Last year New York Comic Con brought 200,000 pop culture fans to the Jacob Javits Center and this year they hope to have even more!
This yearly event is a favorite for New Yorkers and tourists alike. Whether you like to get autographs signed by big-time celebrities or you just like to see all the wild and crazy costumes, NYCC is the place to be. We are big comic book and movie fans at Top Dog Tours, here is our insider’s guide on what to expect and where to go before and after!
Is Comic Con sold out?
As of Friday, September 29th there are limited tickets available for Thursday and Sunday. They are encouraging fans to buy tickets as soon as possible, they are almost guaranteed to sell out! Also, be very careful buying last-minute tickets on places like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other third-party vendors.
Where is the Javits Center and what is the best way to get there?
The address for the convention center is 429 11th Avenue. The best way to get to the convention is whatever way you feel comfortable. If you are staying at a hotel in midtown you may be able to walk, but those west side avenues are long and you will be walking all day at the convention, so consider your footwear carefully.
You can take a cab or drive with another out-of-towner, but look up deals for parking if you bring your own vehicle and be prepared to walk or pay a highly inflated rate near the convention center. If you take a cab or ride-share, be prepared for hefty traffic and consider selecting a drop-off location several blocks away from the Javits Center to save time and money!
Your best bet may be to take public transportation. The closest subway stop to the Javits Center is the 7 train at Hudson Yards. It takes approximately ten minutes to walk from the station. The M34 Select Bus is the closest, about a five-minute walk. Don’t worry too much about getting stared at on the subway or bus if you are in costume; most New Yorkers are familiar with NYCC and will be friendly. However, you can consider changing once you get to the Javits Center if you would feel more comfortable. Be mindful of bulky costumes or props that appear to be weapons, check the rules about what is not allowed on NYCC’s website, and use common sense.
Where should we eat?
The Javits Center will certainly have food but there are even better options in neighboring Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards. Here are some of our nearby favorites:
Capizzi – 547 Ninth Avenue
Our go-to for brick oven pizza and a nice glass of wine after walking around all day, Capizzi offers warm and comforting Neapolitan food. They have New Yorker-approved pizza and their pasta is also incredible. We recommend their personal size margarita pizza, their focaccia bread, and a glass of their homemade sangria. They are small and cozy inside, so if they are too busy, consider ordering a pizza to go and sitting by the waterfront.
Tabata – 540 9th Avenue
Very close to Capizzi is another one of our Hell’s Kitchen favorites, Tabata. They are a Japanese noodle shop serving up delicious ramen, katsu don, and various curry dishes. Ramen is the perfect comfort food after a long day at the convention. Their portion sizes are just right, and there are quite a few tables and places to sit at the bar.
Russ and Daughters – 50 Hudson Yards
Since 1914 the Russ family has been serving the community of the Lower East Side and the business has recently expanded to Manhattan’s newest hangout: Hudson Yards. Locals know them for their incredible bagel and lox. Be prepared to wait in line but what would a trip to NYC be without a good line! You will be waiting in plenty of lines if you go to NYCC, but trust us, this one is worth it. A hearty New York bagel will keep you full all day at the con, and they are right on the way to the Javits Center.
What else should we do while we are in town?
Once you have had your fill at NYCC, check out a few more fun activities.
For comic book and MCU/DCEU fans, check out TopDogTours’s Marvel and DC Superheroes Walking Tour. Explore Midtown East and see sights from Marvel’s Avengers, DC’s Superman, and loads of other film locations, as well as comic book history. It’s the perfect tour for the NYCC goer and a great addition to any trip to NYC.
Another fun activity near the Javits Center is exploring Hudson Yards. There are many shops and restaurants as well as the futuristic Vessel to see. One of our favorite observation decks in the city is the Edge, the highest outdoor skydeck in the western hemisphere. They have a few different ticket options as well as a restaurant. They also have City Climb where daring guests are able to climb up the side of the building!
One last recommendation from us at TopDogTours is to explore the Highline. You can walk the entire 1.4-mile stretch from Hudson Yards to Gansevoort street. There are gardens and artwork on display, and there is nothing like walking between Manhattan skyscrapers and seeing unbeatable views across the Hudson River. We also have a walking tour that includes the best of the Highline with Chelsea and the Meatpacking District with an amazing, local tour guide.
New York Comic Con runs October 17th to the 20th! Get more information at their website.
