The first timers.

[tmoore_25]

I'm sure I will not be the only one but myself and my best friend are going to our first National this year. I will be reserving the hotel room today. It will not be right next to the Convention Center but close enough where it won't be a long drive and far enough away where I am not getting gouged on the prices. We will be driving up on the 28th, going to the show the 29th through 31st, and driving back to North Carolina on the Sunday the 1st.

Some questions I have:
What is the parking situation around the convention center? Do they normally have people directing you where to go? I don't mind walking some distance, but I'll go postal if I have to spend hours driving around just finding a spot.

Tickets are $19 per day. Are there food vendors on site (I imagine there would be)? Can you leave an re-enter with a general admission ticket?

I'll be bringing a backpack and comfortable shoes. Any other pointers on what I might need to bring with me?