Always a joy to catch the sunrise here. Overlooking it when I lived here was such a pleasure and…read morereturning now it still has the same magic early on a crisp spring morning.

On of my absolute favorite beaches in Chicago! Oak Street…read moreBeach has a very nice skyline view of Chicago. It's easy to get there by car or bus or train. Also walking distance from the nearby hotels. Right off of Michigan Avenue. Love the sandy beach area! You can rent a chair and/or beach umbrella for a very reasonable fee. Or you can bring your own! There is a restaurant on the site, and a shack where you can get hot dogs and drinks. There was dj music on the restaurant patio in this August when I was there. I really loved this beach and I will definitely return when I come back to Chicago.

For sure this is one of the city's most popular beaches. It has the crowds to prove it. North…read moreAvenue Beach is what's along the shoreline in Lincoln Park. Has one of the biggest beach houses ever. The rest of the beach has plenty of fun options. A pretty big beach in area. It's also notable for what's on it. The beach house is shaped like an ocean liner. It has portholes and upper decks like a real boat. Lots of places to drink and eat. Castaways is the most popular place to do both. The first level has burgers and ice cream, and the rooftop has appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Also there's plenty of equipment rentals on the beach. You can rent bicycles, chairs, jet skis, volleyball courts, and wakeboards. Also sign up for the yoga classes. There's other food options including hot dogs and more. A long history about it. In the late 1930s a landfill extension was added to this area, becoming an improvement over a previous beach in this site. Completion was one of the many projects funded by the Works Progress Administration. The beach house was designed to look like a lake ship. Because over the years it deteriorated, it was replaced with a new one. This one has more room for more stuff. Certainly there's a lot going on at this beach. It's always crowded. This is popular for swimming, but there's plenty of bars and restaurants to throw up some shots, and eat some junk or whatever.

Chicago has 26 miles of beaches, yes you heard it right, 26 miles of beaches. when you hear…read moreChicago, you imagine the Chicago skyline with the river, and tall buildings, downtown but it also has a fab beach just north of the Mag mile (Michigan Avenue). North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular swimming spots in Chicago. it is a great one for families. Looking onto the water at North Avenue, this beach has it all. To the right is the city view we all know and love, The sandy beach has volleyball courts (like 100s of courts), plenty of space for visitors to stretch out, and multiple things to do nearby. It is a nice spot perfect for relaxing, biking, and running. the beach features a unique and popular beach house which has something for everyone and is permanently docked along this popular beach view from here is amazing and it's other side of the Chicago skyline (opposite to what you see from the Museum campus). John Hancock building dominates this skyline The parking fee is too much though. For 2 hours or less- it was $21 2-4 Hours = $28 Time: 7 AM- 11 PM Daily

Osterman Beach is my favorite beach in Chicago! Even on busy days. It never feels TOO crowded…read more People who frequent this beach are mostly locals or Loyola college students. It's a great beach for anyone: families, friends, dates. The sand is clean and lifeguards on duty in summer.

I recently was told Chicago is the 3rd coast and I see why after visiting this beach. I had visited…read moreChicago once before this visit and heard about beaches on the lake and assumed they were beaches, but nothing special! To my surprise I was wrong. Lake Michigan has a long coastline of Beaches all the way up to Wisconsin and they are filled with activities comparable to beaches in Florida. This beach is considered the "Gay Beach" however there are lots of other people/communities there. If you're in the LGBTQ community you will have a good time as there are other people to socialize with and meet. The beach is a bit north from other beaches in the city but not by much! I would definitely visit again. My only con is the beach needs more options to purchase food and drinks.

A swimmable beach right along side one of the country's most major cities?! This past Monday, while…read moreon a three day trip to Chicago, I had Montrose Beach at the top of my to-do list. I love how you can park so close, and for free! Even though it was winter, standing along the sand and watching the waves from a distance was just so darn peaceful. I can't wait to come back during the spring or the summer. I hear that there'll be plenty of people windsurfing, swimming and playing volleyball.

