Jacksonville brims with activities for those bound for Super Bowl

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Jacksonville is hosting the Super Bowl for the first time, and the Feb. 6 game is giving the area an excuse to show off its attractions.
The city is located along the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River, providing plenty of opportunities for fishing, birdwatching and kayaking from nearby waterways and islands like Big and Little Talbot. White-sand ocean beaches can be found just a dozen miles from downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville's zoo has the largest collection of jaguars in North America, and the World Golf Village in nearby St. Augustine is home to the Golf Hall of Fame and two championship courses, plus a Golf Academy where you can improve your swing.
Football fans will enjoy the NFL Experience, an interactive theme park with 50 games and attractions, open Jan. 29 to 30 and Feb. 3 to 6 in downtown Jacksonville. "Quarterback Challenge" lets you try out your passing skills, while a fantasy play-by-play lets you announce the greatest plays in football history.
From Wednesday through Sunday of Super Bowl week, an outdoor festival will take place near ALLTEL Stadium, with live entertainment and refreshments. Fireworks will light up the skies for three nights in Jacksonville before the big game, while nearby communities are planning their own celebrations, including a shellfish festival in Fernandina Beach and a beach festival in Ponte Vedra.
For more information on the Jacksonville area, go to www.jacksonville.com or call (800) 733-2668.