By Harriet Baskas

Airport essentials Airport Web site Airport maps Ground transportation Viewed from the outside, the Jeppesen Terminal building at Denver International Airport (airport code: DEN) is reminiscent of a circus tent or a field of whipped marshmallows, but the architects insist that the structure was inspired by the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. From inside, the billowing roof looks as if might collapse under the first good winter snowfall, but airport officials promise that the Teflon-coated fiberglass structure is far safer than it might appear.

Get oriented Take care of yourself Take care of business Explore the airport Transportation

Get oriented DEN Note Luggage carts rent for $3. Carts are free in the International Arrivals area DIA has a baggage storage facility located in Jeppesen Terminal. Denver International Airport (Airport code: DEN) consists of the Jeppesen Terminal (with its Great Hall, or "Atrium") and three concourses (A, B, and C), all connected by a train system that runs every 2 minutes. Passengers must take the train to reach concourses B and C, but it's easier to walk to Concourse A. From the farthest concourse (Concourse C), it should take no more than 5 minutes to get to Jeppesen Terminal. Concourse A serves Continental, Frontier, JetBlue, and international carriers (including British Airways, Lufthansa and Mexicana). Concourse B serves United Airlines (which also uses some gates in Concourse A). Concourse C hosts American, Alaska, America West, ATA, US Airways, Midwest, Delta, and Northwest. Take care of yourself Eat: In the Jeppesen Terminal, look for the Cantina Grill, Creative Croissant (open 24 hours), and the Pour Le France Café. Concourse A offers the Cantina Grill Express, Lefty's Colorado Trails Bar and Grille, Quizno's, and the WWW.Cowboy Bar (a combination deli, cowboy-themed bar, and cybercafé). Chef Jimmy's Italian Bistro & Spirits will open in December and the Mesa Verde Restaurant & Smoking Lounge should open next spring. DEN Note Best bet for a carry-on meal: Wraps or bowls from Itza Wrap/Itza Bowl in Concourse B. Best sinful snack: Candy from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Highlights in Concourse B include Wolfgang Puck Express (on the mezzanine level, Lefty's, Pour la France Café & Bar, Itza Wrap/Itza Bowl, and plenty of spots in the center food court offering coffee, ice cream, and a wide variety of fast food. In Concourse C, you'll find Cozzoli's Pizza, Lefty's Front Range Grille, and several snack bars. Boulder Creek Steakhouse and Smoking Lounge is scheduled to open next spring. Relax and refresh: For people-watching, head to the food court of Jeppesen Terminal or the center of Concourse B. Quiet spots suitable for reading or catching your breath are found on the upper levels of each concourse. Travelers can get their kinks worked out at A Massage, Inc, on concourses A and B, or get a haircut at A Haircut Plus, located on the mezzanine level of Concourse B. Sleepy travelers can take a power nap on the nice Italian couches at the north end of Jeppesen Terminal (Level 5), or in the quieter upper-level areas of concourses A, B, and C. For a truly tranquil refuge, visit the chapel on the upper level of Jeppesen Terminal. There's a masjid (Islamic prayer hall) right next door. Feeling ill or need a travel-related inoculation? Visit the folks at the Denver Health Medical Center in the Jeppesen Terminal. Smokers can light up—if they make a purchase—at one of the Aviator's Club Smoking Lounges. There's one in the Jeppesen Terminal, and another at the center of the B concourse, up on the Mezzanine level. Additional Smoking Lounges (attached to restaurants) are scheduled to open next spring on concourses A and C. Take care of business All public phones at DEN have data ports. There are several banks of Internet kiosks located on concourses A and B. A pair of Qwest business centers are located on the Mezzanine level of Concourse B. They're accessible 24 hours a day and staffed 8 AM–6 PM, Sunday–Friday. ATM machines are located in the Jeppesen Terminal and on the concourses. A Public Service Credit Union branch is located in the Jeppesen Terminal. Also, a post office, also in the Jeppesen Terminal, offers stamps, gifts, and packing materials. DEN Note Best souvenir under $10: Beaded cowboy belts from numerous souvenir or western wear shops. Airline club locations: American: Concourse C British Airways: Concourse A Continental/Lufthansa: Concourse A Delta: Concourse C United: Concourse B Explore the airport Shop: Each concourse has a bookstore and a shop (or three) offering western wear, western jewelry, and western-themed souvenirs such as turquoise jewelry and buffalo sausage. Jeppesen Terminal shops include Colorado West, Images of Nature Gallery, Denver Body & Spirits, Sports Terminal.com, Way Out West, and Yaz Jewelry. On Concourse A, look for Colorado West, Sports Terminal.com, Toy Chest Children's Shop, and Way Out West. Concourse B offers the most shopping options, including a bookstore, a luggage and travel accessories shop, and branches of the Discovery Channel Store, The Body Shop, Images of Nature Gallery, and the Tie Rack. You'll also find gift and jewelry shops, gifts for pets, a bevy of pushcarts, kids' clothing, and accessory shops, including the Judith Collection and Susan Vale Sweaters. On Concourse C, you'll find a variety of news and gift shops as well as branches of Way Out West and The Body Shop. Sightsee: DEN has millions of dollars worth of art scattered throughout Jeppesen Terminal and the various concourses. Works by 39 artists are integrated into the airport's design, and revolving exhibitions along the walkway to Concourse A present folk art, crafts, and other work by regional artists. To make sure you don't miss anything, ask for a DEN art map at one of the information booths. Notable works include the 140 floating steel airplanes created by Denver artist Patty Ortiz, on display in Jeppesen Terminal, which is also home two large maps by Gary Sweeney titled America, Why I Love Her. Each map highlights the more bizarre tourist haunts around the country, including strange museums and sites where mysterious happenings allegedly occurred. After you've seen the art, take in some local history. The main terminal building is officially named the Elrey Jeppesen Terminal in honor of the aviation pioneer whose "Jepp" navigational maps and charts are standard equipment in most every airline cockpit. There's a bronze statue of Jeppesen in the terminal that bears his name, plus several display cases filled with Jeppesen memorabilia. One of the best viewing spots at the airport is the bridge between Jeppesen Terminal and Concourse A. Looking westward on a clear day, you can see a majestic 100-mile expanse of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Great Plains extend into the distance to the east, and since the bridge spans a taxiway, you can watch airplanes pass right underneath you. Other good spots to watch airfield activity are at the west ends of concourse B and C. Play around: Kids will definitely enjoy the more whimsical artwork at DEN, especially the gargoyles in the baggage claim area and the Sweeney maps in Jeppesen Terminal. Transportation DEN is located 23 miles northeast of downtown Denver. A taxi ride can take at least a half hour and run close to $50. Shuttle vans take a bit longer, and charge around $20. SkyRide city buses leave for downtown at least once an hour and make the trip in about an hour, with a light rail transfer. Fare: $8. Discounts are offered for seniors, kids, and roundtrip journeys.

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