The National 2024

[OhioLawyerF5]

I just bought our VIP passes for the National and booked our AirB&B for the week.

Much like Chicago last year, we will make a family vacation out of it. So we are always looking for fun things to do in the Cleveland area.

Share your National plans here and what you might be doing besides the show.

I'll update when we know who the signers are.

Also, post what you are looking for. For me, if I'm still looking for the Larkin Crusade CTA Red, I will be putting out a bounty and paying a finder's fee to anyone who finds one for me at the National. What will you be looking for?

[fulltritty]

My friends and I are going to the Guardians game on Tuesday.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

My friends and I are going to the Guardians game on Tuesday.

Nice. We will try to get to a Guardians game as well. Seems like tickets aren't readily available yet. Where did you get yours?

[KhalDrogo]

Sorry, I will not be there.

[gradedeflator]

I look forward to the NSCC every year. Always a good time and great to see meet and reconnect with other collectors!

On the fence about Cleveland. I went when it was hosted there last, in 2014 or 2015. I recall not loving the setup (I stayed in the Sheraton close to the convention space), and had to keep taking the shuttle to and fro. I like setups where there is some ability to walk and having dining nearby. I don’t remember any of that from Cleveland but perhaps things have changed. If I go I would probably try to stay closer to downtown.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by gradedeflator

I look forward to the NSCC every year. Always a good time and great to see meet and reconnect with other collectors!

On the fence about Cleveland. I went when it was hosted there last, in 2014 or 2015. I recall not loving the setup (I stayed in the Sheraton close to the convention space), and had to keep taking the shuttle to and fro. I like setups where there is some ability to walk and having dining nearby. I don’t remember any of that from Cleveland but perhaps things have changed. If I go I would probably try to stay closer to downtown.

Yeah, the I-X is out by the airport, so little real close by. We rented a house out in Parma. A 10 minute drive to the show, and a 20-25 minute drive to downtown. But I'm close enough to drive, so I'll have a car. I can imagine it would be different for those who have to fly.

[byronscott4ever]

The Christmas Story house is there

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by byronscott4ever

The Christmas Story house is there

And Castle Noel, which is probably the best Christmas museum in the country if you like movie props. They also have a cool indoor mini golf, and a bar for the adults called the Polar Bear Club which should be re-open by then. The entire complex is insane if you like graphic art and props. A really well-done entertainment area. It's a little further south in Medina but worth the drive, as that area in itself has a lot of shopping and an "old town" feel to it.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

And Castle Noel, which is probably the best Christmas museum in the country if you like movie props. They also have a cool indoor mini golf, and a bar for the adults called the Polar Bear Club which should be re-open by then. The entire complex is insane if you like graphic art and props. A really well-done entertainment area. It's a little further south in Medina but worth the drive, as that area in itself has a lot of shopping and an "old town" feel to it.

We'll probably hit the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Would we have time to stop in Medina on the way back, or should we dedicate a whole day to it?

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

We'll probably hit the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Would we have time to stop in Medina on the way back, or should we dedicate a whole day to it?

Oh yeah, plenty of time. The museum and mini golf (if you did both) wouldn't consume more than a couple of hours. Town square isn't super huge by any means. Parking is rough on the streets but they have a free garage that has plenty of space and from the garage it's probably a 5 minute walk.

Now if you were going to shop all day and eat then I'd say give it more time but it's all about your tastes. There's an old and allegedly haunted restaurant called the Corkscrew Saloon and the Root Candle Factory is there. There's also an indoor go-cart place called High Voltage...

I guess I'm not doing a good job answering your question. Put it this way, if you WANT to spend a whole day in Medina you could fill it with a lot. If you want to spend a few hours, you aren't missing the Mona Lisa if you skip a few things. That fair?

[nabzy28]

Booked months ago, locked down tickets when they went live after Thanksgiving weekend. Have a general idea of what I'm looking for, but nothing precise/specific card(s) - mainly because I'm more of an "I'll know it when I see it" collector. There's far more there than hits the 'bay, etc.

