When we are all in Great Lakes some of our SR’s, uh, SAILORS J may want to just lay around and watch TV, while others may be more active, so I thought I would put a short list of possibilities together to give folks some ideas.  Please feel free to add your own suggestions.

Rules on liberty from RTC:

Liberty is ‘time off’ from the daily routine. Graduating Sailors will be granted liberty to go off-base during the day with their families.

1. Graduating Sailors may not smoke, drive, or consume alcoholic beverages while on liberty.
2. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC.
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty. If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must be in authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Recruits reporting to A School at Training Support Center Great Lakes will detach from RTC on Friday. All other recruits will depart on Saturday. To get the most accurate information please contact your recruit.
5. Families may not enter the base after graduation and will need to meet graduating Sailors for liberty at the main RTC gate.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-on training the same day as graduation or in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

Since Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC, I’m primarly listing places that are relatively close to RTC.   Keep in mind that liberty expires around 8pm on Friday night.  Your SR will know the exact time, but make sure you are back in time to get them back to base in time to walk back to their ship BEFORE liberty expires.  From what I hear, sometimes people head into Chicago and get back late, which you really do NOT want to do.  The entire Division will suffer.

Things to do (not in any particular order):

1.        Great Lakes Navel Museum, Building 42, 610 Farragut Ave, Great Lakes, IL  60088, 847.688.3154  http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/greatlakes/index.htm , The museum is located at the Great Lakes Naval Station by the Main Gates. Admission and parking are free.  Open Friday from 11am – 5pm

2.       Gurnee Mills Mall - www.gurneemillsmall.com, This is the largest mall in IL, has movie theaters, restaurants, shopping, etc.  Not too far from RTC located at the intersection of I-94 and Grand Ave (IL 132) in Gurnee, IL

3.       Check out the options here:  http://lakecounty.org/  Some good ideas in the area and coupons for several locations.

4.       Six Flags Great America – 542 Route 21, Gurnee, IL  60031 –across from the Gurnee Mills Mall. 

5.       Illinois Beach State Park/Nature Preserve, Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL  60099, beaches, trails for hiking – north of Waukegan/Gurnee – etc.

6.       Cuneo Mansion - http://cuneomansion.org/  Check out their website and see if there is an event that day you might like and if not, you can just walk through the mansion and tour the grounds.

7.       Jelly Belly Center – if you like Jelly Beans!  10100 Jelly Belly Lane, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158  www.jellybelly.com  (supposedly there are some outlet stores on the way to the Jelly Belly Center, just in case you want to keep an eye out and go shopping as well)

8.       Chicago Botanic Gardens , 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 , 847.835.5440, free admission, http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

9.       Lighthouses –

a.        Waukegan Harbor Lighthouse

b.       Grosse Point Lighthouse
www.grossepointlighthouse.net - 2601 Sheridan Road, Evanston -

c.        Wind Point Lighthouse
www.windpointwi.us - 730 Center St, Racine, Wisconsin -

Some places in Chicago that people enjoy – but just remember that you may run into traffic and such, so keep an eye on your watch – maybe take the train in.  There is a commuter train into Chicago from GL.

1.       Shedd Aquarium--www.sheddaquarium.com 

2.       Sears Tower http://www.willistower.com/

3.       Navy Pier http://www.navypier.com/  - this is more shopping and such, but check it out if you feel like going into Chicago

 Places to eat (again, not in any particular order)

1.    Start with this – from what I’ve been reading – people are liking the Pizza http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pirreferenceinformation/forum/topics/recommended-place-to-eat

2.    Specifically Silos:  http://www.silopizza.com/
More pizza - Chicago deep dish pizza at Giordano's http://www.giordanos.com/  This is a chain, and one is near the Gurnee Mills mall.

3.    Full Moon for Breakfast has been recommended, 1300 Skokie Hwy, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, 847.689-0733

4.    Flanagans for lunch or dinner.  Sports Bar.  Near the RTC.  http://www.flanaganssportsbar.com/ - get a free coupon from their website.

5.    Another breakfast place - Wildberry Pancakes - 1783 North Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois 60048, 847.247.7777