The Land of Lincoln is certainly not going to show up on many lists of the country’s pre-eminent beach getaway spots, but that isn’t to say the state isn’t home to many sandy destinations where people can get their bronze on. With 63 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and seemingly limitless beach options inland, Illinois is home to several lakeside locales that are ideal for constructing a sand castle.
Summer in the City
- It should be a breeze for Chicagoans and tourists to the Windy City to find a place to set up shop on their next beach excursion, with the Chicago Park District maintaining 26 miles of public beaches along the Lake Michigan coast from Loyola Beach in the city’s far north side to South Shore Beach on the south side. North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach, located just steps from downtown and the famous Navy Pier, are the city’s most visited sandy shores. The pair of Chicago destinations host numerous summer parties and festivals, as well as professional and amateur beach volleyball tournaments. It isn’t difficult to find a spot to rent a kayak, personal watercraft, paddleboard or sailboat; and street vendors are no stranger to the sands of North Avenue and Oak Street. North Avenue beach-goers can even grab a bite to eat or tropical drink at Castaways Bar and Grill, which is located in a 22,000-square-foot replica ocean liner.
Summer in Evanston
- Evanston, Chicago’s neighbor to the north, provides the perfect balance of big city living while offering a sense of small town suburbia. Evanston’s five public beaches -- six if you include the Dog Beach -- from north to south, are: Lighthouse Beach, Clark Street Beach, Greenwood Street Beach, Lee Street Beach, and South Boulevard Beach. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Evanston’s beaches offer boat launches, kayak and sailboat rentals and lessons, and kayaking fishing trips. Because of its close proximity to campus, Clark Street Beach attracts Northwestern University coeds, and all of Evanston’s beaches are ideal for Chicagoans looking to escape the crowded beaches of the city because they are just a short train ride away.
Summer on the North Shore
- To completely get away from it all, however; city folk need to head to Illinois’ North Shore. Several of the beaches that line the Lake Michigan shoreline offer miles of groomed sand, picnic areas, restrooms, showers, playgrounds, concessions, fishing piers, boat launches, volleyball courts, and in some cases even lifeguard stations. Forest Park Beach outside of Lake Forest is the setting for some of the best views on the Lake Michigan shore. The Waukegan Municipal Beach is one of the state’s nicest free, public beaches. Other North Shore lakefront beach options include Glencoe Beach, Tower Beach in Winnetka, and Gillson Beach in Wilmette.
Summer in Illinois Beach State Park
- The crown jewel of the North Shore coast is Illinois Beach State Park. Nestled adjacent to the Wisconsin border and stretching 6.5 miles along the Lake County coast outside of Zion, Illinois Beach is one of the state’s premier tourist destinations outside of Chicago. The 4,160-acre park is home to nearly 10 miles of walking and bike trails, as well as 241 luxury campsites with picnic areas, electricity, restrooms and showers. The beach itself is the only beach ridge shoreline remaining in the state; and the oak forests, dunes, and fields of wildflowers provide a picturesque backdrop to the park.For those who do not wish to completely rough it, the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center manages 96 rooms with access to a restaurant and lounge, game room, indoor pool, health club, sauna and a 500-person conference center. The park is easily accessible by water via North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor.
Summer Inland
- Certainly there is more to the Illinois beach scene away from the shores of Lake Michigan. In Chicago's western suburb of Naperville, the aquatic park at Centennial Beach entertains more than 135,000 water enthusiasts every year. Sunbathers should also check out the white sands at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, as well as any of the four beaches the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates at Lake Shelbyville in Central Illinois. Other inland locales to soak up the sun include Lake Le-Aqua-Na in Northwest Illinois, Moraine View State Recreation Area outside of Bloomington, and Sam Dale Lake in Southern Illinois.
