Best Beaches in Chicago

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 Ravenswood Chicago

From ‘90s up-and-coming neighborhood to today’s laid-back residential district, Ravenswood sits in Chicago’s North Side about 500 meters from Lake Michigan’s Montrose Beach. Often spoken about together with its Lincoln Square enclave, Ravenswood is well-connected by metro to the delights of downtown. You won’t find too many places to stay, but head in this direction and you will find a fantastic riverside area and a fine selection of places to eat and drink among cleverly repurposed historic structures dating from around the time of the Great Fire in 1871. Looking for things to do in Ravenswood Chicago? Here’s our guide to the area’s top attractions. Parks and gardens in Ravenswood Chicago With a name such as Ravenswood it’s fantastic to see that green spaces still play a significant part in life in the neighborhood. They comprise a mosaic of public gardens situated at each cardinal compass point. The smallest, on the eastern edge of Ravenswood, is Chase Park, a fun place to get a little physical activity since it contains an outdoor pool, tennis courts (which can be enjoyed from M Bakery) and a running track. Although it also contains an outdoor pool and tennis courts, River Park has a more natural appearance. Taking in North Shore Channel Trail and popular with dog owners, it occupies a beautiful part of the banks of the Chicago River. Welles Park has a historic bandstand-style gazebo, and an indoor pool. Just outside the official boundaries of Lincoln Square and Ravenswood, Rosehill Cemetery is a charming spot from which to take in some of Chicago’s history from a personal perspective. Dating from 1859, its 350 acres contains the graves of North Side residents spanning over 150 years, including soldiers who fought on both sides during the American Civil War. Down time in Ravenswood Whilst its parks and gardens are an awesome addition to the neighborhood, Ravenswood is really known for its post-work and weekend hangouts. Of a long list of places to shop, Ravenswood’s resident bookworms highly recommend The Book Cellar, whose welcoming vibes extend as far as an onsite café where you’ll find a range of sandwiches, soups and freshly-ground coffees. ENJOY, An Urban General Store is one of those treasure trove stores you can’t believe your luck in discovering, with shelves loaded with quirky gifts, cards and stationery. Meanwhile, the thrift store Village Discount Outlet’s humble exterior belies a constantly changing stock of one-of-a-kind second-hand items as kind on the budget as on the planet. When hunger makes its presence felt look no further than River Valley Farmer’s Table, whose mid-morning locally-sourced breakfasts are rapidly gaining legendary status. If you can’t find a spot at this farm-to-table restaurant and grocery store head instead to Pastores Brunch, one of a clutch of favorites on North Lincoln Avenue. For drinks, the Sixth makes for a classy cocktail bar with a cool urban feel. Decked out in black with yellow highlights, this LGBTQ+ friendly location has a bar menu encompassing not only the classics but some homegrown inventions too. Or there’s O’Shaughnessy’s Public House, taking the stereotypical Irish bar to new places and Wolcott Tap, whose atmosphere is second to none and beer list one of the best in town. Things to do in Ravenswood Saved from demolition by community pressure, the Davis Theater has been entertaining Ravenswood with first-run movie screenings for over 100 years. The longest continuously operated movie theater in Chicago, its matinee screenings are particularly good value. Elsewhere, the stage at Chicago Magic Lounge always seems set for slight of hand par excellence, whilst its speakeasy style harks back to the dark days of gangland feuds between Al Capone and Bugs Moran – culminating in the St Valentine’s Day Massacre. It may not be the Field Museum, but the Swedish American Museum does a good job of detailing the influence of Swedish immigrants to the Ravenswood area. Alongside its royal seal of approval – King Carl XVI Gustaf attended its opening ceremony – its collection includes personal objects, paintings and stories. Similarly, the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center aims to preserve the unique cultural contribution of German immigrants through a series of rotating displays and temporary exhibitions from German artists. Not to be missed in Ravenswood The heart of Ravenswood and Lincoln Square is Giddings Plaza, a pedestrianized road of just 20 meters or so. What it lacks in size it makes up for in community spirit, being the place to head to meet up with friends before delving into one of the small boutique stores that surround it. During the festive season it’s the location of a large Christmas tree and the sound of live music often drifts away from it in the warmer months thanks to a summer concert season. Lillstreet Gallery is more gift store than art center these days, though it’s still one of the best places in northern Chicago to check out the work of the next generation of makers – and help them on their way to success with a small purchase. With your help, their work could one day make it into the hallowed halls of the Museum of Contemporary Art, alongside Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. To peruse another form of art – the skill involved in the production of whiskies and other spirits – look no further than Koval Distillery’s regular tours. Heading behind the scenes of the first distillery to set up shop in Chicago since before the prohibition era, you’ll get insight into the grain-to-bottle ethos and the chance to sample some of the resulting award-winning concoctions. Make your money go further Just a small part of the North Side, there are still plenty of things to do in Ravenswood Chicago. Alongside Lincoln Square, this neighborhood provides a contrast to the bustle of the Magnificent Mile downtown. Whether you arrive by metro, Uber or rental bike, be sure to travel with Go City. Our passes are a simple way to save on trips to Chicago and cities worldwide, giving incredible savings on admission to many of the top attractions around.
Ian Packham
A mother and child check out a Chicago museum exhibit
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What are the best museums in Chicago and why?

