Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Gen Con Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Gen Con

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kid Zone
    Nicole S.

    I'm a total outsider to the board game world. My review is going to be from the perspective of a mom who doesn't game and is bringing two young children to the biggest tabletop-board game convention in North America -- children with short attention spans who also don't game. You're probably wondering why the heck I even went to Gen Con. Well, sometimes we find ourselves in places that we don't expect. I'll just leave it at that. I'm pretty much going to just talk about the kids stuff at Gen Con, because we didn't play any games. So if you find yourself at Gen Con with young children who don't or can't play games, here's what you do: Visit Training Grounds. It's located in the convention center, and it's free, and there are activities for kids. This year, they had a crapload of boxes just in a pile -- like 100 or more boxes. Kids were having a ball building houses, making tunnels, knocking them over. My kids could have stayed here for hours. Also in Training Grounds is a small area for crawlers, as well as face painting (for a small fee), dozens and dozens of kids games to play and lots of tables at which to play. All of this is free and doesn't require a ticket. If you want to purchase tickets, you can go next door and participate in one of the kid events -- your kids can do stuff like create a shield, learn karate moves, decorate a mask, etc. Cardhalla is also a pretty cool area to visit. It's a massive area where people build houses with the cards. Everyone can contribute, and on Sunday people throw change at it. There are lots of people dressed up in interesting costumes, so there's lots to see. We took pictures with Pikachu! There are a lot of people who attend Gen Con (60,000+), so you need to keep your kids close so they don't get lost, which can be easy. Luckily, you can pick up a wristband at customer service for your kids; the wristband has their name, your name and phone number. This made me feel a little better as we walked around. Overall, Gen Con is very family-friendly, and depending on your kid, your kids could have a good time at this convention.

    Ronee B.

    I'm not a hard-core gamer by any means, but I am a Trekkie, Whovian, and Battlestar Galactica nerd who likes to PS3 in my free time. I've always wanted to check out Gen Con as it is kind of a big deal and looked super fun. Honestly, I just heart people watching, and I don't think it can get much better than a gamer convention held in the Midwest. 1) Food truck bonanza! Kudos for the Georgia St. set-up and lines of food trucks. So many awesome options! Super fun way to mingle with strangers. 2) Come prepared to spend some $$$ - I dropped quite some green on funny t-shirts alone! I didn't even consider buying games. So many vendors! It took my friend and me over 2 hours to meander around the all the vendors in the main exhibit hall. 3) If you are even an inkling of a RPG peep or gamer - just go ahed and spend the extra few bucks and get the full four-day pass. It is way more worth the price than the day pass. 4) Have your camera/phone ready for some photos! Some hard-core people have awesome costumes and will gladly pose. Extremely fun to post on FB to prove your nerdiness. 5) Have an open mind and be patient. It's crowded but everyone was very nice. Some may seem like total losers, but yeah, I was there! I will be going back for sure - total blast!

    Says it all
    Scott K.

    Gen Con is incredibly large. The dealer room and play test areas are larger than most hotels. The actual game playing and event rooms are split between the convention center and three hotels. It is literally impossible to see everything. Tickets are around 70 bucks, which gets you into about a tenth of the events. They sell specific event tickets like for the nerdy burlesque show, but also sell "generic tickets" in $2 increments. Some events can happen at any time, you just give them tickets like at a carnival. There is a coupon book for discount and free swag, a thick full color program book, and a free swag bag. There is a food court with 4 restaurants, a great Thai restaurant within walking distance (if you can walk decently), and over 40 food trucks over the course of the weekend. The staff worked with us for over 45 minutes to resolve a technical issue with our event tickets, successfully. This was a great experience!

    I found Waldo. Now time to find the wizard.
    Tim H.

    There is a reason why this is called the best 4 days in gaming, because it is. Where else can you go play test games not on the market, buy games that have not been released to the public, and be able to be yourself without risk of humiliation. GenCon - thats where. This was my first gen con but certainly not my last. Went with a group of friends and I had more fun in those four days than I can remember. Board games, card games, video games, simulators, role playing games, movies, workshops and more. It is all in one place. Definitely 5 plus stars. Notes: people were dressed up like characters from mario kart towing you around on a bike. How cool! Start up a game in the hallway with some random person you just met. Friendly! A place where being an introvert means nothing cause you fit in. Priceless! GenCon 2015 can not wait.

    Gen Con. Supported by your friendly neighborhood city... Thanks Indy!

