Best Things To Do Near Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado

But first — Rocky.

If you've been to a Nuggets game in the last few decades, you know the mascot. Rocky the mountain lion has been a fixture at that arena since 1990, and the original guy inside the suit, Kenn Solomon, turned what could've been a standard mascot gig into something people actually talked about. The backwards halfcourt shot from atop a ladder — done blindly, in a costume, in front of thousands of people — is one of those things that sounds made up until you see it. The January 2020 version, from the top of a 30-foot ladder, is legitimately one of the better trick shots I've seen at any sporting event. Not just for a mascot. For anyone.

There's a reason people started speculating about what Rocky makes. The production value of what he does is real, and it's been a consistent part of Nuggets games through some genuinely rough seasons. "Through all those really terrible Nuggets years, he's what people talked about. He was the entertainment" — that's not me editorializing, that's what people who were there said. And it tracks.

So if you're already planning a trip to a game, or you just want an excuse to spend a day in that part of Denver, here's what else is worth your time.

Jefferson Park

Jefferson Park sits right behind the arena, and it's one of those neighborhoods that got interesting gradually rather than all at once. The park itself — 2100 Decatur area — is a good place to walk before a game if you're killing time. Small, low-key, no frills. The real draw is the surrounding streets, which have a mix of bars and restaurants that fill up on game nights but are genuinely pleasant on a regular Tuesday.

Jefferson Park Place

The neighborhood has some solid pre-game infrastructure if you know where to look. Jefferson Park Place on Decatur is part of the residential and mixed-use development that's changed the feel of this area over the past several years. Worth knowing about if you're exploring on foot — it gives you a sense of how quickly this part of Denver has shifted from an afterthought to an actual destination.

Highland Park

Federal Boulevard cuts through here, and Highland Park at 3201 Federal is one of the older anchors in a stretch of the city that a lot of people drive through without stopping. The park itself has decent green space and some history behind it. Not a destination on its own, but if you're walking or biking the area before or after a game, it connects to a broader loop that's worth doing once.

The Tennyson

A short drive north puts you on Tennyson Street, which is one of Denver's better commercial strips for the simple reason that it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard. Local shops, a few good restaurants, and enough foot traffic on weekends to feel alive without being overwhelming. If you've never spent time in the Berkeley neighborhood, this is the street to start on.

Highlands' Garden Village

Right at the corner of 38th and Tennyson, this is one of the more interesting mixed-use developments in Denver in terms of design. It's built around a preserved historic garden, which gives it a different feel from the standard Denver infill project. Worth walking through if you're in the area — the layout is unusual and it's an easy add-on to a Tennyson visit.

B-Side Live

If you're looking for something to do in the evening around a game, B-Side Live on Market Street is a solid option. It's a music venue that books local and regional acts, and Market Street is easy to get to from Ball Arena. The crowd tends to be pretty mixed — not just music people, not just sports people — which makes it a good choice after a game if you're not ready to call it a night.

Roger Roger Arcade & Game Room

Out on Quebec Street, Roger Roger is a bar-arcade setup that works well for groups. It's the kind of place where you show up thinking you'll stay an hour and end up staying three. The games are mostly vintage, the drinks are reasonably priced, and it's a legitimate alternative to the usual post-game bar scene. A bit of a drive from the arena but worth it if you're with people who'd rather do something than just sit somewhere.

Curtis Park

One of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, and one that most people outside the city don't know at all. Curtis Park on Marion is a historic green space surrounded by Victorian-era homes, and it's a genuinely pleasant place to spend an afternoon. The Urban Art Agency nearby at 3750 N Marion is also worth checking out — local art, rotating shows, nothing pretentious about it.

Washington Park

If you have a full day and want to do the classic Denver park experience, Washington Park is still the standard. Big enough to get actual exercise, attractive enough to justify the drive from wherever you're staying, and consistently busy in a way that feels more like community than crowd. The two lakes, the running path, the boat rentals — it holds up.

Final Friday Art Walk

Down on South Pearl Street in Platt Park, the Final Friday art walk happens monthly and covers a stretch of galleries and shops that open late. It's free, it's walkable, and it's a good way to see a part of Denver that's easy to miss if you only stick to the obvious tourist zones. Platt Park itself is a solid neighborhood — less flashy than some, better for it.

Rocky landing a backwards halfcourt shot from 30 feet in the air is the kind of thing that makes you proud of your city in a small, specific way. Denver does sports well, it does neighborhoods well, and there's enough around Ball Arena to justify making a day of it rather than just showing up for tip-off.