Tips for Enjoying Denver Airport Layovers

Is it really possible to enjoy an airport layover? In Denver, absolutely! Depending on how much time you have between flights, check out these ideas for experiencing all that Denver International Airport (DEN) and its surroundings have to offer. 

DEN is one of the most distinctive airports with a roof that resembles Colorado’s snow-capped peaks, an outdoor plaza larger than a football field, and views of where the mountains and plains (not planes!) intersect. DEN is also the source of some bizarre myths and legends, from lizard people and space aliens, that have captivated people since the airport opened in 1995.

With more than 82 million passengers traveling through, the airport is constantly adding new features, services and interesting spaces to make traveling more enjoyable. There are more than 100 shops, restaurants and services, creating a delectable mix of local flavor as well as national brands you’ll recognize.

• Should You Stay or Leave the Airport?
• Dine on Local Cuisine
• Kick Back and Relax
• Shop for Local Products
• Clubs and Culture
• Head Next Door
• Off-Site Exploring

Should You Stay or Leave the Airport?

Since security lines can fluctuate and you have to allow a minimum of 40 minutes one way (not including walking through the concourses) to get to downtown, here are some guidelines to help you decide whether to stay or leave the airport. If you have a layover of:

• 6 hours or less: It's probably best to stay at the airport and enjoy the vast amenities below

• 6 to 8 hours (domestic flight): It's feasible to head to the River North Art District (RiNo) or downtown for a quick trip

• 8 hours or more (domestic or international flight): You can comfortably explore a bit more of the city

If you decide to leave the airport, consider taking RTD’s A Line commuter rail from DEN to Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown (37 minutes one way) or get off earlier at 38th and Blake Street station to explore the hip RiNo neighborhood, which is brimming with street art, art galleries and shops.

Dine on Local Cuisine

DEN has an unusually high concentration of local outposts, often praised by national media outlets, so you can get an immediate taste of Denver's ever-rising culinary profile.

Jeppesen Terminal (outside security)

Olive & Finch: Local flavors with a global twist; breakfast sandwiches, pastries, salads, hashes and soups (grab-and-go location in Concourse A)

Kabod Coffee: A taste of Ethiopia with farm-to-cup coffee blends; minority and woman-owned (other locations in Concourse B)

Concourse A

Breckenridge Brewery: A great selection of local craft beers and a ski town vibe

Brothers BBQ: Ribs, chicken, pulled pork and barbecue tofu

D Bar: Comfort food and desserts

Denver Central Market: Modeled on its RiNo location, there's something for everyone with an assortment of dining experiences

Elway's Taproom & Grill: Founded by a famous football quarterback, look for steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers (second location in Concourse B)

Maria Empanada: Savory and sweet, authentic Argentinian empanadas 

Mercantile Dining & Provision: A new American eatery, artisanal market and barista bar 

Tacos Tequila Whiskey: Creative and flavorful tacos made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, as well as other Mexican-inspired dishes like nachos, quesadillas and street corn

Tocabe: An American Indian owned and operated fast-casual restaurant that features fry bread, bison ribs and other dishes inspired by Indigenous culinary heritage

The Bagel Deli: New York-style bagels with an extensive selection of spreads, deli meats and classic toppings 

The Bindery: New American cuisine with a touch of European influence, bakery and crafted cocktails, all in one

Williams & Graham: Where passengers make their way through a 19th-century wooden bookcase to reveal a stunning bar and view of DEN’s airfield. 

