NGC 4449 is found in northwest Canes Venatici. Beta Canum Venaticorum is as good a place as any to begin your star hop. This 4.2 magnitude star blazes about 3 degrees to the south-southeast of this irregular galaxy. NGC 4449 is bright, with a 9.6 visual magnitude and a surface brightness of 21.8 magnitude per square arc second. It should be an easy target for 3-inch and larger apertures. The sketch at left renders the view in my 10-inch Newtonian at 82X. NGC 4449 covers a 4'x3' area with the inner 2' diameter core region appearing noticeably brighter. Nine field stars complete the portrait.