TOPIC: First time Gamehole Con advice

Hey all,

This will be my first trip to Gamehole Con or to Madison, WI. Any advice for the trip, such as:
1. Must do events (besides TD)?
2. Good food options near the Alliant Center?
3. We are arriving a day early and leaving a day late. Any must try restaurants in Madison? For me, must try doesn't mean a gourmet experience; for example I can get a great steak in a lot of cities. I am asking more about places or foods that are unique to the city or state.
4. Any other advice a first time attendee should know?

Thanks!

Also a first timer wondering about these things. And..,
5. Does gameholecon only use the Alliant Energy Center or does it use the Veterans Memorial Coliseum as well?

pizza wise Roman candle and Glass nickel are my favs. They deliver and have options besides pizza(or use to)

about 12 miles away is Rossi's...old Pizza Arcade (80s video games and not great pizza)

There was a good shawarma place not too far away.

Just remember this is not GC, So parking is way easier to leave and come back

There will be food trucks on site too

any place (non chain) cheese curds...that is a must try

if anyone says Rocky Rococo...they lie..its horrible

also Original Pancake house is great for Breakfast ....avoid saturday and sunday (way busy)

I have been to GHC a few times, but would appreciate Madison restaurant tips myself.

I can answer a few questions:
2. There will be food carts/trucks parked just outside the convention. They are usually pretty good, but do sometimes run out of items. Also, it will be 4-6 vendors, not the ~20 that are parked outside GenCon.
4. Parking is free. The lot can get pretty full, so you might have to park at the end of a row and hoof it, but we’re taking a 2 minute walk at most. If you have mobility issues or heavy stuff to unload, there are drop-offs closer to the entrance, but someone will need to park the car and walk back.
5. In my experience, it’s just the Exhibition Hall. I’ve never been in the Coliseum.

Get the local beer, I forget the name, they don’t ship it out of the state though so get it early and enjoy.

Two women and cow something.

Two major assumptions, you drink, and you drink beer.

Thanks everyone! This is great! Keep the suggestions coming.

And macxdmg - yes I do drink and do drink beer. Speaking of which, what about the keg receptions? Worth attending?

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote: if anyone says Rocky Rococo...they lie..its horrible

Sigh. And I used to like you.

Rocky...Rocky Rococo.. Pizza ..Pizza Amore

If you can get closer to down town (it's a few miles) there are many good choices. Nitty Gritty Tavern is an awesome burger place. Parking can be difficult, but it is a great college dive.

Unfortunately, around the convention center, there are fewer options. Traveling along the Beltline to the west, you will pick up more options. It all takes place at the Alliant Energy Center. Just hope there isn't a college basketball game that weekend.

The food from the trucks was pretty good, but I don't know how many survived from 2 years ago.

Spotted Cow is one of the more local beers.

Keg receptions are nice. Free Beer is nice. Generally lots of good peeps. Sad we won't have Trent's reception this year.

If you haven't had it yet, frozen custard is the more decadent brother of ice cream.

Cranston wrote:

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote: if anyone says Rocky Rococo...they lie..its horrible

Sigh. And I used to like you.

Rocky...Rocky Rococo.. Pizza ..Pizza Amore

really...awww man. I would rather have grade school pizza than Rocky rococo

Cranston wrote: Unfortunately, around the convention center, there are fewer options. Traveling along the Beltline to the west, you will pick up more options. It all takes place at the Alliant Energy Center. Just hope there isn't a college basketball game that weekend.

Just Googled the Badgers basketball schedule and so far it looks like they open against Whitewater on the 29th, so GHC the weekend before that should be fine on that front.