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For all those Heading to NOVA this year, I wanted to offer some tips for being there. I work across the street from the Hyatt and drive these streets every day.

I put this on facebook but it's here again for your usage.

The first part is for those driving into town, while the rest is for everyone.

ALL OF THE TRAFFIC CAMS WORK! You will get ticketed for rushing through a shockingly short yellow light, and you do not want to do any u-turns on any street in Crystal City. This is from personal experience. If you see any cars on the road going exactly the speed limit and almost causing accidents because of it, that's why.

If you don’t use the Hyatt valet parking entrance (which is annoying to get into on its own, see Google) then the very next street can be confusing. Crystal Drive is a one-way road north after you round the corner of the Hyatt, but there is a two-way bus lane on the right (east )side of the road, which will get you ticketed if you drive on it! So if you pass the Hyatt valet parking and decide to drive around, mind the signs and stick to the left side of the one-way road for the next block.

If you are not parking with the Hyatt Valet, then the parking lot just before the Starbucks on the left side of Crystal Drive is open all weekend. There is another entrance to the garage that you will hit if you keep circling the Hyatt, so you should be good to go.
The parking garage on the right side of the road (across the street from the Starbucks) IS NOT OPEN EVERY WEEKEND AND CLOSES AT RANDOM TIMES! If you use that one, you may be trapped until the building manager comes back to work on Monday. Fortunately that's only an issue if the ticketing system is actually working to let you in. They keep saying it's now a private parking garage, but it is still labeled public, and keeps trapping people every few weeks .

There are more parking garages a few blocks north of the Hyatt, that are free over the weekend for those on a budget. Just drop your stuff off at your room and drive north on Crystal Drive.

For those of you who are sick at the thought of ever looking at another miniature your entire life after your 5th match, there is plenty to do in DC.

Food is plentiful outside of the Hyatt. Just start walking north on Crystal Drive and you will hit all your typical chain restaurants. There are enough Starbucks for you to say "lets not go to that Starbucks, lets go to the good Starbucks."

There are bike rental locations every 3 blocks on Crystal Drive for those of an athletic bent, with random scooters lying everywhere. You can be in DC in under an hour, or Pentagon City in about 15 minutes. Or just get a cab and be in DC in 10.

There is a shopping center a couple miles south of Hyatt for when everyone runs out of glue. There is also a good sized mall in Pentagon City for those in need. FYI all of your favorite models WILL break in transit. Nobody likes a delay of game due to model failure. Just accept that it is going to happen and start gluing before your game.

I highly recommend that everyone spend some time in DC doing tourist stuff. Seriously, DC is awesome. Go see the best and worst of America at the monuments and museums. Follow a news truck around and dance behind them every time they try to make a report. Call a politician stupid while someone else calls you stupid. Eat food from trucks, re-enact Forrest Gump, and get drunk. Try to find all the embassies or play "is that a spy or lobbyist" pretty much everywhere. Hell, buy tickets to a show if that's your thing. Hamilton is playing at the Kennedy Center next door to the Watergate. There is a ton to do and all of it in places that can technically be called "historic".

So happy gaming everyone and I'll see you on my lunch breaks!

Thanks for posting this! Good looking out for your fellow gamers!

It's good to see folks so excited about NOVA!

Supplemental -
One of our interns worked tirelessly to secure over 20 different food trucks that will be located just outside the Hyatt all weekend starting on Wednesday, rotating constantly, with everything from southern cooking to funnel cakes. So you won't have to go far for food.

In the hotel, on the rooftop nineteenth floor, the charitable foundation converts the floor into an epic full bar and lounge entirely dedicated to charity, with live music throughout the con, great socializing spaces, a six tap craft rotator, and a full bar stocked with both rail and top shelf booze.

Can't wait to see everyone soon. Also red weasel, send me a pm, we gotta put all this enthusiasm of yours to use!


See everyone in a couple Days alongside close to 3000 fellow hobbyists!
Mike

My wife and I were thinking about attending Senator McCain's viewing on Friday after my last game. Has anyone heard how late that goes? I looked into how late the metro runs and the Hyatt's shuttle - just don't know how late the actual viewing will run.

It appears as if the public is permitted between 1 and 8pm.

I'm not registered for NOVA, but my 4-year old likes to watch people play tabletop games. I was thinking about coming with her on Saturday to just walk around.

Is the public allowed to spectate?

 techsoldaten wrote:
I'm not registered for NOVA, but my 4-year old likes to watch people play tabletop games. I was thinking about coming with her on Saturday to just walk around.

Is the public allowed to spectate?

Unless they've changed it up from previous years, I don't think they've ever stopped people from just walking around.

 techsoldaten wrote:
I'm not registered for NOVA, but my 4-year old likes to watch people play tabletop games. I was thinking about coming with her on Saturday to just walk around.

Is the public allowed to spectate?

You'd probably have to buy a one day pass but it's well worth it even if you're not playing. Plus it will give you some idea of what to expect when you do signup next year

I was shocked to see they had a board game room. I was perusing the schedule and saw there was a Splendor tournament - probably one of the best family board games ever invented - only to find there was a whole room of people who were going to be playing various board games. Potentially something to get my wife involved with for next year.

Hi folks I posted this in the wrong topic but...

Anyone use best coast pairings app? Anyone know what’s up with over half of entires having red (can’t view clip boards)

App bugged?

Was curious to see what people were bringing to nova

If I could add one more thing for people going to Nova to be aware of. If you don't or are unable to use the valet parking check when the parking garage you end up using is open. I called the Hyatt last Monday and asked if I could reserve a valet spot since I knew I had a car that needed to be garaged for several days. The reservationist said they would add it to my reservation. When I arrived I was told they had been full since Wednesday and to try the parking garage next store - not thrilled but it is right next store so no problem. Drove over and they were full so I drove down the street until I came across the next one, pulled in and parked. Imagine my surprise when I walked over on Sunday morning to get my car only to see the place was shut down. In fairness there is a sign that does say in small print that they are closed on weekends and holidays but it's right as you're pulling in and when you have a line of cars behind you you're not likely to stop and read signs on the way in. Fortunately the Hyatt was very generous in letting me stay for another two days at a good rate. Next year I'll be a lot more on top of my parking situation.