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.