Travelers flying in and out of the Mile-High City can expect to have a miles-long airport experience. Denver International Airport, the largest in the United States by total land area, measures in at 33,531 acres – or 52.4 square miles. It also has the longest public-use runway in the country at 16,000 feet.

With plenty of options for dining and shopping, breathtaking views of the Rockies, efficient layout and a few museum-quality art displays (the red-eyed, 32-foot-tall Blue Mustang horse sculpture is a can’t-forget sight), DEN is a perennial honoree in airport recognition contests. It was named the top airport in the United States for 2018 and 29th in the world in the prestigious Skytrax “World Airport Awards.”

The airport is serviced by a variety of airlines and is a hub for Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Jeppesen Terminal features three concourses (A, B and C) that can be reached by underground train or passenger bridge.

Getting there

Located 25 miles from the city of Denver, the airport can be accessed by the usual ground transportation options (car, taxi, Uber, Lyft) as well as by bus or commuter rail. Bus service by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) runs out of the Denver Airport Station located at the DEN Transit Center on Level 1. RTD also operates the A Line commuter train every 15 minutes during peak travel time.

Sprucing up

In spring 2018, major interior renovation and reconfiguration began on Jeppesen Terminal, which will relocate some security checkpoints, add 39 gates to the three concourses and add 26 cars to the Automated Guideway Transit System – the free underground train that connects Terminals A, B and C. The Great Hall Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Check the airport website for updates and tips during construction.

View

Travelers will find plenty of places to enjoy the stunning view of the Rocky Mountains, but many travel writers and bloggers say the best spot for sunset-gazing is near gates C23 and C24.

Food

Hungry travelers will be glad to know that DEN was deemed to have the best airport food in the United States. The RewardExpert restaurant rankings for 2017, based on 75,000 restaurant reviews from the 20 most-trafficked airports, placed Denver International  highest overall in quality and second for price and variety. With its “field-to-fork” ethos, Root Down garnered particular recognition, as did Cru Food and Wine and Mesa Verde. Other popular eateries include Elway’s, an upscale Colorado-themed steakhouse, and Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs for casual fare.