More than 20-thousand fans packed UNF Arena over two-and-a-half weeks, as teams from across Florida competed for state titles. The event featured 48 high school games and was part of a busy stretch that saw the University of North Florida host 74 total basketball games in just 19 days.

A packed March sports calendar is expected to deliver a major economic boost to Jacksonville, driving hotel bookings and visitor spending as the region hosts everything from championship golf to youth sports and relay races.

Securing the AFC South championship title isn’t the only thing that scores a boost of excitement in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is inviting families to enjoy Kids Free November, a month-long celebration offering free or discounted admission for children at more than a dozen popular local attractions.

Before the Jaguars take the field for Monday night, fans were already showing up at the Miller Electric Center Pro Shop to score some limited edition team swag.

One study that ranked Jacksonville the most boring city in the entire United States has residents, city officials and visitors all defending — or agreeing — with the finding.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated during the month of May, and to kick off the festivities, News4JAX Reporter and Anchor John Asebes spent a full day embracing the vibrant AAPI culture.

If your dog loves to feel the sand in their paws, Duval County offers several pet-friendly beaches, but each has rules about when our fur friends can visit their shores.

Jacksonville is rapidly gaining recognition as a popular tourist destination, with many visitors expressing a strong desire to return to the River City.

This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition provides an in-depth look at the city’s thriving tourism industry.

For two years Jacksonville won’t be home to the annual matchup between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs as EverBank stadium undergoes renovations.

Discover all the family fun the city has to offer at its top attractions throughout November!

All things that play into the tourism industry in Northeast Florida include fall weather, football and the Stadium of the Future.

Dana Maule, a Jacksonville native born and raised on the Northside, wants to investigate how tourism impacts urban communities and the preservation of Black history.

Residents and tourists gave differing opinions after a recent study ranked Jacksonville as the worst place for a summer vacation.

City of Jacksonville leaders on Wednesday are set to make an announcement about the future of sports tourism and community engagement in Jacksonville.

It’s a Ponte Vedra specialty that impacts so much of Northeast Florida -- Golf’s “Fifth Major” is celebrating its 50th edition. The Players Championship began on March 12.

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is offering free admission to kids throughout the month of November.

During Kids Free November, listed participants will offer free admission and specials for up to five children under the age of 12 with each general adult admission purchased.

Planning and preparations are underway as thousands of Jaguars and Chargers fan plan on attending Saturday’s AFC wild-card game in Jacksonville.

As the football teams for Notre Dame and South Carolina battle it out on the field at TIAA Bank Field, fans are bringing with them a big economic impact to Jacksonville.

A Jacksonville home designed by architect Henry John Klutho is now for sale.

Your choice for Jacksonville’s best family-friendly park is also a beach -- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.

The museums offer a chance for you to explore the natural beauty of old Florida, capturing a time when citrus growers worked the land and steamboats plied through the waters, according to Visit Jacksonville.

Although far from home, the Saints said “Who Dat?" will be heard in the River City on Sunday when New Orleans plays Green Bay at TIAA Bank Field.

Our local experts of our JaxBest campaign presented by Visit Jacksonville love what they like. So Jacksonville Arboretum with the extended title of Botanical Gardens has now won three times for JaxBest trail (hiking, biking, or running).

Blue Jay Listening Room was voted Jax Best Music Venue as part of our Jax Best Presented by Visit Jacksonville campaign.  Owner Cara Murphy has gone above and beyond to keep the doors open and support other local businesses.  She has partnered with Wildcrafters for twice weekly Kava Bar pop ups at her venue.  Wildcrafters opened in Riverside almost 2 years ago with a focus on creating a non alcoholic bar atmosphere that has been fully embraced by the neighborhood.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Spring Break starts next week for many students, including those in Duval County. Visit Jacksonville told News4Jax it is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the River City. “Jacksonville’s not your typical Spring Break location. It’s more family trips and family-oriented than it is a bunch of college kids coming to town,” explained Michael Corrigan, president and CEO of Visit Jacksonville. “We anticipate a lot of people flocking to our beaches in the coming week.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Starting Monday, you can take part in a QR code scavenger hunt and enter for chances to win prizes. Downtown Vision’s “Dashing Through Downtown” weeklong event aims to bring people to downtown Jacksonville. It’s subtly getting better, a little bit more traffic every day.”That is why Baumann is excited about “Dashing Through Downtown”. “We’re working hard to make the holidays a little brighter here in Downtown,” said Jake Gordon, Downtown Vision CEO. “Dashing Through Downtown” goes through Friday, December 18th, and participating is free.

