Best Beaches in Chicago

By Dom Bewley
Best Beaches in Chicago

If you're looking for the best beaches in Chicago, check out our picks of the best sandy spots in the city and make the most of your summer visit!

Including:

  • Does Chicago have nice beaches?
  • Are Chicago beaches swimmable?
  • Is Chicago beach warm?
  • The best beaches in Chicago
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Does Chicago have nice beaches?

It certainly does; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to write this blog! Chicago boasts 26 miles of picturesque lakefront, adorned with a plethora of public parks and gardens. Additionally, there's an 18-mile Lakefront Trail, along with over two dozen free beaches accessible to the public during the summer. Don't worry - we'll talk about them more down below.

Are Chicago beaches swimmable?

Indeed, they are, but you're better off doing it in the on-season, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For those of you visiting Chicago from outside the U.S., that means the end of May to the beginning of September. Sadly, the waters outside of this period may be too cold to swim in, so plan accordingly.

It's also worth noting that, legally, you can only swim in Chicago's oceans when a lifeguard is present due to the winds and choppy waters. They don't call it the Windy City for nothing!

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Is Chicago beach warm?

In peak summer, beaches in Chicago frequently hit 80°F, so head there in the off-season, and you'll enjoy the best temperatures on offer.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: Oak Street Beach

Among the city's most frequented beaches, Oak Street Beach stands out as not only a favorite but also incredibly accessible from downtown. It's also located just a stone's throw away from Chicago's renowned Magnificent Mile, which houses prestigious Michigan Avenue hotels, upscale boutiques, and top-notch restaurants. Perfect if you need a bite to eat or a shopping spree mid-lounge.

This beach offers a wide array of amenities, too, including free Wi-Fi, volleyball courts, bike and chair rentals, restrooms, and even places to buy snacks and drinks.

Stake out your place in the sandy expanse and relish in the splendid vistas of the iconic Drake Hotel and other renowned landmarks.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: North Avenue Beach

North Avenue Beach, nestled in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, is universally adored by both locals and tourists. Look out for its distinctive two-story beach house, adorned in a nautical white-and-blue motif, and you'll know you're in the right place. Inside, you'll find a bar and grill, as well as restrooms and changing facilities.

This beach itself offers myriad amenities and activities, with Wi-Fi, bike, kayak, paddleboard, and Jetskis rentals, yoga, lounge chair and umbrella rentals, beach volleyball courts, a variety of food and drink offerings, and a selection of retail vendors. That's a lot of fun to be had!

Nearby, you'll find a bounty of trendy restaurants and bars, along with top-tier city attractions, including the renowned Lincoln Park Zoo and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, ensuring a diverse array of entertainment options in the vicinity.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: Montrose Beach

Montrose Beach is Chicago's biggest beach, so if you're worried about towel space, you know where to go. It also has two unique features that set it apart from many of Chicago's other beaches, that being an enclosed dog beach to the north, and Montrose Beach Bird Sanctuary to the south.

But enough about animals, what about us humble humans? Well, it has all the amenities typical of Chicago's generous beaches, including free Wi-Fi, watersports and beach activity rentals, places to eat and drink, and even a dog-friendly dining patio, so your canine companion needn't miss out. If you don't fancy eating in, Montrose Beach also has plenty of grassy knolls where you can spark up a barbecue. And kiteboarders, rejoice! Montrose Beach is the only place in Chicago where you can legally get your kiteboarding on. Why? Who knows.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: Kathy Osterman Beach

Named after the late Kathy Osterman, a former city leader and political activist who advocated for beach development and gay rights in the 1980s, Kathy Osterman Beach is - understandably - a prime meet-up spot for Chicago's spirited LGBTQ+ community.

But that doesn't mean it's party central. In fact, Kathy Osterman Beach is one of the calmer, quieter beaches in the city. Bird lovers will also appreciate that the beach's natural dunes draw both migrating and residential shorebirds to its shores.

