As the Air and Water Show returns to the Windy City for its 65th year, Chicagoans will gather to view one of the city’s most beloved annual traditions. We’ve compiled the best spots to view this year’s show, from rooftop dining destinations to lakeside gems.
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1603 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
This recently reopened North Ave. Beach dining spot is hosting its Chicago Air and Water Show Rooftop Party on Sun., Aug. 11. Each ticket includes a full day of food and drinks, starting with breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. with scrambled eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, bloody marys, mimosas and more. A lunch buffet begins at noon, featuring chef-carved Dijon mustard-glazed New York strip steak, a pasta station with rigatoni and cheese stuffed mezzaluna, a Chicago-style hot dog cart and a chef’s selection of assorted breads and rolls, among other offerings. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests can enjoy an open bar with beer, wine, frozen and specialty cocktails, hard seltzer and more. Individual and group tickets can be purchased here.
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Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. / Website
Renowned chef Art Smith’s Navy Pier dining destination, Reunion, offers brunch on the patio with premier Air and Water Show viewing. Beginning at 11 a.m., guests can enjoy Southern-inspired fare like deviled eggs, fried chicken with whipped mashed potatoes and housemade hot sauce, steak and eggs with fries and gravy and chicken and waffles with potato cheddar waffles and maple syrup.
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875 N. Michigan Ave., 94th Floor / Website
The 360 Chicago Observation Deck offers a bird’s-eye view of all the action, located 1,030 feet above the Mag Mile and on the 94th floor of the iconic Willis Tower. Guests can drink and dine at the sightseeing destination’s bar and deck, CloudBar, featuring bubbles, brews, wine and craft cocktails like the “Chicago Handshake,” with Revolution’s cold time lager and a shot of Malort and the “Oak St. Beach,” crafted with 360 Vodka, peach Schnapps, cranberry juice and orange juice. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. / Website
Cruise around Lake Michigan, dine on a chef-prepared buffet meal, listen to curated DJ tunes and watch the pilots carry out gravity-defying stunts at one of City Cruises’ Air & Water experiences on Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy sweet and savory lunch staples and cocktails and view the skyline from the boat’s open-air decks and luxurious interiors. Tickets can be purchased here.
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233 S. Wacker Drive / Website
Experience skilled maneuvers from Navy and Marine Corps pilots from 99 floors in the air at Willis Tower’s premier sightseeing spot. Skydeck is hosting its “Pie in the Sky” experience on Aug. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes a three-course meal from Giordano’s Pizza and scenic, panoramic views of the city. Visitors can also take a trip to the 103rd floor to take in the sights from The Ledge, the destination’s glass-enclosed balcony. Pricing starts at $95 per person. Reservations are required three business days prior and can be made by calling 312.875.9447.
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1816 N. Clark St. / Website
On Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, Hotel Lincoln’s New American eatery, The J. Parker, is offering its Air and Water Show Rooftop Spectacular from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live DJ beats, passed-out appetizers like bacon-wrapped scallops and deviled eggs and an all-day brunch buffet as they marvel at the show. Pricing for Sat. Aug. 10 starts at $50 per person, and pricing for Sun. Aug. 11 starts at $150 per person. Tickets can be purchased here.
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1000 E. Grand Ave. / Website
Featuring expansive views of Lake Michigan and chef-driven cuisine, this Navy Pier dining spot is a must-visit for unencumbered views of the Air and Water Show. Dine on menu staples like market oysters, ahi poke bowls and aioli-topped steak sliders as you get a front-row seat from Offshore’s rooftop. Don’t forget to pair your meal with hearty libations like Santa Teresa and Bacardi rum-infused “Kokomo” with Giffard Banana liqueur, Chambord, pineapple, lime, grenadine and angostura bitters. Reservations can be made here.
See also: The 18 Best Rooftop Patios For Outdoor Dining And Drinking In Chicago
Photography by: Photography by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, courtesy of Gett Images
