I plan to attend my daughter's Naval graduation on Oct.13th. in Great Lakes, Illinois. I live in Central NY, and never had to make arrangements before, such as from airport to hotel, from hotel to Navy base. I see there are hotel/flight packages, but I have no clue what hotel is a good choice within the vacinity of the base. How would I find out transportation arrangements from place to place once I do get into Chicago ahead of time so I know my trip is planned out? Any suggestions???
2006-09-24 10:42:10 · 6 answers · asked by LARGE MARGE 5 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Chicago
Contact the Great Lakes Fleet and Family Support Center...847-688-3603 X100...They can give you information regarding the Navy side of things. Also they can give you the number for Navy Lodge (the hotel for Navy personnel and families). They can also inform you as to shuttles and other transportation information.
As for flights, I don't know where to fly out of, but fly into Ohare (Midway is on the southside of Chicago).
2006-09-26 04:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by ivywings 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have about an hours drive from O'Hare to the Great Lakes Naval base. It is near Waukegan. I would do a priceline.com room around Waukegan or even Gurnee (it isn't that far and is a bit nicer).
Be careful -- there are some bad spots up that way -- so have a place picked out before you go.
I would plan on renting a car or taking the metra from O'Hare to Waukegan. I don't know the connections but someone from O'Hare can help you out there.
Good luck -- it isn't as hard as it might sound. If you are from the NYC area -- you'll think you are in a small town when you are in the Chicago area.
2006-09-25 12:33:35 · answer #2 · answered by BShakey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're flying into OHare take the blue line into the city and you're going to catch a train to the suburb North Chicago from the Madison and Canal Metra station. If you're coming into Midway take the Orange Line into the city. You'll have a 1 hour train ride to North Chicago and the ride will go fairly fast. Have your daughter meet you at the station so you're not standing out there since it can be secluded at night since most personnel are confined to base after 9pm so you need to get there before 7:30 since everyone who's on base is expected back there in the barricks by 9pm. Use Google it should help you plan it all out so you're on your way next month.
2006-09-25 23:39:16 · answer #3 · answered by nabdullah2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try flying Continental airlines to Midway or O' hare. They have some of the lowest prices to Chicago from Newark Airport. You can also fly southwest from Islip to Midway. For a hotel the Residence inn at Waukegan is nice.
2006-09-25 19:51:18 · answer #4 · answered by cdn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Metra (commuter train) does go to Great Lakes from downtown but is not an option from O'Hare. The "el" CTA trains do go to O'Hare but not to GL.
You could take Blue Line CTA from O'hare, switch stations downtown, then catch Metra up to GL, but trust me that is a pain and will kill 2-3 hours.
Rent a car. Plenty of cheap ones at O'Hare. About an hour to GL.
2006-09-25 23:31:28 · answer #5 · answered by Mark J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
does not the base have any suggestions for you? you should rent a car for one. there are many hotel/motels all over the area up and down 41 which is west of the base there. mapquest and go to metromix.com and look around for starters. oh, congratulations too! be proud of her!
2006-09-24 21:51:01 · answer #6 · answered by cadaholic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