Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third-largest in the United States, set on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan. It is known for its pioneering skyscraper architecture, deep-dish pizza, world-class museums, live blues and jazz, and a 26-mile lakefront of parks and beaches. Visitors can move between a dense downtown, the Chicago River and more than 70 distinct neighborhoods on the CTA 'L' train.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Chicago.
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- urban, social and busy with skyline views
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Seasonal concessions and cafe nearby
- Volleyball courts
- Lakefront Trail access
Oak Street Beach
The classic downtown beach at the foot of Michigan Avenue and the Gold Coast, with the Hancock Center and skyline behind. Wide sand, volleyball nets and calm swimming, and often crowded on summer weekends.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10 a.m. on summer weekends to claim a spot on the sand; the beach fills up by midday.
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- lively, sporty and crowded on summer weekends
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Beach house with food and seasonal rentals
- Volleyball courts
- Lakefront Trail access
North Avenue Beach
One of the largest and most popular beaches in the city, with a nautical-themed beach house, volleyball courts and fitness equipment. Good skyline views looking south.
Editor’s tip. Go early on summer weekends, as the beach is among the busiest in the city by midday.
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- compact, relaxed downtown beach beside Navy Pier
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms nearby
- Lakefront Trail access
Ohio Street Beach
A compact downtown beach just north of Navy Pier with views of the skyline and the lake. Quieter than Oak Street and convenient for combining with a pier visit.
Editor’s tip. Combine a swim with Navy Pier, where food and restrooms are a short walk away.
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- quiet, informal beach with a Museum Campus setting
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Parkland and picnic areas behind the beach
12th Street Beach
A less-visited beach on Northerly Island beside the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium, with a clear skyline view and a wide park behind it.
Editor’s tip. Pair the beach with a Museum Campus visit and bring picnic food for the lawn behind the sand.
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- relaxed and nature-oriented with a dog beach and dunes
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Beach house cafe
- Dog beach area
Montrose Beach
A wide north-side beach with a natural dune area, a harbor and a designated dog beach. The Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary lies immediately east. Surfing is allowed out of season here.
Editor’s tip. Visit the bird sanctuary during spring or fall migration for the best birdwatching.
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- quiet, local and family-friendly with picnic space
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Picnic area
- Lakefront Trail access
Foster Beach
A quieter north-side beach with a long swimming area and picnic space, popular with locals and families.
Editor’s tip. Bring picnic supplies, as food options on site are limited.
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- relaxed neighborhood beach with skyline views
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Seasonal concession
Osterman Beach
A broad sandy beach with a view back to the skyline, a relaxed atmosphere and an out-of-season surfing area.
Editor’s tip. Surfing is permitted outside the guarded season, but conditions are cold and require suitable gear.
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- local, family-oriented community beach park
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Fieldhouse
- Playground
- Parking lot
Rainbow Beach
A lakefront park with a wide sandy beach, a historic fieldhouse and sports fields. Surfing is allowed out of season at this beach.
Editor’s tip. Drive or bike here: the on-site parking lot makes it one of the easier beaches for car visitors.
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- relaxed Hyde Park beach with a campus and museum feel
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Lakefront Trail access
- Parkland behind the beach
57th Street Beach
A popular Hyde Park beach with a view of the skyline, close to the Museum of Science and Industry and the University of Chicago. Surfing is allowed out of season.
Editor’s tip. Combine the beach with the Museum of Science and Industry or a walk through Hyde Park.
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- quiet, historic park beach away from downtown crowds
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Historic beach house
- Parkland and picnic space
63rd Street Beach
A wide beach in Jackson Park with a historic beach house, a pier and a quieter atmosphere than downtown.
Editor’s tip. Bring picnic supplies, as food service is limited.
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- natural, dune-backed national park beach
- Lifeguards in season
- Restrooms
- Bathhouse
- Parking lot
- Dune Succession Trail access
Indiana Dunes West Beach
A wide sandy beach in Indiana Dunes National Park, with dunes behind and a view of the Chicago skyline across the lake on a clear day.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends, as the parking lot can fill.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Chicago’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Oak Street Beach?
Yes, swimming is allowed within the lifeguard-protected area during the season, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, roughly 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Swimming outside guarded hours is not permitted.
From the Oak Street Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Oak Street Beach by public transit?
The CTA Red Line to Chicago station is about a 15-minute walk east, and CTA Bus 151 serves the area. A Divvy bike station is close to the beach.
From the Oak Street Beach editorial.
What is North Avenue Beach known for?
It is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Chicago, known for its nautical-themed beach house, volleyball courts, fitness equipment and views of the skyline.
From the North Avenue Beach editorial.
Is food available at North Avenue Beach?
Yes, the beach house offers food and seasonal rentals during the beach season.
From the North Avenue Beach editorial.
Is Ohio Street Beach quieter than Oak Street Beach?
Generally yes. It is smaller and tucked beside Navy Pier, so it tends to draw fewer people than Oak Street Beach, though it can still be busy on hot weekends.
From the Ohio Street Beach editorial.
Can visitors swim at Ohio Street Beach?
Yes, within the guarded area during the season, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, roughly 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From the Ohio Street Beach editorial.
Where is 12th Street Beach?
It is on Northerly Island at 1200 S Linn White Dr, beside the Museum Campus and the Adler Planetarium.
From the 12th Street Beach editorial.
Is 12th Street Beach crowded?
It is generally less crowded than the main downtown beaches, although museum visitors can add to the numbers on warm days.
From the 12th Street Beach editorial.