North Avenue Beach
North Avenue Beach
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Neighbourhood: North Side
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3 499 within 5 kms
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1 044 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
265 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
106
Average
20
Poor
9
Terrible
6
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8 508 contributions
Aug 2023
Follow me to the site of Chicago's picturesque postcard, a spectacular and panoramic view of the city's breath-taking skyline that dwarfs anything this side of Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Am I exaggerating just a little? Maybe so. But see for yourself. Walk east on North Avenue, past the Cardinal's mansion, go through the tunnel under North Lake Shore Drive, climb the grassy knoll, step across the concrete checkerboards, be alert for bikers and proceed along the path leading to North Avenue Beach and the breakwater in Lake Michigan. Find a comfortable spot on the grass, looking south across the water toward Oak Street Beach, the Drake Hotel, the Hancock Building and beyond. What a sight! On a clear day, you can see the high-rises along Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Lake Point Tower, the Aon Building, the Willis Tower, Trump Tower, Aqua Tower, Water Tower Place and Vista Tower. No, you can't see the United Center or Millennium Park or the Chicago River. But it's Chicago. No doubt about it. It's a picturesque postcard you don't see in New York City or Los Angeles or Boston or Miami or Houston or Seattle. Do any of those cities have a beach within steps of their busiest downtown thoroughfare? With a backdrop of Lake Michigan, like a colorful prop in a Hollywood movie.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb t
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The problem was they closed the parking lot cause they said they need atleast 30 parking spots available in order to reopen the parking lot. There were atleast 20/25 spots open and they it won’t open for atleast an hour!! Why wouldn’t the city keep the parking lot open once there were over 15 spots. The Chicago park district doesn’t want our money ??
We went August 4th around 12. Otherwise it was fine except having to wait over 35 mins just to get out of the line to go find other parking.
We went August 4th around 12. Otherwise it was fine except having to wait over 35 mins just to get out of the line to go find other parking.
Written 4 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SouthLoopZephyr
Chicago, IL8 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
I don't know where the reviewers get their information, that the water at North Avenue Beach is "dirty" or "filthy." One can't determine water quality by looking at the water, whether the water has a high level of harmful bacteria or not, can be determine by testing the water.
Chicago's beaches are tested each weekday and on weekends, if high bacteria levels are detected late in the week. The beaches also are groomed each day, killing bacteria in the sand by exposing it to sunlight. To give even more current information computer models are used to predict water quality. If the water quality at a Chicago swimming beach is not up to the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency then a swim advisory is posted at that particular beach. If unsafe bacteria reaches an unsafe level then a swimming ban will go into effect at that beach.
Chicago's beaches offer variety and each provides a different environment to enjoy Chicago's splendid lakefront. North Avenue Beach has been correctly described as a 'crowded, party beach' so some will naturally prefer one of Chicago's less crowded more relaxing beaches. For those who enjoy a beach of this type it rates five stars.
Chicago's beaches are tested each weekday and on weekends, if high bacteria levels are detected late in the week. The beaches also are groomed each day, killing bacteria in the sand by exposing it to sunlight. To give even more current information computer models are used to predict water quality. If the water quality at a Chicago swimming beach is not up to the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency then a swim advisory is posted at that particular beach. If unsafe bacteria reaches an unsafe level then a swimming ban will go into effect at that beach.
Chicago's beaches offer variety and each provides a different environment to enjoy Chicago's splendid lakefront. North Avenue Beach has been correctly described as a 'crowded, party beach' so some will naturally prefer one of Chicago's less crowded more relaxing beaches. For those who enjoy a beach of this type it rates five stars.
Written 7 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIGuy74
Alma, Canada87 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Besides parking it is the one of the best beaches I have visited. If you are with younger kids try to find a quiet spot and stay away from 20 something crowd so you and your kids don’t have to hear F word and all the wild stories they share out loud. CPD helicopter was circling low so that was added entertainment. Sand is warm but water is cold. I recommend taking your kids there.
Written 3 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wilslisa
92 contributions
May 2018
We went to this beach after walking around Lincoln Park Zoo. It gets pretty busy on a sunny day but we managed to find some open spots to lay out by walking further down the beach. There’s restaurants and bars but no alcohol on the beach.
Written 28 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AVChicago2012
Chicago, IL98 contributions
Jan 2015
This place is amazing for the air and water show..if you have time you should go Thursday before the show to watch them pratice..do not drive here when they have any kind of events..ride you bike or take the train and bus..bring your own food and maybe toilet paper cause the bathroom may not have it.
Written 13 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz T
Vancouver, Canada338 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We read much about this beach and decided to find it while visiting Chicago. Started out at the Oak Park Beach and continued walking for 15 minutes before we reached North Ave beach. It is much bigger than Oak Park Beach and there were many beach volleyball players using the nets. Seemed to have more facilities (parking, restrooms, food) to support this large beach area. Stanley Park is right across the street. If you wanted to spend the entire day here, this seems to be the place to go to.
Written 18 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justmyopinion
Toronto, Canada2 079 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We walked over here after Lincoln Park.
It's big, crowded but not overly (Plenty of space), it has bathrooms and a cool ship restaurant with outdoor seating.
