hsapiens | November Con // Travel to NJ, D.C., NYC (?)

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November Con // Travel to NJ, D.C., NYC (?)

Happy October! I've finally gotten my act together to plan my trip in just over a month for the final con to be held by Creation in NJ. I'm ambivalent as I'm not enamored of Creation but they were a great reason for me to travel and see a bunch of fandom friends AND a bunch of folks from college. Anyhow, here's what I have planned:

- Nov. 6 (Thursday): Fly to Baltimore after work. Very late night arrival.
- Nov. 6: Need to find a hotel. I'm leaning towards the hotel

jalabert and I stayed in Columbia, MD last year since I know the area but it's smarter to find a place that is on the road to Cherry Hill, NJ.
- Nov. 7: Drive to Cherry Hill, NJ. (I'm doing it this way because flying to BWI was half the price of Philly when I was pricing tickets *and* Hertz promised me a Prius at that airport at a reasonable rental price. No Prius guarantee in Philly.)
- Nov. 7-9: Con in Cherry Hill, NJ.

selmak and

janiekins, I finally chose to take my chances and stay at the very poorly reviewed con hotel. I'd like to say I did this with a sense of camaraderie and misery loves company but the truth is I need to scale back vacation spending. This is the least excited I've ever been about a con line-up. No major SG-1 actors at all and no female guests, either. At least this will help me save money on con photos.
- Nov. 10: Check out of crappy con hotel.
- Nov. 10-15: Undecided. I would *like* to visit

yams69 and family since I'm already there but as I don't yet know their schedules because I never got back to them with my itinerary, I don't know if/when they're available to play. We spoke about hitting some of the Revolutionary War historic sites when I was last there and those still appeal strongly. Else, I'm tempted to return to explore the Smithsonian since it's free, stuffed full of amazing things, and I've spent far too little time there. And there's a Ghanaian restaurant in D.C. that sounded cool but ran out of time for last year.

jalabert, I'm trying to figure out how to visit NY, meet the new kitty, see you, and visit my beloved Met. Given that I have an extra family member living with me and the expenses of the hurricane and the economic downturn, I'm having trouble. I don't think I can afford a week at the Crowne, eating out a lot, traveling, and the incidentals. Would you be willing to spend some time in D.C.? My plan is to have a rental car again so I could pick you up/drop you off if needed. :)
- Nov. 16 (Sunday): Fly back to Houston.

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If attempting a side trip to NYC, you can assume you won't need a hotel. You are more than welcome to crash with me and the kitties. I have a show closing that weekend (which you could see), and would be happy to make a trip to the Met and to point out fun, cheap places to eat. I could even cook for you. :)

I'm sorry we won't be there to host you.

Do not stay in Columbia. You're going the wrong direction, slightly out of the way, and traffic's a pain in that area.

If you're touring, you could stay in one of the Baltimore city hotels that are nice and downtown (and may have good rates).

If you're not, the hotels right by the airport are quite nice (locals often stay at them to take advantage of the free parking), and then you'll be on your way. You could even get up the road some, but if you're late night arrival, the closer the better.

Cherry Hill's probably about 2 1/2 hours from the airport (And I'm being SUPER generous here. It'll likely take you around two).

Doh! I totally forgot that this was an option. I'm so used to doing the "independent traveler" thing. You're in Brooklyn, yes? I would love to get to see you, especially since I canceled last year due to being all depressed over a death in the family. I don't have any grandmothers left so hopefully this year will be better. (And I'm seriously hoping to be in a party-mood after the elections.) That would give me an excellent opportunity to see

jalabert, too, and I really don't want to miss her. My only question is what to do with the rental car. I can, of course, turn it in, but I need to be certain I can transport myself around since I'm flying out of Baltimore. *adds to the Things to Investigate list*

Your show is closing Nov. 15/16?

I'm sorry you won't be there to *visit* with. I really loved getting to hang out with y'all and visit NJ with you. I know that sounds weird but anyone who can show me the hidden treasures of Hoboken and Jersey City is magic. *g*

I think I saw y'all more often when you were in NJ than now that you're back here in Texas.

You're right. Columbia is in the wrong direction. Since I'll be alone that night, I was gravitating to the known and familiar. I've heard so many (probably overblown) things about safety and Baltimore that I wanted to be comfortable with where I'd be staying. If, however, the hotels right around the airport are good, then that'll be my first choice. Finding hotels for the first time in the dark, wee hours of the morning while driving in a new-to-me city is not my idea of a great time. Thanks for the info!

I'm already getting excited about the trip, even if I'm not super-excited about the guest line-up for the con. It's a good thing that the best part of a con is actually the fans. :)

In theory we're coming to a music festival in Clear Lake in the middle of October, but I don't know if it's still on now. I need to email to find out.

You're always welcome to come to Austin, too.

Well, damn. I'm in the DC area, but I'll be in Vegas for the PWFC con from Nov. 11-17.

Yay! I think it should be on. Joe's grandmother lives in Clear Lake and her house had absolutely no damage.

We really should travel to Austin. I love the area, y'all are there, it's close by, y'all are there, we haven't *really* visited Austin in more than a decade, y'all are there... We really should visit Austin. :)

It's a conspiracy, isn't it?

Yes, in Brooklyn. Yes, show closes 15/16. I'm actually in Texas the weekend you're at your con to be a videographer for a charity walk.

Amtrak goes from New York Penn to BWI. So the question would be which is cheaper - the days of car rental plus possible parking charges (you can generally find free parking in my neighborhood), or the train ticket.

Let me also double check my calendar. I don't think I have anything but the play, but you're welcome either way.

I live within ten minutes from BWI (superclose!) and there's a hampton inn that wasn't terribly expensive (plus they'll feed you breakfast on your way out of town) at the Arundel Mills Mall. It's not out of the way, and I've had excellent experiences with Hampton (plus you have loads of entertainment for the night right there at the mall with a huge movie theatre and amenities)

I just checked with a couple friends, and they've stayed at the BWI Comfort Inn and found it nice and clean. Hampton Inns are luxurious low/midrange hotels too. I've stayed in both hotel chains before, but I've not stayed in the BWI area ones for either (Arundel Mills is taking you a bit south, but not by much, as samtillas mentioned).

Happy travels!

I just checked that particular Hampton, which is $189 for a single Thursday night stay. That's more than I'm looking to pay for the use of a clean bed in a safe room for about 10 hours. I'm at a loss to explain a charge that high since the airport Sheraton is only $129 for the same night. I'm a W/Westin/Sheraton fan though I'd have to pay for internet access at that Sheraton, which offends me on principle.

I checked the other area Hilton properties and there's a Hilton Garden Inn less than 2 mi from the airport (1516 Aero Drive) that's only $129 for the same night. Do you have any knowledge about it? I'm not certain what makes for a Hilton Garden vs. Hampton Inn vs. Hilton vs. Homewood Suites beyond the idea that suite hotels normally include a kitchen.

I just checked those prices because I'm a little too cheap this time around to pay the Hampton Inn's rate of $189. Comfort Inn is $143.05 but I've never stayed at a Comfort Inn. Do you know how it compares to a Hilton Garden Inn? (I've never stayed at that particular flavor of Hilton, either.) I looked at the amenities and both have the ones I care about: exercise room & "free" in-room high speed internet. I like the idea of supporting a hotel that accepts pets (Comfort Inn) and an in-house breakfast is very convenient, but its charges are $15 more than the Hilton Garden and hotel taxes tend to be higher than the rate I'd pay on breakfast if I ate at a restaurant.

Normally, I'd be all about which one was closest the airport and most safe, but this time around every penny saved is worth my attention.

Hmm, I've never stayed in a Hilton Garden either, but I should think they'd be pretty comparable. Checks website. It's got interior hallways and talks about being newly renovated. It too has wifi. I say go for it.

And if nothing else, there are plenty of McDonalds between BWI Cherry Hill (but there's lots of nice local diners too).

BTW, you do know the travelocity/expedia trick, right? Check out the hotel prices there, then go directly to that hotel's website and/or call them and try and get the price matched/lowered.

Good to know for all reservations. :-D

Hmm, you're in Texas, right? There's this coupon book that's good for hotels up the I-95 (and then some )corridor from Virginia to Maine. You can find them in the "travel visitor spots". I'm not sure if there's an online version you can use. *rummages to check*

Here's the thing I've seen the "book" on http://travelcoupons.com/ Hmm, can't find hotels I'd recommend for you to stay at on the "Linthicum" page, per se. :-/ But maybe you'll see something for DC/Cherry Hill (to negotiate the con hotel), or NYC. Like I said, you can pick up the books at those "state welcome centers".

