Lake beaches and swimming spots for kids around Chicago
Chicago has no ocean, but it has a lake you can't see across: miles of public sand along the whole city, free, with lifeguards, fine sand, shallow water and the skyline behind you. Add Naperville's own quarry pool and the big dunes an hour-plus away, and summer is covered.
For toddlers the easiest is Centennial Beach: zero-depth sand, lifeguards, a snack bar and the Riverwalk steps away. In the city, Montrose is the widest and gentlest with the easiest parking, plus dunes and birds; North Avenue is the liveliest with the best skyline; 57th Street in Hyde Park is quieter and next to MSI; Evanston's Lighthouse Beach sits under the lighthouse. Farther out, Illinois Beach State Park has the state's only lakeshore dunes, and climbing then rolling down the big dunes at the Indiana Dunes is a full day.
- 7 places
- 4 free
- 3 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
7 places
Drive times from Naperville
Centennial Beach quarry swimming beach
5.0Naperville · 5 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free Centennial Beach lot (500 W Jackson Ave); when it fills on weekend afternoons, use the Riverwalk garage
Montrose Beach and dunes
5.0Chicago · 55 min drive
3 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Lots of free parking along Montrose Harbor, usually available even on weekend afternoons
Lighthouse Beach
5.0Evanston · 65 min drive
3 h · carrier recommended
$ · Parking: Small lot beside the Grosse Point Lighthouse and street parking on Sheridan Rd, hard to find after 10am on weekends
57th Street Beach and Promontory Point
4.0Chicago · 45 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free parking on the east side of the MSI and along Science Dr, then take the underpass to the lake; 15-minute walk from the Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th station
North Avenue Beach
4.0Chicago · 50 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: North Ave beach lot (about $20–30 on summer weekends, full after 10am); bus 151 / 72 to LaSalle & North
Indiana Dunes National Park West Beach
4.0Portage · 80 min drive
5 h · carrier recommended
$ · Parking: West Beach lot about $6 per car (charged in summer, check the website), with a line to get in after 10am
Illinois Beach State Park
4.0Zion · 85 min drive
4 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Free state park lots; the south unit swimming beach lot is closest
💡 Good to know
- The lake is cold until mid-July and best in August; lifeguards work late May to Labor Day, and kids should stay out of the water when none are on duty, since the lake has currents.
- No shade and no stroller on the sand: bring a shade tent and a wagon. City beach lots fill by 10am on summer weekends and aren't cheap.