Intro…

There are few better ways to cool off in Chicago than by visiting one of the many sandy beaches along Lake Michigan’s shore. From the North Shore to the South Shore, there are numerous options available, whether you want to relax while sunbathing, enjoy the skyline from a kayak or paddleboard, or get competitive with a game of volleyball.

To fully enjoy summer in Chicago, be sure to pack a towel, snacks, and sunscreen, and arrive early to claim your spot. If you’re in the mood for a vacation atmosphere, consider checking out a waterfront restaurant that offers drinks and live music. Just remember to verify the water conditions before heading out, and if the lake isn’t safe for swimming, think about going to a public pool instead.

1. Oak Street Beach

As one of Chicago’s most favored sunbathing spots, this Gold Coast beach features volleyball competitions, a restaurant, and stunning views of the skyline. While on your way to this sandy area, look for Jeff Zimmermann’s vibrant mural “You Know What You Should Do“located by the Oak Street Beach underpass—its purpose is to remind visitors not to feed wildlife and to avoid littering.

Facilities : food concessions, chair rentals, volleyball courts, Wi-Fi access, bike rentals, restrooms, and a lifeguard first aid station.

2. North Avenue Beach

Always buzzing during the summer, North Avenue Beach boasts a unique beach house resembling a beached ocean liner. Guests can enjoy the volleyball courts, grab a snack, or rent a bike. Keep in mind, North Avenue is among the busiest beaches in the city, so you’ll need to secure your spot on the sand as early as possible.

Facilities: food concessions, lockers, Wi-Fi access, kayak rentals, jet ski rentals, water sports equipment rentals, restrooms, volleyball courts, and a lifeguard first aid station.

3. Margaret T. Burroughs Beach

Previously known as 31st Street Beach before it was renamed in 2015 in honor of Burroughs, the founder of the DuSable Museum and later a member of the Park District Board of Commissioners, this South Side beach offers breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline alongside a harbor for small boats. A nearby park features a picnic area with a “green roof” and a public dock for fishing.

Facilities: food concessions, Wi-Fi access, restrooms, lockers, a harbor store, a picnic area, a fishing dock, a lifeguard first aid station, and a playground.

2. Rainbow Beach and Park

Situated next to one of Chicago’s oldest public gardens, the Rainbow Beach Victory Garden, this beach is a part of the expansive 142-acre Rainbow Park on the South Side. The northern edge of the beach features the 9.2-acre Rainbow Beach Dunes, a natural habitat managed by the Chicago Park District that is home to native plants and wildlife of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Facilities: food concessions, a playground, restrooms, a lifeguard first aid station, Wi-Fi access, a gym, a fitness center, volleyball courts, and handball courts.

5. Kathy Osterman Beach

If your friends mention they are heading to Hollywood Beach, this is the location they mean. Situated in Edgewater, Kathy Osterman Beach is named after a cherished former alderman, and it features a silver LEED-certified beach house that was finished in 2010. This beach is also recognized (informally) as Chicago’s LGBTQ+ beach.

Facilities: food and drink concessions, wireless internet, rentals for water activities, restroom facilities, beach house, lifeguard first aid station.

6. Oakwood Beach

One of the latest additions to Chicago’s sandy spots, this beach on the South Side features a restaurant known as Pier 41, which offers breakfast and lunch options that are ideal for a beach picnic. It also has a LEED-certified beach house that incorporates environmentally-friendly elements, including using rainwater for toilet water.

Facilities: restrooms, concessions, beach house, lifeguard first aid station

7. Foster Beach

This popular destination in Edgewater includes a beach house with concessions and bike rentals, plus a nearby dog beach for your furry companions. It also hosts the monthly Full Moon Jam, a complimentary event celebrating the lunar cycle with acoustic music and fire dancers during the summer months.

