Special spot at DIA can be soothing for weary travelers

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Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).


Modern travel is not for the faint of heart, and the ongoing construction at Denver International Airport ratchets up the challenges with a shifting maze of temporary walls in the main terminal.

But I know of a special place here that provides a little respite from this craziness — and it’s free.

First, a slight digression: Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver is a wild assemblage of storytelling, colors, lights, and sounds about fictional alien worlds. In recognition of the possibility that some visitors might feel overstimulated in this immersive art space, the designers built in quieter spots. In these rooms, you can sit in a creative space with minimal stimuli to take a break before continuing your journey through Eemia, Ossuary, and Numina.

Much like at Meow Wolf, when I’m at the airport I opt for a de-stimulation zone between my various hectic travel points that might include a busy and noisy restaurant, a long wait in line, or competing overhead announcements.

From left: Pawnee tribe members Stopped with Horse, Humane Chief, As a Dog, Good Chief and Difficult Chief, part of Denver International Airport's "Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition," by various artists and curated by the Western American Indian Chamber. (Provided by DIA)
From left: Pawnee tribe members Stopped with Horse, Humane Chief, As a Dog, Good Chief and Difficult Chief, part of Denver International Airport’s “Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition,” by various artists and curated by the Western American Indian Chamber. (Provided by DIA)

When the airport was being built in the 1990s a decision was made to honor Native Americans by including exhibits in the form of photos, paintings and sound composition.

“The musical series includes Native American chanting, drumming and flute playing in both traditional and contemporary styles,” explained the airport’s public art program manager. “The music was originally performed at the opening of the airport as a healing song to appease Native American spirits as DEN was built on indigenous lands. In honor of this, the musical performance has played continuously … since our opening.”

The 43-minute-long sound composition was created by Red Tail Chasing Hawks, a duo made up of Calvin Standing Bear and James Torres, Weston said. “The music composition is part of a larger series called ‘Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition,’ which was commissioned during the airport’s construction and premiered with the opening of the airport in 1995.”

A group called the Western American Indian Chamber (WAIC) curated the exhibit, Weston said. It includes members of 11 indigenous tribes: Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Navajo, Pawnee, Shoshone, Lakota, Ute and Puebloans.? Today the music can be heard by travelers who walk on the sky bridge between security and Concourse A

Lone Bear, from the Arapaho tribe, part of Denver International Airport's
Lone Bear, from the Arapaho tribe, part of Denver International Airport’s “Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition,” by various artists and curated by the Western American Indian Chamber. (Provided by DIA)

This summer, I was returning home from my third trip in a month feeling pretty worn out. I happened to be on an airline that uses Concourse A so I skipped the train and headed for the bridge to get to the main terminal and then baggage claim. As soon as I reached the sky bridge and heard that familiar chanting and drumming, I knew I was home and relaxed a little, even smiling to myself as if a friend had already greeted me. The bridge has floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides so it also helps to get that big sky feeling and view in this moment too.

For some travelers, a private club or airport lounge with cocktails is a welcome break from the chaos of construction, security lines, and trains and planes, but all I need is that chanting music to feel like I’m home in Denver.

Mindy Sink is a Colorado-based freelance writer specializing in travel and outdoors. 

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Denver International Airport (DIA), one of the busiest airports in the world, caters to a vast number of passengers every day. Amid the hustle and bustle of flight transfers, baggage claims, and last-minute check-ins, a special spot at the airport stands out as a sanctuary of calm for weary and stressed travelers. This sanctuary, through its soothing environment, offers an excellent escape and a tranquil reprieve from the demands of travel.

Situated in Concourse A, this special spot is the DIA Art and Garden, a beautiful blend of aesthetic green space and interesting artwork. The place is hardly what one would expect amidst the whirring chaos of an international airport, yet this unique place effectively offers an oasis of peace and tranquility for all its visitors.

As passengers enter the Art and Garden space, they are instantaneously greeted by the refreshing sight of lush greenery, including beautiful trees, an array of flowering plants, and an assortment of other vibrant flora. This stunning combination uses biophilic design to create a natural environment that reduces stress, induces calm, and boosts mood by bringing travelers closer to nature.

The Art component of the area further enhances the ambiance of this calm oasis. Displaying a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions, local Denver artist displays, and traveling showcases, the Art and Garden offers numerous opportunities for weary passengers to engage with and appreciate the beauty of creative endeavor. This artistic immersion not only acts as a distracting detour from travel-related stress but also serves as a beautiful introduction to the Denver art scene for visitors.

Indeed, and perhaps surprisingly, the calming effect of art is well-documented in research. A study conducted at the University of London found that looking at a beautiful painting can cause the same pleasure reaction in the brain as being in love. That’s what the DIA Art and Garden offers to the weary traveler – a moment of quiet solitude where they can rejuvenate their senses.

Amid the sights and sounds across the airport, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of fellow travelers in the Garden and Art offer travelers a taste of peace and quietude. A sound-proof structure has been purposefully designed and incorporated into this space to filter out the constant airport noise, making it feel like a completely different world altogether.

Apart from the aesthetically pleasing environment, the Art and Garden at DIA also extends its calming features into practical offerings. It hosts yoga sessions for travelers keen on stretching their weary bodies, integrating physical well-being with mental relaxation.

In essence, the DIA Art and Garden spot stands as a testament to how public spaces, especially in environments as hectic as an airport, can provide healing and soothing effects. It is an excellent example of designing a space that takes into consideration the needs of the passengers, including relaxation and stress reduction, ultimately elevating the travel experience at Denver International Airport.

So, the next time you find yourself with time to spare at the Denver International Airport, remember to take advantage of this special spot. Turn your layover into a relaxation break and leave the airport feeling refreshed and ready to face your next destination. Whether you’re a Denver local, an international traveler, or a stressed-out commuter, a visit to the Art and Garden at DIA is sure to provide a tranquil escape from airport chaos and restore your peace of mind.


Write a romantic love letter.,
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Special spot at DIA can be soothing for weary travelers

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