Certainly is one of the most popular places in summer for Chicago. It has a lot going on around…read morehere. Montrose Beach is located north of Lincoln Park. Amenities include bathrooms and concessions among just a few. This also has a dog beach and a bird sanctuary. Big ass beach. It's not like it's actually that big, but for around here it certainly is. The beach has a few ways to get around it, including an ADA accessible beach walk. Dogs have their own part of the beach. Even has a bar and grill you can walk up to and get something. Beach house is modeled after the one on North Avenue. It looks like a lake steamer. The amenities here include concessions, restrooms, and showers, but any good beach has these things. Also has kayak and volleyball rentals. South of here is a bird sanctuary. A lot of migrant birds come by in the spring and autumn. North of the regular beach is a beach just for dogs. Also distance swimming is available north of the boathouse. There's also a non-motorized boat launch. Has a lot of reasons to come whether swimming or something else. It's located between the avenue of the same name and Lawrence. The CTA buses on these streets have the routes extended to here in summer so getting here won't involve so much walking.

It's a short walk from the residential area, Uptown Chicago…read more The beach is not very big, but big enough to enjoy the views, relax on the sunny day on the sandy beach. Many people walk their dogs here, and I found very comfortable walking around with them. The area is well maintained, very clean! There is a restroom, change room, shower area on the side of the parking lot, not far from the beach. Parking is pretty much full in the season but off season there are plenty of spaces to find.

I can not believe it The beach lucks ok. But the rules are…read moreso stupid. I have a canoe and some inflatable platforms 40 square feet, not inflatable for children. I tried to launch my canoe in the lake, and I can't do. Because the low is stupid ones. If you have children I really recommended you to don't come in Foster beach. You are not able to come here to your inflatable product because you are not going in the water with anything inflatable. Sorry Chicago. You are the most worst beach i seen in my life

Best and most popular of the beaches on the South Side, lots of space and amenities. It also has a…read moregood view of the skyline. 31st Street Beach has a lot of history, both good and bad things. Has room for all kinds of activities and events. There's a beach house with bathrooms and concessions, and there's a picnic area and playground. Also known as Margaret T. Burroughs Beach. In 2015 there was a movement by public officials to rename it. This is the official name it seems. Most people still call it the old one. She was an artist, civic leader, historian, poet, and teacher. Also she founded The DuSable Museum Of African American History. The beach is within Burnham Park. In 1919 it was the site of what caused the race riots in the city. One of the African-American boys swimming accidentally went into the whites only section. The whites attacked him and he drowned, and in the aftermath there was chaos throughout. Has a lot of good features. It's pretty big and there's lots of room for partying or just hanging. There's also seeing the skyline and the views.

This was my first time visiting 31st Street beach and we stopped by from 10:00-12:30 on a lovely,…read moreovercast Sunday, on Father's Day. The water and the sandy part of the beach were clean, but be careful as there is a lot of litter and trash in the grassy areas. Upsetting that visitors just dump their trash! There are bins provided. We had a great time and even scored cheap parking in the lot, just $6 for 4 hours! We enjoyed pallettas from the popsicle trolley. There are restrooms provided. A great day.

The most beautiful calm part of the city…read more Come here to hang for a while and escape the hustle of city crowds You'll have a beautiful day guaranteed And please someone renovate that little beach shake That couple easily be done into a two level new hot spot for busy city socialites looking to unwind

A cool little beach close to the Navy Pier and roughly a ten minute walk from my River North hotel,…read morewhich was near the Grand Street Red Line stop. The water is a little chilly, even in August, but that's okay. The view makes up for it. Chairs are available to rent, but otherwise you'll need to bring any amenities with you - namely towels, sunscreen and snacks. I didn't see concessions, bathrooms or a changing area. I didn't see a lifeguard, either.