Facilities: restrooms, Wi-Fi, beach house, concessions, lifeguard first aid station

8. Montrose Beach

At this well-loved beach in Uptown, there is a fenced-off area for dogs to enjoy themselves. Visitors can also play volleyball, relax under an umbrella, or take a swim in the lake. If you’re into kiteboarding, this beach allows it, too. In the spring and fall, migratory birds gather in a section to the south, so keep an eye on your snacks on the towel.

Facilities: concessions, beach house, kayak rentals, volleyball rentals, restrooms, showers, lifeguard first aid station, Wi-Fi

9. South Shore Beach

Located near the stunning South Shore Cultural Center, this beach provides activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy a country club-style beach house, a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a nature sanctuary filled with sand dunes.

Facilities: restrooms, beach house, lifeguard first aid station

10. 12th Street Beach

Plan a full day by visiting this Near South Side beach—which is part of Northerly Island Park—and then making your way to the Adler Planetarium for various summer events. Expect to find lines at the Del Campos food stand, one of the few spots for snacks on Northerly Island.

Facilities: concessions, beach house, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station, non-motorized boat launch

11. Ohio Street Beach

Nestled within walking distance of Navy Pier and protected by the curve of the shoreline, Ohio Street Beach boasts calm waters perfect for open water swimmers and spectacular views of downtown Chicago. This beach, which faces north, is easily reachable via the Lakefront Trail.

Facilities: concessions, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station

12. 63rd Street Beach

If you’re craving a beach getaway but can’t travel far, visit 63rd Street Beach and its beach house, where both adults and children can enjoy the interactive spray fountain. Reggies on the Beach offers free shows on Thursdays and Sundays and rents out cabanas, kayaks, paddleboards, and waverunners.

Facilities: concessions, beach house, restrooms, playgrounds, lifeguard first aid station, non-motorized boat launch

13. 57th Street Beach

Nestled in Jackson Park, one of Chicago’s oldest green spaces, 57th Street Beach can be easily reached through a pedestrian underpass located near the Museum of Science and Industry. This beach is home to Belly Up Ya Mon, which serves Jamaican cuisine, including jerk chicken and delicious lamb chops. Paddleboarding, canoeing, and other non-motorized water activities are permitted at the northern section of the beach.

Facilities: concessions, Wi-Fi, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station

14. Helen Doria Beach

Situated in Rogers Park, Helen Doria Beach, also known as Columbia Beach, is one of Chicago’s lesser-known treasures. It provides stunning views of the Chicago skyline without the crowds typically found at beaches closer to the Loop.

Facilities: lifeguard station, restrooms

15. Calumet Beach

Located near the Indiana border, Calumet Beach may require a bit of travel from other parts of the city. This beach connects to a vast 200-acre park that features an artificial turf soccer field and spots for football and softball.

Facilities: concessions, restrooms, lockers, playground, lifeguard first aid station

16. Marion Mahony Griffin Beach

Often referred to as Jarvis Beach because of its closeness to the Jarvis Red Line stop, this small beach in Rogers Park is popular among local residents. Walking out onto the small pier provides a wonderful view of the far-off skyline.

Facilities: lifeguard first aid station

17. Loyola Beach

Draws in college students and families, featuring a walking path along Lake Michigan. It is located next to the 21.5-acre Loyola Park, which includes a field house, basketball court, tennis courts, and a boxing center.

Facilities: concessions, restrooms, playground, lifeguard first aid station.

18. Leone Beach

This is situated in Rogers Park, offers a kayak launch and ample sandy spaces for visitors. You may notice participants from the Junior Lifeguard program practicing in the lake.

Facilities: playground, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station, tennis courts.

19. North Shore Beach

Another street-end beach close to Loyola University in Rogers Park, is a popular spot for families and students looking to unwind. Sunbathe or take a stroll on the pier.

Facilities: none.

20. Lane Beach

Located in Edgewater and formerly referred to as Thorndale Avenue Beach and Park, is linked to a small park and is just a short distance from the larger Osterman Beach to the south.

Facilities: playground.

Chicago beach guide: 20 Best Locations for Enjoyment Under the Sun