INDIANAPOLIS — Preceding the first playing of the Super Bowl in Indianapolis – a rare visit by the game to a cold-weather city – is the first appearance by the NFL Experience, the league’s official interactive theme park.

The Experience takes over the recently-expanded Indiana Convention Center downtown – just north of Lucas Oil Stadium and anchoring the west end of the Super Bowl Village – opening Friday through Feb. 4.

Since this is one of the events that is not free, the NFL has packed it with lots to see and do to make it worth your dollar (actually 25 of them, $20 for ages 12 and under).

The activities are literally all-ages. For the youngest fans, toddlers through 10, there is the Rush Zone with scaled-down versions of punting, passing, kicking and running activities. One little field features bean-bag chairs as “tackling dummies.”

The exhibit hall labeled “The Vince Lombardi Trophy” contains the actual trophy that will be awarded to the Super Bowl Champion on Feb. 5, as well as the AFC and NFC trophies. Other exhibits include items from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a collection of all 45 official game balls and champion rings from previous Super Bowls.

One vast hall contains a regulation half-size football field made of artificial turf.

On it will be clinics conducted throughout the run of the exhibit, as well as Tazón Latino VI, a flag football game on Feb. 2 featuring current and former NFL players and Hispanic celebrities, to be televised by Univision on Feb. 4. Colts players expected to participate are Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai. NFL legends include Deion Sanders, Ahman Green and Randall Cunningham.

Speaking of celebrity athletes, there will be players signing autographs at various times and places throughout the NFL Experience.

There will also be mannequin-like figures with the various NFL uniforms scattered throughout the area, with hollow backs and heads missing so that fans can insert themselves for photos.

The giant NFL Play 60 Game Zone includes a replica locker room with famous players’ gear, and huge areas where pro wannabes can engage in various football activities. Think you can throw to a covered receiver better than Eli Manning? A full-size simulation gives you the chance to prove it. And after throwing for six, try kicking an extra point through NFL uprights.

There’s also a huge NFL Shop (also accessible from outside by the general public) big enough to include a lounge area. It will be one of only a few places to get official souvenirs.

The Experience extends out the backside of the convention center into large tents containing the Sponsor Pavilion with a memorabilia show and various other features hosted by official sponsors, including title sponsor GMC. Wilson will feature a football-making factory, assembling balls throughout the run of the exhibit.

Tickets for the NFL Experience are available by calling (866) 849-4635, online at ticketmaster.com or at the Lucas Oil Stadium or Indiana Convention Center box offices. For more information, visit http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/46/ events/nfl-experience.
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