Recommended Things to Do

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Please include address, prices, and brief description.

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

While you wait for your Sailor following graduation, MCPON Hall and eateries at RTC are available, or you may use your graduation parking pass to visit the USO, building 27 onboard Naval Station Great Lakes (Mainside). Parking is available outside Gate 1 adjacent to Mainside’s Visitors Center located on Sheridan Road. Walk through Gate 1 and proceed to the USO located on the corner of Farragut Avenue and Rodgers Street; escorts will assist. Snacks and drinks will be available on the second floor of the USO

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Don't plan too specifically for PIR day and afterwards....time with your sailor.  They are all so different...some just want to hang out in the room, use their cell (bring it!) and laptop (bring that too!)...and nap and eat. Others want to get out and do something.  So be flexible...remember, they have been cooped up on base now for a LONG time...they have to get used to everything!  My son was just in awe of the "outside world" as we drove off base in the shuttle...so all he wanted to do was to drive around and look at everything...it's best to know what choices you have before going up there, and then let your sailor decide.

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Here is some info about the Meet and Greet:

 

The Ramada does the M&G regardless, they are not connected with the Navy, they just do it as a service and I’m sure for the extra income and PR.

 

It is the night before PIR from 6-8pm in the bar. It is free for everyone. Many PIR groups call and ask to move it to another room...the bar gets dark and loud after a while. Also, many PIR groups go to the Ramada then plan to meet elsewhere for dinner…Anastasias, Flannigans.

There will be many there who have never heard of N4M's.(gasp)

The Ramada will have heavy appetizers, 2 coupons for free drinks if you are a guest. You do not have to be a guest to attend. There will be a lady at the door filling out name tags. It is a lot of fun and a great way to start the weekend.

Many groups bring their own beverages (to save $$)

To sign up the "event" go to the Events tab and search for the date...then click on +add event. Tell your PIR group you have set it up then everyone can RSVP...this is just for your group to know who is going to be there...kind of a head count. You can call the Ramada tlo let them know the head count.

 

Some find the Ramada to have a smell, some weren’t happy with their room. I was there in Jan 2010 and it was fine. I had a blast at the M&G.

 

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Military personel get free admission to all museums in Chicago! Plus most Chicago White Sox Games!

Here are some other places your sailors are free:
Near Great Lakes:

Chicago Botanic Gardens - Close to Great Lakes (about 15 minutes driving) - I am going to assume free means they the parking fee which because that is the only cost to go there and its huge. Great place to walk around with little kids both inside and outside gardens and greenhouses.
Gurnee Mills - Lots of discount stores and the Rain Forest Cafe

Downtown:

Free for Everyone - Lincoln Park Zoo - just have to pay for parking
Free for Everyone - Walk along Lake Michigan or Navy Pier
Free for Everyone - Window shopping along Michigan Avenue (free until you buy something :))) - lots of flagship stores like Nike - Apple, etc.
Navy Pier - lots of activities, stores, boat rides and fun - you can spend a little or alot depending on your budget - Bubba Gumps and the Jazz Restaurat - Be-Bops are a favorite there

Free for your sailor -
Art Institute
Chicago Children's Museum (a must if you are bringing kids under 10)
Field Museum
Shedd Aquarium
Peggy Notebart Nature Museum
Museum of Contempory

Museum of Science and Industry (you really need a car to access - park on the side streets across from the musuem and save on musuen parking). This museum is lots of fun but a little further south of the city.

Parking tips: Parking Chicago can get expensive - $25-35 for a day. Take some time to drive around and see if any lots are offering parking specials. You may have to walk a few blocks but sometimes its worth it. When you drive by a parking garage or lot - go slow - they will have specials usually listed on a sign right near the entrance. Another trick is to pick a restuarant - opt for valet parking, eat there and then get your car later - usually that will run you around $10-$15.

Sears Tower versus the John Hancock Building....Sears Tower is free to your military personel and has a very cool glass balcony (you can look straight down) John Hancock Building - not as tall but what you do is go to the bar/lounge on the 95th/96th floor and for the same price buy a drink (sodas if you want) and sit back and relax and enjoy the 360 degree view for as long you want. Both are great!

 http://www.hcarefacilities.com/extraextra.asp  This link has other links on it so I found it helpful to stay more organized with one link.

 link for good maps of  http://www.themagnificentmile.com.php5-6.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com...

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/pdf/Shedd_Aquarium_map_2009.pdf

http://www.theskydeck.com/plan-visit/printable-guide

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Comment by mamawalrus (ship 04 Div 804)

Some info to pass on from 2/4/11..

Curfew Fri/Sat is 9:00 and Sun is 8:00

Navy Pier has an USO area.. all inclosed with great coupon books to use for the weekend. She said there are maps, gaming area and all sorts of stuff there.

Sears Tower-if you get your tickets at the W hotel, you dont have to wait in the long line to go up!

If you are renting a car,, she found the gas cheaper at the rental place AND get a speed card (?) and toll card. It saves you from having to deal with change and go right through the tolls with speed card


She said also there is a NEX outside of the base and it is NICE>.. great dept like stores there.

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Comment by himmiemom 12 hours ago
After the PIR we had to walk over to the NEX and wait for my son there.  He had to go back for "muster".  You are able to shop in the NEX while you wait and they also have a Taco Bell, KFC and Subway too if you are hungry.  Right next to the food area is a game room area with arcade games, pool tables, tv's and you can purchase drinks and candy in there while you wait.  They have tables and couches to sit and relax. My son got liberty for the weekend.  We had him till 8pm on Friday.  Had him from 9am-9pm on Saturday and have him today till 8pm.  Make sure they are back to GL with enough time to walk to their ship.  If they are late they will loose liberty for the rest of the weekend.  We got there plenty early last night and hung out in the arcade area from 7pm-830pm and the kids were able to hang out there without risking not getting back to the ship on time.  The traffic of cars getting into the base can be pretty long to get into so take that and regular traffice into consideration when getting back to the base.

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Comment by himmiemom 12 hours ago
Oh, and something that wasn't passed along onto our PIR group.  When picking up your sailor for liberty you will go into the first gate on the right which is right across the railroad tracks. You will not go into the gate you went into for PIR.  This is also where you will drop them off in the evening.  Make sure to have your gate pass which is good for the entire weekend and your DL handy.  You are able to park in the parking lot right by the NEX.  That is where we met my son in the morning.  He was standing out there waiting for us.  When we dropped him off we went to the same parking lot for that also.  They have to walk from the parking lot to their ship.  You will not be allowed to go any farther than that parking lot.

[cs717]

I am new to this site...What does "DL" stand for?