Is it a hot take to say that the best beaches in Chicago are also some of the best beaches in the US? These stretches of sand are the true MVPs of warm-weather seasons in the Midwest. Plentiful access to sandy freshwater beaches is a staple of Chicago summers, when everyone flocks east to play and picnic along Lake Michigan. The city sits at the edge of the third-largest Great Lake, earning Chicago its Third Coast nickname. And 26 miles of lakeside land is owned by the park district, meaning all of Chicago’s many beaches are free for residents and tourists alike year-round. (The official season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day.) A beach is never more than a short walk from downtown, and public transit options flow in the direction of sand and sun from most neighborhoods—all making a beach day one of the best things to do in Chicago.
Chicago’s community ethos is one of the reasons its beautiful freshwater “coast” has been public for over a hundred years. You can find volleyball courts, fire pits, fishing spots, water sports, boat harbors, bathing pavilions, and all manner of food options. To guide you through your Windy City beach days, here’s our list of the seven best beaches in Chicago.
