Top Beaches around Chicago and the Suburbs
I think many are surprised to learn how many amazing beaches we have in the city and Chicagoland area. Not just on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, but also on the suburban inland lakes and quarries. It’s no wonder why as soon as a 70+ degree day pops up, everyone packs up those beach toys and heads out to their favorite beach!
Below is a list of the best beaches all over the north and west suburbs, and of course the city. Which ones will you be heading to this summer?
Photo via unsplash.com
Chicago Downtown Beaches
Oak Street Beach
1000 N Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60611
Chair, bike and volleyball rentals
Restrooms on site
Wi-Fi available
Food & beverage options
ADA accessible beach walk
Ohio Street Beach
600 N Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60611
Restrooms and locker & changing facilities on site
Concessions available
Umbrella and chair rentals
Ideal training site for open water swimming
ADA accessible beach walk
Chicago Northside Beaches
Montrose Beach
4400 N Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60613
Kiteboarding permitted
Kayak and volleyball rentals
Showers & restrooms on site
Food concession options
Pay and display parking lot or street parking
Non-motorized boat launch
ADA accessible beach walk
Beach wheelchair available for use
Distance swimming available
Dog friendly beach section
Wi-Fi available
Foster Beach
5200 N Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60611
Bike rentals
Restrooms on site
Beach house with food concessions
ADA accessible beach walk
Beach wheelchair available for use
Wi-Fi available
Distance swimming available
Pay and display parking lot
Features a gymnasium & fitness center
Multipurpose rooms available
Handball courts on site
Restrooms on site
Concessions available
Playground nearby
Home to one of the oldest community gardens in Chicago
ADA accessible beach walk
Beach wheelchair available for use
Wi-Fi available
Natural area with 9.18 acres of dune habitat
Margaret T. Burroughs Beach / 31st Street Beach
3100 S Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60616
Restrooms on site
Concessions available
1,000 floating slips
Winter boat storage
“Green roof” picnic area above an indoor parking garage
Public fishing dock
Community room available
Harbor store on site
ADA accessible playground
ADA accessible beach walk
Beach wheelchair available for use
Wi-Fi available
63rd Street Beach
6300 S Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60637
Restrooms & showers on site
Bike rentals
Non-motorized beach launch
Jamaican food and additional snacks & beverages available
Interactive water fountains
Beach house available to rent
Meeting rooms available
Metered parking lot
ADA accessible beach walk
Beach wheelchair available for use
Picnic areas and pavilion on site
Lighted Tennis Courts
Fitness Course
Tot Lot on site
Kayak, SUP & sailboat rentals and launch area
Elevated beachside food stand
Dog Beach area
Lakeview Center rental available
Wallace Bowl
Seasonal Lighted Ice Rink
Outdoor theater with summer concert series events
Glencoe Beach
55 Hazel Avenue
Glencoe IL 60022
Lockers, restrooms and showers on site
Concessions available
Kayaks, paddleboards, chairs and umbrella rentals
Water spray features
Complimentary beach cart service
Volleyball courts
FREE parking lot
Rosewood Beach
883 Sheridan Rd
Highland Park IL 60035
Restrooms on site
Concessions available
Beachfront interpretive center on site
Boardwalk along the shoreline
Picnic area, walking paths and playground nearby
Playground on site
Ice Skating during the winter months
Boat launch for canoes and kayaks
Fishing available
Two sand volleyball courts on site
Picnic chelter available to rent
Seasonal porta potties available
Free and ample parking available
Waukegan Municipal Beach
201 E Sea Horse Dr
Waukegan IL 60085
Summer live music at the Stiner Pavilion
1000 slip marina
Mobile food truck options
Seasonal porta potties available
FREE parking available during the week and to residents on the weekend
Illinois Beach State Park
201 E Sea Horse Dr
Waukegan IL 60085
Bathrooms & showers on site
Swimming, boating and fishing available
Nature & visitor center on site
Ample parking available
Home to Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center
Campgrounds and camp store on site
Picnic areas, hiking and biking trails for use
Restrooms and changing room facilities available
Free sprayground on site
Large playground for all ages
Volleyball courts and horseshoes available for use
Picnic tables and shelters on site
Phil’s Beach
328 N Main St
Wauconda IL 60084
Splash pad on site
Bathhouse on site
Concession options available
Boardwalk along the shoreline
WITBIT inflatables
Baggo boards and game tables
Facilities available for rent
Three Oaks Swim Beach
5517 Northwest Hwy
Crystal Lake IL 60014
Cottage on the Beach restaurant with food options
Lake House Complex on site with restrooms and locker room showers
Splash pad on site
Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats and paddle boat rentals
Playground for all ages on site
Picnic tables for rent
Adventure rides such as a kids flume and thrilling drop slide
Water inflatables
Zero-depth edge for easy access
Large picnic area on site
Concession stand available
Sand volleyball courts available for use
Private rental options
Outdoor swimming lessons offered
Centennial Beach
500 Jackson Ave
Naperville IL 60540
Zero-depth entry, historic stone quarry
Water play features
Sand volleyball courts and bag toss games on site
Diving Boards and shallow-end slide
Family washrooms, changing rooms, bathhouse and showers available
Lockers available
Adirondack chairs available
Floating Rafts
ADA accessible beach walk
Where are your favorite beaches to spend your summer at? Let me know in the comments!
For those with older kids, sometimes they want more than a small aquatic center and swimming pool, and that’s ok! Good thing is, we have some very thrilling water amusement parks near us, that can feed those adventure-seekers of yours!