Fans are Golden at the Pepsi Center

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009

Spanning 45 acres of land, the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO, is nothing short of amazing.  The building itself covers 675,000 square feet and hosts four different teams: Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Crush, and Colorado Mammoth.

When you attend a game at the Pepsi Center it is important to remember that most seats are good seats.  You may not be able to see blood bounce on the ice or sweat drip and splash on the floor from the nosebleeds, but you'll still get a nice view of the important stuff.  Nicknamed the “Pepsi Can,” there is never a shortage of beverages in this arena.  Aside from the normal fountain sodas and bottled water, alcoholic beverages are featured.  If you do not get sucked in by subliminal messages taunting you to “Tap the Rockies,” the Pepsi Center offers other buzz-worthy options.  There are vodka & lemonade kiosks, margarita kiosks, and other full service bars.  For non-alcoholic spectators, the center also offers frozen custard as a highlight.  There are only two flavors, which keeps the line moving. 

The Pepsi Center’s location is convenient.  It's a quick walk from nearly a dozen hotels downtown and if you don't like walking, there are various parking lots ranging from $8-$15 on nearby streets.  When leaving the Pepsi Center, the Denver Police Department directs traffic, making one visiting fan admit that she “drooled with envy at the efficiency of the traffic flow.”

Tour the Pepsi Center

If you’re looking to get behind the scenes without emptying your pockets, a private tour is a realistic option.  You get to walk down on the court, visit locker rooms, and peruse underground tunnels connecting practice courts to future ice-hockey floors.  If you’re lucky, you may even get to see some Nuggets practicing.  Some facts that you may be introduced to during the tour are: 1) each net on the basketball hoop is replaced every 5 games, or earlier if needed; 2) there are 233 pieces to the basketball floor.  Each weighs 185 pounds, making the weight of the entire floor 41,625 pounds.    

Going Green in Denver
Denver is an easy city to get around in.  Whether you’re on foot, in a car, on a bike, or riding by Light Rail, the streets are pedestrian friendly.  The Light Rail and buses connect downtown to the suburbs making transportation in and around the city effortless.  Also known as the Regional Transportation District, RTD has more than 170 bus routes and more than 35 miles of light rail lines.  There is an RTD bus stop located adjacent to the Pepsi Center at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway. 

Other Attractions

Denver is a city of museums.  They have the Colorado History Museum and the Museo de las Americas, which is the only museum in the Rocky Mountain Region that focuses entirely on the art, history, and culture of Latin America.

In your free time, check out Larimer Square located between 14^th and 15^th streets in Denver.  Famous for its shopping and sightseeing, the square now boasts a variety of food selections.  From baked goods to hot and cold sandwiches, the possibilities are endless.  And don’t skip on the coffee bar that sells hot toddies in the back and a medley of desserts.  If you’re looking for a restaurant in the area, Rioja is the best whether you’re looking for brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert.  Check out the lamb chorizo pizza appetizer, or Chef Jen’s pea pod ravioli, candied lemon gnocchi, or grilled Colorado Lamb.

Anything in and around the Pepsi Center is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a born and bred local, a visitor from another state, or a house plant who has moved here, adapted, and chosen to stay; Denver is a place where you’ll feel welcome and the Pepsi Center will prove to be an unforgettable experience.