Best advice what to do in Chicago with our SR during PIR weekend

[roguevalgal]

Our son will graduate 7Feb.  He wrote and said he'd like to spend a day in Chicago during PIR weekend.   We've never been to Chicago and don't know our way around.  We will have a GPS with us.  We will also have a rental car.  

Can some of the "veteran moms/wives/others" give me some advice on what the "not to miss" things are in Chicago, or what we might enjoy the best there, since we'll only be there for a day? 

What's the best (and safest) way to get around Chicago?  Given the weather conditions in Feb, we don't want to spend much time outside.  Is parking difficult to find and expensive?

Where's the best place to get authentic Chicago pizza, which is what I'll bet our son is interested in. 

Should I contact MWR for info?  Perhaps some Chicago Bulls tickets if they will be playing over the weekend in town?   

Any other ideas appreciated.  I plan on asking Sarge for his advice at the Meet and Greet as well. 

Any good websites with some suggestions?

Thanks

[mamacita3]

My son had to leave for A school early the next day. There was really NO time to go into the city and we would not risk getting stuck in traffic as it is really bad.  Waukegan is a good hour from the city.  My son was so exhausted and just wanted to chill at the hotel and watch ESPN since he had not seen a TV in months. He did not even want to go to a restaurant.  Remember, they are not well rested at PIR.  Just make sure you son is not late back to base or there is hell to pay.  My son wanted to be back super early to make sure.  At the suggestion of others who had already gone through the experience, I brought my son clothes for the hotel, pajama pants, sweatshirt, socks....he appreciated being able to get out of his dress blues. I also brought a lint brush as we had to make sure his uniform was perfect before he went back as they do have an inspection when they get back.  They also enjoy taking a hot shower at the hotel as they have not had one of those in a long while either!

There is a good Chicago pizza place not far from where we stayed at the Springhill Suites called Giordano's. It is near Gurnee Mills.  I ordered pick-up and we just ate in the hotel room.   

We went into the city the day before graduation and last year during our PIR, I read of many who went into the city after their sailor left for A school.  It's a very rushed time.  

[NavyMomx2]

 We have two sons in the Navy. Mamacitas' advice is spot on.  The only thing I would add is if he has a cell phone, ours could take theirs back to the base after graduation. 

Neither one of our sons had to leave till the following week.  If your son does have to leave the next day, you can go to the airport & sit with them until they have to go to the gate (from a Mom perspective, every minute is precious now.)  

As far as ticketed venues, you'll need to consider the completion time and travel time back from Chicago to the base. There is also a mileage limit on how far away they can go. I don't image their curfew policy has changed, your son  will need to be on base by a certain time each evening.  I'm assuming they threatened cancellation of leave for violating curfew (or worse) as our sons were pretty nervous about being back early (in the Navy 15 min. early is on time . . . on time is late) and they may have a bit of a walk from where you drop them off. 

Since our sons graduated later in the calendar year, I don't have a lot of indoor activities to suggest.  Both times we visited the Navy Pier. We attended Sunday services with them on base.  There is a mall not too far from the base we went to(maybe in Gurnee Mills) with a movie theatre in it. We also just took a drive in the car looking at the scenery.   

We planned no activity the day of graduation and just let the day unfold.  One wanted to go for a drive and the other wanted to stay in the hotel room get out of his uniform, watch TV &  nap. Both of ours were very cautious in public (I think they were told that they are being watch when they were in public). 

My husband was in when we got married, our older son went in 10 years ago, and our younger son three years ago, we joke that the Navy plans our vacations for us based on where they send our sons.  Enjoy the weekend and savor the time with your son!  It is awesome to hear people in public thanking your son for serving . . . I want to thank you and your family for supporting your son.  We too sacrifice much when our sons and daughters choose to serve.

[sunon]

At the hotel there's lots of information on all things happening I let my sailor pick what ever she thought she had time for , and it was bitter cold so some shopping at the mall to pick up some things for her to have at a school in great Lakes and she wanted medieval times so we went but enjoy being with them whatever they want take a sense of adventure and know how much they have grown in such a little time congratulations  

[roguevalgal]

Thanks so much for the great advice and kind words.  Much appreciated!  We can hardly wait!