No Artificial Intelligence was used in writing this article-not even writing tools :)

As an avid fan of the Blue Angels since childhood, I’ve gotten in a few pretty good shows in my day so I have a few tips. I have no affiliation with Seafair or the Blue Angels.

For one, come prepared wherever you are gonna be. Check out my list below!

The Blue Angels start flying at around 4pm. Yesterday they said it was 3:35 but I didn’t see an Angel until 4pm. I don’t even remember seeing Fatty flying (Fat Albert). Get there early. Wear sunscreen-I am burned.

So after watching the planes at Genesee Park, Seward Park, Southport (next to Gene Coulon Memorial Park, Bellevue Square, Seahawks Training Camp, and Boeing Field, I would say Seward Park is the best but this depends on your preferences. Obviously the best place to be is on a boat, but even then you are limited by the Shore Patrol who take their jobs VERY seriously. Side note: I would love a doc/reality show about them next year if anyone in television reads this.

The Log Boom and Shore Patrol hauling a Hydroplane

At Genesee Park: This is Seafair HQ. The Hydroplanes do their races here and they section off a huge chunk of the park with fencing. There is a beer garden and food along with grandstands for watching the Hydroplanes. If you don’t want to pay to get in here and brought your own food/bevs, walk to the right of 50th street a little until the fencing ends and walk down the baby hill into the lake. That is what I did for Friday’s show. Got a paddle board or floaty? BRING IT! I ended up playing mermaids in my clothes (alone like a boss) cause my paddle board was back in the apartment. If you go the paddle board/floaty route, probably try getting into the water off to the side of the party like mentioned above. Shore Patrol definitely will get you if you try and perch up too close. The Log Boom for the boats doesn’t allow paddlers to use it so don’t try unless the Blues have already started flying-then you might sneak up there.

Seward Park-specifically Andrew’s Bay: This is by far my favorite. What is normally a Yacht Party gets sectioned off by The Coast Guard and Shore Patrol for a potential crash landing zone. This allows for the entire Yacht Party side of Seward (the Seattle/west side) to have no one in the water. For two years straight, I brought a picnic and chairs and found a hole to perch up in (be careful of the underground bees nests). The Blues do their flying DIRECTLY in front of you compared to Genesee which is in the middle of the lake. If you go to the crowded spot, it’s still a better view. To get there, you have to walk pretty far. Bring a wagon for your stuff. Pack for the day. Seward is the jam.

On a boat: stay close to Seward on the east side by Mercer, not the Andrew’s Bay side. The Blues will fly over your head and LOW. I think I saw a Yacht Party closer to the left of the Hydro races and I-90 bridge; different from the Log Boom. This would also be a great spot to see the action from a boat. Of course, the Log Boom is designed for this, so if you were lucky enough to reserve a spot, I am jealous! (I don’t even have a boat).

Southport/Hyatt Regency Lake Washington: At the base of the lake, you have a view of Seattle’s skyline and a view of the Blues as they approach Genesee and fly around the south end of Mercer Island. They use the Boeing plant as a guide to turn and they will fly pretty close to the hotel. What you DON’T see are the two planes flying barely above the lake about to crash into each other before they don’t; you don’t see as many tricks. But you have about 3 restaurants and it’s pretty chill. For kids, there is a playground next door at Gene Coulon and you can rent paddle boards and kayaks (or bring your own). You can also dock your boat in many places and vibe out. I might live here :)

Bellevue Square: Go to the very top of the parking garage on the side with Nordstrom (I think it’s the north parking garage but it’s the one where employees park) and look towards the lake. You will get a decent view of them but not nearly as good as the others. Last year I got this video of them circling the buildings. I might work here :)

Not the Blue Angels, but part of the air show

Seahawks Training Camp/Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC)-If you get a chance to go to Training Camp during the Blue Angels either practice or Airshow, you are in luck cause you get to watch both the Hawks AND the Blues and that combo can’t be beat.

Boeing Field/King County Airport: I went here on Wednesday for their arrival. If you park at the end of the runway (by the no parking signs) by the military planes, be warned that your photos will NOT turn out if taken of the actual runway. The photos you take of the sky will! That’s all I will say about that….I would recommend going to the Museum of Flight. They are hosting a Jet Blast Bash Saturday and Sunday with up close views of the Blues taking off and landing. You get to tour the Museum of Flight and they have various activities planned. This is where I plan on going today-maybe I will see you!