Oak Street Beach
Oak Street Beach
4.5
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Great place for water sports and biking.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
How to get there
- Chicago • 8 min walk
- Clark/Division • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
152
Average
34
Poor
6
Terrible
7
MayfieldParrish
Denver, CO1,092 contributions
May 2021
This beach is surprisingly clean for being located in the middle of a large metropolitan area. The large city buildings make for some awesome background for your pictures. Nice hotels and restaurants surround the beach so even if the weather is not ideal you can have a nice day. Great activity for families as well as couples.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TV 🌊
Bethlehem, PA82 contributions
July 2024 • Solo
I didn’t expect this at all in the middle of Chicago. I’m still blown away. The water and the city was such a vibe.
Must stop when you’re in Chicago. It was the highlight of my trip.
Chairs are $20 for the day and we’ll worth it. I stayed at The Drake which is just a stones throw away so could easily head to my room to use the restroom.
The Whispers restaurant on the beach has good food and drinks.
Must stop when you’re in Chicago. It was the highlight of my trip.
Chairs are $20 for the day and we’ll worth it. I stayed at The Drake which is just a stones throw away so could easily head to my room to use the restroom.
The Whispers restaurant on the beach has good food and drinks.
Written 22 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmidor
Chicago37 contributions
June 2013 • Family
There are many beaches in Chicago, but they are by no means equal. If you want large crowds and are a jock go to North avenue Beach. If you are an animal lover go to the doggy beach at Montrose. If you want to barbeque with family go to Wilson. If you want the best of Chicago with the best skyline views, vibe, sand, and access to downtown and Navy pier then go to Oak Street. You can start your day on the beach, then walk a few minutes along the shore and go for a deep swim off the ledge ladders just across from the gold coast. Oak street is also the best for people watching or meeting if that is your purpose. If you are coming from North Ave along the lakefront you know you are there when your turn the corner and see the Hancock building in front of your face.
After the beach you have many options for lunch, dinner or shopping. You are literally a 3 minute walk from the Mag Mile where you can shop or dine to your hearts content. You can also stroll up to Navy pier which is a nice 15 minute walk.
I have lived in Chicago as a northsider for 40 years and for many years have jogged from Addison to Grant park passing by all different beaches and lake front attractions and Oak street has always stood out as the true vibe of Chicago's lake front for me. Take in the vibe and enjoy.
After the beach you have many options for lunch, dinner or shopping. You are literally a 3 minute walk from the Mag Mile where you can shop or dine to your hearts content. You can also stroll up to Navy pier which is a nice 15 minute walk.
I have lived in Chicago as a northsider for 40 years and for many years have jogged from Addison to Grant park passing by all different beaches and lake front attractions and Oak street has always stood out as the true vibe of Chicago's lake front for me. Take in the vibe and enjoy.
Written 8 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, AZ165,453 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We had only ever driven past Oak Street Beach, or seen it from one of our hotel windows, so this was the first time that we actually got to “experience” it. We were dining at Spiaggia, across the street from it, and arrived rather early for our reservation time. We strolled the area, and along the beach, itself, on a lovely Spring evening.
There were only a few walkers, that we could see, though quite a few cyclists were on the Lakefront Trail, which passes the actual sand of the beach. Though the weather was very nice, Chicago had been in the grips of a lingering Winter, until just before our arrival. I anticipate that few were out using the beach, at least not yet.
Though the sun was setting behind us, the sand was taking on a warm glow, and the Lake, plus Oak St Beach were quite beautiful.
The sand looked clean, and actually well-groomed. I grew up on a man-made beach, which was groomed weekly, and though Oak Street Beach is much, much smaller, it had that look. And, unlike “my beach,” Oak Street has the beautiful skyline of Chicago, as a back drop!
Though the beach activities had not yet started for the year, I would think that due to its location, right at the end of the Magnificent Mile, this would be a very, very popular attraction, and probably just a few weeks after our journey.
In a city of concrete (though there ARE some lovely parks), having a sandy beach, right on the Lake, is very nice.
There were only a few walkers, that we could see, though quite a few cyclists were on the Lakefront Trail, which passes the actual sand of the beach. Though the weather was very nice, Chicago had been in the grips of a lingering Winter, until just before our arrival. I anticipate that few were out using the beach, at least not yet.
Though the sun was setting behind us, the sand was taking on a warm glow, and the Lake, plus Oak St Beach were quite beautiful.
The sand looked clean, and actually well-groomed. I grew up on a man-made beach, which was groomed weekly, and though Oak Street Beach is much, much smaller, it had that look. And, unlike “my beach,” Oak Street has the beautiful skyline of Chicago, as a back drop!
Though the beach activities had not yet started for the year, I would think that due to its location, right at the end of the Magnificent Mile, this would be a very, very popular attraction, and probably just a few weeks after our journey.
In a city of concrete (though there ARE some lovely parks), having a sandy beach, right on the Lake, is very nice.