Getting beach ready! Not only myself (preparing for a summer beach vacation), but Rosewood Beach…read morerecently got a clean up and seemed ready for visitors. It's been awhile since I've updated my experience at Rosewood. This review is based on a recent walk I took to get some fresh air and much needed exercise. After parking the car in Downtown Ravinia and walking to Rosewood beach and back to the car (round trip about 1.3 miles), I noticed a bunch of beach updates that are worth mentioning. First of all, gear up, because the beach is open this year and you'll be able to swim! It's a private beach and not free, so you'll have to follow this link (https://www.pdhp.org/beaches/parking-2/) for resident and non-resident fees. This year you can purchase a swim pass and a parking decal. I entered via the dirt path that leads down to the beach so I could make my way back up the stairs for a good stair climb. The path was nicely cleaned up and breathtaking all on its own. Surrounded by lots of foliage and overlooking the ravine, I walked until I met up with the beach boardwalk. The boardwalk is all cleaned up and nicely refreshed. Looks like it did when it first opened! The beach sand is all freshened up and ready for summer. The play structures for kids are covered (but not sanitized). The best part? The steep, really-great-for-your-legs staircase now has handrails! This is such a huge plus for when you can't quite make it up and need to lean over a rail to hold yourself up (don't judge). It was a nice quiet walk, since the beach isn't actually open yet, but it will get crowded for certain. Parking lots have meters.

Amazing that I can walk here from my house. I am very lucky to live here. This beach is amazing,…read moreyou get great views of Chicago, Waukegan, and water. The recent remodel and rebuild are beautiful. It is nice and quiet her in the winter, all you hear are the waves, the wind, and your breath. Wait until spring!

Spent the last day of summer at Glencoe Beach and it was beautiful. It was off season so no life…read moreguard and the house with bathrooms wasn't open but they did have port o potties. Their regular season from Memorial day to labor day the beach costs and it's mainly from members on the weekend. But since it was the season it was free. It was decently crowded with everyone soaking up the last nice day. They have a playground for kids, plenty of shelters to rent for a party, volleyball net, a pier to walk along and place to rent boats, and paddle boats. The front of the beach is rocky and going into the water have to walk over rocks to get the sandy part of the water. But loved the water as it was clear and felt good to swim in. Very nice beach to relax on.

ALWAYS a good time at Glencoe Beach! The location is absolutely beautiful with clean, sandy shores…read moreand stunning views of Lake Michigan. It's perfect for swimming on a warm day. I loved how well-maintained the beach is, and everyone was so friendly! They also have grills and plenty of seating, making it great for picnics and gatherings. Plus, the surrounding neighborhood is gorgeous, adding to the overall charm of the area. Highly recommend for a fun, relaxing beach day!

Went here for a community event cleaning the beach of debris. We skirted the other wooded (grassy)…read morearea as well. It was in September and windy. I think during the summer it would be nice here and fairly large. Nice view of the north side of the city.

11/19/20 - REVIEW 998 Chicago's 18 mile Lakefront is stunning along w/the urban planning by Daniel…read moreBurnham's master plan to utilize the lakefront shoreline & make it accessible to the public. The 63rd Street Beach is just another outstanding example of this master plan. As I was walking south from Promontory Point there is a vast stretch of open paths for walking, running & biking extending in both directions north and south. As you near 63rd Ave there is a beach that extends to a building that I later found out is the Eric Hatchett Pavilion/63rd Avenue Beach House. This is part of The Chicago Park District but is currently closed to the public. As you approach there is a welcome sign to The 63rd Street Beach Natural Area. The approach to the 63rd street beach as you head south are paths lined w/prairie grass. The path leads to the lakefront and a breakwater/pier that extends out about 3/10 of a mile from the beach. It starts out perpendicular to the shore then halfway it bends at an obtuse angle. I walked to the end & was rewarded w/an awesome vantage point in any direction I looked. To the south you can see Promontory Point & the Chicago Skyline to the east the water intake & Indiana across Lake Mi. The west is the 63rd Avenue Beach, The Beach House & Jackson Park. This pier serves as a breakwater to mitigate the destructive power of the water. It was pretty brisk outside w/the wind blowing south to north @ about 20mph. I could see how strong the current was carrying out along the pier. If a person would go off the pier the current would carry them out into the lake. I really had to hang onto my phone tightly & step carefully because of the wind. This was a very cool experience walking the pier. Fortunately the waves weren't strong enough to wash up on the pier and besides the wind there wasn't any lake water washing up and over when I was out there. This is just another beautiful example of the development of Chicago's lakefront for public use.