Hi! I'm planning a surprise trip for my husband, aviation enthusiast and its our anniversary. Never been and we're flying from Florida. From what I've read on threads, Green Lake is a good place to stay, and I found rooms at the Heidel House (not campers, at least this time). Is that a decent choice from a driving distance perspective?
Depends how much you like driving, but that's not a bad drive at all - In fact, it's an excellent drive because if you take 23 over to Ripon and then 44 the rest of the way up to Oshkosh, you'll be flying right under all of the arriving airplanes! Arrivals happen from about 7 AM - 2 PM and 6:30 PM - 8 PM each day. Do be aware that the car traffic flow is engineered to be from south to north, so you likely want to break off at Fisk Ave. and go straight east, coming in from the frontage road south of the airport. Like so:
https://goo.gl/maps/TySGDz6ojYq
As far as getting around, I know it's lots of walking. But I won't have any chairs etc nothing and I'm trying to determine if I should book the EAA members seated area, bring a blanket etc. I've seen posts about golf cart auctions, bikes etc. What are some tips for preparing for the day?
Most people sit on either blankets or camp chairs for the airshow part. Another thing you can do is go someplace like the Vintage Café on the grounds and eat and watch from there for a little while (don't hoard the tables for the entire show though).
I joined EAA so I can get insight into the events once they start to become posted to better plan for what to do while we're there. We've been to air shows before, nothing like this, so not entirely sure what to expect. Any suggestions on things to do that are there every year?
Plan your days. http://airventure.org/
There is not even close to enough time to do or see everything there in four days, or even the whole week. Hopefully you know your husband's interests a little more specifically than "Aviation" but here's a few tips I can think of:
1) Warbirds (north end of show grounds): There are many flying WWII military aircraft as well as some more recent ones from other conflicts (and other countries). The best time to see them is in the morning, since in the afternoon they're generally moving them in and out for the airshow and some will be out flying for that. Actually, right after lunch might be the best time, so that when they start firing them up for the airshow you can watch that part up close - Starting up a 1500+ horsepower engine with a big four-blade prop attached to it is pretty cool.
2) Airshow (show center): This happens every afternoon from about 2:30-6 depending on weather. Generally there are some aerobatic performers and some warbird displays. The show varies each day, with the later part of the week usually more warbird-heavy. Check the schedule and see what tickles your fancy - But don't feel like you have to see the airshow every day you're there, it can actually get old if you do! See parts of it or just do it a couple of days, unless he's really into the flying demos.
3) Vintage (south of center): Many many older civilian airplanes. Usually the oldest/most impressive will be closest to show center or just south of the ditch that runs south of the Theater in the Woods. Fun to look at.
4) Around sunset, the ultralight area will do a bunch of demos. This is kind of south and west of Vintage.
5) Night Airshow. This generally happens Wednesday night and Saturday night and starts around 8 PM when the field closes for arrivals and departures. It's much neater than the daytime airshow IMO, since it takes the regular airshow and adds lights, fireworks, and pyrotechnics! Definitely stick around for this.
6) Seaplane base. This is a good break from the hustle and bustle of the main airshow. You can pick up a bus either at the Bus Park or the far southern end of aircraft parking that'll take you to the seaplane base. There's not as much activity here, but it's definitely a neat thing to check out.
7) Air traffic control. If your husband is into ATC at all and you're going to head back to Green Lake for dinner one night, stop in Fisk on the way back - Look on Google Maps for "Fisk VFR Approach Control" - and you can watch the FAA controllers spotting planes with binoculars and talking to them on the radio as they fly overhead. The guys wearing the pink polo shirts there and on the show grounds are the air traffic controllers for the week, and it's pretty much their Super Bowl.
8) Leave some time to go through the exhibit hangars and the general display areas. It's quite a large area, and lots of things are geared towards those who are already own planes, but there's a lot of things to see. Go through and see what catches his eye at least!
9) Presentations. Check the schedule - There are tons to fit any aviation interest! Astronauts, pilots, homebuilders, you name it.
Hope this helps... And have fun!
But it sounds like she's already got rooms in Green Lake. 