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim H.
    0
    20
    5

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dang N.
    330
    2313
    458

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Terry W.
    400
    49
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Gen Con

    Review Highlights - Gen Con

    y. The Convention Center itself is pretty accessible, though it's a big facility and that's always a consideratio

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Venues & Event Spaces 744 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Nest Event Center - Inside their new location

    The Nest Event Center

    (4 reviews)

    Wow!! What a transformation!! I haven't seen this building since it was Jonathan Byrd's restaurant…read more The exterior is now black and white which is very classic and understated. The Nest Event Center is located in Greenwood just off I-65 at Main Street. The parking lot is quite large and will accommodate a large event. The interior is amazing and you'd never know it was a former restaurant. The lobby area is very attractive, decorated in beiges and cream, and I could see using this for cocktails, a reception line plus so much more. It worked well tonight for purchasing tickets plus an area to sit and relax while enjoying the fireplace. The versatile ballroom is quite large and can handle everything from a wedding, conference to special events. One of those special events is the Holiday Craft Show tonight. The Event Center has a neutral color scheme and can accomadate most bridal or conference color schemes. This proved to be true with all the colors associated with the Holiday Craft Show. Tonight all different color schemes were used and all the crafts looked wonderful. With this neutral backdrop any decor theme would work nicely allowing brides or companies a great deal of flexibility and creativity. The Holiday Craft Show was a huge draw. Many different types of vendors filled the ballroom carrying Christmas decor, wreaths, jewelry, clothing, wool mittens, woodworking projects, signs, candles, crocheted items, lap blankets, floral arrangements and much more. There truly was something for most anyone's interest and many gift ideas. In the future I would like to take an official tour and checkout pricing for a yearly event I'm involved with. This is a beautiful venue with endless potential.

    This is an absolutely amazing event center. It is an absolutely stunning location and the staff are…read moresecond to none! They are so helpful and nice and go above and beyond in making your event absolutely perfect! The location is absolutely perfect for any event you might have, weddings, birthdays, anniversary's, literally anything. There is only one issue that I have with the nest. I had never believed in the supernatural before... but this place is indisputably haunted. There is absolutely no question about it! But don't let that deter you! The haunting spirits just add to the charm and fun of this event center. I hope you have an amazing event!

    Tinker House Events

    Tinker House Events

    (47 reviews)

    Had a great time at a special event hosted at Tinker House Events. The bottom floor had an open…read morespace for gathering, a bar space, and a patio then the dinner took place upstairs. It easily fit over 200 people and the bar was a really interesting look. The staff was incredible as well!!

    Back in 2023, I attended a lively event hosted at Tinker House Events in the heart of downtown…read moreIndy. It was one of the most memorable Pride events I've been to presented by Indy Pride due to the unique venue and atmosphere. This past Wednesday, I had another opportunity to visit Tinker House for a Sound Bath presented by BFF Indy. It was a very different experience as the intention was a more meditative one opposed to a party with a DJ the last time I was there. It was still daylight when I arrived and mostly empty which made it convenient and ideal to explore the bridal suite and take pictures of the venue without any obstructions. The Sound Bath was held on the dance floor with lots of natural light surrounding us. I love the idea of the Sound Bath in this fun space. Although, I've had them in the past at a yoga studio which was MUCH quieter. My constructive criticism is that there is too much noise coming from the traffic outside (especially because this was at 5pm during rush hour) even on the second story of the building to relax and get the full benefits of a Sound Bath. There were no blankets, pillows or yoga mats either which isn't necessarily the responsibility of Tinker House but still something to be noted for future events. BFF Indy should have given attendees a heads up to bring their own supplies because sitting on a hard wood floor where people dance and walk on with shoes that have just been outside downtown is rather off putting and took away from the overall experience. The facilitator did an amazing job all things considered. I will go back for events in the future just not if they are supposed to be relaxing. Tinker House is ideal for social gatherings like weddings and parties. The decor is aesthetically appealing and very well thought out. There is a ambient bar/lounge on the first floor in addition to the one upstairs. There is limited parking in front of the building and a coffee shop next door.

    Union Station - Window

    Union Station

    (10 reviews)

    Mile Square

    I love nothing more than a unique venue with endless possibilities (bonus brownie points if it has…read morehistorical charm), so it's no surprise I fell head over heels in love with Grand Hall at Union Station when I attended a Creative Mornings talk. In the good ol' days, this is where travelers waited for their trains. It opened in 1888, and looking around you can sense the history and visualize a black and white photo of Union Station in its glory days. When train travel went by the wayside, Grand Hall was left abandoned and dilapidated until it was transformed into a shopping mall + food court in the 1980s. When Circle Center Mall opened up and stole the thunder, Grand Hall was remodeled to become the gorgeous event space it is today. This is a great example of a historical building that in many ways has remained the same but has changed its purpose to meet the needs of the time. A lovely venue for a large seminar, annual meeting, or wedding. I highly recommend you check out Union Station and also take a peek at the train car hotel rooms at the adjacent Crowne Plaza. Take a step back in time and reimagine Indy as the crossroads of the country - by train, that is!

    Spent a day here for a friend's wedding. The architecture reminds me of the Great Gatsby. And on…read moreone of the flights of stairs, you can see the wear on the stone of where people have climbed the stairs over the years, which is cool. It seems like a place that has a lot of history.

    Gen Con - venues - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...