The Best Beaches in Illinois: A Complete Guide

Illinois is a great place for beachgoers looking to enjoy a day of sun, sand, and surf. With its beautiful lakes and rivers, many of Illinois’ beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. Whether you’re looking for a lakefront beach, an inland beach, or a beach with a boardwalk, there are plenty of great beaches in Illinois to choose from. This guide will help you find the best beach for your needs, so you can make the most of your summer.

1. Winnetka Beach

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Winnetka Beach is one of the best beaches in Illinois. With its white sand and crystal clear water, it’s the perfect place to go for a swim, sunbathe, or have a picnic. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal. There are also several restaurants nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat.

Winnetka Beach is also a great place to go for a walk or a jog. There’s a long boardwalk that runs along the beach, and the views of the lake are stunning. It’s a great place to watch the sunset or take a romantic stroll.

Winnetka Beach is a very popular spot, so it can get crowded on weekends. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, it’s best to go during the week.

2. North Avenue Beach

North Avenue Beach is another great beach in Illinois. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area. With its white sand and clear blue waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun.

North Avenue Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large playground for the kids to enjoy.

North Avenue Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

3. Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is a great beach located in the Chicago area. It’s a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has white sand and crystal clear waters, and there’s a large playground for the kids to enjoy.

Rainbow Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There are also several volleyball courts, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Rainbow Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

4. Montrose Beach

Montrose Beach is another great beach in the Chicago area. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Montrose Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There are also several volleyball courts, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Montrose Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

5. Illinois Beach State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Illinois Beach State Park is a great spot for beachgoers looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park has two miles of sandy beach and crystal clear waters, making it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach also has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

The park also has two miles of nature trails, so it’s a great spot for nature lovers. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat.

Illinois Beach State Park can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

6. Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center

The Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center is a great spot for beachgoers looking for a luxurious getaway. The resort has a private beach with white sand and crystal clear waters, making it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The resort also has a large pool, a spa, and several restaurants.

The resort also has several conference centers, so it’s a great spot for business travelers. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat.

The Illinois Beach Resort & Conference Center can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

7. Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens

Located just outside of Chicago, the Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens is a great spot for nature lovers. The center has two miles of trails, a lake, and a beach with white sand and crystal clear waters, making it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The center also has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

The center also has several botanical gardens and a butterfly garden, so it’s a great spot for nature lovers. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat.

Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

8. Foster Beach

Foster Beach is a great beach located on the shores of Lake Michigan. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Foster Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large volleyball court, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Foster Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

9. Oak Street Beach

Oak Street Beach is a great beach located in the Chicago area. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Oak Street Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large volleyball court, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Oak Street Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

10. Loyola Beach

Loyola Beach is a great beach located in the Chicago area. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Loyola Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large volleyball court, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Loyola Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

11. Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is a great beach located in the Chicago area. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Lake of the Woods also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large volleyball court, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Lake of the Woods can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

12. Rainbow Harbor Beach

Rainbow Harbor Beach is a great beach located in the Chicago area. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun in the sun. The beach has a large playground for the kids to enjoy, as well as picnic tables and grills for a perfect beachside meal.

Rainbow Harbor Beach also has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, and there are several restaurants and bars nearby if you’re looking for a bite to eat. There’s also a large volleyball court, so it’s a great spot for a game of beach volleyball.

Rainbow Harbor Beach can get crowded on weekends, so it’s best to go during the week if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

Summary

Illinois is a great place for beachgoers looking to enjoy a day of sun, sand, and surf. From the white sand and crystal clear waters of Winnetka Beach to the nature trails and botanical gardens of Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, there are plenty of great beaches in Illinois to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a lakefront beach, an inland beach, or a beach with a boardwalk, this guide will help you find the best beach for your needs, so you can make the most of your summer.