A major cultural hub, Chicago won’t let you down when it comes to its museums. Lovers of nature documentaries need look no further than the Field Museum or Shedd Aquarium, with Chicago Botanic Garden and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum completing this section of the best museums in Chicago. Art lovers have their pick of the masterpieces with the Art Institute of Chicago joining the Museum of Contemporary Art and Streeterville’s independent art spaces to total more galleries than anywhere outside of New York. Architecture buffs are spoilt for choice too, with Chicago the birthplace of the skyscraper and home to master designer Frank Lloyd Wright, adding further to the list. Then there’s the awesome range of children’s and family museums. If all these options have your head in a spin, take a look at our pick of the best museums in Chicago. The best natural history museums in Chicago One of the world’s best natural history collections, the Field Museum could have you enthralled for days, though even a couple of hours is enough to take in the highlights, from the impossible-to-miss titanosaur skeleton – the largest dinosaur remains ever discovered at 122 feet long and 28 ft high – to some of the tiniest creatures to ever walk the Earth. Shedd Aquarium just next door fulfils a similar role for the world’s marine habitats. Blending its 1930s origins with state-of-the-art displays, its tanks and vivariums are awash with the color of the oceans. The warm tropical waters of the Caribbean’s reefs are celebrated just as much as the cool waters of the Pacific northwest and the Great Lakes. Between May and September visitors can feel the rough skin of rays in the touch tank, whilst all year round sea turtles, sharks, beluga whales and jellyfish are sure to entertain. The award-winning Chicago Botanic Garden actually comprises 25 different display gardens within four habitats. A ‘living museum’ and conservation center, more than a million visitors pass through its turnstiles in an average year, taking in its six miles of lake shoreline and nine islands. These range from the naturalistic form of the English Garden to the perfectly-manicured planting of the Japanese Garden. Part of Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum focusses on the flora and fauna of the Chicago region, however its butterfly house contains a mix of 200 different types of native and exotic butterflies. The best art museums in Chicago Guarded by its famous bronze lions, few museums can match the sheer size of the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. Tucked into the green spaces of downtown, its 300,000 objects include a collection of impressionist artworks rivaling the Musée d’Orsay in Paris with six of Claude Monet’s waterlily paintings and Vincent van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles. More modern works include those by Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper and Andy Warhol. Hot on its tails is the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, which focuses on works from the later twentieth century and early twenty-first. Although only founded in 1967, the MCA has a reputation of spotting the hottest new talent through its series of curated exhibitions. Meaning there’s always something new to see, keep an eye out for Jeff Koons’ Rabbit and Magritte’s The Wonders of Nature dotted about the incredible modern architecture. Chicago also has an impressive number of smaller galleries, represented perfectly by Hyde Park Art Center and the Woman Made Gallery. However, it’s no exaggeration to say Chicago has dozens of independent galleries, with the Streeterville neighborhood the best place to head for art lovers. The best architecture museums in Chicago One of the most architecturally innovative cities in America, Chicago saw the construction of the first steel-framed skyscraper, was home to leading light Frank Lloyd Wright and the once-tallest building in the world. That first skyscraper – the ten-story Home Insurance Building – is now long gone. It was demolished in 1931. However, there remain several examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique ‘organic architecture’ which aimed to unite man and the environment, doing away with internal walls to allow light to flood into his structures. His home and studio of ten years stands as it did in 1909, with guided tours providing an insight into his way of working and raising his six children. Not far away you’ll also find Robie House, one of just a handful of homes designed by Wright which are open to the public. Chicago Architecture Center’s Chicago Gallery helps reveal how the city became such an architectural wonderland, with its 3D city model featuring over 4000 individual structures. But one of the best places to take in the skyline is from one of its tallest structures. The Willis Tower may have lost its crown as the tallest building in the world, but remains an impressive place to take in the views all the same. The best children’s museums in Chicago If you’re traveling as a family, Chicago won’t let you down. It has a fine pick of child-friendly museums, which are frankly still unmissable even without a youngster in tow. The obvious place to start is the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. Suitable for little ones of all ages, this hands-on exploration space has plenty to keep the kids entertained, from an art studio to zones specially created for safe play. The Museum of Science and Industry may not sound the most exciting of places, but this is a situation when names can be deceiving. Where else could you find a functioning model of your heart, explore a captured World War Two submarine or discover the future of energy? With three levels of exhibition space, you won’t be disappointed. But to head beyond Earth, would-be astronauts will need to lock on to the Adler Planetarium. Another must-see museum in Chicago, there’s three full-sized auditoriums to choose between hosting various shows, as well as important artefacts including the Gemini 12 space capsule and antique scientific instruments that demonstrate how our understanding of space has changed over the ages. Save when visiting Chicago’s best museums With such an array of stunning museums, costs can soon mount up. However, travel with Go City and this never becomes a problem. Our passes include incredible savings on many of the best museums in Chicago in addition to a wide-range of other attractions you won’t want to miss.
Ian Packham

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