I haven't been to this area of the beach in many years and I see it is still beautiful! I will go when I visit the Obama Center in a few more weeks. There is a fantastic pizza restaurant on 57th and Blackstone called MEDICI's. If you happen to be in the area, stop by or call in a takeout order for one of their delicious pizza's and I promise you, "They WILL NOT Disappoint!" read more

One of the beautiful beaches on the south-side. Very scenic with a bar that has hours it is usually open. This is my go to for the view and easy walkable trails. read more

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This is a smaller beach, but was ideal today for a chilly springtime hike. Facilities closed. We parked for free near Harold Washington Park, on a side street, and walked over the pedestrian bridge and along the trail towards 57th Street beach. There is sand, pebbles, a few big rocks and concrete slabs to climb. Dogs were playing catch with their owners. It was on the whole pretty clean, but there were some broken bottles and garbage to navigate. Beautiful city views. Quiet. Fresh air. Totally worth the drive to get to enjoy a tiny piece of Lake Michigan today! read more

57th Street Beach - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been going to this beach for half my life but after yesterday I will never return. The teenage lifeguards kept blowing their whistles when my son and I went out "to far". According to them, my preteen isn't allowed to go deeper than his waste even in a life vest and with me holding his hand. I repeatedly explained that the whistles were causing problems with my son's Autism, but they didn't care. They started blowing it more often deliberately setting him off. Multiple parents on the beach started to curse at and insult the lifeguards. Another Autism family decided to leave due to the behavior of the lifeguards also setting their son off. We moved further down the beach where there had been no life guards for the two hours we were there and suddenly a life guard decided to patrol this area for the first time all day. He stood right next to our blanket for two hours blowing the whistle pretty much in my son's ear. Then I was told that a simple blow up ring that my son needs for comfort wasn't allowed. I explained that he requires the device due to his disability and the head life guard told me he didn't care, it's the rules. I told him that the ADA trump's beach rules, but he again stated that he didn't care. So, instead of dealing with the adults openly drinking out of glass bottles or adults openly smoking weed right next to kids in the beach, they focused on harassing a preteen disabled child and his mother. The idea that a bunch of kids who haven't even finished puberty think they can tell a fifty year old woman how to parent is ridiculous. The fact that they are so immature that they deliberately and repeatedly triggered a disabled child is disgusting. And the fact that you can't go into the water further than being 24 inches deep is absurd to the point they might as well just close the beach. You can't swim in 24 inches of water. We left and went to Waterfall Glenn where my son was able to get into water up to his neck with me beside him. There were no life guards, a lot more people, and everyone was happy. Skip the beach and go to any public swimming pool or a suburban swimming area. read more

There was a wonderful show there on a beautiful day in such a pleasant atmosphere with really great people, an amazing outing.

I think it must be some kind of cruel and unusual punishment to write a review about basking in the sun and playing on the beach when it is currently 32 degrees outside. Last summer (2008) a group of friends + companion and I decided to enjoy the weather and go on a leisurely bicycle ride. Nobody in their right mind imagined it would turn into a 40 mile round trip trek. Our destination was the beach, 57th Street beach. And what a nice beach it was. Clean, sandy, supervised, and quiet. For such a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon it wasn't crowded at all. Not like all of the North-side beaches we bicycled past on the lake shore. We even got to see a whale of a woman, swimming on her lonesome and occasionally strutting out of the water to indulge herself with a slice of her little Cesar's pizza that she brought with. She would devour the slices of pizza as if she was being fed grapes by the Romans. Then head back in the water for some sexy splashing in the water and then again venturing out for another slice. Pretty awesome. read more

57th Street Beach - Featuring handiaccesible ramp for when you want to ride your wheelchair into the surf! - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Pros: Small beach, not super crowded on a Sunday afternoon Easy to get to restrooms Allows surf boards/boogie/body boards NORTH of the little jetty (and this is the only reason we went) Cons: Parking is a hike from the actual beach (on the other side of Lake Shore Dr) The sand is rocky The beach and water has quite a bit of litter The only reason we'll return is because this is only 1/2 beaches in Chicago that allow boogie boards. read more

I don't venture to Hyde Park too much, but after growing tired of pack beaches with obnoxious people I decided to go the road less traveled :) Glad I did! This beach was beautiful and you didn't feel crammed in like sardines. I went with a friend and we first took a walk along the lake across the jutting rocks. Then settled on a space on the beach to lay out in relax. Families were here, couples, singles,.....great mix of diverse people and a really good time. Not to mention the parking was free! There was also a stand that sold ice cream, pizza, and polish for a pretty reasonable price. If you want to do a more sit down resturant just take the underpass back over to where the parking is and there's a Bar Louie. Great location and I will be returning :) read more

