The 24 best Chicago beaches
Play volleyball, catch a tan and splash in Lake Michigan all summer long at the best beaches in Chicago
Summertime in Chicago means one thing: Spending as much time as humanly possible out in the sun. While hanging on patios and hitting up summer music festivals are excellent choices, don’t forget about Chicago’s glorious beaches. With sandy lakefront hangouts dotting our city’s eastern boarder, you have no excuse not to throw on a suit and soak up the sun. They’re only open for about three months, after all, so hop to it!
1
Things to do
Oak Street Beach
One of Chicago's most popular places to sunbathe, this Gold Coast beach has volleyball tournaments, a restaurant and a spectacular view of the skyline.
Amenities: concessions, bike rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, bike rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Gold Coast
2
Things to do
Rainbow Beach and Park
Part of the 60-acre Rainbow Park, this South Side beach is adjacent to one of Chicago's oldest public gardens.
Amenities: concessions, playground, restrooms, life guard first aid station, wifi, gym, fitness center, handball courts
Amenities: concessions, playground, restrooms, life guard first aid station, wifi, gym, fitness center, handball courts
South Shore
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3
Things to do
North Avenue Beach
As one of Chicago's most popular summertime hangouts, North Avenue Beach features a unique beach house inspired by a beached ocean liner. Visitors can hit the volleyball courts, grab a snack or rent a bike. Be warned: North Ave is one of the busiest beaches in the city.
Amenities: concessions, lockers, kayak rentals, jet ski rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, lockers, kayak rentals, jet ski rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Lincoln Park
4
Things to do
Margaret T. Burroughs Beach
This South Side beach—known as 31st Street Beach before it was renamed in 2015 for Burroughs, the founder of the DuSable Museum who later became a Harold Washington appointee to the Park District Board of Commissioners—features amazing views of the Chicago skyline in addition to a harbor for small boats. A nearby park includes a picnic area and a public fishing dock.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, lockers, life guard first aid station, playground
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, lockers, life guard first aid station, playground
Bronzeville/Oakland
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5
Things to do
Osterman Beach
If your friends tell you they're going to Hollywood Beach, this is where they're headed. Located in Edgewater, Osterman Beach has a LEED-certified beach house. It's also (unofficially) the LGBTQ beach of Chicago.
Amenities: concessions, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station, Wi-Fi
Amenities: concessions, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station, Wi-Fi
Edgewater
6
Things to do
57th Street Beach
Located in Jackson Park, one of Chicago's oldest parks, 57th Street Beach is easily accessible via a pedestrian underpass near the Museum of Science and Industry.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, life guard first aid station
South Side
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7
Things to do
Oakwood Beach
One of Chicago's newest beaches, this South Side beach hosts many outdoor festivals and concerts like Mamby on the Beach. A beautiful, colorful mural by artist Jeff Zimmerman covers the walkway to the comfort station.
Amenities: restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: restrooms, life guard first aid station
Bronzeville/Oakland
8
Things to do
Foster Avenue Beach
This popular Edgewater beach offers a beach house with concessions and bike rentals in addition to an adjoining dog beach for everyone's favorite four-legged friends.
Amenities: restrooms, water sports rentals, bike rentals, free wifi, life guard first aid station
Amenities: restrooms, water sports rentals, bike rentals, free wifi, life guard first aid station
North Side
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9
Things to do
Montrose Beach
A fenced-off dog area at this popular Uptown beach provides a place for your pooch to run around. Elsewhere, visitors can play volleyball, sit under an umbrella or enjoy the free wifi. The beach is also a perfect habitat for water birds and endangered plant life.
Amenities: concessions, kayak rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, kayak rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Uptown
10
Things to do
South Shore Beach
As a part of the South Shore Cultural Center, this beach has something for everyone. A country club–esque beach house, golf course, tennis courts and nature sanctuary await visitors.
Amenities: restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: restrooms, life guard first aid station
South Side
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11
Things to do
12th Street Beach
Located on Northerly Island, this Near South Side beach is just a short walk from the Museum Campus and typically hosts an array of summer events.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, life guard first aid station, non-motorized boat launch
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, life guard first aid station, non-motorized boat launch
Museum Campus
12
Things to do
Ohio Street Beach
Located within walking distance of Navy Pier and sheltered by the curve of the shoreline, Ohio Street Beach offers calm waters for open water swimmers and amazing views of downtown.
Amenities: concessions, bike rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, bike rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Streeterville
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13
Things to do
63rd Street Beach
If you need a beach vacay but can't get away right this second, head to 63rd Street Beach and its beach house, where kids can kite-surf, use free volleyball equipment and go berserk in the interactive spray fountain.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, life guard first aid station
Woodlawn
14
Things to do
Helen Doria Beach
Helen Doria Beach (a.k.a. Columbia Beach) is one of Chicago's hidden gems. It offers great views of downtown without the crowds.
Amenities: lifeguard station, restrooms
Amenities: lifeguard station, restrooms
North Side
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15
Things to do
Rogers Beach
Avoid the throngs of students and head north to this out-of-the-way Rogers Park beach. If swimming isn't your thing, try a few rounds on the nearby tennis courts.
Amenities: life guard first aid station
Amenities: life guard first aid station
Rogers Park
16
Things to do
Calumet Beach
Located near the Indiana state line, Calumet Beach can be a bit of a trek from elsewhere in the city. The beach connects to a sprawling park that offers an artificial turf soccer field and fields for football and softball.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, lockers, playground, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, lockers, playground, life guard first aid station
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17
Things to do
Marion Mahony Griffin Beach
Escape from the crowds at this small Rogers Park beach, also known as Jarvis Beach, just a few blocks away from the Jarvis Red Line stop.
Amenities: life guard first aid station
Amenities: life guard first aid station
North Side
18
Things to do
Loyola Beach
This beach attracts college students and families and features Lynn Takata's "Windform," an abstract concrete sculpture representing the movement of water.
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, playground, life guard first aid station
Amenities: concessions, restrooms, playground, life guard first aid station
Rogers Park
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19
Things to do
Leone Beach
This Rogers Park beach has a kayak launch and plenty of sandy acres to enjoy. Don't be surprised if you see members of the Junior Lifeguard program training in the lake.
Amenities: playground, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Amenities: playground, restrooms, life guard first aid station
Rogers Park
20
Things to do
North Shore Beach
Another street-end beach near Loyola University, North Shore Beach is full of families and students sharing a relaxing environment. Catch some rays or take a walk out on the pier.
Amenities: none
Amenities: none
Rogers Park
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21
Things to do
Howard Beach
Situated next to a park, Howard Beach gives visitors the choice of soaking up rays on the sand or relaxing in the shade.
Amenities: playground
Amenities: playground
Rogers Park
22
Things to do
Juneway Terrace Beach
The Park District's northernmost beach gives visitors one more chance to swim before they leave the city limits. The half-block long sandbar doesn’t feature any amenities, but it’s a hidden gem.
Amenities: none
Amenities: none
Rogers Park
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23
Things to do
Lane Beach
This Edgewater beach is connected to a small park and just a short walk away from the much larger Osterman Beach to the south.
Amenities: playground
Amenities: playground
Edgewater
24
Things to do
Hartigan Beach
Formerly known as Albion Beach, this no-frills street-end beach is a great spot to catch some rays and enjoy the waters of Lake Michigan.
Amenities: playground
Amenities: playground
Rogers Park
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