It's summer in Chicago – time to take a dip!
You've had your fill of al fresco brunch. You've basked on the prettiest rooftops. You've navigated your favorite street fests. Now what you really need is a nice body of water to cool down in. Chicago has plenty of public beaches and pools to choose from – check out our favorites below.
A quick note, most pools are now open but some are impacted by a lack of lifeguards. Please be sure to check online before heading out. However, there are enough lifeguards in place monitoring Chicago’s beaches for you to have some fun!
Image Via Chicago Park District
100 N. Central Park Ave. - Garfield Park
This public pool is located just a quick walk from the nearby conservatory, so you can make a whole day of it! A plant and pool day!
IMAGE VIA CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
5700 S. Lake Shore Drive - Hyde Park
57th Street Beach is a gem in the heart of Hyde Park. After you soak up the rays on this gorgeous beach, soak up some culture at the Museum of Science and Industry right down the street.
Image Via Chicago Park District
1501 W. Randolph St. - West Town
Pitchfork Music Festival isn't the only reason to visit scenic Union Park this summer. Get some laps in while the Green Line sails overhead and Willis Tower sits proudly in the distance.
Image Via Chicago Park District
4100 S. Lake Shore Dr. - Bronzeville
One of Chicago's newer beaches, Oakwood offers an Instagram-worthy view of the skyline and a break from the crowds at most North Side beaches.
Photo via Facebook/Lakebreeze
5800 N. Lake Shore Dr. - Edgewater
Osterman Beach on the North Side is the most popular lakefront hang for Chicago's LGBTQ+ community. With a beautiful view of the skyline, freshly combed sand, and LakeBreeze—a beachside restaurant, it's definitely one for your local beach bucket list.
Image Via Chicago Park District
958 N. Sacramento Ave. - Humboldt Park
Two words: WATER SLIDE!!!
Image Via Chicago Park District
4400 N. Lake Shore Dr. - Uptown
We haven't found any pools in the city that you can enjoy with your pup (yet), but Montrose Beach is known as the city's best spot to play a little water fetch. Not a dog person? Not a problem. The south end of the beach is designated for two-legged swimmers only.
Image Via Chicago Park Disctrict
3035 N. Hoyne Ave. - Lakeview
At 50 yards, this is one of the larger outdoor public pools in Chicago and is within walking distance of great, low-key post-swim spots like Beat Kitchen and Cody's where no one will care if you smell like chlorine.
IMAGE VIA CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
1700 S. Wentworth Ave. - Chinatown
Wanna enjoy the pool but skip the sun? We got you. Ping Tom Memorial Park's indoor pool is right in the middle of the neighborhood with a ton to eat and explore after.
IMAGE VIA CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
1222 W. Touhy Ave - Rogers Park
Some people go to the beach to relax, and others to work out. If long-distance swimming is your jam, you gotta hit the water at Leone Beach and try the stretch from Lunt to Farwell and parallel to shore.
Image Via Hurricane Harbor
1 Great America Parkway - Gurnee, IL
Venture outside the city to the 'burbs for fun in the sun. Hurricane Harbor is perfect if you wanna hit some slides, waves, drops, and more extreme water activities!
image via raging waves
4000 N. Bridge St. - Yorkville, IL
Need even more thrills for your water park experience? Check out Raging Waves, Illinois' largest water park for your next day trip outside the city!
Are we missing your favorite public pool or beach? Hit us up at [email protected] and we'll get it added to this list.