When I began my nomadic lifestyle, I had no idea there were so many flavors and styles when it comes to BBQ. I knew brisket, ribs, sausage and chicken. East Texas style. Hickory wood, ketchup based sauce and keep it moving.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Visit Jacksonville has once again partnered with the city’s top family attractions for Kids Free November, a special monthlong promotion that offers free admission and other discounted activities for children at local museums and attractions. During Kids Free November, family attractions in Jacksonville will offer free admission for up to five children under the age of 12 with each general adult admission purchased. Several of the participating attractions have other unique promotions available. "We want to assure them that Jacksonville’s tourism industry is back open and ready to safely welcome them to enjoy some much-needed family fun at our local businesses.”Jacksonville is also home to many free family attractions that are also participating in Kids Free November. To find more information on Kids Free November, explore all the offers and deals, and to read the fine print on this promotion, visit www.KidsFreeNovember.com.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This month is “Kids Free November” at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Up to five children will get free general admission to the Zoo with the purchase of an adult ticket, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens said. For a complete list of attractions offering deals for Kids Free November, click here. Guests must reserve their free kids tickets online, in advance at JacksonvilleZoo.org. General Admission tickets are free for children, up to 5 (ages 12 and under) with each adult.

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla – The Bullington Family made regular trips to the Jacksonville area because of their love for water adventures. They eventually moved here permanently and launched Amelia Island Kayak Excursions to share their passion with others. They have connected so well that you Our Local Experts voted them Jax Best Watersports Rental presented by Visit Jacksonville. They are based in Fernandina Beach, and they utilize launch spots all over the island. I made the short road trip to meet the family at one of their locations.

Spend any amount of time wandering around Murray Hill and you’re bound to fall in love. But apparently we’re not wrong about that because so many of you voted it Jacksonville’s best historic neighborhood in 2020. It’s not hard to see why people love Murray Hill. You don’t have to go far to find entertainment: the Murray Hill Theatre sits right along the main drag. Whatever your interests, chances are you’ll find something to enjoy in Murray Hill.

Now, News4Jax has obtained a memo from the RNC, which was sent to local hotels. It shows where all delegates from the different states will be staying and the areas of Northeast Florida that will be impacted. In all, 44 area hotels -- in locations that include downtown, the beaches, the Southside, Orange Park, St. Augustine and Amelia Island -- will be used. Visit Jacksonville has been working with hotels since it was first announced that the RNC will be coming to the River City. Remember that Visit Jacksonville is always looking out for the safety of the tourists that come to visit our city.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Thousands of hotel rooms throughout Northeast Florida needed to be secured before the Republican National Convention heads to Jacksonville for President Trumps renomination speech. Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns counties pulled together to get the needed 10,000 rooms in just two days. If you had told me when the request first came in that we were going to be able to secure 10,000 hotel rooms, a written commitment for 10,000 hotel rooms in 48 hours, I wouldve said no way, Corrigan said. But thats exactly what the region did.RELATED: Jacksonville will host President Trumps GOP renomination conventionCorrigan said the task wasnt easy. With an inventory of 18,000 hotels rooms in Jacksonville, getting 10,000 rooms nights was quite difficult, Corrigan said.

“We are going to keep our convention of, the business of the convention in Charlotte. Jacksonville GOP Chairman Dean Black was every optimistic the convention with thousands of delegates, media and support staff might come here. Mayor Len Curry is a former chairperson of the state Republican Party, and the area is the home base of GOP Gov. The Party’s party could generate at least $100 million in revenues for the host city, perhaps more. The RNC said it expects about 20,000 people for the convention, and the head of Visit Jacksonville believes the city could handle the crowds.

Voting in newest round of Jax Best CompetitionPublished: May 11, 2020, 9:14 amWe need your help deciding on the newest round of Jax Best winners in our competition in partnership with Visit Jacksonville. To vote just go to our website, News4Jax.com.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - This weekend's Florida State-Boise State football game has been moved to Tallahassee because of Hurricane Dorian, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Friday. Fans wishing to attend the game in the state capital can buy them for $10 each and can be purchased here. Curry said officials are working with Visit Jacksonville, the group in charge of promoting the city to tourists, to handle hotel cancellation fees. "This isn't about a weather event happening during a potential game, this is about the ability to move people," Curry said. The decision was made to relocate the game from what would have been a neutral field to Tallahassee after university officials spoke with Jacksonville officials and Gov.

Patty Winters with Visit Jacksonville joins us to discuss the new categories for Jax Best. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

We've been asking you where you like to eat, drink, play, and more with our JaxBest competition brought to you by Visit Jacksonville. We are excited to announce the first round of winners! Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

We've been asking you where you like to eat, drink, play, and more with our JaxBest competition brought to you by Visit Jacksonville. We are excited to announce the first round of winners! Here's what you picked for your favorite local spot to:Surf: Jacksonville Beach pierTake your dog: Julington Creek Animal WalkEnjoy a brew: SJ Brewing CompanyRent water sports equipment: Rip Tide Beach Services and ToursCharter a fishing boat: Team Buck RodgersSwing a club: Jacksonville Golf and Country ClubCatch an animal attraction: Catty Shack RanchSip some java: That Coffee Chic (also known as Sister's Coffee)See public art: Guido Van Helten's UnityWander a trail: Jacksonville Arboretum and GardensThe winners will visit The Morning Show and River City Live this week. Voting for our next round of JaxBest categories begins next week. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Duval County tax collector is a countywide position and, despite party listed, the office is nonpartisan and will appear on all ballots. How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? This is not a political job, it's a complex administrative job. While the Tax Collector's Office is currently well run the challenge is to improve speed and customer satisfaction. He did a good job as the Tax Collector, motivating a professional staff to serve the taxpayers using his experience to run a fair and efficient office.