August 11, 2009
Chicago Air and Water Show Viewing Guide
Each year about this time I start to receive many requests from friends and family and through MyFlightBlog.com for tips on where to watch the Chicago Air & Water Show. I thought I would share some of my suggestions for the best places to watch the Chicago Air & Water Show. I have my thoughts on many of the popular viewing spots on the map to the right.
Unobstructed Views
The best way to view the show is from a place where you will have an unobstructed view of the entire show. The only real way to do that is from a boat on Lake Michigan. If you are one of the lucky few that own a boat or know a friend that does that is surely one of the best ways to get a clear view of the action. If you don't own and can't mooch a ride you can always pay to take a cruise. Mystic Cruises & Odyssey Cruises still has space available on their Air Show Weekend cruises.
Airshow Center
The Airshow center is North Avenue Beach. This is where the Golden Knights Parachute team lands and the Harrier usually shows off the V/STOL maneuvers. Additionally, the flight teams will use this as the center point of their show. If they have a loop or a crossing pattern this is where it will take place. As a result, this is a very popular place to watch the show so expect there to be large crowds and you will need to arrive early to get a spot on the beach. If you want to enjoy the excitement of viewing the show from show center but want to ensure you have a place to sit check out the special offers from Castaways.
If you are looking for a legal place to enjoy an adult beverage while watching the show visit Sand Bar Beer Garden at the Northeast corner of North Avenue Beach. Drinks will be served from 10am through the end of the headline act. You can reserve a ticket online.
Altitude, Altitude, Altitude
We are talking about an airshow (well, also a water show but who are we fooling?) so altitude makes a difference. A rooftop deck or balcony located near the center of the show action and above neighboring buildings provides a great way to watch the show. The challenge here is that typically you need to share that space with a lot of other interested parties.
Although I have never tried it, I have heard some suggest visiting one of Chicago's Observatories either at the Sears Tower (er, Willis Tower) or John Hancock. I can imagine those spots will be crowded too but must provide an interesting view of the show. The Hancock Observatory will get you much closer to the action on the lakefront.
The Cite atop the Lake Point Tower offers a great 360 degree view of the airshow while providing a more upscale dining experience.
A Blanket On the Lakefront
Most people view the show from a blanket on a beach or a spot along the lakefront. I suggest heading north to Diversey or Montrose Harbor where you can have a great view while also avoiding much of the crowd.
Boundaries
What are the boundaries of the airshow? That is tough to say as many of the planes fly up from Gary International Airport so you will spot planes well south of the Show. My personal recommendation is to find a spot to watch the show that is no further south than Northerly Island and no further north than Montrose Harbor (displayed in the map to the right). I would try to be as far east as you can get (those in boats will win in this category) with the westernmost point being Halsted. You can, of course, see and enjoy the action from outside this area but you will be seeing the fringe portion of the show and not taking in its full excitement.
Gary International Airport
Most of the civilian and military performance teams are based out of Gary International Airport for the Chicago Air & Water Show. For those in Indiana and well south of the city this has become a popular place to see the planes. Although you won't see a true airshow performance you will see the planes leaving and arriving, and flying in formation.
Listening to the Air & Water Show
Chicago's WBBM 780 has live coverage of the Air & Water Show. If you are not a die-hard aviation enthusiast or have a certified plane spotter with you I always suggest bringing along a radio so you can hear from the broadcast team what it is you are looking at flying by. If you are at show center there are speakers from which you can listen to Airshow MC Herb Hunter but that can often be a challenge over the roar of the planes so a personal radio is highly recommended.
Practice Day
The flight teams have their media day on Thursday and a few may come as far North as Chicago briefly. However on Friday there is nearly a full practice show. Most of the teams will run through their full performance and only a few single plane acts are missing on Friday. The practice usually runs between 10am and 3pm and is a great way to see the show without the crowds.
If you have a favorite place to view the Air & Water Show and are not afraid to share it and I will add the best suggestions to the guide.
Posted by Todd McClamroch at August 11, 2009 8:24 PM
Todd, thanks for putting together your tips for the Air & Water show! How early is early when you suggest arriving early?
Posted by: rachelle at August 12, 2009 11:48 AMGenerally it starts to get pretty full at North Avenue beach 1.5-2 hours before the show begins.
A few people I have spoken to this week have said that for the past few years Oak Street Beach has not been too crowded so that could be a good option as well.
Informative article. I have never been to Airshow Center in North Avenue beach. I like to watch such flight shows.
Posted by: cheap flights at May 13, 2010 1:48 AMInteresting article on air flights and airshow, I like watching such flight shows.
Posted by: amma endral at May 29, 2010 12:38 AMThank you SO much for the info. I have a two year old who has become obsessed with planes and helicopters. I think Friday sounds perfect for us!!!
Posted by: Sara at July 27, 2010 4:02 PMThanks for such extensive info about the air and water show. I mean no disrespect at all, but this is the weekend that I most hate living in Chicago. Living five blocks from the lake, I feel like I'm under military siege for the weekend and cannot stand the noise. Your detailed schedule info has helped me plan when to flee the city. While the air and water show is my personal version of hell, I do realize to each their own, and hope that fans of the show have great weather and a fun weekend watching it all.
Posted by: Sandy at August 3, 2010 3:17 PMGround zero at North Avenue Beach. There is no place else to go. I've been going there for decades. I don't want to hear about the crowds because it's not like you can't find a place to sit and stretch out.
Everyone else can have their Christmases, Hannukahs, Mom's day, Pop's day, or Fourth of July. My holiday weekend every year is the Air Show. My friends know they can always find me in the same place, 100 yards north of the boathouse, and 100 feet in on the sand from the sidewalk. AIRSHOW!!!
Posted by: Matthew Shelley at August 13, 2010 11:26 AMI mean no disrespect at all, but this is the weekend that I most hate living in Chicago. Living five blocks from the lake, I feel like I'm under military siege for the weekend and cannot stand the noise. Your detailed schedule info has helped me plan when to flee the city.
Posted by: Lila Berry at July 17, 2011 4:04 AMDo you know is there a way to listen to the music that the Thunderbirds play along with their music or is is played under the announcer on wbbm?
Posted by: Campbell at August 18, 2011 8:50 AMSorry about the last comment. Didn't make sense.
Do you know is there a way to listen to the music that the Thunderbirds play while they are doing there show or is is played under the announcer on wbbm?
Posted by: Campbell at August 18, 2011 8:52 AMThey may play music at show center while the Thunderbirds fly, but the pilots do not listen to music in their helmets as all the movements that they make are by voice commands
Posted by: Pete at August 18, 2011 2:43 PMThe Blog is very very informative. It answered all my questions and am planning to go tomorrow without fail. Thanks a lot, Todd!!!
