What a GREAT lake.....haha. After a few beers at neighborhood Chicago bars, we headed over to Lake Michigan for a long walk. It's beautiful! We were right off Lincoln Park, and there were lots of people out enjoying Lake Michigan. I'm not sure if the walkway we used along the lake was a part of Lincoln Park, but it was really nice. Perfectly paved for walking, running, or biking. The last time I was in this spot, it was cold and rainy. This early August evening was perfect! We walked around for about an hour and were ready for dinner. Will definitely visit Lake Michigan again. read more

Lake Michigan - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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still a 5 Star attraction, no matter where you dip your toes in or float upon our Great Lakes are amazing. read more

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I absolutely LOVE Lake Michigan! I love that it has a path for walkers, runners, bike riders, etc. That it is free and open to the public at all times. That there are green spaces and stoop areas to picnic. That the beaches and sand are stellar. That the City of Chicago cares enough to allow EVERYONE to enjoy this sacred space and that development and private ownership of this area is prohibited by corporate entities or private individuals. I took my first swim in 2018 at Oak Street Beach and it was delightful-but reminded me how enormous and powerful it can be... FINALLY-I like the fact that you do not have to worry about SHARK encounters or attacks-Yay! read more

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I am from Minnesota. I happened to be in town for work. I wanted to see Lake Michigan. I was surprised how blue/turquoise the water is here. I grew up near Lake Superior and it is not this beautiful. I did some research and found out that zebra mussels filter this lake and an algae makes the water look so blue. Glad we stopped. Enjoy the photos. It is less busy up north by Montrose Beach and Bird Sanctuary. We chose the area because Covid numbers are high in the area and didn't want to be surrounded by a bunch of people. read more

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Lake Michigan is one terrific peace of waterscape in downtown Chicago. It serves so many purposes. One is that is aesthetically pleasing! The views are impeccable all throughout Chicago. Even though Chicago is quite cold many months of the year, Lake Michigan captures the natural beauty of the city. There are endless parks, trails, beaches, anything for people to enjoy the outdoors and nature. Lake Michigan is a place to swim, boat, enjoy the water to the fullest extent. I love the views here and am happy to have it be one of many memorable focal points of Chicago. read more

Lake Michigan - From the 96th Floor of the John Hancock Building. - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yup...I'm still reminiscing about our trip to Chicago. Bordering the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, Lake Michigan is gorgeous in the spring (and all seasons for that matter) and even more of a beauty with the skyline in the backdrop. It has a convenient path for bikers and runners and even for brisk walks like we took walking to the city. It's a sight to see for everyone and it makes me miss my time there even more! read more

Lake Michigan - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What's not to love about being on the open water and enjoying the breeze. I absolutely l enjoyed myself and the breeze. The weather waa perfect and it was nice to see people out on their boats sailing and what not. I can not swim, but it is something about the open water that I love. Lake Michigan is and was an absolute perfect ending to my vacation! read more

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Crossing over from Maggie Daley Park to go across the street is Lake Michigan. The water is soooo blue! It looks so gorgeous and calm. We saw many people just strolling around. Some taking pics too. There was a bike rental nearby also. I just wish we had more time and we could've walked alongside and go to the Navy Pier as well. Next time! 13/2018 read more

Lake Michigan - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One word: LOVE! The water is so blue and the shoreline surrounding the lake is a beach! So many people walk, run, bike, and just chill along the shore; it's just that awesome. There are a lot of amazing viewpoints from walking along the lake as well. I highly recommend it! read more

