"Extra-curricular events outside of a convention?" Topic

So, one of the the things my friends and I plan when we attend conventions, (weekend ones) are "things outside of the convention".
Example:
At the Little Wars Convention this year, we're going to do dinner Friday night at Fogo De Chao, and then stop by a Cigar Lounge.
Saturday night, depending on my schedule, I might do dinner at either Bavarian Lodge, like I did last year, or I might try Schnitzel Platz.
Sunday comes and after the convention a couple of us are going into Chicago to hit an old school Italian mobster restaurant.
For next year, we're gauging interest to try to swing a private tour of the U-505, or do an Chicago Mob tour.

So I guess the question is:
"Do you plan for extra curricular events when you are at a convention?"

A: Yes I do plan on extra curricular events and I do them.
B: I plan on them, but sometimes it doesn't happen.
C: I attend them if someone else has planned them and they invite me.
D: No I haven't, but I would like to one of these days in the future.
E: No I focus myself entirely on the convention until I head home. I don't bother myself with "other stuff" while I am there.
F: I don't go to conventions.
G: This is ridiculous.
H: Not my cup of tea.
I: No opinion.

I go to conventions to sell items, first.
Next I like to socialize with friends and gamers.
Third I like to play games.
No sight seeing and no fancy meals.

I like fancy meals away from the con but schedules are difficult to keep if one does. Murphy's plan sounds great! Lots of roast meat followed by a good cigar.

A

As examples:

Last weekend I skipped Saturday at GaryCon to visit the Yerkes Observatory.

Last summer, my wife and I skipped Sunday at Historicon to visit the Pennsylvania State Railway Museum. Also, on the trip out we stopped at Gettysburg, and on the way home we visited the Carnagie Natural History Museum.

I didn't skip anything at RockCon, but went a day early and visited the Burpee Natural History Museum.

Always A, but as most cons are a LONG way from home for me I always add other stops and activities along the way.

For me it is E. I go to cons to play since I don't have a local club to play at home. It's my only chance to play lots of games. I schedule separate trips to do the other activities.

It's hard to resist taking in other sights or sights en route when going to a con. And finding a place for a memorable meal apart from the convention location is always a plus.

E.g., when at Gamehole in Madison, WI, you'd be doing yourself a disfavor by not venturing out a few miles to enjoy one of our fantastic restaurants… especially for Fish Fry Friday!

My wife had food allergies, so I try to go out to the places she can't eat at when I go to the convention 60 miles up the road.
Plotting a longer trip for this summer, that would include stops along the way, but we'll see.

Grelber

A) But not AdepiCon because I live nearby. Maria Theresa and I have favorite restaurants for Little Wars and we traveled to HMGS East cons when they were moving but now it's Seen it, been there.

That then expands us to LVO, etc

B and C.

Most events are day(morning) before/afternoon after (when it ends early Sunday). It's hard to plan an event other than dinner or a hike around a con schedule.

My wife is going with me to Little Wars like she did last year as her cousin lives near by the convention site and we will visit them and go out for dinner. She can visit with family while I'm running my two games.

At Historicon my buddies and I will walk to the local restaurants in the evenings for a good meal and drinks after running games each day.

The major cons are a good distance from me so occasionally we will do a side trip either going or coming. From Little Wars we're going on to Iowa.

Kim

A.5) Yes sometimes, depending on location of the convention.

I guess I'm closest to E., but I wouldn't phrase it quite so negatively. Maybe I would stop after the first sentence.

I only go to conventions that are a reasonable drive from my home. So I can visit any local non-convention attraction any time.