Oak Street Beach

Where locals flash the flesh in summertime
Word to the wise: If the weather’s hot and Oak Street Beach is too busy, try the less-visited Ohio Street Beach by Olive Park, 10 blocks south.

The Gold Coast’s own beach, situated at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, offers a tranquil waterside escape from the bustle of downtown Chicago. Or, at least, it sometimes does – if you visit during the hottest summer days, the place will undoubtedly be packed with Chicagoans swimming, strutting and checking each other out.
There’s food and drink available, and opportunities to bike and skate (up to Lincoln Park, which stretches for miles to the north), play volleyball or simply have a splash in the cool Lake Michigan water while admiring views of the city skyline.