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The beach was very well maintained. Very clean and had a serene surrounding. We came from the Museum of Science and Industry so it was a nice walk to the beach. The underground pathway was very convenient and clean as well. The atmosphere was different compared to the other hectic beaches in Chicago. read more

57th Street Beach - so serene - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice, clean, unpretentious beach located in a great spot in the city for outdoor activities- basically the southern tip of Promontory Point, just east of the Museum of Science and Industry and Hyde Park, just north of Jackson Park, and along the Lakefront Trail (the NICE part- unlike the other beaches on the northside). I appreciate the fact that they have a handicap ramp down to the water- which makes sence since there are a few retirement homes and hospital rehabilitation centers just on the other side of LSD from here. Also a very easy part of town to find a parking spot usually within a few blocks of the beach too (free!!!). One gripe I have is the on-duty life guards are a bit excessive with their lack of tolerance for water games like throwing balls or frisbees. I guess this prevents daily (possibly hourly) injuries from errant tosses- but still. Can't a guy get his frisbee on?!? read more

What's not to like...clean beach, clean water, bright sun, crowds were a minimum and they have bathrooms, showers, and a place to buy food. Went here today for the first time with my daughter. I had ridden my bike by here hundreds of times..we drove here, found parking within a five minute walk and had a picnic on the beach, played in the water, etc... lots of free fun and my daughter took a fantastic nap! read more

First thing, the pictures above don't really do this beach justice, You can't see in the photo but there is plenty of sand to lay out or build sand castles. Who doesn't love sandcastles!? This beach was such a lovely surprise, My boyfriend and I moved to Hyde Park in December, So as soon as weather permitted, we were checking out the lake front. We were quite surprised, Having previously lived in the Gold Coast, I was quite familiar with Oak Street and North Avenue Beach. 57th St. Beach in my opinion tops both beaches in some aspects. (Although this year they planted tons of palm trees at Oak Street making it nearly irresistible.) The walk to the beach is incredibly scenic, the neighborhood is beautiful, quiet, quaint and it is obvious that landscaping preservation is important to the neighborhood and parks. The tunnel that goes under Lake Shore Drive is the cleanest and largest I have ever seen. The tunnel at Oak St. and Ohio St. are quiet dirty and smell of Urine. When you arrive to beach, it is breathtaking and peaceful. Not a huge crowd like up north, It's much quieter here which gives it a more natural untouched feel even if the surrounding rocks are perfectly placed. The beach blends right into Promontory Point on the north side. A lot of places to sit or layout away from others, My boyfriend and I will come out in the evening as the sun sets to catch the cool breeze. We love it here. read more

I'm from FL, but I'm doing my best to write about 57th St beach relative to it's location and the alternatives. I LOVE summer in Chicago for so many reasons. Among those reasons, cold swims on a hot day in Lake Michigan. My favorite beach? 57th St Beach. It's much less crowded, just as beautiful as the other spots, has food and drinks at certain times of the day in summer, and has a nicer mix of people for my taste. It's families, students and other Hyde Park and Woodlawn community residents. I've always hated going to beaches where different groups seemed to be slightly segregated or where half-naked singles came to lay out in front of other half-naked singles. People on this beach are out having picnics while kids, teens AND adults are playing in the sand and in the water. Even the people laying out seem to be actually lounging and it really is as another reviewer put it "unpretentious." There are lifeguards around when it's open and it's always pretty clean. I used to sneak out here with friends, around midnight, in the summers when I was still in college nearby. I will never forget all those good times, and this beach will always hold a special place in my heart. The only cons I have apply to all the beaches in Chicago. The sand is more like yellow dirt (In Fort Lauderdale, beach sand would never stain and it has a totally different texture, like tiny ground rocks and sea shells), and the mosquitoes in this city bite SO HARD, so you have to be on your guard when you're lounging on any Chicago beach. I recommend bug spray. read more

