PIR Weekend

Mrs_Breen · 03-22-2014, 04:38 PM

Hi all,
My in-laws and I are trying to make plans for PIR weekend and I have some questions about lodging. Would anyone recommend the Gateway Inn and Suites or the Navy Lodge? If so, what is the distance from those locations to the drill hall and the main gate where the train stop is? We are flying in are trying to find a reasonable place to stay and hopefully not rent a car.

Thanks!

LT Guppy · 03-22-2014, 04:41 PM

The Navy Lodge in Great Lakes is nice and pretty close to base. I would recommend renting a car. Great Lakes isn't particularly pedestrian friendly.

Mrs_Breen · 03-22-2014, 04:45 PM

Good to know. Thanks Guppy!

mich313 · 03-22-2014, 06:02 PM

http://navyformoms.com/forum/topics/pir-for-dummies

That page has LOTS of helpful info for PIR weekend for family members

llamayamaa · 03-22-2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Breen

Hi all,
My in-laws and I are trying to make plans for PIR weekend and I have some questions about lodging. Would anyone recommend the Gateway Inn and Suites or the Navy Lodge? If so, what is the distance from those locations to the drill hall and the main gate where the train stop is? We are flying in are trying to find a reasonable place to stay and hopefully not rent a car.

Thanks!

The Navy Lodge is about a mile and a half down the road from RTC graduation (NOT on base). It's a pretty nice hotel, but reservations are tough and there might not be rooms available. Gateway Inn/Suites is on the base across the street from RTC and I'd say about the same distance from the grad hall.

The Metra that you would catch to go into the city is literally right outside the gate where Midway Ceremonial Hall is.

If all you're planning to do is go into the city, or go to restaurants along the Metra line, you could get away with just using taxis. But if you want to do anything else, you might want to consider renting a car.

The link for the navyformoms thread from 2009 is a little outdated, so be aware some polices have changed (as far as how you get on to RTC, leaving cars there, taking shuttles, etc).

Mrs_Breen · 03-22-2014, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. Are taxis pretty easy to come by on and around the base?

llamayamaa · 03-22-2014, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Breen

Thanks for all the info guys. Are taxis pretty easy to come by on and around the base?

Ooooh yeah, especially on Fridays and the weekends. They're all over the place. Though come to think of it, I'm not sure they're actually allowed ON base, but they'll drop you off and pick you up right outside and/or at the visitors center.

Mrs_Breen · 03-22-2014, 08:31 PM

So by walking distance, are we talking short enough to walk in high heels and not break my feet??!! If not, the taxi will be necessary.

sweetmtn · 03-23-2014, 10:35 AM

I would rent a car...walking any distance in heels is not fun!

03-22-2014, 04:38 PM	#1
Mrs_Breen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 48 Rep Power: 10	PIR Weekend Hi all, My in-laws and I are trying to make plans for PIR weekend and I have some questions about lodging. Would anyone recommend the Gateway Inn and Suites or the Navy Lodge? If so, what is the distance from those locations to the drill hall and the main gate where the train stop is? We are flying in are trying to find a reasonable place to stay and hopefully not rent a car. Thanks!

03-22-2014, 04:41 PM	#2
LT Guppy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,858 Rep Power: 343	The Navy Lodge in Great Lakes is nice and pretty close to base. I would recommend renting a car. Great Lakes isn't particularly pedestrian friendly. __________________ Officers: making simple stuff hard since 1775 ACTIVE DUTY SAILORS - Click here to have your account verified

03-22-2014, 06:02 PM	#4
mich313 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: TN Posts: 88 Rep Power: 14	http://navyformoms.com/forum/topics/pir-for-dummies That page has LOTS of helpful info for PIR weekend for family members __________________ 24 y/o female DEP 20140221 ATF-IT Ship Date 20141008

03-23-2014, 10:35 AM	#9
sweetmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,787 Rep Power: 390	I would rent a car...walking any distance in heels is not fun! __________________ Proud Military Mom, Navy Vet Justin(MM2n), and Army Vet SSgt Clayton "*Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude*." Thomas Jefferson

03-22-2014, 04:45 PM	#3
Mrs_Breen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 48 Rep Power: 10	Good to know. Thanks Guppy!

03-22-2014, 08:18 PM	#6
Mrs_Breen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 48 Rep Power: 10	Thanks for all the info guys. Are taxis pretty easy to come by on and around the base?

03-22-2014, 08:31 PM	#8
Mrs_Breen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 48 Rep Power: 10	So by walking distance, are we talking short enough to walk in high heels and not break my feet??!! If not, the taxi will be necessary.