While we wait for air travel to rev back up, the “5 Things We Love About…” series on Stuck at the Airport is celebrating some of the features and amenities at airports around the country and the world.
Today we are giving some love to Denver International Airport (DEN), from it whipped marshmallow-peak tents to the aliens we’re sure are somewhere in – or below – all those acres.
Keep in mind that some of the features we love at DEN may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will be back.
If we’ve missed an amenity you love at Denver International Airport, leave a note in the comments section below. The same goes for suggesting an airport you would like to see featured in a future “5 Things We Love About…” episode.
Here are the airports included in the “5 Things We Love About…” series so far.
5 Things We Love About Denver International Airport (DEN)
1. The DEN Tents
The 21 “tents” that make up the main terminal at Denver International Airport are described as echoing the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Native American teepees, billowing thunderheads or, perhaps, canvas-covered wagons toiling westward over the Great Plains.
2. The art at DEN
DEN is known for its unusual and eclectic art collection.
One favorite is “Mustang”. Nicknamed, Blucifer, the blue 32-foot cast-fiberglass sculpture with neon red eyes is hard to miss on the Peña Boulevard approach to the airport. “Mustang” was created by Luis Jiménez who, sadly, died after a piece of the sculpture fell on him while he was working on it.
DEN hosts temporary art exhibitions and has lots of permanent public art works, including Gary Sweeney’s “America, Why I Lover Her,” in the Jeppesen Terminal.
3. DEN’s CATS
DEN has more than 100 dogs and one actual cat in its CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) program.
4. DEN’s Talking Gargoyle
“Notre Denver,” by Terry Allen, is an artwork featuring two cast bronze gargoyles sitting inside suitcases that watch over the east and west baggage claim areas.
These two gargoyles are charming, but they don’t talk. And due to construction at DEN, this work is in storage through 2021.
But DEN’s talking gargoyle, named Gregoriden, is on duty.
He’s set on a timer and says something to passersby every 5-10 minutes. Visit him on level 5 in the terminal near Southwest baggage claim.
5. DEN’s Gate Expansion Project
The gate expansion project at DEN will add 39 new gates across all three concourses. Better yet, the project is adding a post-security outdoor patio on each concourse featuring pet relief areas, outdoor seating, and fire pits.
Fire pits! We can’t wait!
Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.