Concourse B

Aviano Coffee: A curated selection of frothy cappuccinos, lattes and specialty beverages such as nitro cold brew, tea mocktails, signature matcha infusions and recipes featuring Askinosie Chocolate (second location in Concourse C)

Dazbog Coffee: A gourmet coffee roaster, founded by two Russian immigrants, with bold flavors

Denver Street Eats: Tap into the vibrant energy of the RiNo neighborhood with the industrial decor and local, rotating chefs

El Chingon: A Mexican restaurant that presents a contemporary, gourmet interpretation of traditional family recipes

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli: Try the pastrami, corned beef, turkey, tuna and more in sandwiches, wraps and salads at this deli that originally started in Denver 

Mizu Sushi Izakaya: Enjoy an elegant Japanese tapas-style bar and restaurant 

Modern Market: A farm-fresh, made-from-scratch, seasonal menu centered around whole ingredients, sourced from regional and local suppliers (second location in Concourse C)

Qdoba Mexican Eats: Burritos, bowls, tacos and salads from yet another fast-casual chain that started in Denver

Que Bueno! Mexican Grille: The airport's first Mexican restaurant is still going strong, serving up burritos with vegetarian and vegan options 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: An extensive line of premium chocolate candies and confectionery treats featuring a fresh daily variety of caramel, candied apples and fudge from the company that started in Durango, Colorado

Salt & Grinder: A New Jersey-style deli featuring a variety of cured meats, cheeses, fresh bread, salads and breakfast sandwiches from local superstar chef Frank Bonanno

Snooze An A.M. Eatery: All the breakfast staples that you know and love, but with surprising and delicious twists

Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs: What started out as a food truck is now available at the airport in the form of gourmet hot dogs and local craft beers

Sunset Loop Bar & Grill: Named after a series of hiking trails in Jefferson County near Denver, you'll find signature cocktails as well as steaks and burgers

Concourse C

Bar Dough: Gourmet pizza, traditional Italian cuisine and a curated wine list

ChoLon Modern Asian: Known for its French onion soup dumplings, ChoLon blends European flair with Southeast Asian cuisine 

Coors Silver Bullet Bar: This sports bar and restaurant has a little something to do with a famous brewing company that started in Golden, Colorado 

Great Divide Brewing: A great representative of Denver's creative craft-brewing scene 

La Casita: This family-owned business is known for green chile, tamales and breakfast burritos 

Little Man Ice Cream: A Denver icon with several locations in the city, you won't want to miss the homemade ice cream, sorbets and boozy shake concoctions 

Marczyk Fine Foods: A wide selection of gourmet deli items, artisan goods and wine

Mr. Oso by Senor Bear: A Latin American theme with a focus on smoked meat, tacos, ceviches and light cocktails

Root Down: Globally influenced and locally sourced cuisine for healthy meals, complete with raw foods

Santo: Get a taste of northern New Mexico from this outpost that originated in Boulder, Colorado 

Superfruit Republic: If you're craving something healthy, go for the made-to-order Brazilian acai bowls or cold-pressed juices and sandwiches

Tapas Sky Bar: This popular bar offers a dozen Colorado craft beers, plus wine and cocktails 

Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar: Known for its sustainable practices, try the tea, coffee and artisan products

Kick Back and Relax

A little free time on your hands is perfect for some pampering. Head to Colorado Oasis in Concourse A for chair massages and wellness products. For other great items to take care of body and soul, stop by Kiehl’s and Björn's Colorado Honey, which sells Boulder County and Denver small-batch honey and bee-based skincare.  

Also, make sure your golf swing stays in tip-top shape at Golf DEN in Concourse A, featuring virtual fairways, comfy lounge chairs, beverages and snacks. 

The free Rest and Recharge area on the Concourse A mezzanine is meant to be quiet and features comfortable seating and recliners. It is a great place to unplug (or charge your devices) and rest your eyes before taking off. Nursing rooms can be found in all concourses, so moms have a relaxing and private place to go. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a children’s play area in Concourse C near Gate C48 is perfect for burning off energy.  

Watch the airport’s passenger event calendar to see when and where a member of the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) will be on hand for hugs, petting and pictures. There is even a feline member of CATS.  

Shop for Local Products

The rich legacy of Tattered Cover Book Store began in 1971 near downtown Denver, and the business has grown into one of the premier bookstores in America. If you like books, spend time browsing all the titles and staff picks at one of several locations in DEN.  