Chicago is blessed to have magnificent miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is a fascinating inland sea that fills up my senses and inspires me to want to explore the Great Lakes. Lake Michigan is an inland sea with a picturesque surface and a depth of fascinating facts. It is an inland sea that is approximately 300 miles long and 118 miles wide. According to a couple of websites Massachusetts, Delaware, and Maryland could fit in its basin. If the websites exaggerated then you could definitely fit Delaware and Rhode Island its basin. Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the World. The Straight of Mackinac attach Lake Michigan to Lake Huron creating one magnificent body of freshwater. The average depth is 279 feet with a maximum depth of 975 feet. To give perspective that is around the exact hight of the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge near Las Vegas. Lake Michigan touches four States that are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Some of the largest sand dunes in America are found alongside it's coast. The characteristics of the shoreline change drastically from the urbanized south to rural north. Lake Michigan is a major component of a nautical Highway between New York City and metropolitan New Orleans. Lake Michigan inspired the name Michigan which is an Indian name meaning fresh water. The most fascinating fact is that Lake Michigan discharges a high quality of life to the shores of Chicago. I have always been fascinated by the Great Lakes. The thing is I never had the pleasure of personally seeing a Great Lake in person. That changed when the City of Chicago came into my life. In 2012 and 2014, I would spend hours in the company of Lake Michigan. I would see it by foot walking along the Lakefront Path and Navy Pier. I would see it from the boat tour. When I looked East I'd see an inland sea that spread into infinity as far as the eyes could see. When I looked east from the tour boat and Navy Pier I'd look in fascination at the marriage of a magnificent sea and Chicago skyline. I had really laid back moments enjoying Lake Michigan from Ohio Street Beach and the Navy Pier Beer Garden. I am not kidding when I say that on a summer afternoon that Ohio Street Beach transformed a slice of Chicago shoreline to a Honolulu in the Midwest. Lake Michigan continues to fill up my senses. Chicago's magnificent miles along Lake Michigan is where I want the waves of life to carry me back to in the future. read more

Lake Michigan is incredibly vast and beautiful when standing in the areas of Grant Park viewing out onto the lake. I feel like this along with the Chicago River really defines and gives Chicago that extra oomph that it has as an attractive tourist city. The lake provides an amazing view for many businesses and apartment / condo owners as well as a source of entertainment for the city at Navy Pier and it's gorgeous, as Rodger W. said, all year round. It truly is a National Treasure and I look forward to visiting it for years to come. read more

I saw people swimming in the great lakes...I'm from Southern Ontario and the thought of swimming in Lake Erie or Lake Ontario were frightening growing up due to the awesome sludge Detroit and Hamilton used to dump into them! They've been cleaned up a bunch since but still. The one thing I immediately notice from Lake Michigan is how clear and beautiful the water looks. It reminds me of something you'd see in the Caribbean. I'd jump into Lake Michigan and swallow the water it looks so clear! Yes I know it's probably a bad idea but it's that nice looking. Between the beaches and parks built on the waterfront the lake is easy access to a lot of people. I really like that there are so many amenities built on the lake and it's not littered with condominiums and houses all over it. Chicago, please appreciate this lake, it's much nicer than the ones I grew up with and the fact that so many people are swimming and doing activities in and on it is amazing. read more

Chicago wouldn't be the same without Lake Michigan. Whether it's swimming in it, laying on the sand or walking or riding my bike along the Lakefront Path, the Lake is my favorite part of Chicago. When I moved to the city from the suburbs, my main requirement was a view of either the lake or the river. I have a view of the lake and after 7 years, I still enjoy looking out at the waves and ice in the winter or at the bluish green water in the summer. I often walk home from the Loop along the lake when it's nice out. It's a nice change from walking on city streets. I've talked to tourists that are amazed that you can't see the other side and talked to someone in California who said he thought it was the ocean at first (not the best geography knowledge!). Gotta love Lake Michigan. read more

The lake Well the lake was awesome. I didn't expect the water to be so clear. We took the boat out for a few an enjoyed the view of Chicago, navy pier and the sunset. Also took a dive. read more

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Is it possible to review a lake? It's difficult but I will say a few things about this one in particular. 1. It's unique (I guess from a NJ resident perspective) to look at a lake and then turn around and see sky scrapers...such a cool feeling. 2. The color of the water is unique. It's teal like. Hard to explain so you need to check it out for yourself. 3. They have a beach...yeah on the lake...unique. 4. It's clean. 5. A nice cool breeze comes off of it but I am sure during the winter people curse it! A must (actually hard to miss) see....ENJOY! read more