For people, you have the usual amenities, as well as specified picnic areas for bring-you-own enjoyers, and prime fishing spots for the reelers out there.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is one of the city's oldest sandy spots, named after the 42nd Rainbow Division of the U.S. Army, which valiantly served during World War I. So, that's the history - what about the beach itself?

Well, to the south, you'll find the Rainbow Beach Dunes Natural Area. What is it with Chicago and natural dunes? It must be the wind. Anyway, it's another great spot to see birds and other wildlife frolicking about. Activity-wise, there's a children's playground, community gardens to wander, picnic and barbecue spots, and the never-elusive beach Wi-Fi.

You'll also find some of the most spectacular views of Chicago's skyline from Rainbow Beach, so make sure to take some snaps.

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Best Beaches in Chicago: Foster Beach

And finally, nestled along Chicago's picturesque lakefront in the charming Edgewater neighborhood, you'll find Foster Beach. A favorite for families, it's the perfect place to plop your little ones on the sand and let them run riot. Shallow waters, tons of space, and even a kid-friendly pool area ensure they'll have the time of their little lives.

For us adults, a plethora of volleyball courts beckon, with would-be ball smackers welcome to join existing games or set up their own. You've also got the usual food and drink affair, with ice-cold drinks and ice creams sure to cool you down on the hotter summer days.

Or if your feelings for sand mirror Anakin Skywalker, nearby Foster Avenue Beach Park offers lush green spaces, inviting picnic areas, and scenic walking paths. And for those with four-legged companions, you'll be pleased to know they're also welcome.

And those were our picks of the best beaches in Chicago! If you're looking for less-sandy activities to enjoy during your stay in the Windy City, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits for one low price!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Chicago for Christmas