In Concourse C, The Arts District Market is themed around the various arts districts of Denver. Find a collection of local goods and a unique art program as well as electronic essentials, travel comfort items, fresh grab-and-go food and beverages, gifts and more.  

Still needing a few souvenirs or things to bring back for friends and loved ones? The two Greetings from Colorado stores have a lot of options, or stop by Coors x Colorado Limited kiosks that specialize in Colorado-inspired apparel and Coors-branded apparel, accessories and drinkware as a salute to the company founded in nearby Golden in 1873.  

For high-end quality, Concourse B features Johnston & Murphy for men's apparel, shoes, luggage, belts and other accessories for business and leisure travelers, and see TUMI for luggage, packing cases, briefcases, totes, small leather goods and more.  

Traveling internationally? Stop by the Denver Duty-Free locations for perfume, cosmetics, alcohol, confections and fashion accessories.  

Clubs and Culture

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of airport strolling and have a space to rest, eat, drink or work for a spell? If you have access, clubs operated by American Airlines, American Express, Capital One, Delta and United are the perfect solutions for longer layovers. A great option for U.S. military travelers is the new United Service Organization (USO) Denver location in Concourse A, where Wi-Fi, food, beverages, a children’s area and a multimedia gaming center are available.

Through the City and County of Denver’s “One Percent for Art” program, there are about 30 site-specific works of art to look for at DEN, including sculptures, murals and other installations. DEN also collaborates with museums, cultural institutions and arts organizations to curate temporary exhibitions. 

Don’t miss the additional works of art at The Westin Denver International Airport Hotel, which has won a variety of architectural awards, and the RTD transit center. Both are connected to the airport by the 82,000-square-foot, open-air plaza situated between Jeppesen Terminal and the hotel before going through security. During the summer and fall, watch the passenger event calendar for free events and entertainment, such as Park on the Plaza with games like cornhole, lounge seating and grass-like turf and Concerts on the Fly held on select summer Sunday afternoons.  

Head Next Door

The Westin Denver International Airport Hotel offers a quick way to get out of the airport and grab a meal at Grill & Vine, with a farm-to-table menu and signature craft cocktails. For something a bit more casual and interactive, Sky Lounge is a full-service bar in the lobby with a menu of small-plate snacks, tapas and sandwiches. Or there is Ingredients, a grab-and-go eatery featuring coffee beverages and light fare. 

Off-Site Exploring

It can be a gift to have a layover of six hours or more if you want to get out and explore Denver. The A Line commuter rail that runs every 15 minutes for much of the day from DEN to Denver Union Station downtown makes it easy and inexpensive. Or take a taxi, Uber or Lyft if it makes more sense for a group.  

Before arriving in downtown, consider disembarking at the last stop before Union Station (the 38th & Blake station) as you start seeing amazing street art that signals you have arrived in the RiNo neighborhood. Located just north of downtown Denver, RiNo features creative businesses and great places to shop, eat and drink, including food halls that please a variety of taste buds.  

Have the time to head downtown? Upon arriving by train, stroll through Union Station, which reopened in 2014 after a $54 million restoration. It’s a major transportation hub and a favorite place to gather with a hotel, restaurants, boutique shops, bars and places to sit inside and out. Just down the street is Coors Field, where you can see a Colorado Rockies baseball game if the timing is right. Or head to McGregor Square, a must-see for sports fans. It's anchored by a 17,000-square-foot plaza with a food hall, sports bar and a stadium-sized LED screen.

Board the 16th Street FreeRide along the 16th Street  pedestrian promenade to cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time, including taking the bus all the way to the end to access the Colorado State Capitol  and the Golden Triangle Creative District, which contains a treasure trove of museums. Another quick way to explore is to hire a pedicab.  

It’s also fun to take a selfie by the huge “I See What You Mean” blue bear sculpture peeking into the Colorado Convention Center, and explore Denver’s most historic block, Larimer Square, which is filled with restaurants, boutiques and wellness services.  

Photos courtesy of Denver International Airport. 

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