Chicago’s allure extends beyond its skyscrapers, museums, and dining options. The lake that the Windy City is constructed upon is what transforms it into a realm of magic. 26 miles of picturesque beachfront with more than 20 free-to-access beaches may be found along its coasts.
On the sandy beaches of the city, there are activities available besides swimming and tanning. While swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty, beaches are open from 6 am to 11 night for anyone who want to jump in.
Here is our guide to Chicago’s top beaches you will not want to miss out.
1. Loyola Beach
Despite being near, this beach isn’t the farthest north. You’ll pass through Loyola Park just across from Rogers Park to reach the beach shoreline. In addition to a playground, the park has basketball and tennis facilities. There is a lighthouse and a natural dune habitat on the southernmost part of the beach, next to the breakwater.
2. Kathy Osterman Beach
Hollywood Beach is yet another name for it (right near Hollywood Avenue). Usually, the expansive beach here is more sedate. A Whole Foods is nearby the Morse Red Line stop if you’re taking the L and need last-minute munchies or supplies for a barbeque. Chicago Paddle Company rents out water sports gear if you desire a more active beach day. Where Edgewater Park meets the beach is also where the Lakefront Trail begins.
3. Montrose Beach
There are many things to do at this beach, which is connected to a sizable park across from Uptown. A boat harbor, golf course, skate park, and migratory bird refuge are all located in the park. The presence of a dog-friendly area is this beach’s main perk. The Dock is a seasonal beach bar that offers live music and burgers.
4. North Avenue Beach
Usually, there are a lot of young people on this beach, and many are playing portable speakers. Here is where you should go if you want heaps of energy. Running and biking enthusiasts zoom by on the route, DJs spin tunes from the Castaways Bar and Grill’s boat-shaped bar, and cabanas may be leased at Shore Club. The north end is quieter, and the farther south you go, the busier it gets. Many beaches have volleyball nets, but this one has a lot, therefore many leagues opt to play here all summer long.
5. Oak Street Beach
This beach is near to the city center and is across from the Gold Coast district. Dramatic high-rises encircle the sand on one side. On the other, a clear sky and the sapphire waters of Lake Michigan. It’s advisable to arrive early if you’re seeking for sun before it sets behind the buildings. A well-liked seasonal bar, Oak Street Food and Drink, brings in chairs facing the lake and fronds of a lush palm tree.
6. 12th Street Beach
Just south of Adler Planetarium, on the artificial Northerly Island, there lies this beach. There is parking and a bus route, but the closest L stop is 20 minutes away by foot. It’s far from the noise of the city and might feel a little more remote. The Roots, Phish, and Vampire Weekend are among the artists who perform at the Huntington Bank Pavillion during the summer.
7. Kathy Osterman Beach
Frequently referred to as Hollywood Beach, Kathy Osterman Beach is well-known for its summertime activities and attractions, bicycle parking, fishing pier, volleyball courts, shallow swimming areas, and status as the unofficial LGBTQ+ beach destination of the city.
8. 57th Street Beach
57th Street Beach is a great place to try non-motorized water sports like kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding. It is situated in Jackson Park south of Promontory Point and right next to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). The beach, which was created by Olmstead and Vaux for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, is accessible by an underpass; if you work up an appetite on the water, stop by Tasty Grill, which offers delicious Mexican food and other quick meals.
9. Ohio Street Beach
One of the beaches closest to Chicago’s downtown is Ohio Street Beach, which is situated immediately adjacent to Navy Pier and about 10 minutes south of the previously mentioned Oak Street Beach. Enjoy the city’s breathtaking views while swimming in the area’s cool, serene waters. The beach faces north, allowing you to swim up to the Oak Street Curve without straying too far from the safety of the seawall. You’ll see a mix of locals and tourists swimming here, with some treating the beach as a huge 800-meter swim lane.
10. Evanston Beaches
Five stunning beaches in Evanston, which is located directly north of Chicago, provide stunning southern views of the Chicago cityscape from each location. Most of these beaches have the ideal combination of ice cream and gastronomic concessions, making them great family vacation spots. One thing to keep in mind is that this is one of the few Chicago beaches where a season token or day permit is necessary to enter during operating hours.
11. Rainbow Beach
Visit Rainbow Beach, a 142-acre paradise with stunning views of the skyline from the South Side, for a true getaway from the daily grind. In addition, there are handball courts, a gym, a kids’ playground, and a nine-acre sand dune habitat there. The best part is that there is free Wi-Fi, so you can work directly from the sand if you want to. Visit the Rainbow Beach Victory Garden, one of the city’s oldest public gardens, before returning home.
12. Montrose Beach
A beautiful beach with a lot to offer, Montrose Shore is close to Uptown and has a butterfly and bird sanctuary that draws migratory birds just north of the beach. There are food concessions, volleyball courts, and kayak rentals available. You can learn or practice kiteboarding and kitesurfing here. Bring your dog to Montrose Dog Beach, which is the largest fenced-off area in the city and the first off-leash beach there. Fido can even wash off afterward so that he can return home smelling like soap rather of being coated in damp sand. With facilities like these, it’s understandable that both tourists and residents agree that this is Chicago’s best beach.
13. Foster Beach
Foster Beach is situated in the Edgewater district, north of Downtown Chicago, and makes a great vacation spot for both people and their four-legged companions. Although this length of sand isn’t quite as hip and crowded as Oak Street Beach or North Avenue Beach, it’s still a great option for those looking for a more sedate setting. It’s a terrific place for a BBQ or outdoor lunch by the sea because there are so many grassy picnic spaces there. Watch for the Chicago Full Moon Jam, a celebration of nature on the beach that features fire dancers, musicians, and drummers, among other artistic sorts.
14. South Shore Beach
South Shore Beach, which is located immediately above Rainbow Beach, offers a welcome break from the metropolis. It’s a component of the South Shore Cultural Center and is close to other entertaining attractions worth seeing, like a nine-hole golf course, solarium, sand dunes, and butterfly garden. Additionally, there is a beach house with facilities, showers, and a store where you may buy snacks and drinks for your day on the sand.