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Anyone have advice about Chicago?
Hi, I'm kind of new to this. My boyfriend left a month ago today. I guess I'm doing ok. Mostly i was just curious about his graduation--it's in Chicago. I really want to go, but it looks like the trip could cost aLOT. Does anyone have any advice about the best places to stay? (pricewise and safetywise, I'm a little nervous about going to Chicago alone.) Best places to take him during his liberty? Best restaurants? Kind of random, but I really really REALLY want to be there for him...anything will help.
Views: 146
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jenn_NicksWifey on
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I have heard good things about the Navy Lodge. Book your room as early as possible, it fills up fast. Also, you do not have to go to Chicago. Great Lakes is right by Waukeegan, WI also. There is a Renne Faire in Bristol, IL. You can go to Gurnee Mills Mall to see a movie, shop or just be together, or to 6 Flags Great America. All of these are within his liberty range but not in Chicago. If you do want to go into the city, you can take a bus tour then you don't have to worry about navigating traffic. There is the Sears Tower, which is called something else now. The Lake (Michigan) is beautiful this time of year. If your bf has his Navy swim suit, you can hit a beach. All the Sailors have to wear Navy issued gear all weekend, even swimming. Keeps then in line, I guess, with the uniform rules. Sucks for us, though.
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Permalink Reply by Mac Marie on
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Thanks for your help, I will definitely check into those things asap.
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Also, where are you coming from? Are you flying or driving? And, I just got the "i'm a Sailor call" yesterday. He had no idea what to expect for graduation. So you might want to write him about it and your plans. They only get briefed on what they will be doing the night before at lights out. Feel free to ask me anything about bootcamp. I'm going to graduation this weekend. I will let you know anything else I can come up with.
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Techinically leaving from Canada, but I'm from Oregon. So I'm flying. I didn't want to tell him i was planning on going because I wanted it to be a surprise, but maybe I should. I'm a little nervous about booking anything because in his letter he mentioned that "the date might change, but that it most likely won't." Are you going to Chicago?
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He has to know you're coming, he has to put you on the guest list. Each recruit gets 4 spots. The only reason the date will change is if he is injured and it delays his training or if he is "ASMO'd". Don't know what it stands for but it means he fails something and has to go back to an earlier week and redo the training. He will get 1 phone call home if that happens so I hope you are in contact with his parents or that he calls you.
We aren't going in to the city most likely. Neither of us really have an interest. We are going to his favorite ribs place in Algonquin, which is about an hour from base and having dinner with our parents, our kids his grandma, his best friend, best friends dad. Saturday he wants to go to the renne faire and watch the last season of burn notice at my hotel (have it on dvd) and take a long hot shower. I'm pretty sure he's going to want to go shopping or something, we'll probably hit a Target because he likes shopping there. There is one close to Gurnee Mall. I told him pretty much whatever he wants to do we will. I think he just really wants to get away from the base, he referred to it as all caged in. A School will be better, much more freedom.
We aren't going in to the city because having grown up near there, we've done most of the touristy things. Every year in school there is a field trip to a museum (which are really cool, btw, check them out, ESP the aquarium). I just wanted to clarify because there isn't anything wrong with Chicago, there are tons of things to do there, many people love it. -
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Alrighty, no surprises aha. Yeah I really just want him to do what he wants, but he's the type that will tell me to choose. Just how he rolls I spose. But if that's the case then I will take your advice and get him far away from that cage.
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Permalink Reply by Anti M on
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Rule one: surprises and the Navy do not mix well. Let him know you want to be there, as NIckswifey is 100% correct, he has to add you to the guest list.
Find his PIR group here on N4M and join it. (holler if you need help with that) You will get plenty of information, and may feel more confident if you know other women/families who are attending. You may pick up some tips and info on where to stay, taxis, etc.
Don't bother with sightseeing, he'll want to eat, shop and take long showers without 80 other guys.
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Permalink Reply by Le Shelby on
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I would stay clear of chicago. After graduation is over, you only have maybe 7 hours with him before he has to go back to base. When i went for PIR (graduation), they were actually forbid from going to the city because of a protest that was going on, but your sailor will know all the rules and let you know what he can and cant do. I didnt stay at the lodge, just a hotel down the street and i drove to save money but i was only 5 hours away.
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Permalink Reply by KXkel15 on
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If he is staying in GL for A school, he will get daytime liberty for the weekend. I definitely would not go to Chicago on Friday because he will only have a few hours and it takes a few hours to do anything in Chicago. It's about an hour train ride to get there. I stayed at the Navy Lodge, $65/night and no tax. It was the cheapest I found and it's a short shuttle ride to the base. Our shuttle was $3/person and he dropped us off right at the gate. His name is Bob and his number is 234-321-2599. Really great guy, we called him every time we needed a ride. Tell him kelly and tom sent you haha! :) It's a $20 ride each way to the gurnee mall so you may want to do that after graduation. Hope that helps!
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That shuttle would be very helpful! But does it go to other nearby hotels? The one I'm looking at is less than two miles from the base.
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Permalink Reply by abuon18 on
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Have you found the PIR group on here? They have really great information about the restaurants, things to do, etc that you're asking about. Most hotels in the area have PIR weekend deals. You just have to look around and see what is most affordable to you. Sorry I'm not any help here when I went we had a car and stayed a little farther away because I work for hotels and got a really great rate that way. As far as transportation you can take the bus into the city, there is a bus station right outside the base, so you'd just need to get yourself to base that's all. He has to be signed in & out every morning & afternoon. Where is he going for A school?
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