I love this beach so much! It's beautiful and clean, but just recently, they fenced up a few parts…read moreof the beach and now require payment for residents and non-residents AND when you leave one part of the paid beach to move to another part, you have to pay again! Which is absurd. I was also thinking about renting out a shelter for a party, but the park doesn't allow you to bring your own grill, doesn't allow alcohol, only provides you with two tables, and you have to still pay for parking and access to the beach. It all just seems like a money grab, which sucks because the beach was free to the public for so long! I know a lot of people are upset about the new rules. Aside from that, there is a park, tennis courts, and Fat Shallot, where they serve food and drinks. There is also a patio area to eat and drink, and outdoor showers. PARK ON MICHIGAN AVE and just walk down to avoid some fees!

A park and a beach is along the lake. Gillson Park is the best thing about Wilmette, and beats any…read moreof those overcrowded ones farther south. If you want to actually be able to walk on a beach and not feel crowded, then head up a ways. Be careful about where you park because you can find places for free. There's also plenty of green space for athletic fields. Gillson is a big park, and that makes it feel not as crowded. It has several different parts. There's the actual park with the grass and trees. It's often very quiet here. Where's all the people? At the beach. This beach is still less crowded than any of the Chicago beaches full of both locals and tourists. It has a nice little play area. The sand is pretty clear of debris for the most part. Also at this park is a big ass marina. There's lots of boats, and there's also a club you can join if you can pay up. However you spend time here, just be careful about parking or it may be costly. It has pay lots close to the beach but you can find free parking on the residential streets. They have certain places where you can't park though, so pay attention to signs and whatever.

I'm a CA native now living in the Midwest so miss the beach. I've been to Chicago many times but…read morenever thought about going to the beach. Last summer we finally went to Lake Michigan and was surprised that it looked just like the Pacific Ocean. The water was blue and clear (not like the muddy brown lakes of NE and IA). This year we decided to stay in Evanston instead of doing downtown Chiacago again. We went to Lighthouse Beach with our 6 year old and 3 year old. It was a great beach. There is a play ground by the beach, a parking lot, bathrooms, life guards, and lots of areas for shade if you want to stay out of the sun. It was beautiful and convenient. The only downside is that it costs $12 per person if you are a visitor. So for a family of 4...it gets pricey. But I guess that helps to keep the beaches nice. Def a beach to visit if you are in the Chicago area!

Grew up not far from there. Take the family there on occasion. Small, nice, and quiet. There is a…read moretucked away fire pit that can rented out and you can go there at night (no life guards then of course). You can take a cool stroll around the old light house as well.

Big park with a lot going on in and around. Dawes Park is one of the best things about Evanston. It…read morehas lots of facilities and green space. Can spend a few hours just chilling. There's also events and programs. A popular thing here is the beach. It's a park right next to the lake so of course it would have one. This isn't that good of one but the area is beautiful and there's some great views. Be sure to go to the pond in the middle. Seems to be the main centerpiece of the park. It also has a fountain. There's of course lots of athletic fields including for soccer. Also plenty of walking paths so you can get exercise. There's a snack window by the beach so you can get things like ice cream and junk. For sure it's a great place when the weather is warmer and you can hang around. It's located by the lake. There's lots of programs for children and families such as music and theater.

I recently walked through a variety of parks in Evanston and I think Dawes was my favorite. It's…read morealong the lakefront and provides access to the beach and amazing views. But there's also a gorgeous water fountain and seating to enjoy both the water and the park. Not to mention all the squirrels, ducks, and dogs everywhere. There was just a hustle and bustle from all creatures with this great park as a backdrop.

This is hands down, the best of all beach's in Chicago's Northshore…read more I went here just recently and am very satisfied with how nice and well maintained it is. people are very cautious during times like these and maintain a distance. There is a pier with an elevator and staircase to get to beach front, picnic tables on pier and balcony closer to beach front.

This visit to Evanston I didn't actually visit this beach, though I grew up in Evanston and thus…read morehave been to Lee Street Beach many times in my youth. This time, I visited the Lee Street Beach bathroom. Overall, it was a decent experience, but there were no lights on when I entered the building. It was pretty dim in there and I looked about for a light switch just as a sensor turned the lights on. I'd make an emergency stop here again.

I was passing through for the first time and had to stop to take a few pics. There's no sand. The…read morewater was calm. The park setting with trees, healthy grass that's well kept, and benches for relaxation. I'll have to come back with a picnic basket.

lol overly clean beach, lifeguards start at 11am and before then the flag is set to red. Watch for…read morethe flag change through the day to know whether it's too choppy or safe. There is a cafe onsite, it's great, lots of options. In the summer you definitely want to get here early if you need parking. Parking is all gone by around 10:30 on a nice day. It's very family friendly, and mostly it is families.

A really small park with a lovely beach and peninsula including a small lighthouse. Short walking…read moretrail around natural area. Mural wall to check out local art. Not much parking. There is a small paid lot and it's a but expensive.

I found this beach to be so-so. After parking on a residential street in Evanston (apparently, you…read morehave to pay to get into this beach), I found myself walking alone on a desolate beach with no one around me for at least half a mile. And this was in August. A good thing, maybe, yet I had to wonder what exactly was really going on. The beach itself is clean, yet there aren't many places where you can stop at a restroom or even wash the sand off of your feet (at least from what I've seen in my area). Plenty of boats, canoes and kayaks around, as well as a sort of community-type of building that hosts summer camp classes for kids. Overall, the beach on the lake is not terrible, yet it could be better.

I've never actually been to this beach on a warm day! But even on a "warm" December day, it was…read morestill pretty. I wish a few more of the restrooms were open as we were only able to find port-o-pottys. The grounds all seem to stay pretty clean, and most people pick up after their dogs which is much appreciated. It's better than the dirty Chicago lakeshore beaches that are closer to home!

I have been here many times. This time I decided to smoke a cigar and sit on the shore rocks. You…read morecan see the Chicago skyline long in the distance. There are really nice homes that are huge in this area almost reminds me of Kevin McAllister's home from, "Home Alone." The Park has plenty of benches and also a jogging path along the walkway. The only con about this place is that you need to be really careful walking in the grass because dog poop here are like land mines! *Kaboom*

#magic I love it here!…read moreMiles of biking, running or walking paths. Beautiful beach to run through the waves. A nice park to lay on a blanket. A hop, skip and jump to Northwestern. Watch the sunrise and a full moon come up over the water. My favorite meditation spot.