The Top Five Chicago Beaches

Chicago has a great balance of green space and wide sandy beaches to keep the active family busy. Lake Michigan has public beaches lining its shore all the way along the Illinois border.

The Lake Michigan beaches in Chicago are conveniently located near the city and have nicely developed expanses for sunbathers, swimmers and athletes. In total there are nine larger beaches that are open to the public and countless smaller public beaches that dot the Lake North and South in between apartment high rises.

Here is a guide to the five best beaches in Chicago.

Oak Street Beach

Oak Street Beach is the most popular beach in the city and as a result is the most crowded. Still, Oak Street Beach has its advantages. The beach is conveniently located at the northern end of Michigan Avenue making it easy to walk to after checking out all the sights downtown.

If you are driving to the beach from out of town there are several parking lots along Lake Shore Drive with a pedestrian bridge leading straight to the beach. The beach at Oak Street is the largest space available to sunbathers and is a god distance from all the noise of the city and drive. If you didn't bring your own cooler with food and beverages there is a new Bistro where you can stock up.

North Avenue Beach

The best view of the city from the Lake front is defintely available at North Avenue Beach because the lake naturally curves here giving you a great look up and down the shore. North Avenue Beach is the beach in Chicago where everyone goes to see and be seen. Half the sand at North Avenue is designated as sand volleyball courts but there is still plenty of room for sunbathers.

Among the perks of North Avenue Beach are a steamship shaped Beach house with showers, a gym, chess pavilion, sandwich shop and a bike shop for rentals.

Fullerton Beach

Even though Fullerton Beach is without all the amenities offered at North Avenue Beach it is still a great option and a good place for families to enjoy themselves. Since the beach is opposite Lincoln Park zoo the main crowd here is quiet families and residents of Lincoln Park who can easily walk over from their homes.

To get to Fullerton Beach you have to walk under Lake Shore Drive through a pedestrian tunnel. The beach starts out with a narrow band of sand but expands a little further down, where it is also less crowded. Near the beginning of the beach there are vendors selling refreshments and ice cream.

Ohio Street Beach

Ohio Street Beach is right next to the popular navy Pier and is often overlooked in favor of North Avenue Beach. Even though there is only a sliver of sand available for sunbathing this is a great beach to visit because some days it can be like having your own private beach. If ever you need to use the restroom or want a quick bite to eat you can just walk next door to the pier.

Montrose Beach

Montrose Beach is a huge plot of sand that goes unfilled all summer long because it is just a little further away from downtown Chicago. There is plenty of parking near the beach and a smail bait shop where you can buy bait for fishing and ice for your coolers. Funny thing is, there are no piers at Montrose Beach for fishing so you will have to walk a little way with your fishing rod.