- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
31st Street Beach
Categories: Active Life Swimming Pools Active Life Beaches Swimming Pools, Beaches [Edit]
31st St and Lake Shore DrChicago, IL 60616
Neighborhoods: Bronzeville, Douglas
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for 31st Street Beach
20 reviews in English
-
Review from Mindy S.
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place sucks, tourists and northsiders should stay away.
heh.
One of my top spots in the city, especially for a great photo backdrop. -
Review from Polly P.
Chicago, IL
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
We like this beach, because it's close to our home (we live in South Loop), but it's much bigger and cleaner than the one near Adler Planetarium.
-
Review from Kate D.
Chicago, IL
5/7/2012 3 photos
31st Street beach is not just a beach anymore. It has been completely redone. The beach is still there but now there is 31st Street Harbor and Playground. There is an underground parking lot, a boating store that has refreshments, plenty of tables and chairs and an amazing new park for the kids. The ground at the playground is all rubber and the slides are great. What a wonderful new place to watch the boats and hang out with the kids!
-
Review from Amy L.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2010
It's Beach Time! Break out the booze, bikini's and sun tan lotion!
Just Kidding. Who am I kidding, sun tan lotion are for L.O.S.E.R.S.... Cancer is where it's at kiddies!.... JK
But regardless, this beach is pretty spacious and desolate at certain times. Not a lot of people know about this beach so it's a plus that there is no people crowding. I hate it when people are around my personal space. "If you are within a hand's reach, you're in my personal space, now step off!"
Notes---There is also a long wharf that couples go to make-out in. Since it is far away it is the perfect spot. But not too far where normal can't make out shapes. No hanky panky for your information. I'm not advocating this....
---The beach may be hard on your feet. The beach felt man-made because of all the large stones imbedded into the sand.
Overall- Great Beach, Now where is my SPF -15.... Yes, I said Negative.....15 -
Review from Johnnie W.
Chicago, IL
7/7/2011
This was a great beach until recently. The Chicago Park District has started growing prairie grass every where. The green space for picnickers and family activities is practically gone. The park district is more concerned about the birds than they are the people who pay taxes. There was already a bird santuary, but now there is prairie grass on both sides of the path. With construction of the harbor, the prairie grass and the green space that was eliminated because of additional parking spaces, the area for family activity is very sparse from 35th to 26th Sts.
Recently, a jogger was attacked. No wonder. It's a catasthropy waiting to happen. -
Review from Joe S.
Chicago, IL
9/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
best view of the city...clean beach most of the time...life guards..and a little snack shop. The one star removed because I always see tug boats and borderline tankers out there and not sure how I feel about that being so close to the beach....Still, great for families and parking is a cinch
-
Review from Jenna S.
Chicago, IL
8/9/2008
Probably the best beach along Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Formerly, this beach was underfunded and under cared for. There was glass and other garbage everywhere in the sand, which was sad and obviously totally unsafe.
Since the place was cleaned up, it's the most family friendly beach in the city! There's space for barbecuing and picnicking and there's always room on the beach to throw down your towel. The beach is clean and free of litter now and the water is super nice. There's also a nice pier that you can walk out onto to get a view of the Lake as well as the city to the north and south of the beach.
And the view of the northside of Chicago is PHENOMENAL! We came here to watch the 3rd of July fireworks last year and we could see everything! Much better than trying to trudge all the way to Navy Pier and sit with annoying tourists.
There's also two food stands that are open every day in the summer, which is convenient if you didn't bring any food for your picnic.
The bike path is also excellent because you can take it all the way to the north shore or the south shore. The paths are well maintained and there are often runners/bikers/walkers out for a stroll on the great path by the water.
By far my favorite beach in this beautiful city. It's never crowded (definitely not as crowded as North Ave. or Oak St.) and it's always beautiful.Listed in: Chicago Bike City!
-
Review from Nichole M.
Chicago, IL
7/6/2010
We're gonna do pros and cons with this one:
Pros:
1- Not too crowded, so you actually have some space for your blankets, towels, etc and are not laying on top of each other.
2- The parking is cheaper than at other beaches...$1 per hour.
3- There is a lot of grassy space to bbq if you'd like
4- There was actually parking, but good luck after 11.
5-The sand that doesn't get as hot as at other beaches.
Cons:
1- Not that soft of sand, can't really make a sand castle and it kinda hurts when it's windy.
2- There was a substantial amount of garbage on the pier when I went. Possibly b/c it was 4th of July weekend tho.
3- The water was freezing.
-I like this beach in general and plan to return. I can get real claustrophobic and annoyed with too many people, so this beach is perfect for me. I just wish the sand was softer :( Def check this beach out if you haven't been here before, but be sure to get here before 11am if you're driving. -
Review from Victor M.
5/4/2010
A very scenic place and a great place for outdoor BBQ's.
There's a skate park, the typical park with swings, and a concession stand.
If you're a runner, running from where you parked to the Old McCormick place and back is 3miles. To Buckingham on the bike path and back is ~6.5miles.
I minus one star because Parking use to be free. It's now a dollar for a hour. Yeah its cheaper than everywhere else and it's nothing compared to North Ave. But still.. It was Free.. -
Review from Terri M.
