Okay, this is my first GenCon. I planned on staying at a nice nearby hotel. Unfortunately, I totally didn't know about the hotel issues...

So, me and some friends will be staying at one of the airport hotels and driving in. I had some questions (that probably sound clueless), but I thought you folks might be able to help. (I'm been diving through the forums for the last 30 minutes without seeing this info, so I apologize if I missed it)

 1) Is there parking *at* the Convention Center? (official parking, not side-lot or standard city parking)

2) If so, any idea how much?

3) And does it fill up right away? Or should I be there early? (1 hour,  5 hours, etc?)

 My fun 1st GenCon trip is starting to stress me out. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Welcome Logrey; there is not an official convention center parking lot, however there is a LOT of parking in downtown Indy, with daily prices varying from $5 far away to $10 and even $20 a day close in.

Go to THIS site:

http://www.indydt.com/parkingmap.html

To get a great map of downtown parking.

The convention center is located in downtown Indy, and as with any downtown metropolitan area, there are plenty of parking garages nearby. Generally, the closer you park to the center, the more expensive it will be. For example, parking in the underground lot across the street was $24/day whereas parking in a garage four blocks away (next to the Hard Rock Cafe) was $14/day. I even found a lot charging $10/day, but that was a good 10min walk away from the center.

Believe it or not, real life continues in Indy on Thursday and Friday as non-gamers schlep to their jobs. That means some parking garages will fill up early (I remember last year, the two nearest lots were full by 9:00 AM) but the parking a bit further away (and thereby cheaper) had plenty of space. On Saturday and Sunday, the garages were ghost towns.

As usual, YMMV and prices can change. Last year was my first GenCon, so feel free to email me (biggles at friendcomputer dot net) if you have other "noob" questions. Don't stress out--you'll have a blast!

I always park on South Street near the Arby's. It's a bit of trek to the Convention Center, but you can cut through the mall which is air conditioned, so that's nice. And for $5 all day parking, I can stand to walk aways. 

Last year, I parked mostly in the Circle Center Mall ramp. I think that ran $17 / day (don't quote me on that).

One thing I have to suggest is that you get in the habit of parking in one area. There's nothing like spending 10-16 hours at the con and not remembering where you parked that day - in the lot across the street, the one at the mall, or some little spot with an honor system a half mile away.

We do too, which, since it's an the Embassy, it's on your bill, so you can come and go at will, so. Added convenience at an added price. And doggone it, it's my vacation. I want convenience. Close hotel, close parking, ability to go grab a friend at the airport, or make a run to Whitecastle at will...

If you get in and up early, on street parking is free on the weekend - does it start at 6 pm on Friday, anyone?

 Parking meters are free every evening after 6pm and free on weekends. So from Friday 6pm to Monday parking meters are free downtown.