

If you’d rather get on the water yourself, hop aboard one of Chicago’s many lakefront boat cruises. Or grab a seat at Castaway’s, a beach bar and grill with cool drinks, live music, and excellent views of the water and skyline. Enjoy the show from the beachfront bar’s sand-covered patio, dotted with private cabanas. Reserve a cabana space at Caffe Oliva for breezy, unobstructed views from Ohio Street Beach. A little further north, grab a seat at Theater on the Lake’s waterfront patio.įor the VIP treatment, head to Shore Club.

You can also see the show from iconic lakefront attraction Navy Pier and the Miller Lite Beer Garden. If you want to be in the center of the action, bring chairs or a blanket and stake out a spot on the sand or grass anywhere on North Avenue Beach from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street. The prime viewing location for the Chicago Air and Water Show is near the water.

Where to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show

It’s a thrilling, bucket list experience - soak up the sun, breathe in the crisp lake breezes, and feel the rumble of jet engines soaring overhead. Make sure to arrive early to secure your spot and catch the spectacular demonstrations by aircrafts, boats, and diving and parachute teams. The spectacular two-day event draws an audience of over two million to the city’s stunning beachfront to see military and pilots perform astonishing stunts above the waters of Lake Michigan.įor more than 60 years, the multi-day show has taken to the skies above Lake Michigan, with North Avenue Beach as the center point. Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest and oldest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States.
