Basketball

Orlando Magic. Since it became the city's NBA team in 1989, the popularity of the Orlando Magic has waxed and waned, perhaps reaching its peak in the early 1990s, when Shaquille O'Neal became the team's most recognized player and helped it become the second-fastest team to advance to the NBA Finals. Its venue is now downtown's multimillion-dollar, state-of-the art Amway Center. The season runs October–June, and ticket prices vary greatly depending on where you sit and how well the season is going. Seats go for as little as $18, though courtside seats creep up toward $1,000 when the Magic is playing against a top team. Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Downtown Orlando, Orlando, Florida, 32801. 407/896–2442; www.nba.com/magic. Tickets from $10; parking from $10; VIP parking from $50.