Chicago's most popular beaches; Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, Ohio Street Beach, 31st Street Beach, Belmont Harbor and Montrose Beach.
When you think of Chicago, images of towering skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, and vibrant city life may come to mind. But did you know that this metropolis also boasts a stunning array of beaches? Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago's beaches offer a perfect oasis for locals and tourists alike, providing a refreshing escape from the urban hustle and bustle.
Chicago's Lakefront is a stunning stretch of parkland along Lake Michigan that spans 18 miles. It's home to numerous beaches, bike paths, parks, and cultural attractions. The Lakefront offers breathtaking views of the lake and the city skyline, making it a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
#1 Oak Street Beach
Oak Street Beach is a popular destination located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, Oak Street Beach offers breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline, sandy beaches, and a range of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The Whispers restaurant is a great spot to visit, dine, drink or get food to go. Oak Street Beach also has beach rental concession with lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent so no need to drag down your own chairs. You can also book a massage on the beach with Coups De Main Massage The beach is easily accessible by public transportation and is a walking distance from the Magnificent Mile shops and hotels. Oak Street Beech is also a great place to watch the Chicago Air & Water Show in August and the AVP Chicago Open in September.
#2 North Ave. Beach
Just one mile north from Oak Street Beach and across from Lincoln Park you will hit North Avenue Beach, a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. The beach offers plenty of things to do; swimming, sunbathing, beach chair rentals, beach volleyball, jet skis, and there are two great restaurants there; Castaways Bar & Grill, a beachfront restaurant and bar on top of the boat house, and the other restaurant is the Shore Club where you can enjoy unobstructed views of Lake Michigan while dining sitting in the outdoor patio or relaxing in a cabana at the Oasis. NAB is also home to the Chicago Air and Water Show.
#3 Ohio Street Beach
Ohio Street Beach is is a downtown hidden gem for locals and visitors seeking a peaceful beach experience. The closest beach to Navy Pier, this beach is special in many ways; it faces the north side of the lake, not east, it is a cozy beach, and a favorite spot for boaters to anchor in. There is a great beachside restaurant located there called Caffe Olivia and beach chair rentals are available as well. Ohio Beach is also where Chicago Triathletes like to train.
#4 Burroughs Beach AKA 31st Street Beach
Often referred to 31st Street Beach, Margaret T. Burroughs Beach offers visitors incredible views of the Chicago skyline from the south. Beach goers can find concessions and restrooms at the beach house. The Beach sits next 31st Street Harbor, a facility that offers 1,000 floating slips for 35-70-foot-long boats and space for boats up to 200 feet. Adjacent to the harbor, patrons can find an ADA-accessible playground, along with a “green roof” picnic area above an indoor parking garage that also functions as a winter boat storage area. A public fishing dock, community room, harbor store and offices are all available at this location. Pier 31 restaurant offers good food and great atmosphere.
#5 Where the dogs go
Chicago offers a wide variety of dog-friendly areas in the city, including two beaches that are designated for dog use; Belmont Harbor and Montrose beaches. Montrose Beach is a favorite for those with larger dogs, since it’s the beach with the most roaming area. You can locate the dog friendly area of Montrose beach at the Northwest corner, with fenced in space, it’s perfect for bigger dogs that can hold their own. Belmont Harbor Beach caters more towards smaller dogs, since it offers a smaller dog-friendly designated area. Water temperatures below 50 degrees can be dangerous for dogs so best to visit the beach in the summer!
Other ways to enjoy Chicago's Lakefront
If the beach sand and water doesn't agree with you, there are still good ways to enjoy Chicago's lakefront. Hop on a bike and explore 18 miles of lakefront trails, free of cars. You can rent a bike from Divvy or Bike & Roll at Navy Pier.
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