With a son who's just turned 15, we're coming to the point when we won't be getting too many more family holidays. Since we haven't been on one for close on 5 years, we thought we should change that. Talk turned to what we'd all most like to do together and we came up with GenCon 2011.
Since we live in the UK and would prefer to be awake for GenCon rather that jet-lagged and/or comatose, the current plan is to fly out to Indianapolis about 4 days early and do some exploring. That part is our problem - although if anyone has good tips or suggestions for a few not-necessarily-game related places to go, that would be lovely.
Anyone got tips or advice for GenCon newbies in a strange land? We've been the UK Games Con the last few years, but this will be altogether bigger and chances are good it would be our only trip. We'd like to make the most of it.
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Went for the first time last year, so please take anything I say with a grain of salt:
Within the convention building itself: Anyone taking younger kids should steer them the hell away from Artist's Alley. Just sayin'. At least until the parents have scouted ahead. ;)
Keep your Vitamin-C intake up. Convention crud is a very real thing and it's always watching. Always waiting.
The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the downtown hub is an awesome sight. You'll probably see a wedding or two as you walk by. There's a museum inside. It's just 31 or so feet short of the Statue of Liberty.
Good eating all around. Beyond the fancy eating, Steak & Shake is a must, at least once, for anyone that passes through the area. The little places are no slouch either. There's a great little Asian eatery called, for some reason beyond my ken, Cajun Food.
Videogames Live Orchestra might be performing there again this year. They hinted as much at last year's performance at least. Videogame music performed by a classically trained orchestra. With electric guitars. Their show can also be caught on PBS from time to time.
The skywalks everywhere do take the edge off the heat, but generally the weather was quite nice last year.
If there are any groceries you think you may need, it might be best to take them with you rather than hunting around to buy them there. I only mention this because of our "hilarious" escapades trying to hunt down a loaf of bread. I think all but one person gave up on it entirely.
There is a zoo apparently. My brother and sister-in-law(who grew up near the city) informed me when we got back. It was probably better than ours, which keeps killing giraffes and ostriches with sinkholes. >:(
Keeping a good amount of cash on hand may be a good idea. I was frequently warned that the ATMs in the area had a tendency to run out quick.
Thank you! That's really helpful.
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...good advice...
Keeping a good amount of cash on hand may be a good idea. I was frequently warned that the ATMs in the area had a tendency to run out quick.
The ones in the convention center run out super fast, but the mall has a few banks of ATMs that I've never had trouble using.
Rev Rosey, I would also recommend not wasting money on any of the drinks or snacks in the convention center itself. If you need a bottle of soda or water walk over to the mall. A five minute walk will save you about $1-2 a bottle. If you're going to do the supermarket thing an even cheaper option (depending on how much you plan to drink, my group will go through a case of soda within two days) would be to pick up a cheap cooler, a bag of ice and drinks at the store.
If you're up really late I would recommend Pizza de Tito in the Hyatt lobby.
If you don't have a problem with long waits I would always recommend eating at The Ram.
Other than that, I would just recommend any of the reasonable convention advice:
*wear comfortable shoes
*know that it can get crowded in the dealer hall
*you'll spend way more than you expected because you will, without fail, find something you've been looking for right next to something that you weren't looking for, but still must have
*try new games. The dealer hall will be packed with companies demo'ing their latest and greatest, but don't forget the event listing for RPGs you have never tried
*don't be afraid of gaming with strangers. Worst case scenario is you have a funny con story to tell
* if they're doing the Tower of Gygax again this year try to get in on a game. I got to play with Tim Kask two years in a row, and that's about as old school as it gets any more.
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AKA 8one6
Thanks! All advice gratefully received.
As we have to fly in from the UK, and can get a better deal combining flight/hotel, we're opting out of the GenCon housing block malarky. For my own sanity, I need to know where we're staying before all that gets sorted out. Planning continues and tickets have been purchased :)
The comfortable shoes thing is a must, I agree. UK Games Con taught me that one a couple of years back. I'm a boots-wearing woman myself, but I saw plenty (not just women) in footwear that just looked agonising.