Photo: Patrick Malon
Photo: Michael
Photo: Radim Svoboda
North Avenue Beach
★4.6(2,834 reviews)FreeActivity
🕑 2-4 hours👶 Toddlers through teens🧡 Saved by 40 families
About
This expansive Lake Michigan beach offers families a classic Chicago summer experience with sandy shores, designated swimming areas, and incredible city skyline views. Kids love building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and playing beach volleyball, while the iconic steamship-shaped beach house adds a fun architectural element. The beach becomes extra exciting in August during the Air and Water Show when military jets and stunt planes perform overhead.
Highlights
- ✓Swimming and splashing in Lake Michigan's waves
- ✓Building sandcastles with stunning Chicago skyline as backdrop
- ✓Watching the Air and Water Show in August with military jets and aerobatic performances
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends to claim a good spot,it gets packed by noon
- 2.The north end of the beach tends to be less crowded than the area near the beach house
- 3.Bring water shoes,the rocky lake bottom near shore can be uncomfortable for bare feet
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings in summer (9 AM-noon) for fewer crowds; visit in mid-August for the spectacular Air and Water Show
What to Know
Food: Concession stand at the beach house with snacks, drinks, and light meals; food trucks often park nearby on weekends · Parking: Very limited street parking; use North Avenue parking garage (paid) or bike/take public transit (Red, Brown, Purple Line to Fullerton) · Bathrooms: Public restrooms and changing facilities in the beach house; outdoor showers available for rinsing off sand · Strollers: Beach path is stroller-friendly, but you'll need to carry strollers through sand to reach the water · Accessibility: Beach wheelchairs available for checkout; paved paths to beach, though sand access can be challenging
Seasonal Notes
Open late May through Labor Day with lifeguards on duty 11 AM-7 PM in summer. Water can be cold even in July. Air and Water Show happens mid-August (usually third weekend). Beach is accessible year-round but no amenities or lifeguards off-season.
Nearby Eats
The beach concession stand offers basics, and Lincoln Park neighborhood (10-minute walk west) has dozens of family-friendly restaurants including Homeslice, Pequod's Pizza, and RJ Grunts.
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