Thunder Over the Boardwalk, the annual Atlantic City airshow, roars into town next Wednesday, August 25. In previous years, it has attracted up to a million people to watch the planes, parachuters and helicopters do their stunts over the ocean.

   The show is free, but if you want to go, there are several ways to enhance the experience.

   The best way to avoid the massive traffic jams into town Wednesday morning is to stay over Tuesday night. But unless you’re a bona fide whale, all the casino hotel rooms are probably taken by now. If you have a host, you might check to see if you can still get in.

   If you don’t have a room reservation, the earlier you get into town, the better off you’ll be. The show starts at 10 a.m., and by 9:30, the Atlantic City Expressway is not an express way at all: It’s a parking lot. So the early birds get into town with less hassle. You can also try coming in via Route 30 (White Horse Pike) or Route 40 (Black Horse Pike), but they’ll be crowded too. Expect to pay top dollar at the casino parking garages unless you’re an established player, but by 10 a.m., most of them will be full. Another parking option is at the old baseball stadium on Albany Avenue at the end of Route 40. They’re charging $10 to park for the day, and it includes a shuttle bus to the boardwalk.

   Finding a vantage point is another challenge. My favorite is the Diamond Club at Bally’s because it’s air conditioned, but you have to get there real early to get a seat by the windows. If you stay all day, don’t forget to leave your server a generous tip. The outdoor patio at the end of the Pier at Caesars is another good spot, but get there early, because it’s a popular one. If you’re a hotel guest at a casino or other boardwalk establishment, you can probably find a vantage point from inside. Or just find a spot on the beach to park your chair or blanket.

   Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, earplugs if the noise of the planes bothers you or your kids, water to drink, and food (unless you like standing in line).

   To avoid the mass exodus from of town when it’s all over, stop into a casino for some gambling or dinner, or check out the free concert on the boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza, in front of the old convention hall.

   And here’s another hint if you want to see the planes but don’t like the crowds. The pilots do a dry run on Tuesday, starting at around 10 a.m. You’ll see the same stunts, without the hooplah and without the mob scene.

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