The sun sets over a giant interactive sculpture of the NFL's Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta's Centennial Park on Sunday.
The Super Bowl is one big carnival. Here's what it looks like
The sun sets over a giant interactive sculpture of the NFL's Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta's Centennial Park on Sunday.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN

Updated 8:51 AM EST, Thu January 31, 2019

Atlanta (CNN) -- The vast majority of us will never see a Super Bowl in person. Many of the football fans packing downtown Atlanta this week won't either.

But that doesn't mean they can't soak up the carnival atmosphere surrounding America's biggest sporting spectacle.

Outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium are peripheral events where fans can run an obstacle course, view Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibits, ogle diamond-encrusted Super Bowl rings, kick a field goal, dance to live music, glimpse current and former NFL stars, and snap selfies next to a 35-foot-high sculpture of the Lombardi Trophy.

All without paying $3,000 for a game ticket.

The events run all week in this Southern capital, turning downtown Atlanta into a celebration of commerce, civic pride and, yes, football.

Attendees at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center watch as Landen Davis, 10 (top, wearing black), Braelin Talley, 9 (white shirt, no number), Shane Pollock, 9 (#1 jersey) and Evan Murunga, 9 (#13 jersey) run the 40-yard dash on Sunday. The boys are all from Atlanta. "I wanted them to have an NFL experience, to take advantage of this while it's here," said Steve Pollock, father of Shane.
Attendees at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center watch as Landen Davis, 10 (top, wearing black), Braelin Talley, 9 (white shirt, no number), Shane Pollock, 9 (#1 jersey) and Evan Murunga, 9 (#13 jersey) run the 40-yard dash on Sunday. The boys are all from Atlanta. "I wanted them to have an NFL experience, to take advantage of this while it's here," said Steve Pollock, father of Shane.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
DeZwaan DeBois and his fiance, Barbara Manana, run through a replica player tunnel at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park on Sunday. The couple, from Greenville, South Carolina, were in town visiting friends and family. "We were just at the park and didn't know this was happening, but we came to see what it was all about," DeBois said. "I've never been around a Super Bowl or to one, so this is pretty cool."
DeZwaan DeBois and his fiance, Barbara Manana, run through a replica player tunnel at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park on Sunday. The couple, from Greenville, South Carolina, were in town visiting friends and family. "We were just at the park and didn't know this was happening, but we came to see what it was all about," DeBois said. "I've never been around a Super Bowl or to one, so this is pretty cool."
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
A woman takes a selfie at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center.
A woman takes a selfie at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Brian Daniel holds his 10-year-old son, Luke, so he can see Super Bowl rings in an exhibit that showcases hardware from the first 52 Super Bowls. "We live here in Atlanta, and we just wanted to check it out. And since they have a military discount I figured why not?," said Brian Daniel, a former Marine. "We were especially interested in seeing all the rings from every Super Bowl."
Brian Daniel holds his 10-year-old son, Luke, so he can see Super Bowl rings in an exhibit that showcases hardware from the first 52 Super Bowls. "We live here in Atlanta, and we just wanted to check it out. And since they have a military discount I figured why not?," said Brian Daniel, a former Marine. "We were especially interested in seeing all the rings from every Super Bowl."
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
John Dingfelder, from Atlanta, poses for a photo in a lunar replica vehicle at the free Super Bowl LIVE event in Centennial Park. "I'm going out of town next weekend (the weekend of the game) so I wanted to see it all before leaving," he said.
John Dingfelder, from Atlanta, poses for a photo in a lunar replica vehicle at the free Super Bowl LIVE event in Centennial Park. "I'm going out of town next weekend (the weekend of the game) so I wanted to see it all before leaving," he said.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Steve Minter holds his 4-year-old granddaughter, Josie Turner, up for a photo at one of the many exhibits at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center. Minter, who is from Atlanta, brought his three children to Super Bowl XXVIII (in 2000) in Atlanta. "Today, I brought my seven grandchildren," he said. "I wanted to let these kids run around and enjoy it while it's here."
Steve Minter holds his 4-year-old granddaughter, Josie Turner, up for a photo at one of the many exhibits at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center. Minter, who is from Atlanta, brought his three children to Super Bowl XXVIII (in 2000) in Atlanta. "Today, I brought my seven grandchildren," he said. "I wanted to let these kids run around and enjoy it while it's here."
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Byron Jackson of Atlanta records with his phone as he dances to DJ Bluetooth at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. "My mom is volunteering here and I came over to find her. So I took a dance break while looking for her," he said.
Byron Jackson of Atlanta records with his phone as he dances to DJ Bluetooth at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. "My mom is volunteering here and I came over to find her. So I took a dance break while looking for her," he said.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Ma Ellis of Atlanta (in hat) watches as kids prepare to take the field for mock drills at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center.
Ma Ellis of Atlanta (in hat) watches as kids prepare to take the field for mock drills at the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Downtown Atlanta, including a giant mural on the Westin hotel, as seen from Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. The downtown park also served as a gathering place when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Downtown Atlanta, including a giant mural on the Westin hotel, as seen from Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. The downtown park also served as a gathering place when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Catherine Wilson gives a thumbs up to her children after completing an obstacle course at the Super Bowl Experience. She, her husband Jake and their three children -- William, 3, James, 11, and 6-year-old Alexandra -- were visiting from nearby Cumming, Georgia. "My father, who was a huge Patriots fan, passed away when I was 14," Catherine Wilson said. "He immigrated here from Greece during World War II and lived in Boston. And for me, being a Patriots fan is one way I can connect with him."
Catherine Wilson gives a thumbs up to her children after completing an obstacle course at the Super Bowl Experience. She, her husband Jake and their three children -- William, 3, James, 11, and 6-year-old Alexandra -- were visiting from nearby Cumming, Georgia. "My father, who was a huge Patriots fan, passed away when I was 14," Catherine Wilson said. "He immigrated here from Greece during World War II and lived in Boston. And for me, being a Patriots fan is one way I can connect with him."
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
Visitors to the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center check out the Vince Lombardi Trophy exhibit.
Visitors to the Super Bowl Experience in the Georgia World Congress Center check out the Vince Lombardi Trophy exhibit.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN
DJ Bluetooth entertains the crowd at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. Thousands of people turned out Sunday for the events, which run throughout the week.
DJ Bluetooth entertains the crowd at Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. Thousands of people turned out Sunday for the events, which run throughout the week.
Kevin D. Liles for CNN