed that way. Just after midnight on the night of our arrival, we received our e-mail permits to visit the airport.

We showed our email and IDs at the airport information desk in the morning and received cards (our BNA Passports) to show at the TSA checkpoint. You can't use TSA PreCheck with airport guest passes, so we made sure we arrived at the airport wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a small bag with the day's essentials.

The person who checked our IDs gave us our passports and told us how lucky we were to get them; apparently, the new BNA Passport program is already so popular that the daily quota of 75 passes is being claimed. Pretty much everyone who got a pass has indicated that they will use it.

What to do on a day off in BNA

Once through security, we went through the terminal to find all the stages of live music and stopped to listen to a song or three each. We perused the menus and noted how many places served barbecue and Nashville's signature hot chicken (as in spicy). Although we didn't get any free tastings, we were surprised at how many shops had bottles of premium whiskey for sale.

Along the way, we saw some of the remaining pieces of BNA's iconic carpet and explored the art, including terrazzo floor medals, intricate murals, suspended sculptures and more.

We stopped at shops selling Tennessee-made Moon Pies and Goo Goo Cluster candies and memorabilia from the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.

BNA is one of the few remaining airports with an indoor smoking area, so we took a peek at the small, pay-to-enter lounge. Since BNA is the first “go-to” airport, we bought some drinks to take with us while we wandered around the airport listening to live music.

Bonus: Meeting cartoonist Jim Henson

In the BNA Central Market area, we stopped by the Nashville Jam Session store. It sells music-themed souvenirs, musical instruments, Elvis-themed whiskey and other fun goods – many of which are locally made.

The store also carries a variety of art by Guy Gilchrist, a well-known illustrator, cartoonist and composer known as the Jim Henson cartoonist. When Gilchrist is in town, he spends time at the shop creating art and signing prints, posters, ukuleles, guitars and other items featuring his drawings of the Muppets, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Disney characters.

While we were busy at the store, we met several passengers who were eager for animation. Guest Stephen Speelman declared it “kismet” that he could get Gilchrist to add a personal printed message from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” for his son, Austin, who is a big fan.

When the other travelers — Gregory Manning and his 9-year-old daughter, Katharine — chose prints to have signed (“Muppets” for him, “Alice in Wonderland” for her), it was hard to tell who was more excited.

Bottom line

The Hilton hotel and BNA Passport guest pass program makes it easy and fun to plan a quick vacation at the Nashville airport. It can serve as an introduction to Music City.

Even if you don't have a flight, you can use the guest pass program to meet a friend or family member at the gate, spend more time with someone before they board their flight, or enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing.