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The National Sports Collectors Convention This is a seasonal forum that will run from about April through August each year.

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Old 07-09-2025, 03:50 PM   #1
crazy4kinsler
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Default Never been to Chicago ... never been to The National

Sorry for the long read.

So I've never been to The National. In fact, I've never even been to Chicago. But my wife and I are going in a couple of weeks for this year's show. I just don't know what I'm doing, and there's where I need the experts. Any tips, advice that you can offer, please do.

We're flying into O'Hare, but how do we get to the show from our hotel? Just an uBer? Or do we need to rent a car? We're staying at the Sonesta Inn O'Hare, and I think it's about 2 miles from the Rosemont center. So I think it's too far to walk.

We're flying in on Tuesday morning, and we don't go to the show until Thursday. We might buy tickets for Wednesday, but I'm debating if $60 is worth it for just 4 hours. I'm leaning toward no, and I'm wanting to just buy the 1 ticket for Thursday.

The spouse would go Wednesday night, if I were to go, but she doesn't want to go on Thursday with it being an all day affair. Spouse is wanting to go to the city by herself on Thursday since I'll be at the show. But I don't think that's a good idea. However, I'm not sure what she can do if she's not at the show with me.

Thinking of doing the White Sox game on Tuesday night (play the Phillies) just because I'd like to start a ballpark tour of going to each of the MLB parks, and we already have tickets to the Cubs-Orioles on Friday. It's a 1:05 p.m. start. So we'll have to get an uBer or train or tram or something up there.

I literally know nothing about Chicago, how to get around or what to do/where to you. Any trip we take is to Disney World. If we don't go to the show on Wednesday, we're planning on going to the city to do some tourist-y things.

If we do go to the show that day, then our tourist-y day will only be until about 3 or so in order to get back to the card show. If we don't go to the White Sox game on Tuesday, we could go also go into the city and do some stuff as well.

I've been told by several people we have to eat at Lou Malnatis, and we have to do the architecture tour. Had a few say go to the navy pier, but others said it's a tourist trap and stay away. The only thing spouse wants to do is eat some pizza. So will do that on either Tuesday evening or Wednesday afternoon.

I'm hearing something called Wrigley Ville that is a place to go before the game. Don't know anything about it. But would be up for meeting some folks there beforehand if anyone else is going to the Cubs game on the 1st. We're flying home late afternoon on Saturday the 2nd, so can't really do much that day.

Any other tips, advice, pieces of knowledge we need to know, do, eat, see?
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Old 07-09-2025, 04:36 PM   #2
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check with your hotel, sometimes for bigger shows they run a shuttle to/from the show.

cheapest way to get downtown would be the subway, get it at o'hare, takes about 30-45 mins to get downtown but will get you near most of the main attractions

there's a large shopping mall right by the convention center, walking distance, fashion outlets of chicago, wife might enjoy that.

personally big fan of giordanos pizza
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Old 07-09-2025, 05:03 PM   #3
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Thank you. I checked the hotel's website, and it says no shuttle between hotel and Rosemont center. So I'm guessing that they don't. I'm sure there'll be other guys going that I can either walk with or hail an uBer with.

And I'm a big germophobe. So I might choose an uBer downtown too over a subway. Plus, isn't a subway in the ground? I'm claustrophobic to boot.

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check with your hotel, sometimes for bigger shows they run a shuttle to/from the show.

cheapest way to get downtown would be the subway, get it at o'hare, takes about 30-45 mins to get downtown but will get you near most of the main attractions

there's a large shopping mall right by the convention center, walking distance, fashion outlets of chicago, wife might enjoy that.

personally big fan of giordanos pizza
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Old 07-09-2025, 05:46 PM   #4
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And I'm a big germophobe...I'm claustrophobic to boot.
This might be problem at the National. Lot's of people and no doubt lots of germs floating around.

As far as Chicago goes, there's something for everyone. The tourist areas are usually busy around this time so expect to be around a lot of folks. Chicago is a big city so I always suggest renting a car if you're not familiar travelling around via public transportation.

There's tons of places to eat, just depends on your preference and budget. Lou's is great if you like deep dish pizza, not everyone is into the thick crust and amount of cheese.

There's art all around the city so if your hobby is taking photos, you'll have a blast.

Take a look at the Chicago Reddit, tons of suggestions there as well.
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Old 07-10-2025, 08:36 AM   #5
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Thank you for all this information. Yes, I am a germophone. And yes, I am claustrophobic too, that's why I always ask to stay on first or second floors of hotels so I can take stairwells, lol.

My wife has a photography background as do I. I was a sports photographer for 20 years, covering NFL, MLB and college stuff around DFW. I love taking photos. Might have to charge up the ole camera and take it on this trip. So thank you.