Lake Michigan is just a Chicago staple. Growing up on the NW side, we would hop the Foster or Lawrence or Montrose Bus and ride it to the end of the line and make the few block walk to the lake. At sunset to see the skyline, it's still breathtaking. Picnics on the grass behind the rocks. Keeping our drinks cold using fishing line and putting it in the water from the rocks. The rocks is an actual thing. Walk away from the sand beach and you end up at the rocks. I had to write this because someone actually down voted Lake Michigan! Who does that? It's a must see and such an amazing photo opportunity. Oh and not only can you swim and sun bathe and just hang out, you can go boating and fishing and bring in some Insane Coho (Lip) Salmon, Perch and I believe Trout also. Smelt fishing from Belmont Harbor in the Spring is an event! I Lake Michigan. read more

You may as well be my first review, LM. I see you every morning, during lunch, and on my way home from work. You've surely seen better days than lately. You look tired, angry, ..... defeated. Hiding under fragmented sheets of ice, blowing steam out at the world. I get it, you hate this sucky-a$& weather, and this sucky-a#% winter. Me too, LM, me too... I miss taking my bike out and chillin with ya (do people still say chillin? Whatever. I'm goin with it), especially early mornings when I get to catch the sunrise. You seem to have perfected the process. No, no.. Seriously, you're good at it. It almost looks like you release the sun into the sky, kinda like letting a lightning bug out of your hand and happily watching it float away. So why 5 stars? I don't enjoy seeing you like this. Pissed off. Hiding. I feel like your current appearance is a reflection of my attitude towards this time of the year. It sucks though... sometimes I look to you for a glimmer of summer, just some warmth. Or even spring, that restless energy, tossing waves around, engaged in battle with swirling winds and pounding rains. But really, this winter has put me through the wringer. At this point I'd just be happy to walk the 2 blocks from the train to work and not worry about losing my nose to frostbite. I'm willing to wait though, LM. We are both not at our best. Just doing what we can to get through the nadir of winter. I'm still giving you 5 stars because you are so seriously kick-a$$ once summer hits, it's totally worth the wait. Come back soon... read more

"Forever Open, Clear, and Free." - Chicago Canal Commission, 1836 Chicago has preserved its beautiful lakefront for public use like no other city in North America. Lake Michigan is a national treasure that millions of everyday people have free access to throughout the year. If there is one place a visitor must see in Chicago, its the lakefront. I recommend one of the quiet street end beaches in the North Side Rogers Park neigborhood. read more

Lake Michigan is beautiful. I got to see it frozen as well and it was breathtaking. I love that they have the Lakefront Trail and if I lived in Chicago I know I would spend a lot of time here. This just makes Chicago an even more amazing city. read more

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The lake is seriously beautiful on a nice day. From the shores of the Planetarium, the walk ways along the shore front, and definitely on a boat. Good thing the civic minded folks back in the day reversed the river flow to keep the the pollution from flooding this beautiful body of water. read more

What a great surprise to have such a lovely little beach so convenient to downtown Chicago! The Oak Street Beach begins at the north end of Michigan Avenue. There is a great bike and walking path next to the beach. As you walk, you get a great view of Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline, Navy Pier, the Gold Coast and many other things. It is always a great place to walk for about an hour. read more

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As an east coast girl growing up on the Atlantic Ocean, I really missed the beach upon moving to Chicago. I found the perfect remedy for my homesickness--boating along the Chicago lakefront every summer weekend with friends. Lake Michigan isn't the Atlantic Ocean, but it refreshes me. read more

Lake Michigan - Racing a 37ft Carver and being dusted. (: - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I gotta say -- this is the spot to be in the summertime in Chicago. It truly rounds out the perfect ambiance of this city in general.

