Although Chicago is almost 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean, there are a lot of great -- and different -- beaches in Illinois' largest city. Chicago is situated on the southern end of Lake Michigan, with 26 miles of open lakefront providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.
North Avenue Beach, on Lake Shore Drive between North Avenue and the lake, is one of the best places to find a competitive beach volleyball game. Volleyball nets are set up along the beach and there's a beach house shaped like a cruise ship that has concession stands, outdoor showers and a place to rent chairs, bikes and volleyballs.
Ohio Street Beach is for hard-core swimmers. Located conveniently close to Navy Pier and with the Chicago skyline as a backdrop, Ohio Street Beach attracts many long-distance swimmers because fewer boats are moored there than in other city harbors.
Beach lovers looking for a place to take their pooch and toss a Frisbee around head to Montrose Beach, which has a designated dog area. Just north of the main beach area is a fenced-off stretch of sand where you can let your dog off the leash to run wild and play in the sand and surf.
The beach at Belmont Harbor is another place that welcomes dogs. Home of the Chicago Yacht Club, the beach underwent major renovations in 2004 and, as of 2011, features a large fenced area that makes it one of the most popular dog beaches in Chicago.
Leone Park Beach stretches for 8 blocks and is the largest beach in Chicago. Featuring everything from volleyball to concession stands for hungry beach lovers, it's a great place for families with small children. Leone Park Beach also has a playground and is stroller-friendly.
Kathy Osterman Beach is at the north end of Lincoln Park. There is no parking nearby, so it can only accessed it by foot. The beach is usually less crowded than other Chicago beaches and is a great place to relax and escape.
Another beautiful beach that attracts smaller crowds is Jackson Park on the city's South Side. Jackson Park, across Lake Shore Drive from the Museum of Science and Industry, features a modern bathhouse with very clean facilities, a concession stand and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