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This might be problem at the National. Lot's of people and no doubt lots of germs floating around.

As far as Chicago goes, there's something for everyone. The tourist areas are usually busy around this time so expect to be around a lot of folks. Chicago is a big city so I always suggest renting a car if you're not familiar travelling around via public transportation.

There's tons of places to eat, just depends on your preference and budget. Lou's is great if you like deep dish pizza, not everyone is into the thick crust and amount of cheese.

There's art all around the city so if your hobby is taking photos, you'll have a blast.

Take a look at the Chicago Reddit, tons of suggestions there as well.
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Old 07-10-2025, 10:36 PM   #6
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Might have to charge up the ole camera and take it on this trip. So thank you.
Don't advertise that you're a tourist on the L after the sun goes down. I don't know if Ricketts has changed the policy but if you can get a camera with a 75-300mm in there, you'll get some great photos no matter where you sit. I sat in the RF cheap seats over a decade ago. I loved being there earlier to watch BP and see the people flow in from the train stop.

I have friends who've done taken the train to Milwaukee after a Cubs night game and despite being in their 20s was on edge the whole time. 20 years ago I'd fly in from Florida with a buddy for Bears games. We were approached outside of our hotel near Soldier Field and had to delicately walk through what would've been a bad situation alone. You should be good taking the L out of Wrigley when the game lets out.

I can't believe I didn't connect Family Night to the show! I've been a STH for 25 years and have done both it and training camps in Bourbannais & Plattevile. If your goal would be to see what everyone is talking about with the UFO, go just for looking at all of the historical stuff inside of the old stadium. Then take the whiplashing look inside the seating bowl. You'll see why a lot of us can't wait for the new stadium! Family night is geared at families who do not want to spend the money for even the most discounted preseason tickets. (Bears home games have 4-5 "classes" of pricing.) I doubt Johnson shows much. IIRC, Lovie, Nagy, and Eberlose ran the same vanilla "big plays" for the cameras.

I should lose my tickets for saying this but if you want to go to a really fun family night, find a way to get to Green Bay for their's that Saturday night. I grew up close and my grandpa shared ST with a buddy until he died (the summer of the Favre trade). Lambeau isn't as great as it once was (though they still market it that way) since all of the homes were turned until corporate housing. All of those houses they showed during the draft...coporate/AirBnB. They maintained the feel of the original cement and aluminum simplicity.
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Old 07-10-2025, 10:45 PM   #7
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Thank you. I checked the hotel's website, and it says no shuttle between hotel and Rosemont center. So I'm guessing that they don't. I'm sure there'll be other guys going that I can either walk with or hail an uBer with.

And I'm a big germophobe. So I might choose an uBer downtown too over a subway. Plus, isn't a subway in the ground? I'm claustrophobic to boot.
Do not walk from the Sonesta. I stayed there in a prior year and its way too far to walk, especially with how the weather normally is that time of year.

As far as the show, Wednesday is absolute worth it if you can go from the entire time. Well worth the $30 to be first to see all the inventory (other than the dealers that have bought up everything good). You won't see anywhere near the whole show in just one day.
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Old 07-09-2025, 05:19 PM   #8
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Rent a car.
Go to White Sox game
Check out the Home Alone house and the beaches in that town.
Magnificent Mile is fun and def. something she could do alone.
Your'e spot on with the pizza.
Navy Pier is fun at night.
Tourist trap? You are a tourist. Enjoy!
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Old 07-10-2025, 08:33 AM   #9
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Didn't know the Home Alone house was in Chicago. I will definitely have to check that out. Our goal is to one day get to Ohio and see the Christmas Story house too as that's my favorite Christmas movie.

I will check into the Magnificent Mile. Is it a boat tour? Or car tour?

And not sure we'll catch a Sox game. I've heard it's a bad area to be at night, and there's not a day game we can catch while we're there. But maybe we will do another trip to Chicago in the future and catch the Sox during the day.

Thanks for all the tips/advice.

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Rent a car.
Go to White Sox game
Check out the Home Alone house and the beaches in that town.
Magnificent Mile is fun and def. something she could do alone.
Your'e spot on with the pizza.
Navy Pier is fun at night.
Tourist trap? You are a tourist. Enjoy!
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Old 07-10-2025, 11:29 PM   #10
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Didn't know the Home Alone house was in Chicago. I will definitely have to check that out. Our goal is to one day get to Ohio and see the Christmas Story house too as that's my favorite Christmas movie.

I will check into the Magnificent Mile. Is it a boat tour? Or car tour?

