Lollapalooza's 4 Best VIP Viewing Areas In Chicago, Ranked

Dylan Kickham

I’ve become something of a Lollapalooza veteran these past few years, so I think it’s only fair for me to share the most important piece of intel about the Chicago festival: which viewing area is the best. If you’ve been to Lolla before, you know that the nine-stage fairground is filled with exclusive lounges, patios, and gated sections that all promise unparalleled views and vibes. But things can get very pricey, very quickly — so let’s get real about which Lolla packages are worth it, and which aren’t.

First, I want to clarify that a regular, non-updated GA ticket can sometimes be the best option, especially if you don’t mind standing and the rain and mud don’t faze you. In fact, I’d argue that the GA area is ideal for most of the smaller stages, which aren’t very close to any major VIP sections or lounges.

When I attended the festival this year, I choose to stand in the GA crowds to get much closer to smaller stage acts like Jade, Geese, and Audrey Hobert. Sure, the crowds can be a bit annoying, but it also feels like a much more authe...