CHICAGO — You don't have to settle for being hot and crowded at this weekend's Chicago Air and Water Show.
The show — now in its 57th year — does draw enormous crowds, but DNAinfo Chicago has put together a guide to help you avoid the masses, beat the heat and have the time of your life (and all of those other clichés).
10. Air and Water Show basics
What: The 57th Air and Water Show features naval and aviation demonstrations from military and civilian teams.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (There's also a rehearsal on Friday, and the Blue Angels will fly over Wrigley Field on Thursday.)
Where: Fullerton to Oak Street along the lakefront, though North Avenue Beach is front and center for the action
Cost: Free
Food and drink: Vendors will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, nachos, ice cream, water and soda. Alcohol isn't allowed on the festival grounds (beaches), and Metra says no alcohol will be allowed on trains all weekend.
History: The Air and Water Show started in 1959, when it cost only $88 to put on, according to the city. It's been held every year since then.
Announcer: Herb Hunter has been the voice of the Air and Water Show for nearly 30 years. He used to perform in the show.
Kelly Bauer discusses the do's and don'ts of this year's show:
Plans fly overhead during the 2014 Chicago Air and Water Show. [Mina Bloom/DNAinfo]
9. How to avoid the crowds
There will be a full rehearsal of the show 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, according to the city.
While the rehearsal still draws a sizable crowd, it's nowhere near the size of Saturday and Sunday's draw. It's the best time to catch the show if you're trying to avoid tripping over fellow beachgoers.
(You can also see the Blue Angels fly over Wrigley Field on Thursday.)
If you plan to check out the show from a high rise or rooftop, do your research and plan ahead: Spots fill up fast and can be costly. Chicago has information about restaurants, hotels and other spots where you can watch the show online.
Footage of the famous Navy Blue Angels, a headliner at this year's Air and Water Show.
8. Be prepared for the weather
Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 85 degrees, while Sunday will be sunny with a high near 89 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Warm temperatures and sunny skies mean those watching the show outside should bring sunscreen, water and other warm-weather essentials.
The city also suggests attendees bring sunglasses and earplugs (the planes can get quite loud).
A man sells toy inflatable airplanes at the 2013 Chicago Air and Water Show. [Kelly Bauer/DNAinfo]
7. What you can't (and can) bring
The city prohibits bringing alcohol and grills on festival grounds, so the Air and Water Show probably isn't the best time to have a barbecue on the beach.
Other things you can't bring to festival grounds: fireworks, explosives, illegal substances, weapons, pop-up tents and canopies, balloons, kites, flag poles and pets (except for service animals).
So, what can you bring? Blankets, chairs and a cooler are a-OK, according to the city.
Planes fly over Lake Michigan during the 2013 Chicago Air and Water Show. [Kelly Bauer/DNAinfo]
6. Yes, the traffic will be terrible
The Air and Water Show attracts crowds of 1.5 to 2 million people. Expect traffic to be slow and parking to be sparse.
If you opt to drive, North Avenue Beach has paid parking that starts at $15 and goes up to $32 depending on how long you stay.
You can also park at Millennium Parking Garage locations and take a shuttle to North Avenue Beach. Parking is $35 for the day.
Footage of the Skyhawk, one of the planes that will be on display during the Air and Water Show.
5. What are the public transportation options?
The Chicago Transit Authority suggests you buy train and bus passes in advance of the Air and Water Show so you can avoid long lines.
Trains: Longer trains will operate 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on the Blue, Brown, Green and Orange lines Saturday and Sunday.
Buses: There will be extra bus service on the No. 72 North Avenue and No. 151 Sheridan routes 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The No. 22 Clark, No. 36 Broadway, No. 73 Armitage and No. 151 Sheridan buses will travel on LaSalle between Division and LaSalle Drive 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to avoid heavy pedestrian traffic.
Metra: No alcohol will be allowed on trains throughout the weekend, according to Metra. Bikes will be allowed on trains as space permits.
Radio host Kris Habermehl chats about getting ready for the show:
4. What about riding a bike?
You cannot ride your bike on festival grounds, and the Lakefront Trail will undoubtedly be busy in the area around the show.
If you do want to try it out, there are Divvy stations at Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard and at the Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive. Divvy's prices vary depending on the time you have a bike checked out, or you can get a 24-hour pass for $9.95.
Divvy's valet service — which ensures you can always return a bike when you arrive at your destination — will be active from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at its docks at Theater on the Lake, Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue and Michigan Avenue and Oak Street. Valet service will also be active noon-6 p.m. at Navy Pier.
Planes fly during the 2013 Chicago Air and Water Show. [Kelly Bauer/DNAinfo]
3. There's no schedule for the performers
The Air and Water Show runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but there's no set schedule for performers.
Headliners will likely appear toward the end of the event, according to the city, but otherwise performers decide the day of the event what time they'll go, so there is no schedule.
In other words, if you're only there for the Blue Angels, you don't need to come until toward the end of the show.
North Avenue Beach gets crowded during the Air and Water Show. [Kelly Bauer/DNAinfo]
2. The best beaches for watching are...
You can watch the lakefront show from Fullerton to Oak Street, but North Avenue Beach is the place to be for front row seats. Admission is free and the beach fills up fast.
There are smaller crowds at Promontory Point, 31st Street Beach and the Adler Planetarium.
Footage from F-16 Fighting Falcons. A Fighting Falcon will be on display at the Air and Water Show.
1. Guide to the planes
DNAinfo Chicago has a guide to the military and civilian aircraft you will see at the Air and Water Show. There will be everything from F-16 Fighting Falcons to homemade RV-8s.
The majority of the planes take off from the Gary Jet Center in Gary, Indiana, according to the city, but planes come in from bases across the Midwest.
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