Denver

Denver is where all the top athletes train for the Olympics/World Championships, and it only made sense for me to travel here to challenge the best of the best in basketball. 

But before I could lace up my basketball shoes and challenge Denver’s best on the basketball court, I just had to test my speed against olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens in a 100m challenge. If you're into sports, you must check out the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. They have a pretty cool interactive museum where you can digitally challenge former olympic athletes in racing, archery, hockey, skiing and more. 

Let’s just say that I did not warm up as much as I would've liked to, so I lost to a virtual Jesse Owens by a lot. 

After being humbled in the race, I decided it was time to venture out and start challenging ballers on the court in the real world - after all, this is home of the 'World Champion' Denver Nuggets. 

Similar to Austin, Texas, it took me a couple of tries to finally find a basketball court with people playing on it, and I just have to recommend scooters as an absolute time saver when traveling around the city between courts. 

Highland Gateway Park

While Denver may be known as the Mile High City, my journey began at the Highland Gateway Park basketball courts, and regardless of whether or not I was high* during this time, I can tell you for fact that there was something wrong with this court. 

*he was not (read in the voice of the narrator from Arrested Development)

Unfortunately, I missed out on playing here because there wasn’t anyone here. I don’t have many regrets when traveling, but add this to my list of missed opportunities - the chance to compete in a full-court game on this crooked court. 

I got on my scooter and ventured over to the next court.

Hirshorn Park

No one was here

Lawson Park

No one was here either

1729 Humboldt St. Basketball Court

Finally, just when I was about to give up on Denver, I finally found a full court game! It seemed like Denver was calling for me to play, because before I could even call "next", one guy who was playing on the court saw me preparing to play, and immediately asked me if I wanted "next". It’s like Denver knew I was there for basketball!

The crowd at this court ranged somewhere between 18-35. After the first game ended, I didn’t have 5 for a team, so the losing side shot free throws to join my team. Games were played to 16 by 1s and 2s (darn, no 2s and 3s). I will say here the basketball was mediocre at best. Lots of 1 on 1 basketball with suspect 3 point shooting decision making. Eitherway, as long as both teams were equally "talented in their own way", it made for great basketball. The game also took forever because no one seemed to be able to score. 

Conclusion

The Mile High City may have a lot of basketball courts, but I wasn't sure where the real ballers play. Though, I can’t talk trash on Denver too much, as they are the defending 2023 NBA champions, so maybe all their players are on the NBA courts? If you ever make your way to Denver, or live there, please let me know where the local hot spots are! 

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Travel Tip from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Denver

I was fortunate to visit Denver during the 'Zero Fare for Better Air initiative,' which allowed me to travel into and around Denver completely free. As a result, I cannot explain how ticketing works, as I was fortunate enough not to have to decipher their overly complex transit pricing structure.

After you land at DIA, make sure you have your walking shoes ready, because depending on where your gate is, you’ll be walking for miles to get out of the airport. 

• Look for the RTD

  • Get on the A line

    • There’s only 1 direction to go, so just hop on once it arrives, and it’ll take you to the center of Denver!