Denver International Airport

Places we’d go. Things we don’t want to miss.

Vacations, , , ,

Las Vegas wants you

Visitor numbers to Las Vegas have been declining. And the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is rolling out a national “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” campaign to lure visitors back.

In addition to the 60-second TV ad (below) that was launched during Thursday’s NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the campaign includes a 3D anamorphic billboard in Times Square that will debut on Monday, September 15 and will feature images that seem to pop out of the 2D panel.

The campaign will also greet visitors at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) at the rideshare pickup zone in Terminal 1.

Starting Friday, Sept. 12, the “Fabulous Pickups” will feature colorful lighting, plush seating, music, and a neon selfie wall.

During special occasions, the zone will also host live performances, DJs and more.

Here’s a mock-up. But note the ‘note’ in the lower right-hand corner: “Purple benches will be finished in laminate, not tufted upholstered as shown.”

Tufted upholstery or not, this will be a welcome upgrade from the garage space that’s currently covered in cigarette butts.


Seattle’s Museum of Flight celebrates turning 60

Seattle’s Museum of Flight is marking its 60th anniversary with two days of events and special exhibitions on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14.

During the weekend, the museum will also debut the newest addition to its aircraft collection: a classic Learjet 24A, which is about 60 years old.

Registered as N1965L, this plane was the twelfth in a production line of iconic personal jets that helped define the Sixties jet set, the museum explains.

Fresh Art at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) is showcasing Calaveras en Mi Ciudad, a mobile art exhibition that celebrates and pays tribute to Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday and day of remembrance in Mexico. 

Look for this artwork from November 3, 2025, to November 3, 2026, on DEN’s A-Bridge and on Concourse A west, near Gate A19.

August line-up for DEN’s Concerts on the Fly

Music

Tickets will soon be released for the free outdoor summer concert series, Concerts on the Fly, at Denver International Airport (DEN).

The concerts will take place each Sunday from July 27 through August 31 and run from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. on DEN’s 82,000-square-foot open-air plaza, located between the south end of the Jeppesen Terminal and The Westin Denver International Airport Hotel.

The tickets are free, but are limited and must be reserved in advance. DEN will release tickets for each show one week before each scheduled concert at the Concerts on the Fly site.

If you’re traveling through DEN during these dates or live in the area, this is a fun summer amenity offered by DEN.

Here’s the line-up:

July 27

DJ Al Your Pal

Opening Act: C2 Mass Choir

Headliner: Avery*Sunshine

August 3:

DJ KTone

Opening Act: Jakarta

Headliner: Kim & Kayla Waters

August 10:

DJ Kimani

Opening Act: Wash Park Band

Headliner: DOTSERO

August 17:

DJ Al Your Pal

Co-Headliners: Nelson Rangell & Pieces of a Dream!

Free mini-golf at Denver International Airport

Sports,

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to get some fresh air during a layover?

A few airports around the country have outdoor decks where you can do this.

And one of them is Denver International Airport (DEN), which has three post-security outdoor decks with comfortable seating, firepits, views of the airfield and pet relief areas.

At DEN, you’ll find one outdoor deck on each concourse: at Concourse A-West (near Gate A15), on Concourse B-West (near Gate B7) and Concourse C-East (near Gate C67).

If you’ve got a long layover and are willing to go back through security, there’s also a lovely, 82,000-square-foot open-air plaza located pre-security between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel.

Open now through September 30, the deck has lounge seating, grass-like turf and a variety of events.

One of our favorite events on DEN’s summer agenda is free mini golf.

Throughout June, travelers and community members may play a free round of nine holes on the plaza from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

As it does every year, free mini-golf at Denver International Airport is a great candidate for Airport Amenity of the Week.

Airport attractions: horses, stars & free cards for moms

Events, , , , ,

Whoa, Nellie: thoroughbreds at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

They’re not flying horses. But if you’re flying through Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) you can take a selfie with a horse.

The 150th Preakness Stakes – the second race in the Triple Crown series of thoroughbred horse races – takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, May 17.