My favorite body of water. Nothing beats the beautiful greenish-blue color of the water juxtaposed with the clear blue sky. Lake Michigan is the truth! read more

Ya know, it really doesn't matter which body of water it happens, but Eddie Aikau would say, "A pair of fins makes all the difference, brah." We beg you. If you're going to be anywhere near a body of water, bring a pair of fins. It really is a difference between life and death. God bless this man, but if he had a pair of fins, he would have kissed his family goodnight this night. :( http://gma.yahoo.com/hero-surgeon-dies-lake-michigan-resue-despite-wifes-174857652--abc-news-topstories.html read more

Beautiful view of lake Michigan the best view is taking the boat that take you in in lake. Watching the engineering of the lake it amazing and interesting architecture to see. read more

Pretty good. Water was too wet, and the birds were pretty rude. Would give 1 more star but there was too much sand, it got everywhere, and it was coarse & irritating. Hopefully HR can adjust the bird's attitude, but other than that, it's a pretty good body of water. read more

I have visited you from every state that borders you. I have lived in close proximity to you my entire life. I do not visit enough, not even close to enough. Over the years, I have seen many magnificent sunrises, waves crashing to shore and many beautiful pictures that makes our marvelous skyline look that much more magnificent. I have sailed on you several times and swam in your soothing waters many times. What I appreciate you most often for is to sit, close my eyes and let the sound of your waters clear my mind of the fog that can occasionally creep. I leave with a clear mind and refreshed soul ready to take on the challenges of life. This is my homage to you Lake Michigan and I thank you! read more

we live far. Getting here took us almost 2hrs to get there and when we finally arrived we were greeted by; the cool breeze, smiling children and hungry seagulls. This was my first time at a beach since i was a baby so going with a loved one make the makes the water crashing seem hypnotizing. Just watch out for the birds... my sandwich was almost stolen and one chased down my boyfriend LOL read more

I love the ocean and I love lakes. Lake Michigan is just beautiful. I didn't get a chance to go out on the lake, but sitting on the side of it and just watching the water was cool. It's very peaceful read more

Lake Michigan might be my favorite thing about living in Chicago. How blessed am I to wake up to its beauty, swim in it, lay on the beach.

Yes! Lake Michigan is a big part of the magic that makes Chcago one of the/the most amazing cities in the nation. From the city shores you can experience sailing, swimming, fishing and tons of other great activities. Or, you can just relax on one of the several sandy or rock-lined beaches, take in the view from a high rise, or let it zen you for a moment on your work commute. When Lake Michigan is happy, her city is happy. When the lake is unhappy, she puts on a wild show! read more

Breathtaking especially when seen against the city skyline. The lake is impressive. Seems more like an ocean given its size. Words do not nor cannot begin to describe one of Earth's natural beauties. read more

I've been on a boat on Lake Michigan three times. In 2009 & 2011 with "Seadog" and in 2012 with "Wendella". The view of Chicago from it is a 5 --- but it is also why Chicago is the Windy City (and I froze at Wrigley Field) so I'll give it 3 stars. read more

How do you rate a lake?? It's (mostly) water..... Sometimes it smells bad.... Sometimes it has ecoli.... It's cooler than the other lakes but not as cool as the ocean? read more

How I miss you. Let me count the ways. I miss sitting next to you and meditating on something greater. I miss the sunlight or lack there of and how it reflects on the water. I miss the East view at nite and how it could look totally pitch black. I miss Lake Shore Drive. How beautiful is that and the skyscraper views. I miss Grant Park and the Taste of Chicago which would occur at your borders. I miss Navy Pier which is conveniently located in your downtown bay area. I miss looking at all the boats. I miss taking a walk from one side of the city to the next and being mesmerized by you as i took this stroll with a view. I miss going to the beach and sandy walks. I miss sitting in you and just feeling the rolling waves and being taken away to places of peace and relaxation. I miss the Golden Mile and that is okay because your pockets will then find just your sand after going shopping. You are truly great lake. read more

A real classy lake. As far as lakes go, you would be hard-pressed to find a wetter, larger lake with less E.coli. Simply superb, I highly recommend it. read more

Wonderful lake ! Beautiful downtown beach ! Place to go !

Friends came to visit from Texas and went to see the lake while I was working. They came back and said "Why can't we see the other side? This is not a lake. This is a sea." Come and see our inland sea. We love it; you will too. read more