National Beach Day arrives today, at the end of the dog days of summer and the start of the school year, meaning that surf-chasers and beach buffs across the midwest will need to act fast in order to catch a few more weeks of warm summer sun. If you haven’t yet gotten to experience the Chicago waterfront this year, we’ve gathered together the perfect guide for beach days and weekend getaways across Chicagoland.

If you haven’t yet gotten a chance to experience the Chicago waterfront this year, we’ve gathered together the perfect guide for beach days and weekend getaways across Chicagoland. Head to the link in our bio to discover the perfect spot on Lake Michigan to pitch your beach umbrella and enjoy the outdoor activities these waterfront havens have to offer.

Chicago Beaches

North Avenue Beach

food and drinks • beach volleyball • water sport rentals • yoga • wi-fi

For those who are looking for a stellar beaching experience complete with on-trend shopping, food and drink, and water sports, North Avenue Beach is the place to be. Get in on a beach volleyball game, go wakeboarding or paddle boarding, or rent a kayak if your idea of relaxation involves making a few waves, or just sunbathe on the spacious sand and enjoy their free wi-fi. After sundown, visit local staples such as Castaways Bar and Grill or the Shore Club for beachfront food and drinks to end the perfect day.

Oak Street Beach

bike rentals • beach volleyball • wi-fi

Imagine that the crystal clear waters and sun-bleached sands of the Caribbean were just a short drive away! Whether cycling across the picturesque shoreline on one of their rented bikes, playing a game of volleyball with friends, or swimming in a paradise of surf and sun, Oak Street Beach will not disappoint. It is also close to the action in town, meaning your beach getaway can also include some of Chicago’s trendiest cafes, bars, and restaurants that are just a walk away.

Montrose Beach

bird wildlife habitat • dog beach • water sport rentals • food and drinks

Rated as one of Chicago’s most beautiful places by Thrillist magazine, Montrose Beach proudly lives up to the title as a peninsula of beautiful waterfront beach with a gorgeous native dune ecosystem highlighting its south bank. Along with natural scenery and beautiful views that you could stroll through for hours, Montrose Beach also features water sport rentals, great food and live music, and a leash-off dog beach on the north end where everyone’s four-legged companions are free to roam.

Ohio Street Beach

open water swimming lanes • food and drinks

For avid swimmers, Ohio Street Beach is the place to train on Lake Michigan due to its ideal open water swimming location. The 800-meter distance to the Oak Street Curve offers swimmers the best way to go the distance while never straying too far from shallow water. For more casual beachgoers, Ohio Street Beach also hosts a variety of picturesque food and drink destinations like Caffè Olivia, and it is in close proximity to both the Navy Pier and Milton Lee Olive Park.

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Suburban Beaches

Glencoe Beach
Glencoe, Illinois

beach playground • sun shelter rentals • beach volleyball • water sport rentals

Glencoe Beach offers its residents the perfect family hotspot for soaking in the summer. A beachfront playground sits close to the sand and includes mini water features for hours of play, the beach itself offers a gorgeous way to relax through rentable sun shelters and a scenic pier, and the beach house is always available to rent any equipment you need to make a splash.

Illinois Beach State Park
Zion, Illinois

dunes • wildlife • hiking • camping • picnic spot

Stretching 6.5 miles across the northern Illinois shoreline of Lake Michigan, Illinois Beach State Park offers a day full of recreation at one of the most unique and beautiful natural settings in America. Untouched dunes, swales, and marshes span the beach ridge shoreline which is also populated by oak trees, flowers, and animals for the whole family to admire. When you’re not dipping your toes in the lake or stretching out in the sand, the rest of the park has plenty to offer in the way of hiking, camping, picnicking, and more.

Rosewood Beach
Highland Park, Illinois

boardwalk • food and drinks • nature conservation • paddle board rentals

Beautifully restored in June of 2015, this award-winning beach offers the best in recreation, family fun, and incredible views. Take a walk down their 1,500 foot-long boardwalk filled with concessions, activities, and state-of-the art facilities related to the further conservation efforts of the area. Participate in a family-friendly nature program in their nature cove, sunbathe and swim in the recreation and swimming beaches, or rent a paddle board and experience the scenic shoreline firsthand.

Three Oaks Recreation Area
Crystal Lake, Illinois

water sport rentals • picnic spot • kids spray park • scuba diving

This incredible waterfront escape was restored from a former rock quarry and turned into one of the most beautiful locations in Crystal Lake to enjoy sun, nature, and swim. Renting is available for rowboats, paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and sail boats for a day out on the water. This shoreline haven also hosts picnic spots and dining patios, a spray park for kids, and a scuba center where you can become certified and enjoy recreational scuba diving.

Featured Properties