Written 15 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Gloucester, UK174 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
An idyllic sandy beach in the heart of Chicago on Lake Michigan. Just on the North side of Navy pier this location along with the beach bar with excellent draft beers and superb fresh food. An excellent for the whole family, the sun seekers, the bathers and those who can't stand sand but are happy to sit at the bar and watch
Written 5 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelAdapter
Delhi, in, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India76 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I can understand that it is popular with the locals in the city as it does the job.
As a tourist would not recomend anyone to waste their time with this excuse of a beach. Overpriced drinks and dirty sidewalks.
As a tourist would not recomend anyone to waste their time with this excuse of a beach. Overpriced drinks and dirty sidewalks.
Written 31 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElectricMayhem
New York City, NY559 contributions
June 2014 • Couples
OK. Maybe I'm just ill informed. I knew that there were beaches along the Great Lakes. And that many were quite nice. And I guess that I had heard that there were beaches in Chicago. But when I heard that there was a beach a few blocks from my Near North Side hotel, I had to see it to believe it.
Yes, this beach exists. And yes, its actually pretty darn nice. We went on a summer weekday afternoon and the beach was busy, but not too crowded. There is also a small restaurant/bar space at one end of the beach. If you didn't know better, you might think that you were in San Juan instead of the Windy City.
Yes, this beach exists. And yes, its actually pretty darn nice. We went on a summer weekday afternoon and the beach was busy, but not too crowded. There is also a small restaurant/bar space at one end of the beach. If you didn't know better, you might think that you were in San Juan instead of the Windy City.
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Misonix
Cleveland, OH626 contributions
June 2015 • Family
This is too good to be true, especially during the week. Walking distance from Gold coast, rent a chair for 10 per day, great walking place right in the city. Its great for a few hours on a nice day.
Written 25 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hbrow022
Virginia Beach, VA802 contributions
June 2015 • Friends
Oak Street Beach is a larger beach within walking distance from magnificent mile hotels. Has volleyball, lifeguards, bathrooms, and restaurant on the beach. The restaurant/bar on the beach was great! It had cold drinks and a great view with outdoor seating.
Written 22 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveling_Gebhard44
Mountain Home, AR2 contributions
July 2014 • Friends
Spent my teen and early 20's going to lay out on the crowded, but fun beach. With the beautiful towering buildings of lake shore drive behind us. And Drake Hotel next to us, where we stayed..
People riding bikes, skating, jogging, walking hand in hand. A pavilion where built in cement chess tables are there for the folks of Chicago to meet up daily with their fellow chess loving friends.
Oak street is not for strangers. You're there? Everyone belongs. Everyone is a friend.
The water is cool, but lovely in the summer. The lake and boats are stunning, and Lake Michigan is so enormous, it looks like an ocean.
Few years later, I was proposed to there, with a man on bended knee, as drivers on the LSD drove by and saw.
Oak Street brings together the best of the diverse people of Chicago. Summer is the best season.
Spring and Fall? If you love walking and jogging, you must go then and enjoy the weather, and the scenery of the buildings on one side, and the gorgeous lake on the other.
Will always be my favorite place to go, to be, and to experience on all of Earth. <3
People riding bikes, skating, jogging, walking hand in hand. A pavilion where built in cement chess tables are there for the folks of Chicago to meet up daily with their fellow chess loving friends.
Oak street is not for strangers. You're there? Everyone belongs. Everyone is a friend.
The water is cool, but lovely in the summer. The lake and boats are stunning, and Lake Michigan is so enormous, it looks like an ocean.
Few years later, I was proposed to there, with a man on bended knee, as drivers on the LSD drove by and saw.
Oak Street brings together the best of the diverse people of Chicago. Summer is the best season.
Spring and Fall? If you love walking and jogging, you must go then and enjoy the weather, and the scenery of the buildings on one side, and the gorgeous lake on the other.
Will always be my favorite place to go, to be, and to experience on all of Earth. <3
Written 22 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the hours of operation for beach chairs & umbrellas?
Written 4 July 2019
Hi, does Oak Street B have lockers for clothing and money? Do you have to bring towels? Merci,
Written 18 June 2019
no lockers to my knowledge. Bring towels, a little cash ($20 or so) and a credit card. I stuff my valuables in the toe of my shoe, never had any problems. There are bathrooms. I also usually bring a jewel plastic bag to put my wet stuff in when I'm done.
Use spothero app to Park if you are driving, to get best rates.
Written 18 June 2019
season pass to rent chair and umbrella- at chicago beaches?
Written 25 May 2019
find a pay lot on west side of lakeshore drive street parking is usually only for 2 hours and you will get a ticket , then there is a tunnel from west side of lakeshore drive or you can play frogger and try street level
Written 21 July 2018
I didn't see any grills when I was there.
Written 29 June 2018
mraz294661
Bolingbrook, Illinois
If I'm coming to oak street beach by car can I get some good parking without to much walking recently had foot surgery
Written 24 July 2016
It really depends on what time you come, the earlier the better. Also, it gets very crowded for the Air & Water Show.
Written 17 July 2017
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