According to a famous Ella Fitzgerald song, "Summertime, and the livin' is easy." Well, maybe not so much if you're living in Chicago during a heat wave. If it seems like your thermometer won't stop edging upward, check out the following Lake Michigan beaches where you can seek refuge from Chicago's often hot dog days of summer.

North Avenue Beach

This popular and typically busy beach is located in Lincoln Park at 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. You'll find just about everything you'll need to enjoy a day at the beach here, including concessions, restrooms, kayak and bike rentals, volleyball courts, as well as views of the city. It also boasts a unique beach house that has been designed to look like a stranded ocean liner.

Oakwood Beach

This relatively secluded stretch of sand, located at 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive, is Chicago's newest beach. Amenity-wise, it has restrooms, a lifeguard first aid station, and pretty views of the city. It is also home to Mamby on the Beach, Chicago's only beachside music festival.

Montrose Beach

Do you have a dog that enjoys the beach life as much as you do? Then head over to Montrose Beach. This popular Uptown stretch of sand, located at 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive, has most of the standard amenities you'd expect at a nice beach, including concessions, restrooms, and shower facilities. But what sets it apart is its extra amenities, such as kayak rentals, free Wi-Fi, and a fenced-off area where dogs can play off their leashes. 

Oak Street Beach

Located at 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, this beach is just a quick walk from the Magnificent Mile. So it's probably not surprising that this beach, which offers chair and bike rentals and restrooms, is so popular with Chicagoans. Oak Street Beach also hosts a number of volleyball tournaments during the summer months. 

Enjoy the Beach Life

Our apartments in Chicago are located close to the Metra, CTA, 190/94, I55 and I290, so you can enjoy a relatively easy commute to most of these beaches. Interested in living in our conveniently located community? Please contact us for more information.