Jazmin Li
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the US, covering 53 square miles. The airport offers plenty of things to do during a layover, from admiring the art installations to shopping and dining. Outside the airport, you can explore the local Colorado brewery and dining scene in the River North and Lower Highlands neighbourhoods. Denver Airport is also known for its unique and inspiring public art collection, including the famous 'Mustang' sculpture. For those with a sweet tooth, the iconic Little Man Ice Cream shop is a must-visit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport size | 53 square miles |
| Airport art | The "Mustang" sculpture, Aztec Temple on Concourse C, gargoyles, "Notre Denver", Native American Exhibition, and more |
| Airport food | Steve's Snapping Dogs, Wolfgang Puck, Little Man Ice Cream, La Casita |
| Airport shopping | SkyMarket, The Tattered Cover, Kiehl's, Tumi, MAC cosmetics, The Body Shop, Johnston & Murphy, Urban Decay, Lavelier Store, Tuleh Ruche, Earth Spirit |
| Airport amenities | Airport lounges, Westin Hotel, outdoor observation deck with a fire pit, Denver Central Market |
| Nearby neighbourhoods | River North (RiNo), Lower Highlands (LoHi) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Denver Airport's art collection
Denver International Airport is not just the largest airport in the US, but it is also perhaps the greenest airport in the country. The airport offers plenty to do and see for those on a layover, from shopping and dining to admiring the art installations.
The airport boasts a pretty amazing art collection that reflects Colorado's unique spirit and culture. There are over 20 permanent and several revolving exhibits throughout the terminals. The art installations include sculptures, murals, and other installations that are permanent fixtures at the airport.
One of the most famous art pieces at the airport is the giant blue Mustang sculpture, also known as Blucifer, with its demonic red eyes, located outside the airport. This sculpture has an eerie history as it fell on the artist and killed him, and the family had to finish it as they couldn't reimburse the airport. Inside the airport, the Jeppsen Terminal features a Native American Exhibition that tells the story of Native Americans in the region through paintings, photographs, and music.
In addition to the art, the airport also offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and easy access to the River North (RiNo) and Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighbourhoods for those interested in exploring the local brewery and dining scene.
Charlotte Airport's COVID Testing: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Great American Beer Festival
If you're looking for things to see and do around Denver Airport, the city of Denver is home to hundreds of breweries and hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival, taking place from 9-11 October 2025.
The festival features creatively designed experience areas that cater to every interest and passion, with independent craft breweries and acclaimed chefs from across the country uniting for an unforgettable beer-and-food-pairing experience. You can explore, taste, and celebrate the best craft beverages and even crown your favourite.
The festival takes place in the evening, with one ticket included for each general session. If you want to attend the PAIRED event or gain early entry, you will need to purchase a separate ticket.
Denver Airport itself is also worth exploring during your layover. You can admire the art installations, including the giant blue Mustang sculpture outside, and over 20 permanent exhibits throughout the terminal, including a Native American Exhibition in the Jeppsen Terminal. The airport also offers stunning views of the Rockies and has a Canine Airport Therapy Squad, where volunteers walk their pets around the airport for travellers to interact with.
The Many Airports of Phoenix: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Insider’s Colorado Bucket List: A Full-Color Colorado Travel Guide to Scenic Byways, Mountain Towns & Local Secrets Beyond the Crowds [INCLUDES: 2 Maps, Thematic Itineraries, Seasonal Highlights]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71CyU4pRUeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Tattered Cover bookstore
If you're looking for something to do near Denver Airport, The Tattered Cover Bookstore is a great option. It's Denver's most well-known independent bookstore and is considered a Colorado landmark. With three unique locations, including one in LoDo (Lower Downtown), Denver's oldest neighbourhood, it offers a wide range of books, gift cards, games, greeting cards, calendars, literary curios, t-shirts, and book bags.
The Tattered Cover is also available at the airport, with mini-versions of the store in each concourse, so you can pick up an airport novel, a book on Colorado history, or any other read to keep you company during your flight. However, if you have time, it's worth visiting one of their physical locations, which also offer coffee shops, extensive newsstands, and author appearances nearly every day.
