AS THE SAYING GOES, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and while the wide-open country and farmland inspire freedom, one of the world’s largest airports inspires freedom in a much more concrete way. Access to an airport means access to the world, and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport boasts one of the most robust networks serving the continental United States. From DFW passengers can access every major city in the continental United States with a four-hour flight.

Originally opened in 1974, Dallas/Fort Worth has served north Texas for more than 40 years. In that time the airport grew to be one of the biggest in the country and one of the best ways to access other major U.S. cities. DFW serves 182 domestic destinations and 62 international destinations with 28 passenger airlines. In the airport’s 2017 fiscal year, it ranked fourth in total global flights, registering 655,000 total flight operations. The airport ranked 12th in total passengers, serving 66.3 million last fiscal year.

Dallas/Fort Worth is big not only in the sense it serves a huge — and growing — number of passengers every year. The airport’s physical footprint is Texas-sized as well, coming in at 26.9 square miles — bigger than the island of Manhattan. The airport boasts five terminals, seven runways and 165 gates.

With an eye toward growth, Dallas/Fort Worth continues to look for new ways to evolve, recently signing an agreement with French airport Paris Charles de Gaulle to cooperatively develop cargo shipment strategies, a move with the potential to change how goods ship between North America and Europe. The trade strategy agreement comes on the heels of the official opening of two new lounges in DFW’s Terminal D. The American Express Centurion Lounge and The Club DFW both opened for guests in early October.

For many visitors, Dallas/Fort Worth represents the first glimpse of the nation or region they will experience. Artwork adorns the entire airport, including paintings and sculptures indoors, an outdoor sculpture garden and medallions on airport flooring. The airport also hosts tours for guests. To register for a tour, all you need to do is contact the operators and let them know when your party will come through the airport. This tour offers a great way to kill time on a layover or can act as an introduction to the city and region if you are staying.

With a sprawling airport like Dallas/Fort Worth, it would be easy to explore the art tours, shopping and dining options and call it a day, but the airport offers one more widely regarded feature: Founders’ Plaza. Dedicated in 1995, the plaza provides the perfect way to spend some time if you are traveling with family members.

At the end of the day, Dallas/Fort Worth proves an everexpanding marvel of an airport. It has its own police force, zip code and city distinction. In a place so big, it seems easy to feel lost and overwhelmed, but a straightforward floorplan and thousands of employees mean your next stop is just a friendly chat away.