(MONEY Magazine) – It's the kind of mixed blessing that characterizes so many modern conveniences: On the plus side, airports now offer the kinds of goods, services and food that were once available everywhere but airports. And more airport vendors are bucking the longstanding tradition of gouging their captive customers, instead setting prices at or near nonairport levels. The downside? We're getting more time than ever to enjoy these improvements. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that there were 264,685 flight delays between January and August of this year, up 20% from the same period last year. Add in the planned layovers, and you can't help thinking that airports might be getting more comfortable because travelers are practically living in them. But until flight delays disappear, you might as well make the most of your downtime. One option: airline clubs, which offer a pleasant place to work or relax; most sell one-day memberships for $25 to $50. Here's a list of other worthwhile ways to spend time at the seven U.S. airports where you're most likely to be delayed.

CHICAGO O'HARE

Child's play: The 2,200-square-foot Kids on the Fly play area, an interactive climbing extravaganza created by the Chicago Children's Museum, is such a hit that locals ask to hold birthday parties there. Terminal 2.

Instant office: An outfit called Laptop Lane rents 16 private cubicles, each with laptop data ports, PCs (including office software and Net access), laser printers, fax machines and multiline telephones. The cost: $2 for the first five minutes, 38[cents] for each additional minute--or about $23 an hour--including unlimited domestic calls and faxes. Two locations in Terminal 1.

Diversions: The small Waterstone's Booksellers outposts in Terminals 1 and 2 put most airport bookstands to shame; the full-size store in Terminal 3 offers a selection fit for the serious reader and, in the back of the shop, a rare airport commodity: quiet. In Terminal 2, check out one of the few surviving F4F-3 Wildcat fighter planes, the kind flown in W.W. II by Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, the airport's namesake.

Decent eats: The airport has imported pared-down versions of several classic Chicago eateries, including Lou Mitchell's, a popular downtown breakfast spot (Terminal 5); the Berghoff, an Old World German pub serving its own brew, bratwurst and sandwiches of freshly sliced meats (Terminal 1); and the Billygoat Tavern of Saturday Night Live's "Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger. No Coke. Pepsi" fame (Terminal 1).

Healthy pursuits: Squeeze in a workout or a swim at the Hilton O'Hare's health club. A one-day membership is $9. Also at the Hilton: a dentist's office, where a cleaning and exam are $75. In Terminal 2, you can see a doctor at a branch of the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. A flu shot is $10.

NEWARK

Terminals A and B are undergoing a two-year renovation by the same company that made Pittsburgh's airport a model for the industry. Until the project is completed in 2001, on-site amenities are somewhat lackluster.

Diversions: At press time, Jersey Gardens, a 190-store enclosed outlet mall reachable by a free 10-minute shuttle ride, was scheduled to open Oct. 21. Bonus: no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey.

Child's play: Jersey Gardens will have a soft-surface play area for kids and, next year, a 22-screen movie theater.

Decent eats: New Jersey is famous for its classic roadside diners, and the Garden State Diner in Terminal C is a reasonably accurate facsimile.

ATLANTA

Child's play: Discount carrier AirTran runs a small play area in Concourse C.

Instant office: Laptop Lane has 25 offices available at three outposts here, in Concourses A, B and T (see Chicago for details). The airport runs its own business center in the main terminal, where six workstations equipped with computers, phones and data ports rent for $15 an hour, not including calls or faxes.

Diversions: The airport prohibits vendors from charging more than 10% above nonairport prices, so it's worth exploring the stores surrounding the large atrium in the main terminal. The atrium also hosts rotating art exhibits, usually of photography.

NEW YORK-LA GUARDIA

Decent eats: Long ago, locals came to the airport's swank Terrace restaurant to eat and be seen. Alas, these days your best bet is probably the Brooklyn National Deli in the Central Terminal.

Child's play: Continental offers a small play area in the Central Terminal.

Instant office: Laptop Lane expects to set up nine cubicles in the Central Terminal by year-end (see Chicago for details).

Healthy pursuits: For $20, you can use the health club, pool and sauna at the Marriott La Guardia, a five-minute shuttle ride away. At the Central Terminal's dental office, a cleaning and exam is $60.

SAN FRANCISCO

Child's play: The airport has two interactive science museums designed by the Exploratorium, the city's impressive museum of science and technology (International and North terminals).

Diversions With dozens of art, science and cultural exhibits each year, this may be the only airport in the world that's also an accredited art museum. Current exhibits in the South Terminal include a historical look at sports equipment and a tropical fish display borrowed from the Steinhart Aquarium. Simply Books, in the South and North Terminals, has cushy seating. Coming soon to the International Terminal: an aviation museum and a not-quite-real, not-quite-virtual driving range for delayed golfers.

Decent eats: Airport regulars say the best of many good choices are the North Beach Deli, in the North Terminal, and Bay View, an upscale eatery with runway views in the South Terminal.

Healthy pursuits: A unisex salon between the South and International terminals offers hair styling, facials, manicures, massages and $10 shower facilities. The International Terminal also houses a branch of San Francisco General Hospital.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

Child's play: The airport's two primary carriers have play areas for kids: Delta's Rusty Den in Terminal E and American's Landing Zone in Terminal C.

Instant office: Laptop Lane expects to have a facility set up by year-end (see Chicago for details).

Diversions: The on-site Hyatt Regency no longer allows nonguests to use its health club, but it will shuttle you to the Hyatt Bear Creek Golf & Racquet Club. Located on airport property, it has two 18-hole courses at $88 a round and tennis courts for only $3 an hour.

BOSTON

Child's play: Terminal C's 3,000-square-foot Kidport, run by the Boston Children's Museum, features aviation-themed climbing structures and a moving Rube-Goldberg-style sculpture that renders kids speechless. You'll find a scaled-down Kidport in Terminal A.

Diversions: The airport maintains a half-mile walking path along the Harbor with great views of the city. Get to it from the water shuttle pavilion, a short, free shuttle bus ride from any terminal.

Decent eats: Ignore the two big strikes against Legal Seafoods (it's part of a chain; it's at the airport). This full-service restaurant in Terminal C (with an annex in Terminal B) is deservedly popular. For a quick bite, try the adjoining raw bar.

Healthy pursuits: Work out at the on-site Hilton's health club and pool. One-day membership is $15--$9 if all you want are the steam room, sauna and showers.