Christkindlmarkets, snow-covered streets and stunning seasonal light displays means we’ve probably already successfully answered the question ‘should I visit Chicago in December?’. Filled to brimming with festive fun and events unique to the most wonderful time of year, Christmas in Chicago is a period that will bring a smile to the faces of all but the grinchiest of grinches. Looking for things to do in Chicago at Christmas? Look no further than this round up of the very best! What to expect from Christmas in Chicago Part of what makes the city such a fantastic December destination is Chicago’s Christmas weather. Snowy and cold, it’s exactly what many of us want – and expect – from the festive season. Daytime temperatures aren’t all that different to what Santa’s elves will be used to at his North Pole workshop, with highs of 35°F. They regularly drop below freezing by night to averages of 23°F. Clearly, you’re going to want to ensure you’ve packed your woolens. On the plus side, December is the second-driest month of the Chicago year, with just a couple of inches of rain – and up to eight inches of snow. Skies are largely clear, making days sunny and crisp. Another part of what makes Christmas in Chicago so special is the city’s collection of long-held seasonal traditions, discussed in more detail below. Brighten the winter nights with Chicago’s seasonal lights You don’t have to look far in central Chicago to get your fill of Christmas lights once the sun has set over the shores of Lake Michigan. In addition to its Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure rides, Lincoln Park Zoo sparkles with over 2.5 million bulbs, incorporating several scenes that move to music. Head south from the zoo and you’ll soon end up on the Magnificent (or Mag) Mile, which is a blaze of lights adorned to its trees from an impressive switch on festival in the last week of November right through until New Year. Millennium Park in the Loop – part of Downtown Chicago – has been the location of the city’s official Christmas tree since 2015, although the tradition goes back more than 100 years. However, it has to compete for attention with the avant-garde lighting installations that appear at Chicago Botanic Garden at about the same time. The nearby Daley Plaza hosts a Menorah lighting at the start of December – complete with donuts – for anyone celebrating Hanukkah. Grab your chance to do some last minute shopping Daley Plaza is also one of Chicago’s top seasonal shopping locations since it’s home to the city’s German-style Christkindlmarket. Visitors are free to peruse the selection of local sellers, whose stalls are packed with decorations, clothing accessories and their fair share of sweet treats and mulled wine – rather than the Chicago-style pizza you might plumb for at other times of year. The Bridgeport Art Center’s Renegade Craft Fair is another bastion of independent sellers, with around 250 displaying their wares, which range from bespoke pieces of jewelry to stylish household items sure to add a little je ne sais quoi to your abode. Keep your ear to the ground from the end of November, and it’s more than likely you’ll also hear word of the large number of pop-up one day or weekend markets taking place in and around attractions right across the city. Don’t forget about the city’s all-year shopping options in all the excitement of the season. If just one destination is worth mentioning it’s the Magnificent Mile, defined as Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and Michigan Avenue Bridge. Whatever your budget, you’ll find something to suit here, from well-known department stores to luxury brands Burberry and Tiffany & Co. There’s also a branch of Macy’s at Water Tower Place, although many prefer the holiday windows of the historic Macy’s store on State Street. Show off your skills on the ice The start of winter sees a number of free ice rinks appear in the city, including not one but two within proximity to Millennium Park. The first is the McCormick Tribune ice rink nestled beside the steamy windows of the Park Grill restaurant and the stainless-steel Anish Kapoor sculpture known as ‘the bean’ but officially called Cloud Gate at the heart of AT&T Plaza. The second is Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon next door. A sort of wide skating track, it winds its way through the park with its backdrop of downtown skyscrapers, past snowy pine trees and outdoor climbing walls awaiting the warmer weather. But if ‘the bean’ has you yearning to discover more of the city’s art, look no further than the Museum of Contemporary Art, whose permanent collection includes around 2,500 individual works by twentieth century greats including Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. Take in the exhibitions and shows Many of the city’s other museums also get into the holiday spirit. The Museum of Science and Industry – whose rather staid name is contrasted by the hands-on modern attractions within – hosts their annual Christmas Around the World exhibition, which now also includes the winter celebrations of non-Christian cultures from Diwali’s birthplace of India to China’s Spring Festival commemorations. Christmas shows in Chicago are also a big part of the scene in December in the city. One of the biggest hubs for theater in the US outside of New York’s Broadway, companies big and small go all out to wow their audiences, whether that’s through Christmas classics such as performances of A Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker, or newly written plays that will tug at the heartstrings. If people watching is more your thing, and the wintry streets don’t provide the opportunity, you could do far worse than head to nightspots of North Clark Street such as Simon’s Tavern. Often voted as the city’s best bar, it has been serving up tots of its signature glogg (mulled wine) for nine decades. Save on Christmas in Chicago When it comes to winter wonderlands, the US doesn’t get much better than Christmas in Chicago. And when it comes to making the most of your time – and budget – in the city, things don’t get better than Go City. Offering up great discounts on many of the city’s top attractions even over the festive season, travel with Go City and you can save big on entry to attractions you were planning to visit anyway. Now that’s a Christmas gift everyone would surely love to receive!
Ian Packham
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What to do in Chicago during summer vacation

From lakefront cruises and Navy Pier fireworks to outdoor concerts, beach days and neighborhood festivals, build your dream Chicago summer vacation here.
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Top things to do in Chicago for birthdays