Edited 2008-10-01 18:41 (UTC)

wow they've raised the prices then!! Homewood suites are designed for the military folks here at Fort Meade who are on temporary duty for like three weeks (cheaper per week, but the contracts are designed to last longer or for you to become a frequent customer (like once a week kinda thing)) I don't know that particular hotel, except that there's literally a hundred of them right in the same area (NSA and Ft. Meade traffic usually)

avoid the McD's here in Anne Arundel county--for some reason they are just horrifically greasy and they can't get a guy to put all the parts of a burger in a vertical stack (continuously disappointed here)

you travel to the wrong part of Baltimore (and trust me, you know the moment you step into the wrong area) its not safe, but by and large the suburbs are okay... the hotel district of BWI is literally just hotels and small office business parks; they are largely segregated from the general population

Ew. (P.S. to

hsapiens, Anne Arundel = county where BWI is in).

totally ew... and everyone should know Anne Arundel county!! *snap*

I did, indeed, choose the Hilton Garden. :)

The local diners sound interesting. If I can, I prefer to "sample" local culture/food. I'm allergic to seafood of all types so no crab cakes for me but last year when I was in the area I had the pleasure of having a lot of great pumpkin-y specialties. Yum!

For some reason, that single Thursday is extra expensive at just that hotel. Spy convention, perhaps? ;-) Most other times they're around $129, which I think is a fairly standard rate. Too bad, too, because I'd have happily booked myself there.

Hey! We'll be at the con Saturday and Sunday. We're staying at my brother-in-law's. He lives 6 miles from the con hotel. We're trying to save money too. We're going to do general admission for those days. I just hate giving almost $400 to Cretin. The lineup is slim. Hope they get some more people signed for our con. Can't wait to see you! :-D

So noted. I'm not really a McD's kind of a girl so I'll happily give them a wide berth in favor of a local eatery.

Ah. I'm going to sound like something other than a green tourist by the time I'm there. (Hey, I learned last go around that a town named Newark is pronounced ne-WARK if it's in Delaware and should never be confused with the NEW-ark pronunciation when it's in New Jersey.)

:) I was just telling a_n that I'm going to sound like something other than a lost tourist... *g*

Actually, I didn't know that trick. (I don't generally stay at high end places so cost has never been such an issue -- at least, not since I was in college and planning meant looking for a Hotel 6 Vacancy sign when pulling into a town.) I'm going to see if I can get any better deals that way. Thanks for the tip!

I haven't ever stopped at a Northern state welcome center so I'll have to keep an eye out for them. I'd forgotten how handy those places are.

Yeah, I figured as much. I figured the Big Scary City of Baltimore was over-hyped. I was in Baltimore last year and found it to be a charming, community-minded place with extraordinarily nice people. (A museum volunteer drove

jalabert and me around, trying to find our car when the museum shuttle operator decided to quit early. She didn't know the city any better than we did but she was extremely gracious in offering her help.)

I never felt in danger in the city but when I'm traveling on my own I tend to be a little more paranoid.

Yay! I hate giving that kind of cash to them, too. One reason I take care of the tickets before leaving (besides holding my awesome seat) is that I *do* value seeing my fandom friends and forcing myself to get off my keister and visiting my non-fandom friends. I'm on the high of seeing folks and it seems not so awful an expense. :) I can't wait to see you, too!

Will you be at any of the breakfast or dessert functions?

I expect your BIL's place will be significantly better than the con hotel. Reading the reviews of the hotel are...depressing. It looks wretched: tales of filthy rooms, bathrooms left uncleaned between patrons, room thefts following loss of master access cards, loud air handling systems, surly employees...yeah, I am SO not looking forwards to this hotel. *sigh* Luckily, I'll only be there 3 nights out of 10 on this trip. We'll have to see how this compares to the hotel with the non-functioning elevators but I'm guessing Secaucus will have a new glow before this is over.

I don't think they're signing up anyone else; 6 is a "full slate." *cough*

How in the world did it happen that our schedules mesh?!? We're always passing in the night. I would love to see your show on the 15th. I just need to figure out how to do that and get myself and the suitcases to the airport. :)

I still remember the morning of Trilogy Tuesday (the mega release of the extended editions of LotR and the early premiere of Return of the King that was only held in 99 theatres around the country) my sister and I were driving to the Senator Theatre on the north side of town, and lets just say we crossed that magical line into bad East side territory by accident... she and I were literally crouching down as low as was legally possible and still be driving... two am that december morning was quite scary indeed (especially for two uppity white girls with elvish ears and capes... yeah...)

It's nice visiting with friends! :-)

Breakfast and dessert depends on who may still show up. Joe, perhaps? LOL! I wish! Currently, we won't be attending either functions.

Sounds worse than the Secaucus hotel!

They better get more guests! I would love to see Rachel Luttrell (sp?) or anyone we haven't seen before. David Hewlett would be cool too!

as long as we don't get mugged in the lobby, we will have fun!! :)

after all, dave and marla will be there also...

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November Con // Travel to NJ, D.C., NYC (?)

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