Get us in your inbox

Search
air and water show
Photograph: Courtesy of City Cruises Chicago

Where to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show 2023

Get the best views of the Chicago Air and Water Show from rooftop bars, restaurants, tall buildings and boats.

Written by
Zach Long
,
Emma Krupp
&
Jeffy Mai
Advertising

The Chicago Air and Water Show returns to the city's skies on August 19 and 20 (in addition to practice runs the day before), presenting a series of death-defying jet flyovers above the lakefront. Want a front-row seat to the aerial action? You can't go wrong finding a spot at Chicago beaches—especially those locate between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street, where the show is centered—but those looking for an enhanced experience can also attend viewing parties at waterfront restaurants and rooftop bars, or even get out on the water for a boat tourFind your preferred vantage point with our guide to where to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show.

RECOMMENDED: Your complete guide to the Chicago Air and Water Show

Restaurants and bars

  • Restaurants
  • Lincoln Park

Sip cocktails and graze on a brunch buffet while you stare up at the Blue Angels during Shore Club's Air and Water Show bash, which features an open bar and plenty of snacks. Seating is first-come, first-served, but you can reserve a table or VIP cabana if you're feeling extra ritzy. $100-$300.

Advertising
  • Bars
  • Beer bars
  • Lincoln Park
  • price 1 of 4

This cruise ship-shaped North Avenue Beach bar has been closed all summer, but will throw an all-inclusive party for the Air and Water Show—including an open bar and lunch buffet—on its rooftop deck. $160.

Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Loop
  • price 3 of 4

The rooftop restaurant and bar at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel offers some of the best views of the city—and that includes the weekend's Air and Water Show. Competition for a seat on the rooftop will be fierce, so show up early to snag your spot. When you're not staring at the planes in the sky, you can take a look at what's happening in Millennium Park.

  • Bars
  • Lounges
  • Lincoln Park
  • price 3 of 4

It's already difficult enough to get a seat on the J. Parker during the summer, but Air and Water Show weekend typically makes the wait for tables even longer. Still, if you're willing to show up early and lock down your spot, you can't beat the aerial views from the rooftop restaurant.

Advertising

Beaches

  • Things to do
  • Lincoln Park

North Avenue Beach is the official viewing area for the Chicago Air and Water Show, which means that it gets packed with people (and their chairs and coolers). If you want to watch the action from this stretch of sand, arrive early and take public transportation so you don't waste time parking your car.

Advertising
Montrose Beach
  • Things to do
  • Uptown

Don't want to deal with the hordes of people gathered on North Avenue Beach? Head north to Montrose Beach where you can take in the aerial sights while still enjoying the feel to sand beneath your toes.

  • Things to do
  • Gold Coast

Oak Street Beach isn't too far from North Avenue Beach, which means that plenty of people have figured out that it's a good alternative for Air and Water Show watching. It's worth a try to scope out a spot here if the sand at North Avenue is already covered with chairs and coolers.

Advertising

Skyscrapers

  • Things to do
  • Loop
  • price 2 of 4

A building that will be forever called the Sears Tower by many Chicagoans, Willis Tower boasts the 103rd floor Skydeck that's open to the public. As the second-tallest building in America, the Willis Tower is as close as you can get to the Air and Water Show without being in an airplane.

  • Things to do
  • Streeterville
  • price 2 of 4

Overlooking Oak Street Beach, 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) is ideally situated for viewing the Air and Water Show. On a clear day, viewers can see 55 miles out and four states from this 94th floor observatory.

Advertising

Boats

Advertising
Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising