The 29 best Chicago beaches

One of Chicago's most popular places to sunbathe, this Gold Coast beach has volleyball tournaments, a restaurant and a spectacular view of the skyline. On your way to this stretch of sand, seek out Jeff Zimmermann's colorful mural "You Know What You Should Do" by the Oak Street Beach underpass—it's meant as a reminder to avoid feeding wildlife and littering.

Amenities: concessions, chair rentals, volleyball, Wi-Fi, bike rentals, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station

Part of the 142-acre Rainbow Park, this South Side beach sits next to one of Chicago's oldest public gardens, the Rainbow Beach Victory Garden. The northern edge of this beach is home to the 9.2-acre Rainbow Beach Dunes, a natural area managed by the Chicago Park District that hosts plants and wildlife native to the shores of Lake Michigan.

Amenities: concessions, playground, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station, Wi-Fi, gym, fitness center, volleyball, handball courts

Ever-popular during the summer months, North Avenue Beach features a quirky beach house inspired by a beached ocean liner. Visitors can hit the volleyball courts, grab a snack or rent a bike. Be warned: North Avenue is one of the busiest beaches in the city, so you'll have to stake out your spot on the sand as early as you can.

Amenities: concessions, lockers, Wi-Fi, kayak rentals, jet ski rentals, water sports rentals, restrooms, volleyball courts, lifeguard first aid station

This South Side beach—known as 31st Street Beach before it was renamed in 2015 for Burroughs, the founder of the DuSable Museum who was later appointed to the Park District Board of Commissioners—features amazing views of the Chicago skyline in addition to a harbor for small boats. A nearby park includes a "green roof" picnic area and a public fishing dock.

Amenities: concessions, Wi-Fi, restrooms, lockers, harbor store, picnic area, fishing dock, lifeguard first aid station, playground

If your friends tell you that they're spending the day at Hollywood Beach, this is where they're headed. Located in Edgewater and named for a beloved former alderman, Kathy Osterman Beach has a silver LEED-certified beach house that was completed in 2010. It's also (unofficially) the LGBTQ+ beach of Chicago.

Amenities: concessions, Wi-Fi, water sports rentals, restrooms, beach house, lifeguard first aid station

Located in Jackson Park, one of Chicago's oldest green spaces, 57th Street Beach is easily accessible via a pedestrian underpass near the Museum of Science and Industry. The beach is also home to Belly Up Ya Mon, which sports Jamaican fare like jerk chicken and tasty lamb chops. Paddleboarding, canoeing and other non-motorized water sports are permitted at the north end of the beach. 

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

One of Chicago's newest stretches of sand, this South Side beach boasts a restaurant called Pier 41—which serves breakfast and lunch bites perfect for a beach picnic—as well as a LEED-certified beach house (which, among other environmentally-friendly features, uses rainwater to supply the toilets). 

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

This popular Edgewater attraction offers a beach house with concessions and bike rentals in addition to an adjoining dog beach for everyone's favorite four-legged friends. It also hosts the monthly Full Moon Jam, a free event featuring acoustic music and fire dancers celebrating the lunar cycle during the summer.

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

A fenced-off dog area at this popular Uptown beach provides a place for your pooch to run around. Elsewhere, visitors can play volleyball, sit under an umbrella or take a dip in the lake. Into kiteboarding? That's allowed here, too. Migratory birds flock to an area to the south of the beach in the spring and fall, so don't leave any unguarded snacks on your towel.

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

Situated near the beautiful South Shore Cultural Center, this beach has something for everyone. A country club–esque beach house, nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and a sand dune-studded nature sanctuary await visitors.

Amenities: restrooms, beach house, lifeguard first aid station

Make a day of it by visiting this Near South Side beach—located within Northerly Island Park—and then walking to the Adler Planetarium for an array of summer events. You'll often find lines forming at the Del Campos food stand, which is one of the only places to grab a snack on Northerly Island.

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

Located within walking distance of Navy Pier and sheltered by the curve of the shoreline, Ohio Street Beach offers calm waters for open water swimmers and amazing views of downtown. The beach itself faces north and is easily accessible via the Lakefront Trail.

Amenities: concessions, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station

If you need a beach vacay but can't get away right this second, head to 63rd Street Beach and its beach house, where adults and kids alike can splash around in the interactive spray fountain. Reggies on the Beach hosts free shows on Thursdays and Sundays and rents cabanas, kayaks, paddleboards and waverunners.

