Concourse C: View the employee art show along the wall through the end of February.

Red Balloon: Story time at the children's bookstore in Concourse C (inside Authors Bookstore) is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Armed Forces Service Center: This all-free stop for active-duty military personnel has bunk beds, sofas, showers, TVs and snacks (pre-security on the mezzanine level of the ticketing lobby above drop-off door 1; 612-726-9155).

Conference Center: The conference center can accommodate one to 100 people with eight executive-style rooms and four individual workstations with computer data ports, telephones, copy/fax machines, computer and Internet access, notary services and postage stamp sales. Private work rooms rent for $20 per hour or $100 per day. Larger meeting rooms are available for $40 to $125 per hour. Laptops rent for $25 an hour, including the room. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (Airport Mall on the mezzanine level near the entrance to Concourse F; 612-794-4500).

Family stops: Kid-friendly play areas are located on Concourse C near Gate C12. A private room for nursing moms is located on Concourse C near Gate C12. Request access to the locked room at the Travelers Assistance Desk across from Gate C12 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Quiet seating area: Take a holiday break in a calm area with overstuffed seats on the mezzanine level, overlooking the airport mall, near Chili's Too. Go to the entrance to Concourse F near Chili's Too, and take the stairs or elevator up one floor. Turn left, go through the glass door and enter on the right. A second location is above Ike's Food and Cocktails.

Shopping and eating: The main shopping mall after passing through security contains most of the stores and restaurants. Concourse C has the second highest concentration of shops, followed by Concourse F.

JOHN EWOLDT