+ Less crowded than the North Side beaches so finding a cozy spot on the sand is easier. Rocky cliffs near the water act as makeshift benches. Location is key with the beach blending into the Promontory Point area and near the Museum of Science and Industry. Plus, it's right off of the Lakeshore Trail so it's easily accessible by biking/walking. - It's not as scenic as some beaches when considering it doesn't have that same showstopping view of the classic city skyline. It's a little bit less polished in comparison to quality of concessions and bathrooms of the more popular beaches on Lakeshore. *Overall, I'd prefer this side of town for the beaches during the busy summer season when tourists overrun the area, and it gets a little too close for comfort in the North. read more

Wonderful beach, clear water, and a friendly crowd. A big plus is that the life guards are extremely attentive. Earlier today as I was leaving the beach I (unfortunately) stepped on a small piece of glass and tried to pick it out-- ironically slicing one of my fingers. I wobbled over to the bathroom to rinse out the cuts that continued to bleed profusely (oh no!) I applied pressure with some t-paper and was on the hunt for some band aids! I was approached by a man sent by the heavens (life-guard) who cleaned me up with all the works (disinfectant, Neosporin, and even some bandaids to go). Moral of the story: don't walk around barefoot on the concrete. Lifeguards here are awesome. 4 stars because I stepped on glass. But great beach overall! They even have a food stand!! read more

Right near the Museum of Science of Industry this beach is peaceful and offers an amazing view of the city's skyline. Usually not crowded, a good place to go for a walk or just chill. read more

57th Street Beach - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This beach is super chill, clean water and was not overcrowded. The bathroom was nearby and parking was inexpensive and not too far. Would definitely recommend read more

As an avid lover of water, the has to be one my favorite waterfronts in Chicago. I come to location often to meditate and reflect. As a person who enjoys the serenity. I just that you go earlier in the day. It is often very well maintained and free of trash. You often will see active Chicagoans running and bike along the path. You can always find some interesting events happen near by. read more

I visited this beach yesterday with my friends and family. We all live in Indianapolis, IN. and I'd say it was definitely worth the drive! We arrived around 10am and stayed until 6pm. Finding a place to park was a bit challenging, but we lucked out and found a spot within walking distance. The beach was nice and not at all crowded. The water was nice too, I just wish the lifeguards would allow more experienced swimmers to go farther out. The bathroom was just ok; not well lit and kind of small, but I'm glad they had one. There is also a concession stand with hot food and cold drinks, but they accept Cash Only. Our kids had a great time. The crowd grew heavier in the evening and I did smell KUSH in the air as we were leaving. Overall we had a great time and I would recommend this beach. read more

LOVE this beach. It's one of my favorite spots in the entire city. It's low key. It doesn't get too crowded. Great view of promontory point park .Do make sure you're wearing sandals if you're walking around/playing beach sports/doing more than laying on your towel because I've seen pieces of broken glass here and there. read more

57th Street Beach is admittedly tiny and completely under the radar of non-Hyde Parkers, but it is--probably because it's so unknown-- one of the nicest, calmest beaches I've been to in the city and the water seems to be exceptionally clean and clear. It can get a little crowded on hot weekend days, but at its worst it is still waaay more low-key than any of the other city beaches I've been to. Another nice thing about it is that Promontory Point juts out into the water and essentially cuts it off from the rest of the lake, which seems to block the gravel, trash, and seaweed that so often washes ashore at huge, wide-open beaches like Montrose Beach. There's also a cute little snack shop on the beach where you can get ice cream and cold drinks. read more

Clean beach, diverse cultures use it, landmark during a ride on Lake Shore Drive.

very peaceful place. Great for a date with your significant other. Awesome on summer nights

This is the best place in the city on a hot summer day because it's not as crowded as many of the other Chicago beaches. Plus its in hyde park and if there sre too many kids around, you can walk over to the point and avoid them! read more

This is just a great mellow beach to take a friend or date to hang out enjoy some sun, sand, and cool Lake Michigan waters. No party people, screaming brats, or yuppies, just good times. read more

This is the best beach I've been to in Chicago. Easy parking, not crowded, and clean. A great place to chill out in the city.

If North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach are too crowded for your liking, the 57th St Beach is a great alternative to consider. It is a smaller, much more peaceful and less crowded beach. The view is great--Promontory Point is 2 blocks north, and the view of downtown from a short distance is great. I prefer this beach when I need some alone time, and want to soak up the sun in peace and maybe read or nap! There is a cute snack bar there as well! read more

Very nice beach, its quieter than the other beaches and it's also next to different attractions in Hyde Park. Overall, a wonderful spot to hang out at. read more

not a big fan of the beach but this one was pretty clean compared to others. the sand is hella hot in the summer tho...burn the soles right off your feet! read more