A birthday is a great excuse to push the boat out and treat yourself to something beyond the everyday. When it comes to things to do in Chicago for birthdays you’re not limited to a night out in a speakeasy-style bar or a smart restaurant – although both are excellent options for sharing the special day with friends and family. In fact, the windy city is a breeze when it comes to finding unique ways to mark a birthday. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at our pick of the crop! Spend your birthday on the beach Because of the city’s location on the western shores of Lake Michigan, summer babies can spend the day on the sands of any of Chicago’s beaches. For atmosphere, head to North Avenue Beach, one of the most popular. Decked out with volleyball courts, jet ski and other water sports rentals and even WiFi, there’s something for everyone. A short walk from the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street Beach is generally a little more laid back, although still provides the chance to try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or canoeing from its northern end once you’ve soaked up enough of the sun from the yellow-orange sand. For the ultimate in tranquility, consider heading to Promontory Point in Burnham Park instead, where the sand is replaced with stepped limestone blocks and plenty of opportunity for a picnic. But don’t do away with your swimwear if you celebrate your birthday during the winter months. Simply switch the beach for one of the city’s top spas. Lounge by a temperature-controlled indoor pool whilst cocktails I brought to you, feel rejuvenated with a full body massage, or soak in a wine bath – the antioxidants are said to be kind to the skin. Celebrate with a glass in hand If bathing in the stuff seems like a waste, you’re in luck – the nearest vineyards are just a few miles out of the city. Stripped free of snobbery, the Valentino Vineyards manage to cram 20 different varieties of grape into their 20 acres roughly 30 minutes’ drive from downtown. Their tasting room becomes a hive of activity during the summer months, hosting tastings of their award-winning vintages, tours of the vineyard and seminars for anyone keen to learn a little more. Sticking firmly downtown, on clear evenings the city’s rooftop bars are other ways to celebrate your birthday in Chicago. Perched on top of the buildings of Navy Pier beside Centennial Wheel, Offshore Rooftop & Bar has entered the record books as the largest rooftop bar in the world. Thanks to a retractable roof, its third-story views of Lake Michigan can be enjoyed for birthdays at any time of year. If you’re after a space that’s a little more intimate, head to upmarket Homestead on the Roof in West Town whose food menu is as good as its cocktail list. Alternatively, take the elevator as far as it will go in your hotel – it’s more than likely any downtown stay has its own rooftop perch. Party with a view The Chicago skyline is difficult to tire of and fun things to do for a birthday in Chicago include taking in the city from its tallest buildings. Once the tallest building on Earth, and still one of its loftiest, the Willis Tower contains Chicago’s highest vantage point without recourse to a parachute or helicopter – the Skydeck. Over 1300 feet up on the 103rd floor, sunset is the prime time to visit. To make things extra special, the 99th floor contains a second space with the same panoramic views of the city that can be hired out for private events. The Skydeck isn’t the only fun thing to do for a birthday in Chicago where you’ll find personalized treatment. Head back to Navy Pier and you can step aboard the Centennial Wheel’s VIP gondola. Its plush interior has enough seating for four, ideal for smaller gatherings. If our previous mention of helicopters piqued your interest, you’ve got various options for taking to the air. Most operators hover around the skyscrapers of downtown before skirting the lakeshore on a flight that will leave you enthralled, mildly terrified or a bit of both. Dine in style Back on the ground, Chicago has plenty of places to treat the taste buds. Going all out, there’s somewhere in the region of 20 Michelin-star restaurants adorning the Near North and Near West Side neighborhoods alongside Lincoln Square, South Loop and Chinatown. Top billing goes to two star Moody Tongue, pairing a seasonal tasting menu with their very own beers, whilst Spiaggia has brought the culinary world’s top award to Italian cuisine for more than a decade. In addition to cuisine which passes muster for the Michelin team, Chinatown has spots turning out incredible flavors without breaking the bank, whether it’s the chili heat of Szechwan, crunch of deep-fried dim sum or freshly-baked barbecue pork buns that take your fancy. Elsewhere in the city, those looking for a relaxed approach to dining might want to combine it with a couple of hours of fun at a bowling alley – both family-friendly and weatherproof options for things to do on your birthday in Chicago. Go City does the hard work so you have a birthday to remember Birthdays don’t come cheap, unless of course you’re in Chicago with Go City. We give visitors to the world’s top cities huge savings on admission to top attractions, including many of the things to do in Chicago for birthdays we’ve mentioned in this post. Not only is taking advantage of this reduced attraction admission incredibly easy, but you’ll generally get to skip the ticket line and keep much of the flexibility that’s important when on vacation. Not sure where to start? Follow @GoCity on Facebook and Instagram for what’s hot and what’s not right around the globe!
Ian Packham

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