Best Places To Sunbathe In Chicago

Chicago may be a large metropolitan area, but there are plenty of locations for individuals and families to sunbathe. Many people do not realize the abundant beaches and parks that exist in Chicago, but Chicago is unique as it does have many beaches and parks where people can relax and take in the sun. While some locations are heavily populated and geared toward the single crowd, there are others that are more quiet and geared toward families. Depending on the atmosphere one is looking for, there is the perfect sunbathing spot available for everyone.

Oak Street Beach
1000 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 742-5121
www.cpdbeaches.com/oak-street-beach
 
This Chicago beach is one of the most popular, but also one of the busiest beaches in Chicago. Oak Street Beach is the place to be seen and there is activity and fun going on all day long at this location. The city skyline from Oak Street Beach is amazing and with all of the amenities the location offers such as a beach house, restrooms, food, beverages, water sports and recreation activities, it is an ideal spot to sunbathe.

Montrose Beach
4400 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 742-5121
www.cpdbeaches.com/montrose-beach
 
If you enjoy sunbathing and going on the internet at the same time, this is the place to be as Montrose Beach offers free wifi for beach visitors. Montrose Beach is located in Lincoln Park and offers numerous amenities. Bird lovers will also enjoy this sunbathing location as there is a natural area very close by that hosts many migratory birds and a tranquil dune area for birds; endangered plant life also flourishes at this location.

57th Street Beach
5700 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
(312) 742-5121
www.cpdbeaches.com/57th-street-beach
 
This Chicago beach is located in Jackson Park and if a quiet sunbathing spot is needed, this is the place to go. The 57^th Street Beach is great for families who do not like the hustle and bustle of some of the other Chicago beaches and the beach is easily accessible from the Museum of Science and Industry via a pedestrian passageway under Lake Shore Drive
 
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Rainbow Beach
3111 E. 77th St.
Chicago, IL 60649
(312) 745-1479
www.cpdbeaches.com/rainbow-beach
 
Rainbow Beach is located in the South Chicago neighborhood and spans five blocks long, the beach and park total almost 61 acres. It is a great beach for families to sunbathe at as it tends to be less busy as some of the other Chicago beaches; this beach even offers free wifi. There is a little over nine acres of dune habitat nearby and the park offers one of the oldest community gardens in Chicago.

Grant Park
337 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-3918
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
 
Grant Park's extensive size of 319 acres and its central location make it an excellent spot to throw down a blanket and do some sunbathing. The park is mainly flat and offers many attractions in its expansive open space; a bonus is the numerous parking garages located underneath the park. The numerous museums located nearby make Grant Park a great place to take in the sun and then afterwards take in Chicago's abundant cultural activities.
 
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Michelle Guilbeau is an elementary teacher living in Chicago, Illinois. She has also experience in school administration and literacy coaching. Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.