# Chicago Air and Water Show: what to do between sessions in Chicago

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/chicago-air-water-show/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 21 to 22 August 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** North Avenue Beach, Chicago, United States, about 4 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** River North and the Loop: Walk to the river and Millennium Park.
- **Getting there:** O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes.
- **Weather:** In August, Chicago temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 105 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 35 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Chicago Architecture Center river cruise; Deep-dish pizza and food tour; Skydeck at Willis Tower

## Weather and what to pack

In August, Chicago temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 105 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 35 min of daylight.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes.

Buses along Lake Shore Drive; free to watch.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** West Loop and South Loop. Near McCormick Place and the trains.
- **mid:** River North and the Loop. Walk to the river and Millennium Park.
- **luxury:** Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast. Grand hotels by the lake.
- Hotels we would book: Hotel Chicago West Loop (budget), Hotel Julian Chicago (mid), The Peninsula Chicago (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Skydeck at Willis Tower. Glass ledge 103 floors up.
- Eat: Au Cheval, Burger in the West Loop

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Free idea: Millennium Park and the Bean.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Blues club night. Live blues in the city that electrified it.
- Eat: Time Out Market Chicago, Food hall

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Art Institute of Chicago. World-class collection.
- Free: Lincoln Park Zoo.

## Tours worth booking

- [Chicago Architecture Center river cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20architecture%20river%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): The famous 90-minute river cruise.
- [Deep-dish pizza and food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Pizza, Italian beef and hot dogs.
- [Skydeck at Willis Tower](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Skydeck%20Chicago%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Glass ledge 103 floors up.
- [Blues club night](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20blues%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Live blues in the city that electrified it.
- [Lake Michigan sunset cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20lake%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Skyline from the lake.
- [Gangsters and ghosts tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20gangster%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Prohibition history.
- [Bike tour of the lakefront](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Chicago%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): Lakefront trail and parks.
- [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Art%20Institute%20of%20Chicago%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-chicago-air-water-show): World-class collection.

## Where to eat

- Lou Malnati's: Deep-dish pizza
- Portillo's: Italian beef and hot dogs
- Au Cheval: Burger in the West Loop
- Time Out Market Chicago: Food hall
- Girl and the Goat: West Loop small plates
- Pequod's: Caramelised-crust pizza

## With kids

- Field Museum.
- Shedd Aquarium.
- Museum of Science and Industry.

## Rainy-day backups

- Art Institute.
- Field Museum.

## Getting around

- CTA L trains and buses take contactless. McCormick Place has a Metra station and the #3 bus.

## Questions people ask

### When is Chicago Air and Water Show 2027?

The next edition is 21 to 22 August 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Chicago Air and Water Show?

In August, Chicago temperatures average about 23°C, with roughly 105 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 35 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to North Avenue Beach?

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes. Buses along Lake Shore Drive; free to watch.

### Where should I stay for Chicago Air and Water Show?

For most visitors the best base is River North and the Loop: Walk to the river and Millennium Park.

### What can we do between sessions at Chicago Air and Water Show?

Good short outings in Chicago include Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Deep-dish pizza and food tour, Skydeck at Willis Tower. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Chicago Air and Water Show?

Family-friendly picks: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Skydeck at Willis Tower, Bike tour of the lakefront. Field Museum.

### How far is North Avenue Beach from Chicago centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. Buses along Lake Shore Drive; free to watch.

More in Chicago: https://eventweekends.com/city/chicago/