Wanting to take my kids to the beach before they close for the season. I know there's several in the area (Evanston, Chicago). I am wondering what's the nicest beach in the Chicagoland area? I am willing to pay an entrance fee.
I want to know also. I used to live in Rogers Park years ago and all the beaches were free and beautiful.
We LOVE Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago. It's a big beach...free with free parking and a nice beach house. There are always lifeguards on duty and they close the beach if the bacteria levels are high, unlike some non-Chicago beaches. Also, it's a very family-oriented beach...so nobody cares if you look like a teenager in your bathing suit (important to some of us!).
glencoe beach..
gilson park in wilmette..
both are so extremely child friendly and both have parks on the beach
gilson is huge.. glencoe is small
oops i saw u didnt want to pay
i dont know of any free beaches that i prefer over the entrance fee ones
Our absolute favorite is Glencoe Beach. It's beautiful, not too crowded and has a fantastic play area for the kids.
Hi K., I highly recommend Loyola Park/Leone Park and Beach in North Chicago (Rogers Park). Terrific beach with lots of room, nice playground, even (mostly) healthy snack/lunch options at an outpost of the Heartland Cafe. Really nice! It's just off Sheridan Rd. (turn right at, I think, Greenleaf and park in the lot there) but here is the link to the park distric site: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/beaches/#swi...
(scroll down to Leone Park, which is just north of Loyola Park; they all kind of run together) ...and one tip -- you always want to check that swim report -- some days the beaches are closed due to bacteria (just in case you didn't know that)!
have fun!
If you're looking for a smaller lake and safer beach (meaning there's no problem with bacteria and the beach being closed) there's always Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Sounds far if you're not familiar with it but it's really not, depending on where you live. It's not far into WI so not a bad drive. Their best beach is Fontana.
Go to their site and click on Activities on the left, and then Beaches/Swimming.
I know this is a bit of a drive (1 and 3/4 hours), but the Michigan's Warren Dunes. We were just there last Sat. and the entire family had a great time! It is very clean, large and has a snack stand and small store. Remember to bring a floatie as it makes for more fun out there! Enjoy!
I grew up in Chicago and have lived in suburbs for many years. Thought I'd go back and went to Evanston area. Everythings seemed clean, the water was clear, but there were a million flies who were biting badly. Have since found out that Lake Michigan is polluted with stuff we can't see. Milwaukee puts their sewage into Lake Michigan! I was at a presentation for Congressman Kirk who is trying to do something about it. I have not been back to beach since my experience in Evanston. I could not recommend a beach in area at small or large lake. Makes me sad.
Evanston is ok, but the further north you go the better.
I grew up in Glencoe and that beach is awesome. Very kid friendly. Lake Forest is nice too...and bigger.
Wilmette is nice.
The North Shore ones are more kid friendly and cleaner and quieter than the city beaches.
I loved Chicago North Ave beach pre-baby, but it is a bit much now.
Glencoe is much easier to keep track of the kids too.
Have fun, I love the beach!
