In-Town and Out-of-Town Cons

I am currently planning to attend Marscon (at the beginning of March) and Minicon (at the end of March), locally, and Wiscon (Memorial Day weekend) somewhat less locally.

Even less locally than that, I am contemplating the possibility of going to Readercon. Ed and I have been discussing going out to Boston again this summer, to visit his family, and we could potentially schedule our trip to coincide with Readercon. I've heard good things about Readercon but not, so far as I know, from anyone who's actually been there -- they're all people who've heard good things about Readercon. Have any of my readers been to Readercon? Is it a good con?

I suppose I should define what makes a con a "good con" for me. The core of a good con for me is the opportunity to hang out and chat with many different people about different things, especially books. Lots of people in costumes are a bonus -- I never actually go to Masquerade (because I'd have to miss dinner in order to get a seat) but I love watching the parade of costumes. It helps when I know people -- it would need to be a particularly good con if I were going to show up at a con not knowing anyone there.

The weekend before Readercon, also in the Boston area, is Gaylaxicon, so we could potentially bracket our vacation with SF cons and I could go to both. I am not, however, gay, even though a large percentage of my characters are. How out of place am I likely to feel at Gaylaxicon? And (more importantly), is it a good con?

Even if it is, I'm not entirely sure I have the stamina for back-to-back cons.