Great Lakes and North Chicago event weekends: what to do between sessions
Naval Station Great Lakes is the Navy's only boot camp, 55 km north of Chicago on the lake shore between Waukegan and Lake Forest.
Events we cover in Great Lakes and North Chicago
Arriving
O'Hare (ORD) is 40 to 60 minutes away; Milwaukee (MKE) is 50 minutes.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Gurnee | Chains by the outlet mall and Six Flags, 15 minutes from the gate. |
| Mid-range | Waukegan and Libertyville | Closest hotels. |
| Splurge | Downtown Chicago | A day of sightseeing after graduation, 1 hour away. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Hampton Inn and Suites Chicago-North Shore
- Mid-range: Hyatt Place Chicago/Lombard
- Splurge: The Langham, Chicago
Tours
Where to eat
With kids
- Six Flags Great America.
- KeyLime Cove water park.
Rainy-day backups
- Gurnee Mills mall.
- Great Lakes Naval Museum (check access).
Free things to do
- Illinois Beach State Park.
- Chicago Botanic Garden (parking fee).
Getting around
- Metra Union Pacific North line runs from Chicago to Great Lakes station. Pass in Review needs registration and ID.