If you’re traveling this holiday, chances are you will spend some time at Denver International Airport (picking up or dropping off). While arriving home at DIA always makes us feel peachy, the white-peaked airport sometimes fills us with loathing. Here, our latest complaint—and one reason why we’ll live with it.

Rant: As we walked through the parking garage the other day, we almost reached for a pair of earmuffs because peppy, suitable-only-for-an-elevator holiday music was blasting. While we love the holiday season, we don’t need to be reminded of it at every turn—and parking spot.

Rave: We’re smitten with the live birds flying about DIA. You’ll find them—mostly pigeons and sparrows—in the main terminal. We love the juxotposition of modern flight and the original real deal. Watching them makes trudging through the security line so much nicer.

—Photograph provided courtesy of Denver International Airport.

Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and the former Articles Editor for 5280.