[Rooftop]

It’s Cleveland…Good Luck

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Rooftop

It’s Cleveland…Good Luck

Good luck with what? I've stayed downtown a few times for work, walked to Guardian games. And always had a good time. We drove over and stayed for the weekend for the last Strongsville show and had a great time. I-X Center is only a short drive from Strongsville.

[tkraft24]

Originally Posted by gradedeflator

I look forward to the NSCC every year. Always a good time and great to see meet and reconnect with other collectors!

On the fence about Cleveland. I went when it was hosted there last, in 2014 or 2015. I recall not loving the setup (I stayed in the Sheraton close to the convention space), and had to keep taking the shuttle to and fro. I like setups where there is some ability to walk and having dining nearby. I don’t remember any of that from Cleveland but perhaps things have changed. If I go I would probably try to stay closer to downtown.

Yeah, staying near the IX-Center will still be a terrible experience unless your ambitions are purely to go to the show and crash at the hotel after. I'd recommend a rental car and either look downtown or a nearby suburb depending on your tastes. There's a lot of options within a 25-minute drive which is nothing - it's not like there's heavy traffic or anything.

[tribefan]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

And Castle Noel, which is probably the best Christmas museum in the country if you like movie props. They also have a cool indoor mini golf, and a bar for the adults called the Polar Bear Club which should be re-open by then. The entire complex is insane if you like graphic art and props. A really well-done entertainment area. It's a little further south in Medina but worth the drive, as that area in itself has a lot of shopping and an "old town" feel to it.

Nice LCS shop right off the square too.

Several other decent shops within driving distance of the National, and if you want to expand out 30 miles or so, a few more worth visiting.

Don't forget Cedar Point if you like roller coasters.

[Rooftop]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJMa20xXykI

[tribefan]

Originally Posted by Rooftop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJMa20xXykI

Thanks, that's very helpful

[7nohitter]

Please refer to it as "The NationalS"

[fenwaykid]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[fulltritty]

First guest announcement. I wonder if he's going to be a douche again and get up and leave because he didn't feel like signing any more autographs. Maybe he'll smear some signatures again too.

[DylanPowers92]

if you stay downtown you can also easily get to the airport and surrounding area via The Rapid (Cleveland's public transportation rail). Cleveland has a bad rap but really is not bad. So many great things to do. I hope to go (I am from Ohio and my wife is from the Cleveland area so we have places to stay).

Also, don't forget the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame downtown as well!

[messier2]

I have never been to Cleveland before and have only been to the National in Baltimore, AC, and Chicago.

I looked at the hotel list and their online reviews...man some are really rough. I'm not one of those that need luxury, but I also want to sleep well at night and know that my stuff/cards/cash is safe in the room.

Some are dirt cheap compared to Rosemont...maybe there is a reason? Where is everyone staying? Near the area or downtown?

[notfast]

Originally Posted by messier2

I have never been to Cleveland before and have only been to the National in Baltimore, AC, and Chicago.

I looked at the hotel list and their online reviews...man some are really rough. I'm not one of those that need luxury, but I also want to sleep well at night and know that my stuff/cards/cash is safe in the room.

Some are dirt cheap compared to Rosemont...maybe there is a reason? Where is everyone staying? Near the area or downtown?

I’m with you

I booked the la Quinta months ago and the reviews are BAD. I’m simple but still.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by notfast

I’m with you

I booked the la Quinta months ago and the reviews are BAD. I’m simple but still.

For sure. If I was going on a lazy trip or something like that, I can handle most of the craziness. BUT, if I'm with valuable cards, cash, and all that...I have my standards too! Peace of mind is big for me!

[OhioLawyerF5]

The National is outside the city surrounded by several nice suburbs. Lots of nice places to stay within a 10 minute drive. I always get an Air BnB for the National, but at the Strongsville show last year we stayed at a nice Extended Stay suite for like $90 a night. It was about 15 minutes from where the National is.