To celebrate the Preakness Stakes race and the accompanying Preakness Festival, two large models of thoroughbred horses are now on display at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Both horses are located on the upper level of the airport, near the center of the terminal and the C security checkpoint. One horse is located pre-security and the other is located post-security.

Passengers may snap a selfie with one or both of the horses.

But, unfortunately, no rides.


Fresh art at Denver International Airport

We’re looking forward to flying into Denver International Airport (DEN) soon and seeing this cool new constellation-inspired artwork near Gate C54.

Free Mother’s Day cards at Norfolk Int’l Airport

Flowers, phone calls, brunch, and big hugs are in store for many moms this weekend.

And maybe a bonus postcard.

Over Mother’s Day weekend Norfolk International Airport (ORF) will be handing out free “Thanks, Mom” postcards at the Information Desk between 9 a.m. and 9 p.,m.

They’ll even give you a free stamp to send that postcard (while supplies last).

Happy 30th birthday, Denver International Airport

Airport Terminals,

Thirty years ago, on February 28, 1995, the future staff of StuckatTheAirport.com was having a hard time leaving Denver’s Stapleton International Airport.

It wasn’t that we loved that airport so much.

It was because operations were switching over from Stapleton to the brand new Denver International Airport (DEN) facilities, 19 miles down the road. And, as workers were, literally, rolling up the rugs and stacking up furniture, computers were shutting down and flights were getting later and later.

Those of us who received food vouchers for our delayed flights were having a hard time spending them at the one concession still open that was selling soda and juices for $10 a pop.

Eventually, our flight took off and Denver International Airport (DEN) opened for business.

The airport, which is now the 3rd busiest airport in the country, celebrated its 30th birthday on February 28 and shared some great images, an informative timeline plus a cool timelapse video of the airport’s impressive growth over the years.

Take a look. And let us know your favorite amenities, and if you’ve encountered any aliens from other planets, at Denver International Airport.

Two airports get new play areas for kids

Kids, ,

Airport play areas come in handy if you’re traveling with kids who need to burn off some energy before the flight.

We can’t promise you that all airports offer this amenity, but we’re pleased to share news of two airports with fresh play spaces for kids.

In South Carolina, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is teaming up with the Upstate Children’s Museum and local toy company Plus Plus USA for its new kid zone.

The play area, called GSPlay, features colorful large interlocking toy pieces that kids can connect in endless shapes and layouts, a scavenger hunt and an interactive map that invites children to mark their next destination.

First kid’s play area at Denver International Airport


At the end of December, Denver International Airport (DEN) debuted its first play area for kids.

Located on Concourse C, near Gate C48, the play area has an outer space and alien theme (a nod to the alien conspiracy theories about DEN) and features colorful climbing structures for young kids.

And kids, their parents and just about every traveler will surely smile when they spot the newest art installation at DEN Airport.

“It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” by Thomas ‘Detour’ Evans, is made of colorful upcycled luggage and is on Concourse B-East near Gate B60.

At DEN Airport: Flip board at Marczyk Fine Foods

Food, ,

The Stuck at the Airport food team was on hand at the recent opening celebration for several new concessions at Denver International Airport (DEN) out by Gate C64: ChoLon Modern Asian, Marczyk Fine Foods and Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar.

All three offer great food and drink options, but we were charmed by the split-flap display board at Marczyk and some of the gourmet market items on the shop’s shelves.

Marczyk Fine Foods is a Denver-based specialty market and deli known for its farm-fresh produce, gourmet products and high-quality meats. Their new DEN outpost has a great selection of grab-and-go items, as well as fresh sandwiches, salads and snacks. Wine and beer are served in the sit-down area of the market.

The flip board over the deli counter not only welcomes passengers but is also loaded with some (corny) jokes; “because what harried parent doesn’t appreciate something to entertain kids when the plane is delayed?,” says Barbara Macfarlane, one of Marczyk’s founders.

