Have two MR coming up to DIA in which I will have a few hours waiting for return flight. Too short of time to rent a car and go into the city. I seem to remember reading about a hiking trail next to the airport. Any details? Or is there anything else to do around DIA to burn up a few hours.

A hiking trail? I certainly haven't heard of one. And, given how far DEN is from the mountains, I don't think the trail would be very interesting.

However, Colorado is home to some great American microbrews. I'd cruise the concourses looking for the best beer you can find. I'd suggest the New Belgium pub, but that was only just awarded and isn't, I'm sure, open for business.

I don't know what else to say, really. Anyone else with any better ideas?

Sorry for borrowing the old movie title. A couple of things on the secure side would be to use the Qwest business center on Concourse B if you brought your laptop. The prices aren't as outrageous as the kiosks you'll find on the main level of the terminals. The business center is on the upper level in the center of Concourse B and usually pretty quiet most days and good for making phone calls to re-book flights if necessary. My favorite restaurants at DEN are Pour la France (Concourse B) and Chef Jimmy's (Concourse A). Chef Jimmy's has a decent bar that usually has spaces open when the small restaurant area is full. The www.cowboy.bar has made the notable circuits (Forbes and some others) for being an actual bar in an airport. The Mesa Verde restaurant is the smoking lounge on Concourse A that just opened but is supposed to be not as smoky as the lounge in B. BA, CO and UA have business lounges if you qualify for those things. Note, the Concourses are connected by an underground train in the center of each.

Why on Earth should you be??? I love that movie and caught part it of just last night on cable TV! ^

Oh, and, newyorkgeorge, I would suggest that you not enter the terminal and stay among the concourses. Going to the main terminal will put you back outside security. And, IMHO, there's nothing there worth the hassle. Unless, of course, you really, really have a hankering for some Taco Bell or Burger King.

I second Pour la France.^

Whenever I'm flying the non-stop from DEN-HNL, and I know I won't be sitting in F I will grab one of their salads to eat on the plane.

Another thing to consider is that if you don't mind exiting the secure area, there are some neat art exhibits on the skybridge (or whatever the exact name they've given it) between Terminal A and the Main Concourse. And there used to be a (modestly) interesting display of Mr. Jeppesen and his flight instruments (for whom I believe the concourse is named).

Of course, you could hit all three terminals researching DEN restaurants and pubs and post your findings right here on FlyerTalk.

Enjoy!

As a mild time waster, go to concourse A and take the escalators to the upper level (above the seating/waiting areas). At the east and west ends, gaze down at the artwork mosaic tile on the floors - which is virtually invisible and unnoticed by most travelers at main floor level.

Do research on the conspiracy!!

http://www.masonicinfo.com/denver.htm

They were still there the week after Thanksgiving, and I thought they were pretty interesting.

Heh, take a look at the time capsule:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvert...7594269016104/

It's right outside the entrance to the security checkpoint among some large planters, and there are some mildly comfy couches there.

It's a quirky thing to do and certainly not going to burn a lot of your layover, but whenever I connect though DIA with enough time on my hands, I make the hike over to B Concourse and pay homage to Apollo 13 astronaut, Jack Swigert. It gets a tear or two from me every time.

Then it's off for a microbrew!

I don't often use Concourse B, so forgive me if this is a stupid question, but Im assuming theres a memorial to Swigert somewheres there? If so, where exactly is it...would like to check that out at some point on my next trip...

TIA!

It's in the center of the concourse as you come up from the inter-concourse trains. I forget on which side it is (i.e. which side of the central moving sidewalk), but if you look for it, it's easy to spot. It's right to the left of some of the information monitors, IIRC.

2 tips - go to the A concourse and walk over the sky bridge that is still inside security...some great views of planes from up there including most of the Frontier tails if you're into that sort of thing.

Also, you can use free wireless internet access from the Continental lounge on the A-concourse too. I tried just outside the doors of the club with no luck (near the elevators, top level), but when I went around to the area in between the tops of the escalators, I got a great signal. There's even an electrical outlet on that bridge IIRC.

-Mike
P.S. Might want to check out the Red Carpet Club Meeting Calendar in the UA forum - might be someone there willing to let you in for free...