Explore Afar at MSP: Travel Essentials & Gifts Guide

Shop Overview

Explore Afar is a specialty retail stop at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) focused on the practical things travelers forget until they’re already airside—plus a curated mix of souvenirs that won’t blow up your carry-on. Think “grab-and-go” travel basics paired with giftable items that make a layover feel productive.

The assortment typically leans toward travel essentials (comfort, convenience, and small gear) alongside souvenir-friendly picks that represent Minneapolis and Minnesota. The experience is straightforward: quick browsing, easy add-ons for your trip, and plenty of items sized for personal items and backpacks—ideal if you’re boarding soon and don’t want to hunt through larger concourse shops.

What to Buy

• Last-minute travel essentials: phone chargers/cables, travel adapters (when stocked), earbuds, TSA-friendly toiletry sizes, wipes/sanitizer, eye masks, neck pillows, and compact umbrellas—perfect if you’re connecting or realized you packed the wrong bag.
• Easy gifts and souvenirs: postcards, magnets, small accessories, and lightweight keepsakes you can bring to a host or colleague without checking luggage.
• Comfort for the flight: socks, simple wellness items, and small personal-care products—these tend to be the “I’m glad I bought this” items on longer routes.

Price notes: Expect typical airport convenience pricing on essentials (especially electronics accessories and toiletries). If you’re primarily shopping for alcohol, fragrance, or beauty value, compare against MSP Duty Free locations—duty-free can offer better pricing for eligible international travelers, while Explore Afar wins on speed and practicality.

Location & Hours

Where it is: Explore Afar is located in Terminal 1, in Concourse C. Follow concourse signage after you clear security and look for it along the main passenger flow near the gates—this is a convenient stop if you’re flying from C or connecting through Terminal 1.

Security: Concourse retail at MSP is generally post-security (after TSA), so plan to shop once you’ve cleared screening.

Hours: Store hours can vary by season and flight schedules. Most Terminal 1 shops commonly operate around 6:00 am–9:00 pm, but it’s smart to confirm day-of if you’re arriving late evening.

Best times to shop: For the quickest in-and-out, aim for mid-morning or early afternoon. Expect the busiest rush during early morning departures and late afternoon/early evening bank times, when travelers are grabbing last-minute items before boarding.

Shopping Tips

• Know when duty-free applies: If you’re traveling internationally, check whether MSP’s duty-free shops will save you more on liquor, tobacco, and select beauty items. Domestic travelers won’t get duty-free pricing.
• Make it a “gap-filler” stop: Use Explore Afar for the essentials you missed packing—then buy larger Minnesota gift assortments at bigger Terminal 1 gift shops if you have time.
• Returns/exchanges: Airport specialty retailers often have tighter return windows or require receipts and unopened packaging (especially for electronics and toiletries). Ask at checkout if you think you may need to return something.
• Payment methods: Expect major credit/debit cards and mobile wallet payments to be accepted; cash is generally accepted in U.S. dollars at MSP retailers.