Best ways to watch the Air & Water Show
Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer has gone to more than 20 Chicago Air & Water Shows and has been a pilot for more than 30 years. He has seen the show from almost every vantage point possible and shares some tips and tricks he's learned for the best ways to watch.
<h3 class="breakHead">Call in favors</h3>
If you're lucky enough to know someone who lives on Lake Shore Drive, sitting on his or her rooftop is the best view, Helmer said. Viewers are at eye-level with the action and away from the congestion below.
<h3 class="breakHead">Be the early bird</h3>
No friends in high places? Head for North Avenue Beach early, Helmer said.
Arrive between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to beat the crowds. Other beaches with a view of the action are Ohio Street Beach, Montrose Harbor Beach and the lakefront from Oak Street Beach to Fullerton.
<h3 class="breakHead">Share the ride</h3>
Public transportation is the best way to get to the show. While the trains are usually crowded, Helmer said it beats braving the crowded expressways into the city. Information for all the routes can be found at www.transitchicago.com and www.metrarail.com.
<h3 class="breakHead">If you must drive</h3>
Leave as early as 6 a.m. Mary May, of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, suggests parking at the Millennium Park Parking Garage for $30 with a free shuttle to viewing areas. You might find parking at Stockton Drive, just south of Lincoln Park Zoo, or at Piper's Alley on the corner of North Avenue and LaSalle Street. The presale cost for the two lots near Lincoln Park is $50. There's a small parking garage at Wells Street and North Avenue, and street parking could be available though there's a two-hour limit. Don't forget to pay the meter, usually located mid-block, and put the receipt inside the passenger's-side window.
<h3 class="breakHead">Buy a seat </h3>
If you're willing to spend some money, the Bravo Zulu Lounge Beer Garden offers tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. The Lounge is at the northeast corner of the North Avenue Beach Boat House and includes Bud Light, Pepsi products and a barbecue buffet. Tickets are $90 and available at www.fanfueled.com. Those who go to the Lounge must be 21 or older. You also can view the show from a boat, with Wendella, Chicago Architecture Foundation Cruises, Chicago Line Cruises and Shoreline Sightseeing Tours among the options. Tickets typically range from $25 and up.
<h3 class="breakHead">See today's preview</h3>
A practice show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. The show tends to be less crowded and cheaper, with the Bravo Zulu Lounge, for instance, charging $60.
<h3 class="breakHead">Get with the group</h3>
Helmer says the large, sweaty crowds often lead people to lose sight of the most important thing - the community bond. As you settle into a spot, don't forget to meet your neighbors and partake in all the events happening, such as volleyball games. "It's a community event and about meeting people," Helmer said. "It's a one-time event experience."