Great Lakes/PIR (Chicago, Waukegan, North Chicago: where to stay, transporting, hotels) - Chicago Suburbs - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

quesera · 09-09-2008, 11:25 AM

Hi! I searched the forum and didn't see another thread regarding this, so I hope this isn't a repeat. I apologize, if it is.

My son is in boot camp at GL. His PIR (graduation) is in October, and we're coming up from Eastern Kansas. Not knowing anything at all about the greater Chicago area, could I get information on which areas to avoid and which ones are safe, family friendly locations, for the short amount of time we'll be there?

quesera · 09-09-2008, 01:51 PM

Please respond... we need to book our hotel soon, and we don't want to do it as uninformed consumers.

cohdane · 09-09-2008, 05:43 PM

Are you looking to stay in a hotel in the city or up by GL in the suburbs? Also, how long are you going to be in town and what types of activities are you planning?

Some of the silence is no doubt people confused about where in "Chicagoland" you're asking about.

That said, a VERY GENERAL rule of thumb is the further south you go in the City of Chicago, the less safe. I'm going to catch all kinds of flack for saying it, but it's a guideline. Hotels in the north end of downtown will be in the "safer" section (and more expensive). Once you get south of Congress, the safe/family friendly is less assured.

There are pockets of good and bad everywhere. Some would say the West side is no great shakes, either.

Lastly an explanation: Chicago is laid out in a N/S/E/W grid. (It looks like graph paper from the sky.) Eight blocks equals one mile. Every eighth block is a "major" street. For east-west streets, zero is Madison. For north-south streets, zero is State. Most Chicagoans will laugh at anyone who says they are on the "East Side" of Chicago. That's the Lake.

If you really want to get specific answers, throw out the addresses of a few hotels you're considering and let people chime in.

lakecountylifer · 09-09-2008, 05:52 PM

OK OK I know what the OP poster is asking about. On holidays and weekends Gurnee is over run by sailors. These music thumping vans with loud music go back and forth between Gurnee Mills, chain restaurants and the Six Flags/Golden Corral/Key lime cove area transporting the sailors back and forth to the base. I am proud and grateful of our strong military, but sometimes Gurnee takes a hit by Sailors gone wild. A few months ago we even had two sailors from Great Lakes hijack a cab, kidnap the driver (who escaped) and the two sailors set the cab on fire to cover their tracks.

This being said, to the OP, you don't want to stay in a hotel near the base in North Chicago (too dangerous). Many navy famillies visiting stay in Gurnee (Hampton, Country Inn, etc. etc.) and like I said above---their are plenty of attractions here that will satisfy you and your family. Try not to drive tentatively around town so you won't cause an accident

(Just kidding but it does happen)....

quesera · 09-09-2008, 06:33 PM

We're going to try to stay as close to the base as possible, for convenience. We're thinking about Waukegan. Should we change our location, and opt to drive further, for safety's sake? We're coming from Topeka, and are completely unfamiliar with Chicago. Any input would be much appreciated!

Also, it's good to know the city is layed out grid style. That helps!

cohdane · 09-09-2008, 06:47 PM

I'd avoid Waukegan entirely. The unfamiliar with the area/nervous about safety is a bad combination with Waukegan. Won't comment further on that.

The poster who mentioned Gurnee had a good idea. It's got LOTS of family style attractions without the hazards of dangerous pocket neighborhoods. Depending on the age of any kids travelling with you and your budget, you might want to check out Key Lime Cove. It's a hotel with an indoor water park attached. If you're there midweek, you'll probably get a break on the rates.

Also, for sheer convenience, take a look at Libertyville and the area surrounding it. It doesn't have as many activities as Gurnee, but it's directly west of the base and has a mall, restaurants and the other usual suburban suspects.

Not sure which area is cheaper.

Good luck to you and your son! OOO-RAH!

JerichoHW · 09-09-2008, 06:50 PM

Most of South Side is rough (especially for a non-native) the base isn't near here anyway. West Side is also patchy, but once again you have no reason to venture into this area. North Side, is generally safe with a few exceptions.

Are you driving or flying?
If flying keep in mind that there are 2 major airports that serve the city, along with Milwaukee. If you are driving make sure to check traffic, so you don't have to exit into an area unfamiliar to you.

Where to stay?
As someone else reccomended the Gurnee, area has many hotels/motels available for use.

Consider these:
Hotel - Gurnee-Chicago, Illinois - IL - Hampton Inn Hotels
Gurnee IL hotels, Comfort Inn hotel near Gurnee Mills, Gurnee Illinois 60031
QUALITY INN WAUKEGAN ILLINOIS HOTEL Waukegan Hotels Waukegan Illinois

They seem to be in your general area, hope any of this helps.

lakecountylifer · 09-09-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quesera

We're going to try to stay as close to the base as possible, for convenience. We're thinking about Waukegan. Should we change our location, and opt to drive further, for safety's sake? We're coming from Topeka, and are completely unfamiliar with Chicago. Any input would be much appreciated!

Also, it's good to know the city is layed out grid style. That helps!

Gurnee is close. 15 minutes to the base. The fountain square area of Waukegan is a good area of waukegan and there is a court yard and a new marriott residence inn. This area is 10 minutes from the base. The only terrible area is the town of north chicago which includes the base.

The grid area of Chicago is irrelevant as it sounds like your just coming to the base and staying in the immediate area. The base and surrounding area is 40 miles north of downtown Chicago, don't get all caught up in the references on this thread about navigating Chicago. You don't have to go into the city unless you specifically want too.

quesera · 09-09-2008, 08:00 PM

Okay, my husband booked a room, while he was at work, at the Super 8 in Mundelein/Libertyville. He can change his reservation, without a problem.

I don't mean to sound like a complete wuss, but being in an unfamiliar area just makes me nervous.

JerichoHW · 09-09-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quesera

Okay, my husband booked a room, while he was at work, at the Super 8 in Mundelein/Libertyville. He can change his reservation, without a problem.

I don't mean to sound like a complete wuss, but being in an unfamiliar area just makes me nervous.

You should be fine in that area, and assuming your driving, you will most likley avoid rough spots in and around chicago.