Disappointed that we weren’t able to get tickets for the mecca of all Comic Cons in San Diego (SDCC) this year (don’t even get me started on that disaster), we ended up seeking alternate plans for my group of buddies.  With my friend Jia living in New York City we decided to check out New York Comic Con (NYCC) this year.

Luckily, getting tickets for NYCC were a lot easier than SDCC but the whole ticket buying experience was riddled with mishaps.  In the end we were able to snatch a Saturday pass for the convention and so this is a story of how 4 guys spent a rainy Saturday in New York and how it all went down in 3 easy lists and one giant gallery.

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Top 5 costumes at New York Comic Con

1)  Han Solo in Millennium Falcon

Han Solo literally in the Millennium Falcon.
Han Solo literally in the Millennium Falcon.

2)  Deadpool

Deadpool with a little attitude
Deadpool with a little attitude

3)  Green Lantern

A very legit Green Lantern costume. I was extremely impressed.
A very legit Green Lantern costume. I was extremely impressed.

4)  Ice Man and Kitty Pryde

Ice Man with Kitty Pryde. Well done!
Ice Man with Kitty Pryde. Well done!

5)  Adam West Batman

I loved this classic Batman costume. He even had a speaker attached to his hip that played "Na na na na na na na na BATMAN!"
I loved this classic Batman costume. He even had a speaker attached to his hip that played “Na na na na na na na na BATMAN!”

5 things we did at NYCC

  1. Walked every single aisle of the Comic-Con
  2. Getting separated from the group numerous times because I got distracted with taking photos of people’s costumes
  3. Winning a box of dragon eggs at Olga Ganoudis Designs
  4. Waiting in line for 30 minutes to grab lunch at Starbucks
  5. Feeling the odd ones out for NOT having a costume

5 things we learned from our first New York Comic Con experience

  1. You really do need to get the 3-day pass here especially if you want to see any of the panels.  You also have to realize that the convention floor is HUGE.
  2. If you want panel wrist bands, get to Javits Convention Center no later than 8AM
  3. Look out for San Diego Comic Con exclusive items resold in New York if you weren’t able to go to SDCC
  4. You have nothing to lose by trying your luck at any draws or contests that are happening at the con
  5. I swear at least 60%+ of folks at NYCC had costumes.  You can tell that everyone put a lot of time into their costumes and were regulars.

NYCC in photos

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit Cards

Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights

In our opinion, of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check.

Car Rental

If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and Booking’s car rental platform are great places to start.

Rideshare

You probably already have accounts but if you don’t, for new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code cbh4j6plxt8p for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

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eSIM

eSIM: This is our go-to way of staying connected.  Below are the discounts we have acquired for our readers.

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Make sure to read our article on breaking down the cheapest eSIMs for travel to learn more.

Wifi Hotspot

We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels

Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals

Your first instinct will be to go to Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities

When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance

Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
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  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Check Out Our Toolbox

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

William Tang

Will is an expert and award-winning travel content creator with 54 countries under his belt. He has a passion for outdoor adventure and experiential travel and loves writing insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur. He’s also a member of SATW, TMAC, and ATTA.

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The Discussion

  1. Looks like it was a lot of fun My girls would love this. One is a Lolita, the other just started LARPing. The comicon is pretty small compared to New York.

    1. Yes you guys should definitely try making it out to your local comic con or something large sized like New York’s! I started going to my local Toronto Sci-Fi Expo way back when and its become an annual tradition since then.

  2. It sounds – and looks – like geek heaven indeed! I’d love to go to San Diego Comic Con one day (it’s on my bucket list) but the New York one would definitely suffice!

    FYI that’s a picture of Ice Man – not the Silver Surfer. You can tell because he’s wearing the ‘X’ on his belt. He’s a member of the X-Men, hence why he’s hanging out with Kitty Pryde (also of the X-Men). Sorry to geek out at ya!

    1. Hey Si! I’m glad you liked the post. Oh my gosh I’m such an idiot! Going to have that fixed right away. Thanks for spotting that. The whole time I was thinking it was Silver Surfer but you’re totally right :)