The LoDo location, in particular, is set against the backdrop of historic 19th-century buildings and is easily accessible via light rail, bus, bike, or on foot. LoDo itself is worth exploring, with its mix of chef-driven dining spots, local breweries, and nightlife hubs.
If you're looking for other things to do near Denver Airport, the city offers a range of options. You can stroll through the River North (RiNo) or Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighbourhoods, explore the art installations at the airport, visit the Native American Exhibition at the Jeppsen Terminal, or enjoy a meal at one of the many dining options, such as Steve's Snapping Dogs for gourmet hot dogs or Little Man Ice Cream for signature shakes and ice cream sandwiches.
WiFi Availability at PA Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The outdoor observation deck
If you're looking for something to do around Denver Airport during a layover, the airport itself has plenty to offer. One option is to head to the outdoor observation deck, which features a fire pit. From here, you can take in stunning views of the Rockies.
Denver Airport is also home to one of the largest airport public art collections in the world, with unique and inspiring exhibitions that reflect Colorado's spirit and culture. You can see the famous 'Mustang' sculpture outside the airport, as well as over 20 permanent exhibits and several rotating displays throughout the terminals. The Jeppesen Terminal features a Native American Exhibition that tells the story of Native Americans in the region through art and music.
Concourse C is worth visiting for its Aztec Temple exhibit, and there's usually an exhibit with a connection to local or aviation history on the bridge to Concourse A. Denver Airport also has a unique mascot, Blucifer, a giant blue horse sculpture with demonic red eyes, located outside the airport.
If you're travelling with a group, Denver Central Market offers a variety of food options, from burgers to burritos and sushi. For a quick bite, Steve's Snapping Dogs serves award-winning gourmet hot dogs, and La Casita offers Mexican treats like tamales, burritos, and quesadillas.
GSA Badges: Smooth Sailing Through Airport Security?
You may want to see also
The Canine Airport Therapy Squad
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the U.S., spanning 53 square miles. The airport offers plenty of things to do during a layover, from shopping to admiring art installations and tasting world-class beer.
One unique feature of the airport is the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) program, which has been a huge success. The program involves volunteer pet parents walking their adorable pets around the airport, offering travellers a chance to take a break and pet a pooch. These therapy dogs wear 'Pet Me' vests to indicate that it is okay for travellers to approach and interact with them.
The team of Orlikowski and her basset hound, Almondine, are members of CATS and volunteer at the airport. They were even featured in the 2023 Guinness World Records as the 'Largest Airport Therapy Animal Program'. Orlikowski expresses her pride and joy in being part of the team, spreading joy to travellers. The volunteer management team at CATS ensures that the therapy dogs receive proper training, certification, and insurance, and provides unique opportunities for special meet-and-greet events.
So, if you're feeling stressed or anxious during your travels, keep an eye out for these furry beacons of positivity at Denver International Airport. They are sure to bring a smile to your face and make your travel experience a little brighter.
Understanding Airport Traffic Patterns: A Guide to Visual Navigation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Denver Airport is home to one of the largest airport public art collections in the world, with a variety of sculptures, murals and installations. The most famous is the giant blue Mustang sculpture outside the airport, but there are over 20 permanent and several revolving exhibits throughout the terminal. The Jeppsen Terminal has a Native American Exhibition that tells the story of Native Americans in the region through paintings, photographs, and music.
Denver Airport has a range of restaurants, including Steve's Snapping Dogs, which serves award-winning gourmet hot dogs, and Wolfgang Puck, which serves pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, plus cocktails, beer, and wine.
The SkyMarket offers 2,600 square feet of retail space with everything from apparel to snacks to newspapers. The Tattered Cover is the airport outlet of Denver’s most famous independent bookstore.
Denver Airport offers some stunning views of the Rockies. The city of Denver also hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival and is home to hundreds of breweries. You can stroll around the River North (RiNo) or Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighbourhoods to get a taste of the local Colorado brewery and dining scene.
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the U.S., spanning 53 square miles. It is also one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport has an animatronic talking gargoyle and a mascot called Blucifer, a giant blue horse sculpture with red eyes.