And not sure we'll catch a Sox game. I've heard it's a bad area to be at night, and there's not a day game we can catch while we're there. But maybe we will do another trip to Chicago in the future and catch the Sox during the day.

Thanks for all the tips/advice.

It is a bad area. If you go just see the game nad go home. Super safe around the stadium on gameday. I'll be there Tuesday with my wife and kids. We had a great time two years ago!

Its right outside in Winetka. Beautiful town on the lake.
The Christmas Story house is great too, we saw it last year. Its a much better experience with the tours, museum and gift shop! You can also see the bumpus house next door.

Its a walking tour, World largest Starbucks, great shopping, food, museums etc.
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Old 07-14-2025, 08:47 PM   #11
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Didn't know the Home Alone house was in Chicago. I will definitely have to check that out.
I wouldn't bother. It's probably an hour commute from Rosemont and it's not in the city so not much else around there that I would want to see.
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Old 07-17-2025, 09:10 PM   #12
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Tourist trap? You are a tourist. Enjoy!
I was going to post this hah. Y'all are tourists, it's okay to do touristy stuff. The Navy Pier and city beach is fun to see and walk around. I absolutely love the Fine Arts Museum. There are so many hip/trendy restaurants with outdoor seating right on the sidewalk, it's fun to sit and people watch with a drink. Chicago in the summer is about as good as it gets.

For the card show, be prepared to be completely overwhelmed. There's no way you're going to see every table if you're only there for one day, just keep that in mind and be okay with that. If you try to see _everything_ you will get stressed. Just start at one side of the room and work your way through, skip right over the tables that don't have what you want, i.e. if you're looking for vintage, no need to stop at a table that's all graded shiny cards.
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Old 07-17-2025, 10:02 PM   #13
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Thank you for this. I think my wife is more excited than I am about going to Chicago. She wants to spend every day downtown. My plan right now is to do the show on Wednesday and Thursday. Not sure how that will work out.

That said, I am only interested in seeing vintage cards, mainly slabbed cards. So I can skip right over all of the modern, shiny stuff. Not really a collector of newer, unless it's the Rangers. But putting that collection on hold for now.


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I was going to post this hah. Y'all are tourists, it's okay to do touristy stuff. The Navy Pier and city beach is fun to see and walk around. I absolutely love the Fine Arts Museum. There are so many hip/trendy restaurants with outdoor seating right on the sidewalk, it's fun to sit and people watch with a drink. Chicago in the summer is about as good as it gets.

For the card show, be prepared to be completely overwhelmed. There's no way you're going to see every table if you're only there for one day, just keep that in mind and be okay with that. If you try to see _everything_ you will get stressed. Just start at one side of the room and work your way through, skip right over the tables that don't have what you want, i.e. if you're looking for vintage, no need to stop at a table that's all graded shiny cards.
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Old 07-09-2025, 05:22 PM   #14
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Subway is actually an elevated train (aka the L). If you’re a Germaphobe you might want to stay away, it’s a bit dingy in some areas. I’d prefer the Metra for going downtown but not sure where the nearest station to you might be. Lou’s and Giordanos are both great for pizza, downtown has even better places. Navy Pier is 100 percent a tourist trap. I personally would rather see the Art Institute of Chicago, or for something quicker maybe go up Willis Tower.
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Old 07-09-2025, 05:58 PM   #15
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Check out the Tribune Building if you like history. Easy to overlook but has fragments of historical buildings worked into the base of the building. I always try to make over there when I go to Chicago.

https://thenewchicagoan.com/chicago/tribune
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Old 07-09-2025, 06:16 PM   #16
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wait a sec

you're going to go to a white sox game instead of wrigley?!?!?!?

maybe the cubs are out of town...
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Old 07-09-2025, 06:19 PM   #17
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wait a sec

you're going to go to a white sox game instead of wrigley?!?!?!?

maybe the cubs are out of town...
He's going to both...
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Old 07-10-2025, 08:39 AM   #18
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No. We've already book Wrifley on that Friday. It's a 1:05 against the Orioles. Just learned yesterday about the Chicago Dogs. Might try and work that one in too.

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wait a sec

you're going to go to a white sox game instead of wrigley?!?!?!?

maybe the cubs are out of town...
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Old 07-09-2025, 06:46 PM   #19
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I'm a Cubs and Orioles/Westburg fan so I might try to catch one of the games at Wrigley but the autograph schedule is making that a bit difficult. I've seen a few people asking similar questions to yours so I put together a decent (albeit canned) response which is below. For your specific questions...walking the 2 miles from the convention center isn't practical. Driving would be a waste because you then have to pay parking in Rosemont and likely a nightly parking charge at your hotel on top of the cost for the rental car itself. Wrigley parking is non-existent but it's plentiful at Comiskey. I would strongly recommend Ubering to Rosemont and using the L for everything else. There's a Girodano's (stuffed version of "Chicago Deep Dish") about a mile away but I'd suggest going there on Wednesday night because it'll be packed Thur-Sat due the convention. Malnati's is great....if you like sausage, try their crustless pizza.

