Beaches In Chicago Are Rated Some Of The Best In United States

Some of the best-rated beaches in the United States are located in Chicago.

Beaches In Chicago

When it comes to beaches, I think it is an underrated asset in the city of Chicago. I grew up going to them every summer, especially in high school and college. I always had a great time.

The Windy City has done a great job keeping its lakefront view clear. You go to some waterfront cities and you can not see the beaches because there are buildings in the way.

Chicago has kept structures away from Lake Michigan. That allows for miles upon miles of a beautiful view of the water. It is just amazing driving down Lake Shore Drive. In many places, you can drive on and on and never get even a glimpse because of hotels and other businesses.

Chicago Has Some Of The Best Beaches In The United States

According to thrillist.com,

"Perhaps this Midwest city isn’t the first that comes to mind when you imagine U.S. beach destinations, but that doesn’t mean you should discount it. Chicago has an impressive 26 miles of waterfront on Lake Michigan, plus more than two dozen free beaches. Visitors can do everything from sunbathing to more active pursuits like jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding."

Here a couple you might want to personally check out...

Oak Street Beach
North Avenue Beach
Oakwood Beach

Chicago Beaches Are Unique

It is hard to compare the beaches in Chicago to places like Hawaii because that is paradise. I believe the spots in the Windy City have their own personalities. It is like owning an older home compared to a brand new one.

Give them a chance and there is a good chance you will enjoy them. The water might be a little chilly but the scenery is unbelievable.

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.