We stopped and spent more time than we thought here. This is a great beach for kids or just adults.
Hard to believe this is just outside downtown Chicago.
Great paths for bikes walking or just about anything on wheels.
You'll love the opportunity to people watch.
We had so much fun we decided to follow the beach all the way into the city! Fun free day!
It's big, crowded but not overly (Plenty of space), it has bathrooms and a cool ship restaurant with outdoor seating.
We stopped and spent more time than we thought here. This is a great beach for kids or just adults.
Hard to believe this is just outside downtown Chicago.
Great paths for bikes walking or just about anything on wheels.
You'll love the opportunity to people watch.
We had so much fun we decided to follow the beach all the way into the city! Fun free day!
Written 6 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8 508 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We live a short walk from North Avenue Beach on Chicago's near North Side so we are bias in our opinion. In the summer, on a hot Saturday or Sunday morning, there isn't anything like it. Oh, you can be among the million or so people who congregate along the beach for the annual air and water show in August. Or attend one of the major volleyball tournaments that are conducted on the sandy beach. Or just walk or jog or bike from Montrose to Diversey to Fullerton to North Avenue to Oak Street to Navy Pier to the Museum Campus to McCormick Place and as far south as the Museum of Science and Industry and beyond. You won't experience anything like this in New York or Los Angeles. Stand on the sliver of land at North Avenue Beach and gaze southward to the Chicago skyline. It's a picture postcard that you've seen in more than a few television movies. Parking can be a problem on busy days but most Chicagoans are savvy enough to know that there is plenty of public transportation to within easy walking distance of the beach. This is the magnificent meeting of land and water that golfers talk about when they play at Pebble Beach. You don't see this in Phoenix or even Miami. It is such an enjoyable excursion in the sun from North Avenue Beach to Oak Street Beach, then a short walk to Rush Street and breakfast at an outdoor patio. There are plenty of things to do at North Avenue, of course. There are restaurants and fun and games, lots of sand and a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan, which isn't the Gulf of Mexico (87 degrees in June and July and August), but who's complaining on a hot, muggy day? And if you're tired of looking at the water, you might take a sharp turn to visit the nearby Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free and a joy of adventure for the kids.
Written 26 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie J
Chicago, Illinois10 contributions
Jul 2012
There are so many beaches in Chicago, I think North Ave beach is a bit over rated. Lots of high school kids drinking on the beach. The restaurant/bar is always super crowded. It's a great place to play volleyball though.
Written 14 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are beach tents / canopies allowed (say 10’ x 10’)?
Written 8 July 2021
paulmartino5000
Manhattan, Illinois
What time does the North Ave parking lot open and is it available to park at during the air and water show on Aug 18th?
Written 11 August 2018
The parking lot is open from 11am-7pm. After doing a bit of research I discovered that the parking lot at North Ave Beach will be closed for the air and water show. Also, keep in mind that there will be street closures for this event, and avoiding Lake Shore Dr after 10am is a good idea. If you are willing to paying parking garage fees and you like to walk, I suggest either Piper's Alley Garage or John Hancock Building.
Written 11 August 2018
We are in Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg. Is it best to drive or get a train to north avenue beach? Do you have to purchase tickets to access the beach?
Written 15 August 2017
If you are thinking about driving for the sir and water show, parking is restricted and you will not get a spot there. Access is free.
However at other times, There is limited parking at the beach. You would need to take the Metra train and the the CTA train and bus to get to the beach. There is parking in Lincoln Park lot, but it is about 1/2 mile walk to beach. The beach is free.
Written 16 August 2017
North Ave or Oak Street for older (late 40's) friends? I'm bringing my girlfriend who is visiting from Canada to a Chicago beach... first time visitor. I haven't been in years and years. We'regoing on a Saturday and really just want to stay a few hours, perhaps get some food or snacks and drinks, enjoy the views and water. Which beach do you suggest? I know there's a lot of younger crowd at North Ave so we don't want to look out of place. we don't mind noise and fun, but we also want a relaxing time at the same time . Just want to show her what it's all about.
Written 29 May 2017
I'd go with Oak Street beach! It's more of a mature crowd there vs North Ave having a younger crowd. If you want to have fun, and do things like volleyball, bike tour, jet ski, etc. Then North Ave is it, but Oak Street is more designed for relaxing.
Written 18 June 2017
Sorry, I just saw this when it was no longer relevant....all the beach facilities are generally closed, fencing is up, and no volleyball nets remain but you CAN walk onto snowy, icy, sand whenever you like before 11pm legally I think....
Written 20 February 2017
Anyone know how long they rent out the volleyball nets at north avenue beach? Past labor day?
Written 8 September 2016
Nerg54
Chicago, Illinois
Can you bring a dingy in from anchored boat past swim bouys?
Written 7 July 2016
Quite possible, though I don't know. There is a marina close by that might be an alternative, but again, not something I am familiar with.
Written 27 July 2016
The beach is free, but as others have stated, parking is expensive. You might check public transportation. If you are not from the area, the public transportation system is the CTA, which stands for Chicago Transit Authority, and should be listed. They, in turn, should have all the answers you need.
Written 27 July 2016
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