For many, a trip to the airport is the first step toward a well-earned vacation. Why not start it early?

The restaurants, stores and experiences at William P. Hobby Airport will set the perfect mood no matter where your vacation might take you. With new international service to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, the options of where to travel from Hobby have just expanded tremendously.

Before you leave home, begin by taking a look at the TSA wait times, check parking availability and track your flight to confirm it’s on time.

Once you’ve checked in for your flight and passed through the security checkpoint, there’s time to begin your vacation a little early. Here are some ideas for several types of vacations.

The Romantic Vacation

Let’s say you and your loved one are off to celebrate an anniversary, or simply have a need to find a beach as soon as possible. Do it in style from the beginning by valet-parking your vehicle on the departures level of the Red Garage. Treat yourself by ordering wash/wax/detailing service while you’re away.

Once inside, begin relaxing before even leaving the city by stopping by XpresSpa (Gate 45) and treat yourself and your loved one to everything from a foot massage or manicure to a full body massage and facial.

Next, take a load off at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen near Gate 41 and enjoy some Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell and a large variety of seafood dishes made to your liking. The margaritas are worth trying, too.

If you’d prefer to take in a performance, check the Harmony in the Air schedule, where you’ll find all the concerts scheduled for the month ranging from jazz to classical, and even world music.

The Family Vacation

A hidden jewel near Hobby Airport is the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Stop by on the way to Hobby and learn more about the rich heritage and history of aviation in Houston. Exhibits showcase artifacts from throughout the history of flight including several historic planes. After the tour, it’s a quick drive to airport parking.

Now that the family is ready for the vacation and while waiting for the flight, how about a pizza party at Barry’s Pizza (near Gate 21)?

If you have a little less time, a favorite for kids is Chick-fil-A, found at Gate 1. Should you need some treats for the flight, Dylan’s Candy Bar near Gate 21 has something for everyone.

It’s usually a given that a trip requires a spare pair of headphones or a replacement charger. Fulfill your electronic needs at one of three Best Buy Express Automated Kiosks (Gates 1, 23, and 42).  And don’t worry about overspending, because Best Buy has a price match guarantee.

Finally, inject some culture into your experience and check the Harmony in the Air schedule – some of Houston’s finest musicians perform in the Central Concourse Rotunda nearly every day. If a concert isn’t in session, there’s a treasure trove of new art to tour.

The Sports Vacation

It could happen any time of the year - your friends put together a trip to see a college football game on the road, take in 18 holes on a legendary course, or follow a favorite professional team to a championship game. You’ve managed to coordinate the flights, everyone has arrived, and now you find yourselves with some time.

Start off with some wings. Buffalo Wild Wings, near Gate 23, has a great selection of beers, wings spicy enough to suit most pain thresholds, and enough TVs to keep you up-to-date on the latest scores.

If your plan is to represent H-Town, stock up on team merchandise at HMART, located near Gate 43 Whether you are an Aggie or a Longhorn, or taking off for an away game for the Astros, Rockets, or Texans, HMART has you covered.

Finally, gather some snacks for the flight (and the game!) by stopping by My Sweets near Gate 1 and also near Gate 48.

The International Vacation

Since Hobby Airport now features nonstop flights to Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, you have options when flying internationally out of Houston. Regardless of whether your destination is Belize City, Puerto Vallarta or Aruba, you can set a tropical mood by stopping by one of three Pappasito’s Cantina locations (Gates 1, 4 and 21) and grabbing some fish tacos and a margarita. If a beach is in your future, try some new shades at NYS Collection, near Gate 26.

If you still haven’t figured out what kind of adapter your plugs need, find the latest in travel gizmos and technologies at Brookstone, near Gate 1.

Finally, save time when you return by downloading the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Mobile Passport Control (MPC) application. Hobby is one of the first airports to use this technology, allowing approved users to expedite the Customs process and skip the lines to save time.

No matter where your vacation takes you, the wide variety of shopping and dining choices at Hobby Airport make it easy to start your vacation early.