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[title]Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley Ave (312-742-7554). Daily 7am–7pm, free.
In the last few years, this spot has gone from kid-swamped neighborhood watering hole to an urban professional’s hangout akin to a mellow country club. Head here for abundant lap swimming (requires a one-time $22 pass) and a roomy shallow end for wading.
People-watching Bucktown bikini-clad babes working on a tan and vintage bathing suit–wearing hipsters sneaking in shandies (chilled beer and lemonade concoctions)
Lay down a towel… anywhere but the diving area—it still attracts rug-rats deaf to the lifeguards’ pleas for “no running.” If the sliver of sunbathing cement fills, spread out in the outlying park.
Last swim Sept 7
Flick Park
3600 Glenview Rd (847-724-3337, glenviewparks.org). Daily 11:30am–9pm, $10.75; 6–9pm, $3. Discounts for Glenview residents.
This pool boasts two water slides, two drop slides, a one-meter diving board, a separate Olympic-sized lap pool, a water cannon game, a “tropical garden” play structure and a theme-park worth of bubblers and sprinklers. Plus, the concession stand offers items like Caesar salad and tuna steak. Oh, did we mention this is a public pool?
People-watching MILFs. As one TOC Mount Prospect–residing staffer put it, “Those ladies are way skinnier than in my town pool.”
Lay down a towel… at the adult-only area bordering the lap pool or the deck chairs covered by cabana-quality umbrellas.
Last swim Sun 23
Kathy Osterman Beach
W Hollywood Ave and N Lake Shore Dr (312-742-5121). 9:30am–7pm, free.
Largely known as Hollywood Beach, this Far North Side hangout is as gay as a handbag full of rainbows. A number of volleyball nets are scattered around the sandy beach for good sight lines of hard-bodied men.
People-watching Muscle-clad guys sporting pink thongs and fishnet G-strings
Lay down a towel… by the hot guy or gal you plan on eyeing for the next hour.
Last swim Sept 7
Promontory Point
5491 S Shore Dr (312-747-6620). 7am–9pm, free.
Whether you want to splash around or do some legit, lap-style swimming, the only thing between you and Lake Michigan is loads of submerged, slimy rocks you’ll have to scramble across to get to deep water. Hint: On the southeastern side of the peninsula, swimming pool–esque ladders have been attached to the rocks to facilitate your dip.
People-watching A smart mix of U. of C. students, baby-toting young professionals and we-do-this-every-weekend barbecuers
Lay down a towel… on a northerly-situated patch of grass for a fab view of the downtown skyline—just watch out for the Ultimate Frisbee–flinging students.
Last swim Sept 7