Chicago, IL
9/23/2007
I don't know about the beach itself, since I have not been down to the water lately, but the taco stand at the beachhouse at this beach was a godsend after a long ride on the lakefront bike trail. We had not counted on getting so incredibly famished, but we were, and fortunately we had brought along a few bucks of emergency money. We spent about seven dollars on four veggie tacos that were delicious and fresh and just what we needed to hit the spot at that particular moment. The young guy and his mom who were working there were super-nice. We got out tacos just like we wanted--with avocados, beans, cheese, onions and cilantro (sour cream and salsa also available).
In general, this is a good place to park and start one's bike riden on the lakefront trail in either direction. Just north, there are gorgeous prairie gardens behind McCormick Place and a wooden viewing area from which to take it all in. Heading south, there's The Point in Hyde Park and the South Shore Cultural Center.
Update: the taco stand has been replaced by a Connie's Pizza outlet--boo. -
Review from Stephanie K.
Chicago, IL
7/21/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I really tried to give this beach a chance, but honestly I think the flies have taken over. Each time I have gone there there are more and more BITING flies, and they are relentless. I couldn't even enjoy 30 min of sun bathing/swimming because they followed me out to the water.... It was a big ball of suck at this beach.... skip it , or bring your bug spray and fly swatter !
-
Review from Laura M.
6/25/2009
This is an OK beach for families/kids. It has a lovely view of the Chicago skyline and it's easy to get to (I55 South ends, it's the first exit). The parking is decent if you get there early. The beach crowd is also decent if you get there early. That's the trick.
Otherwise, you are waiting to find parking, it starts to get crowded, and the beach/sand area is small. There are bathrooms but they are public bathrooms and they are not very clean. There is a concession area with Connie's pizza advertised (byof).
There are three lifeguards which is nice and the place feels pretty safe. There is also a huge playground. Not a bad idea to park here and ride your bike too.
Overall, it's decent to take your kids to get your beach fix (this coming from a Miami beach girl!). -
Review from KERL L.
Chicago, IL
9/16/2010
THis beach has always been quite calm for many years compared to the other up north. For sure, its a gem for the south siders looking for a peaceful getaway to the lakefront. I frequent the location on my long marathon training runs and have always enjoyed stopping at the beach house for a quick look at the water and passerby.
Its wonderful that the Park District and the Army Corps of Engineers finally devoted resources to fixing the embankment along with the beach. Its been well deserved. And with the new harbor to grace that location in the coming years, activity from boaters will surely liven up the area.
Keep it up Chicago -
Review from Paul F.
Chicago, IL
7/8/2008
Never driven here so I can't speak to the parking, but I have found that beach parking is rarely available at many beaches.
I love 31st street beach. Crowd is largely families, there is a skate park and I've accidentally gone to beach parties here with dj wayne williams randomly performing. A lot of space for everybody in the evening.
Ideal for a romantic night watching the skyline. -
Review from Donna G.
Schererville, IN
8/23/2006
This beach/park deserves some recognition. Located at 31st Street and Lake Shore Drive, it's the closest lake front park to our neighborhood AND there are plenty of parking spots :) Despite the beach crowd when the weather is hot, there is a nice new bike trail and very long concrete pier along the shore with an incredible view of the skyline. It's my new favorite place to take my dog for a walk (just watch out for occasional glass shards). If you live on the south side, it's worth the trip to check it out. It makes for a nice picture spot too :)
-
Review from Christine S.
Chicago, IL
7/13/2008
This is where you will find me most weekends. I love this beach! The view looking North is Amazing and this beach is surprisingly clean. I always ride my bike, so I don't have to worry about parking.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
-
Review from A G.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2010
Forget about North Ave beach (except of prestigious vball). This beach is bigger and better. Much more parking available, plus the skate park for the skaters!!
The water is cleaner over this way too..... -
Review from Diana R.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2009
What a great afternoon I had here. I've never been south on lake shore drive and I must say I delightfully surprised. I spent the afternoon here with my mom spending some girl time with my mom. The beach was easy to get to and the parking was a breeze. Very clean and peaceful for a weekday. Great view of the skyline and everything north of there. I will be there again!
-
Review from Geoff M.
Chicago, IL
7/10/2007
The view of the skyline from this beach is amazing. The water is usually pretty clear, all the more amazing considering that the beach is enclosed by a jetty on each side. The crowd is mostly families with young kids but you'll notice a few couples here and there and it's a pretty diverse crowd. The parking is horrible especially since lots of people use the lot for access to the bike trail or grilling in the park. And in typical Chicago fashion people park wherever they damn well please and rarely show consideration for other drivers. All in all, once you get on the sand (which is pretty coarse) your day will be a little better. Just don't sit close to the water or you'll get hit with a little kid's mudball.
-
Review from catherine k.
Chicago, IL
2/23/2010 3 photos
This beach was a lot better in summer 2009, when the sand didn't suck. Now the sand it pretty much gravel. Compared to north side beaches, the sand is just awful and not really sand at all. Definitely takes away from the beach experience. It does have a nice view of the skyline and is easy to get to off of LSD, but the parking lot is usually full and now you have to pay for parking. I would recommend skipping this gravel pit and going to one of the north side beaches like Hollywood, Hartigan or Loyola.
