Beaches · Chicago · United States
The best beaches in and near Chicago
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Skvader, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is North Avenue Beach (About 4 km north of the Loop).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
The beaches
About 4 km north of the Loop · Groups, volleyball and skyline views
1.North Avenue Beach
The city's busiest beach, with volleyball courts, a steamship-shaped beach house with a rooftop bar and a classic skyline backdrop.
About 2.5 km north of the Loop · A quick swim between sights
2.Oak Street Beach
A curve of sand at the end of the Magnificent Mile, right below the Gold Coast high-rises, easy to reach from Streeterville hotels.
About 10 km north of the Loop · Families, dogs and birdwatching
3.Montrose Beach
A large, quieter North Side beach with a dog beach, a harbour and the Montrose Point bird sanctuary next door.
About 3 km south of the Loop · Combining with the museums
4.12th Street Beach
A small, sheltered beach on the Museum Campus peninsula behind the Adler Planetarium, close to the Field and Shedd.
About 12 km south of the Loop · Quiet swims after a South Side day
5.57th Street Beach
Hyde Park's beach near the Museum of Science and Industry, with views back to downtown and a calmer, local feel.
Staying near the beach
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — The L (elevated and subway trains) reaches most visitor areas: the Blue Line links O'Hare with Wicker Park and the Loop, the Red Line runs past Wrigley Field and Chinatown, and the Brown Line gives elevated views around the Loop.
- Bus — CTA buses cover routes the L misses, such as the 146 down Michigan Avenue to the Museum Campus and the 151 north to Lincoln Park and the zoo.
- Boat — In the warmer months, water taxis link the river near Michigan Avenue with the Union Station area and Chinatown, and lake water taxis run between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus.
- Train — Metra commuter trains leave from Union Station, Ogilvie and Millennium Station for Oak Park, Evanston and the Chicago Botanic Garden, while the South Shore Line runs from Millennium Station to the Indiana Dunes.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in August–September. The busiest of those is August, so book early.
Beach safety
The main visitor areas are busy and generally comfortable, but phone snatching and pickpocketing happen on the L and at crowded sights, so keep valuables out of sight near train doors. Swim only at beaches when lifeguards are on duty, as Lake Michigan can have dangerous currents, and in winter dress for wind chill along the lake. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Chicago have beaches?
Yes: North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, Montrose Beach, 12th Street Beach and 57th Street Beach.
+What is the best beach near Chicago?
North Avenue Beach: The city's busiest beach, with volleyball courts, a steamship-shaped beach house with a rooftop bar and a classic skyline backdrop.