The best attractions and things to do in Edgewater

If your friends tell you they're going to Hollywood Beach, this is where they're headed. Located at the northern end of Lake Shore Drive, Osterman Beach has a LEED-certified beach house. Amenities include concessions, watersports rentals, restrooms, a life guard first aid station and free wifi. Osterman is also Chicago's unofficial gay beach—though, perhaps the rainbow-painted breakwall makes it official.

Edgewater is lucky to be home to the Chicago Park District's largest indoor recreational facility. The massive, 87-year-old faciity was home to the National Guad for military purposes until 1998. Now, it houses five gynmasia, home to citywide sports leagues, a trapeze school, a gymnastics center and more.

Established in 1983, this non-Equity company is primarily known for its productions of mid- to late-20th-century chestnuts. Since 2002, Raven's made its home in this two-theater Edgewater space, a converted former grocery store; the complex's second space is regularly rented to itinerant troupes.

One of the earlier Park District beautification projects on the North Side, Berger Park Cultural Center is situated right on Lake Michigan. The center offers an array of arts and cultural programmming for people of all ages, and is available for rent for special events. The Waterfront Cafe is located on the same property.

Bryn Mawr Historic District is a patch of Edgewater chalk-full of gorgeous, early 20th century architecture, once home to the Chicago elite. The most recognizable building is the Edgewater Beach Apartments (built in 1928)—that giant pink building right along Lake Shore Drive. Other notable sites include the Bryn Mawr & Belle Shore Apartment Hotels (a Chicago landmark), the Manor House and the Renaissance (both on the National Register of Historic Places).

At the tip-top of Lincoln Park, Foster Beach is a favorite of humans and canines alike. In the summer months, people enjoy bike rentals and concessions at the comparatively low-key, family-friendly beach. The northeast end of the beach is a popular dog beach year-round.

Founded in 2001, Steep moved in 2008 from its former Lakeview shoebox to a slightly larger shoebox in Edgewater (capacity rose from 40 to 60). The new space is well-appointed, though, and provides the troupe much greater flexibility in staging the meaty, intense panoramas it favors.

Whether you're attending a service or admiring the architecture, Edgewater's St. Ita Catholic Church is worth seeing. The Neo-Gothic church was designed by Henry J. Schlacks and completed in 1927. With gorgeous stained glass and stone detailing, stop and marvel at this classic sturcture next time you're in Edgewater.

The Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is an award-winning, critcally acclaimed theater group dedicated to the work of women theater artists. The group moved into its current, full-time space in 2010, and offers free parking at the Senn High School parking lot.