Staying in Lakeview During Air and Water Show

We%26#39;re staying in a guest house in Lakeview the Thursday before the A%26amp;W show and through the weekend. We%26#39;ll be pretty close to the lake--will we be able to see any of the aerobatics during rehearsal for the show from where we are?

We%26#39;re fine taking the El into the downtown area...will it be overly crowded during this weekend?

I%26#39;ve enjoyed reading all the useful tips from the Chicago experts--thanks for the great advice!

Staying in Lakeview During Air and Water Show

Yes. You should be able to see some of the rehearsals from the neighborhood. The ';el'; might be a little more crowded than usual, but not overcrowded.

Staying in Lakeview During Air and Water Show

I always see fighter jets buzzing by the area while walking in the Gold Coast the day before the show. Last year, it was like a Michael Bay movie overhead while I was strolling to the grocery store.

The eastern edge of Lakeview is a wall of high rises, so your view will be restricted. However, if you visit Navy Pier, or any where on the near north lakefront, on the Friday before the air show, you can get some thrilling views of the practice sessions.

when is this show?

August 18-19.

The Air and Water Show is the weekend of August 18th. I%26#39;ve heard it%26#39;s fantastic and that it can be even better to see the rehearsal--less of a crowd. We can%26#39;t wait!

Iowafam, hope you have a great time in the neighborhood!

Re the Air and Water Show...On Thursday, there isn%26#39;t as much rehearsal time by the acts as on Friday; and, of course, Saturday and Sunday are the big days.

In Lakeview, you%26#39;ll be able to see some of the Air portion of the show - such as the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, the jet planes, the transport for the parachuters and even the Lima Lima team. The Red Baron biplanes are harder to see but you%26#39;ll be able to make them out. In fact, on Saturday and Sunday, you%26#39;ll see many, many Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Gold Coast residents of the highrises along Lake Shore Drive up on the roofs of their buildings watching the Air portion of the show.

The best place for you to see them in Lakeview (if you don%26#39;t know anyone living in a highrise) would around the grassy stretch along the lakefront just south of Belmont Harbor and north of Diversey Harbor. You won%26#39;t probably see anything of the Water portion if you are north of Fullerton.

What I would suggest, though, if you wish - is to go to Lincoln Park Zoo on Thursday afternoon. If there are any planes practicing then, you%26#39;ll HEAR them coming in. You can easily go to the eastern entrance of the Zoo and see them from around there. If there aren%26#39;t any practicing then, you%26#39;ll have a good time at the Zoo.

On Friday afternoon, though, about 2:00-2:30 p.m.-ish - if the weather is good - I really recommend that you be up in either the John Hancock Building (the observatory, Signature Lounge or Signature Room) or the Sears Tower (the observatory). You%26#39;ll have a bird%26#39;s-eye view of the jets. They come pretty darn close to the buildings and it%26#39;s pretty darn exciting to see them.

On Saturday or Sunday, if you have any interest in seeing the full Air and Water Show (the Water portion really doesn%26#39;t have the draw of the Air Show), do go down to North Avenue Beach - go EARLY. The Water portion of the show is first and then the Air show usually starts about 11-noon, but it depends on the weather, of course.

Lastly, if you do miss seeing something, there is usually a TV program later in the evening (maybe only being broadcast on Sunday? but I think they%26#39;ve shown it a couple times during that weekend in the past) that shows the highlights of the Air %26amp; Water Show. Take a look at the TV program guide when you are here.

You shouldn%26#39;t notice much of an increase in tourism that weekend...not many people come in from out of town specifically for the show. You%26#39;ll notice increased traffic immediately before and after the show on lakeshore and other streets moving in and out of the city, but it%26#39;s not much different.

In lakeview you%26#39;d be able to see practicing assuming you have access to a roof and don%26#39;t have highrises in your way...realistically, you probably won%26#39;t see them practice though.

Regarding the show itself....I%26#39;ve gone the last two years and the only issues I have with congestion are getting to and from the show...there is plenty of space on the lakefront to watch especially if you walk up and down the bikepath. The most annoying thing is the hoosiers that come in and take a huge tract of the beach with their tent, which, by the way, also blocks any view from behind them.

With all due respect to the previous poster, I%26#39;ve lived in Lakeview many years and see the acts I mentioned above every year. I don%26#39;t believe the poster read where I indicated you needed to be to do so.