North Avenue Beach

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Noted for being "Chicago's Beach," North Ave Beach is fast becoming a hot spot for not only local chicagoans, but for suburbanites as well (or at least the ones who don't want to pay to sit on Glencoe beach). However, don't let the crowds keep you from having a great time in the Chicago sun. Located conveniently just east of Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue, this beach, complete with chaise lounge and umbrella rentals, is most certainly one of the most popular places in the city when the weather gets warm (and even more so on the weekends). Whether your into sun bathing or people watching, the locale is a great place to go and briefly forget that you're in Illinois, as the beach has a tendency to remind one of Miami Beach (sans the nude section). If you go early in the morning, or during the week, it's not unlikely to see a yoga or other fitness classes littered about the sand. Further down the beach are several volleyball courts where you can show your spiking skills alongside summer volleyball leagues. A word of caution to this otherwise fairy tale: parking is very limited and terribly expensive, so if at all possible, park further west of the beach and either hoof it over to the beach or hop on the 72 bus for a $2 ride to the sand.

What some consider to be Chicago's premiere beach, North Avenue Beach brings people of all ages together to enjoy warm summer days in the windy city. Ranging along a full mile of the lake front, North Avenue Beach is divided into six sandy beaches and one rocky area. North Avenue Beach hosts a variety of events. Whether you're up at dawn to see Volleyball tournaments featuring Olympians or willing to camp out overnight to witness the dazzling stunts of the Air and Water show, good times are to be had. North Avenue Beach is at the epicenter of the Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhood so expect to share the sands with hundreds of twentysomethings enjoying their summers away from school and weekends off from work. Safety is rarely a concern as the lifeguard staff does their very best to ensure patron safety along with the help of the Chicago Police Department. Family outings are highly recommended. And finally, the boathouse is a one of a kind attraction featuring Castaways, a rooftop restaurant which hosts plenty of live music so everyone can sit back, kick it in the sun and enjoy the tunes.

Chicago’s 28 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline is home to some 33 beaches and a favorite among them is North Avenue Beach. City sunbathers and visiting suburbanites both flock to the Lincoln Park beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day. North Avenue Beach has something for just about every type of beach goer. If an afternoon of activities in the sun is your thing, there are volleyball courts and an outdoor gym to keep you busy. Kayaks, jet skis, bikes and paddle and wake boards are also available for rent. Sunrise and sunset yoga classes are another option. If you like your sun worshipping with a side of socializing, the beach’s popularity and often packed sands will have you lying towel-to-towel and rubbing elbows with plenty of others. The ocean-liner shaped beach house remains anchored in North Avenue Beach’s sands and houses Castaways Bar and Grill, a perfect spot to grab appetizers and drinks with friends. North Avenue Beach plays host to several big events, like the annual Association of Volleyball Professions Chicago Open and the Chicago Air and Water Show. If it weren’t for the small waves and stunning views of Chicago’s iconic skyline behind you, you could almost mistake North Avenue Beach for one of the country’s more popular sandy locales.

North Avenue Beach is a very beautiful beach. At this beach, you can swim, sunbathe, play volleyball and just relax. There is even a boat-shaped restaurant on the beach where you can grab something to eat or drink. The only part I don't like about this beach is that it can get super crowded, especially on holidays. If you plan on visiting this beach on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, make sure to come early.

If your young and want to have a great time. During the summer hit up the north side beach. Deff a good place to visit hang with friends and get a sweet tan!

There are only so many days in the year when it's possible to enjoy the warmth and sunshine in Chicago, so it's no surprise that everyone heads to the beach in the summertime. But holy cow! It's as if North Avenue Beach is the last beach on earth! I'm always shocked at how many people there are. So many visitors cram themselves and their towels into whatever remaining open spot they can find that you can hardly even see the sand as you walk by. The beach itself is rather nice. The sand is soft, the slope to the water is perfect, and it's a great place for swimming. But unless you are in the mood to battle tons of crowds (both residents and tourists), this is not the beach for you.

If the beach boys had been to North Av beach they might have had a different song. Chicago's most popular beach is the best place to be if you are looking to catch some rays and enjoy beautiful Lake Michigan. After you've worked up your appetite playing a game of beach volleyball stop by castaways for some food and drink located right on the beach. Looking to party? No problem seeing as the beach is one of the hottest spots in the summer. North Av. draws in big crowds of people that are friendly and looking to have a good time and fun, just the kind of people you wanna meet when your out. I don't suggest driving as it is difficult to find parking but there are plenty of train stops within walking distance of the beach that you can take, making it perfect for all you party people that may have gotten too tipsy on the beach (Don't drink and drive). Only problem is if your just looking to have a nice relaxing time on the beach its better to go on a random weekday and there are also plenty of other quietter beach spots for you to enjoy!

The best part about having a beach in a city that has a legitimate winter is that the excitement that comes from being able to go to the beach when May rolls around is pretty unparalleled. This could also be reviewed as a problem and North Avenue because it is insanely packed throughout most of the summer - featuring tons of drunk high schoolers which can be a lot to handle. Castaways is the main focus of the beach, and like Chris said below it is not uncommon - actually very common - that people will go to the beach without any intention of ever setting foot in the water. The beach is conveniently located in that it is walking distance to many nice areas of the city, and is even walking distance of Ogilvie and Union Stations if you are not coming from downtown. If you are looking for a giant party - pretty much any day of the summer is a safe bet at North Avenue. However, if you want a more relaxed beach experience - head north to the beaches farther up along the north shore. - Oak street beach is also generally less crowded but not as nice of a beach.

Let's be clear, Chicago is not a beach vacation destination, and for most of the year and most of any week, the beaches are pretty sparsely populated. But for about 10-12 weekends in the summer Chicagoans will act like they live in Miami, show off the long winter months at the gym, and head to the beach, and North Avenue is the busiest scene. It really can feel like a true beach destination with the number of towels packed into the relatively small beach, with the focal point right around Castaways. Singles mingle and check each other out, some footballs and frisbees are thrown but it is too busy to play a game. Most people don't even dip more than a toe in the water but between the beach and Castaways Chicago shows one of the key ways it is different from the rest of the Midwest. And it is a lot of fun. Stretching North from the main part of the beach are volleyball poles (bring your own net unless you can poach). To be the king of the beach you should purchase a volleyball net and boundary lines and you can quickly make friends with folks who want to play. You will see alumni groups from colleges set up at a net for the day with flags waving as well as just groups of friends. Parking can be annoying on the busy days and even fill up. And if the lot fills up you will end up with a pretty good walk. Just ride your bike if you can. If you really want a wide beach for a game of beach football or the like, Montrose is a better option further North. If you want to see 21 year old girls in bikinis, head to North Avenue.