I started planning at the beginning of the year. Do research on cards you are interested in and note the comp figures before the show. Study the floor plan and note "zones" so you have some idea of where a booth is if you want to go back. Try to make a few connections here and keep an eye on dealers posting here. I made a point to stop several times at the ddearing and kardsharks booths. They were the first booths I looked up/added to my list.

The basics matter. Take drinks so you aren't spending $10 for a bottle of water (we take a case for the week). My backpack is loaded with: a 800 count box so I can keep bargain box purchases together, 400 count box for supplies (a pack of toploaders, penny sleeves, and filler cards), 100 count plastic box, battery backup for my phone, and hand sanitizer.

There are four booths that standout in my memory from my first National 2 years ago. There is a great seller of framed autographs/minis (The Jersey Source) near the back wall near the VIP entrance. The Steelers have a booth near the Autograph pavilion was filled with game used items. There are a few booths that sell graded Super Bowl tickets. They also had press passes from Super Bowl I. And finally there was a booth that had a little of everything (I believe it was featured on NSCC's Facebook page.)

Comp everything. I learned that lesson the hard way. Also, the show has a museum factor in it. Take time to look at the auction booths and some of the very old vintage. That's where you'll get the most out of your one day there.
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Old 07-09-2025, 06:51 PM   #20
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Agree with what's been posted about the show. The more prep you can do ahead of time, the better. It's easy to get overwhelmed/distracted by everything going on.

For pizza, I actually like Pequods more than the deep dish places (it's more of a pan pizza). There's one like 15 min from the show (Morton Grove). But if you have to pick a deep dish place, I'd go with Lou's.
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Old 07-09-2025, 09:27 PM   #21
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My wife and I took the time to do the River Architecture boat tour 2 years ago. I highly recommend it if you have the time. There is a lot of city history and info to learn in a relatively short time. Great for photos also. We actually stayed in the city that year so she would have stuff to do while I was at the show everyday. I rode the L both ways every day with no issues and I never felt like it took a long time to get to Rosemont because I used the train time to plan my day.
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Old 07-09-2025, 09:47 PM   #22
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Field Museum?

I'm a fan of the Weber Grill restaurant chain; I try to hit that each time I visit on business trips to Schaumburg, but there's one in Chicago as well. https://webergrillrestaurant.com/locations/

There are some riverboat casinos less than an hour away if you like to gamble.

Every day you don't go to the National is a day someone else is buying the card you would have gotten, from what it sounds like on Net54. Going on Wednesday, you'll have a better chance of finding more rare items before they get snatched up.
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Old 07-10-2025, 08:36 AM   #23
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Field Museum?

I'm a fan of the Weber Grill restaurant chain; I try to hit that each time I visit on business trips to Schaumburg, but there's one in Chicago as well. https://webergrillrestaurant.com/locations/

There are some riverboat casinos less than an hour away if you like to gamble.

Every day you don't go to the National is a day someone else is buying the card you would have gotten, from what it sounds like on Net54. Going on Wednesday, you'll have a better chance of finding more rare items before they get snatched up.
Rivers casino is about 6 min drive/30 min walk from the convention center as well.

Personally, I think the city/downtown area is pretty safe during the day
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Old 07-10-2025, 08:37 AM   #24
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Thanks, but we're not gamblers. Got 2 massive casinos about an hour from here, and had Shreveport about an hour from where we moved from. Never, ever went to casinos. Just not the gambling type. I work too hard for my money to give it away so some guy can use it and put some fancy chandeliers in a hotel.


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Rivers casino is about 6 min drive/30 min walk from the convention center as well.

Personally, I think the city/downtown area is pretty safe during the day
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Old 07-19-2025, 05:50 AM   #25
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Field Museum?

I'm a fan of the Weber Grill restaurant chain; I try to hit that each time I visit on business trips to Schaumburg, but there's one in Chicago as well. https://webergrillrestaurant.com/locations/

There are some riverboat casinos less than an hour away if you like to gamble.

Every day you don't go to the National is a day someone else is buying the card you would have gotten, from what it sounds like on Net54. Going on Wednesday, you'll have a better chance of finding more rare items before they get snatched up.

There’s actually a casino just down the road from the convention center in Des Plains, about 5 minutes away.
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