Soak up the summertime sun at sandy beaches in Chicago and the surrounding area. Pack your buckets, shovels, and plenty of snacks, and you are sure to have a day of family-friendly fun. Read below to find the best spots, as well as parking and admission details. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Beach season typically starts Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day, but be sure to check the specifics of operating days and hours for your chosen beach before heading out!
Chicago Park District Beaches
The Chicago beach season opens Memorial Day weekend. Lifeguards are on-duty during the beach season from 11:00am – 7:00pm. Admission is always free for beaches in Chicago. We recommend checking the Chicago Park District website for daily information on openings and swimming conditions before you make the trip. Parking and concessions vary by location.
- 12th Street Beach: 1200 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
- 57th Street Beach: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
- 63rd Street Beach: 6300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
- Calumet Beach: 9801 S. Avenue G, Chicago, IL 60617
- Fargo Beach: 1300 W. Fargo Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Foster Beach: 5200 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
- Hartigan Beach: 1123 West Farwell Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Helen Doria Beach: 1040 W Columbia Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Howard Beach: 7519 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626
- Humboldt Park Beach: 1440 N. Humboldt Drive, Chicago, IL 60622
- Juneway Beach: 7751 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626
- Lane Beach: 5915 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60660
- Leone Beach: 1222 W. Touhy Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Loyola Beach: 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (31st Street Beach): 3100 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, Chicago, IL 60616
- Marion Mahony Griffin Beach: 1208 W. Jarvis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Montrose Beach: 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60613
- North Avenue Beach: 1601 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, Chicago, IL 60611
- North Shore Beach: 1040 W North Shore Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
- Oak Street Beach: 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
- Oakwood Beach: 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60653
- Ohio Street Beach: 600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
- Osterman Beach: 5800 North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, Chicago, IL 60640
- Rainbow Beach: 2873 E. 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60649
- Rogers Beach: 7705 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626
- South Shore Beach: 7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60649
- Tobey Prinz Beach: 1045 W Pratt, Chicago, IL 60626
Other Nearby Beaches
The Warren Dunes in Michigan and Indiana Dunes (we like Lake View Beach and Dunbar Beach) just over the border are also great choices! We recommend going early so you can find a parking spot.
If your family has a favorite beach not far from Chicagoland, or if there’s one you think we should include in our list, let us know in the comments below.
If you’re not quite feeling up to a beach day, but still want to have some fun in the water, check out our article on local waterparks!