Why do elephants paint their toenails red? (flip flip flip)

To hide in cherry trees. (flip flip flip)

Ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree? (flip flip flip)

See it works! (flip flip flip)

And why are elephants’ feet flat? (flip flip flip)

From jumping out of cherry trees!

Bonus foods to buy at DEN’s Marczyk shop

In addition to the fresh deli sandwiches you can order at Marczyk Fine Foods, there are shelves filled with gourmet items to eat right away or take home. We spotted gourmet coffee, roasted peanuts, marinara sauce and both olive oil and balsamic vinegar in lovely gift-worthy containers.  

Sleigh the Layover at Denver International Airport

Uncategorized, ,

This holiday season there’s a special airport lounge for Santa and other busy travelers at Denver International Airport (DEN).

And you don’t need airline status or a special invitation to gain entry into Santa’s Layover Lounge at DEN.

Instead, it’s a holiday pop-up bar open to all temporarily taking over an existing bar on the mezzanine level in the center core of DEN’s concourse B.

Stop by and you’ll find Santa’s Layover Lounge decorated for the holiday season with festive decor, reindeer, a giant snowman and Buddy the Elf.

The menu includes holiday-themed cocktails such as the Winter Wonderland Cosmo, the Gingerbread Old Fashioned, the Polar Expresso Martini, the Feliz Navidad (made with tequila, agave, apple cider and cinnamon), the Mule-Tide Carol and the Pa Rum Pa Rum Punch.

There’s also a decadent hot chocolate bar with a buffet of toppings that includes peppermint and gingerbread syrup, Christmas sprinkles, whipped cream and tiny marshmallows.

Menu options at Santa’s Layover Lounge at DEN include breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches and personal-sized pizzas named for (but not made of) Santa’s dedicated team of reindeer.

Santa has been stopping by the pop-up lounge during his pre-Christmas travels. We just missed him on Tuesday but got a tip from one of Santa’s elves that he’ll be back on December 23rd from 4-6 pm.

Santa’s Layover Lounge at Denver International Airport is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Visit Santa’s Layover Lounge at Denver Int’l Airport

Holidays, ,

A pop-up bar dubbed Santa’s Layover Lounge is now open at Denver International Airport (DEN), just in time for what’s expected to be a record-breaking holiday travel season.

Lounge 5280, on the mezzanine level of Concourse B, in the Center Core, has been transformed into a festive holiday pop-up bar with decorations, themed cocktails, a hot chocolate bar and holiday-themed food.

Menu highlights include pizzas named for reindeer ( not made from reindeer…) such as the Prancer Pizza which has a brie spread, fig jam, prosciutto and arugula. Desserts include pumpkin pie and the holiday cocktails include the Polar Expresso Martini and the Winter Wonderland Cosmo.

“Selecting Denver International Airport to host my first-ever layover lounge was a no-brainer,” said Santa Claus, “Its geographic location, unique offerings and amazing customer service really are ideal.”

Holiday characters will be making surprise appearances at Santa’s Layover Lounge, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Janurary 5, 2025.

As a nice bonus, Santa has partnered with DEN and Skyport Hospitality for this lounge and donations made on-site to the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.

We’re nominating Santa’s Layover Lounge at DEN Airport as Airport Amenity of the Week.

Old Southwest Airlines seats = cool stuff

Art,

Southwest Airlines has been in the news lately for the carrier’s decision to end its open seating policy, add premium-style seating and begin flying red-eye flights.

So, it’s a good time to look at another Southwest Airlines seating story. This one is all about what the airline has been doing with old aircraft seat leather.

After a seat refresh in 2014, Southwest Airlines had 43 acres of surplus seat leather. Rather than throw it in the landfill, the airline created the Repurpose with Purpose program.

The ongoing program not only recycles and repurposes Southwest Airlines’ old seat leather, but it also provides employment, skills training and other community benefits.

Through October 2024 an exhibit at Denver International Airport (DEN) displays some of the diverse and creative items being made.

Look for the exhibit at DEN Airport on Concourse C, Mezzanine (upper level), and at Baggage Claim 1, East Side.