57th Street Beach

57th Street Beach is a popular lakefront beach in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, at 5700 S Lake Shore Dr. The beach faces Lake Michigan, a freshwater lake with no tides, and the sand is soft and pale. The water is usually clear to blue-green on calm days and cold through much of the summer. The shoreline is open and exposed to waves from the east, and surfing is allowed outside the guarded swimming season. The beach has a view of the Chicago skyline to the north, and parkland behind the sand gives space for picnics and games. The location is close to the Museum of Science and Industry and the University of Chicago, so the crowd mixes students, neighborhood residents, families and visitors who have spent the morning at nearby museums. The atmosphere is relaxed and community-minded, and the beach is generally less hectic than the downtown beaches. Amenities include seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, Lakefront Trail access and the parkland behind the beach. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, typically 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food is limited at the beach, so visitors often bring picnic supplies or eat in Hyde Park before or after. The beach lies on the Lakefront Trail south of Promontory Point. Public transit access is by the Metra Electric District Line to 59th Street/University of Chicago, followed by a walk, or by CTA Bus 6 Jackson Park Express. Cyclists can follow the Lakefront Trail from downtown. Parking in the surrounding area is limited at busy times, and transit or cycling is the more dependable approach. The beach combines well with a visit to Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry or the shops and cafes of Hyde Park, making it a good south-side outing.