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

Located in Rogers Park, Helen Doria Beach (a.k.a. Columbia Beach) is one of Chicago's hidden gems. It offers great views of the Chicago skyline without the crowds that you'll find on stretches of sand that are closer to the Loop.

Amenities: lifeguard station, restrooms

Bordering the Indiana state line, Calumet Beach can be a bit of a trek from elsewhere in the city. The beach connects to a sprawling 200-acre park that offers an artificial turf soccer field and fields for football and softball.

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

Sometimes referred to as Jarvis Beach due to its proximity to the Jarvis Red Line stop, this small Rogers Park beach is frequented by residents of the nearby apartments. Walk out on the small pier for a great view of the distant skyline.

Amenities: lifeguard first aid station

This beach attracts college students and families and features a walking trail along Lake Michigan. It’s adjacent to the 21.5-acre Loyola Park, which has a field house, basketball court, tennis courts and boxing center.

Amenities: concessions, restrooms, playground, lifeguard first aid station

This Rogers Park beach has a kayak launch and plenty of sandy acres to enjoy. Don't be surprised if you see members of the Junior Lifeguard program training in the lake.

Amenities: playground, restrooms, lifeguard first aid station, tennis courts

Another street-end beach near Loyola University in Rogers Park, North Shore Beach is full of families and students sharing a relaxing environment. Catch some rays or take a walk out on the pier.

Amenities: none

This Edgewater beach, once known as Thorndale Avenue Beach and Park, is connected to a small park and just a short walk away from the much larger Osterman Beach to the south.

Amenities: playground

Formerly known as Albion Beach, this no-frills street-end beach in Rogers Park is a great spot to catch some rays and enjoy the waters of Lake Michigan.

Amenities: playground

The Chicago Park District renamed Pratt Beach in 2014 to honor Tobey Prinz, a civil rights and community activist who worked to preserve beaches and parkland. The adjacent Tobey Prinz Beach Park is home to Lynn Takata's "Windform," a 100-foot-long abstract concrete sculpture representing the movement of water.

Amenities: none

Pups love to play in the sand and water, too, which is why you should bring them to this small dog beach at Belmont Harbor. They’ll get to socialize with other furry friends while you bask in the sun.

If you thought every beach in Chicago was along the lakefront, you were wrong! As Chicago's only inland beach, this sandy oasis in the middle of Humboldt Park is finally back open after a four-year closure. So whether you're going on a run through the 197-acre park, wrapping up a game of baseball at Little Cubs Field or finishing a match of tennis, there's a refreshing body of water not too far away to cool you down. 

Part of a 29-acre park, Lake Forest’s large beach features a fishing pier, boat launching ramp and a boating center that rents paddle boards and kayaks. Visit the north pavilion to relax with a glass of wine and beer, then take a stroll along one of the walking paths. A non-resident day pass costs $25.

Amenities: concessions, boat launch, pavilions, lifeguards, fishing pier

Up in Wilmette, Gillson Park & Beach offers 60 acres of green space and sandy shores to spread out on. It’s great for swimming, sailing, kayaking and picnicking, and The Fat Shallot serves sandwiches and fries in the beach house. A daily beach pass is $11 for Wilmette residents and $17 for non-residents.

Amenities: swimming beach, dog beach, restaurant, picnic area with grills (reservations required), rentals

This North Shore beach is a popular family-friendly attraction as it offers amenities like a playground, volleyball courts and beach equipment rentals. If you’re looking to host a private party or event, you can book a sun shelter or the trellis as well. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season. A daily beach pass is $12 for Glencoe residents and $24 for non-residents, though the beach is only open to season pass holders on weekends, holidays and before noon on weekdays.

Amenities: beach house, sprayground, lifeguards, restrooms, rentals, lockers, showers, vending machines, volleyball courts, snack stand, playground

The suburb of Evanston is home to six public beaches and Lee Street Beach is one of the most popular. There are lifeguards on duty and everything is clean and well-kept, making it well worth the drive up north. Admission is free for Evanston residents; a daily beach pass is $10 for Skokie residents and $12 for all other non-residents.

Amenities: restrooms

Head up to Highland Park to visit this beach bordering wooded bluffs. Take a stroll on the boardwalk, grab a slice and ice cream from Judy’s Pizza, and bring the kids for creative programs run by the Heller Nature Center. The beach also hosts yoga classes. A daily pass is $10 for non-residents.

Amenities: concessions, lifeguard, restrooms, interpretive center, boardwalk