It happens every August. The city shudders and braces itself for the moment when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels whiz overhead at top speed, daring every panel of glass and pair of eardrums within miles not to shatter. Welcome to the Air & Water Show! And lucky for us, it’s free! Since you’re not spending cash on admission, might as well splurge and watch the show in style. They’re not cheap, but these pretty packages offer front-and-center seats to catch the action, along with food and drinks aplenty.
Castaways
Don’t wanna set sail for the show? Then jump aboard this popular, ship-shaped lakefront bar. Usually closed for private parties during the show, this year Castaways opens its doors to the public–but it’ll cost you. Expect to shell out $125 per person, or grab nine friends and pool your cash ($1,000 for a table of 10). The beach bash starts bright and early with a 9 a.m. breakfast buffet, then parties through the afternoon with a buffet lunch and open bar. Fuel up on New York strip, toasted ravioli and Italian sausage, and wash it down with daiquiris, pina coladas and mango margaritas (the house specialty). 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Price includes tax and gratuity–reservations required. 1501 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-222-0707.
Wave
What better way to toast the show than with a Lake Shore lemonade? In honor of the event, this sleek restaurant is offering the tangy-sweet concoction–a combination of Absolut Citron, sparkling lemonade and muddled blueberries–for only $5 (it’s usually $9). Request one of the outdoor tables (for diners only) to get a stellar view of the show, or slip into one of the tables near the bay windows if you’d rather be inside. The exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, however, may distract you from the show–the African-spiced strip steak with chutney and rare tuna flatbread with fennel, almonds and spiced oranges are our faves. 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 6:30 a.m-10 p.m. Sunday. 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-255-4460.
Oak Street Beachstro
You can blow a cool $100 on a four-course luncheon in the restaurant, but we suggest spending half the money for the barbecue buffet in a tent smack on the shoreline. You’ll get burgers, potato salad, watermelon and more–not to mention a prime seat for the show. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $50 (does not include gratuity). 1001 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-915-4100.
Drake Bros.
Really want to live it up? Then this is the spot! Housed on the second floor of the luxurious Drake Hotel, this just-revamped restaurant offers a killer view and top-notch cuisine. Try the 16-ounce dry-aged New York sirloin or the steak tartar. Arrive early to snag the best seats for the show: Although the dining room accommodates 150, you’ll want to secure one of the 30 seats next to the windows. Want a guaranteed spot? Get some friends together–parties of 15 or more can make reservations. Breakfast: 6:30-11:30 a.m.; lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday. 140 E. Walton Pl. 312-787-2200.
Spirit of Chicago Cruise
Cheesy cruises may not float your boat, but you’ll hardly find a better view of the show than from, well, the water. During this two-hour cruise, you can dig into a tasty lunch buffet. The spread includes stuffed sole, spicy potato salad and chocolate mousse cake. Although the onboard narration doesn’t exactly get us running to buy tickets (can you say tourist?), a fully stocked cash bar will help sweeten the deal. Early cruise: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (9:30 a.m. boarding); late cruise: 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (1:30 p.m boarding). $45 early cruise; $55 late cruise. 600 E. Grand Ave. 866-211-3804.
46th Annual
Air & Water Show
9-10:30 a.m. water show; 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. air show Saturday-Sunday. Free. Along the lakefront near North Avenue Beach, 312-744-3370.
Avoid the crowds
Score a spot in the sand on Friday and watch the Air & Water show practice session. There’s no set performance schedule, but practice runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.
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