This isn’t the most northern beach, but it’s close. Just across from Rogers Park, you’ll cross through Loyola Park before getting to the sandy shoreline. There’s a parking lot, basketball and tennis courts, and playground in the park. On the southern end of the beach near the breakwater there’s a natural dune habitat and a lighthouse.

It’s also known as Hollywood Beach (right near Hollywood Avenue). The wide beach here is usually more low key. If you’re taking the L here, just a few blocks away from the Morse Red Line station is a Whole Foods for last minute snacks or cookout needs. If you want a more active beach day, Chicago Paddle Company rents water sports equipment. You’ll also find the starting point for the Lakefront Trail right where Edgewater Park meets the beach.

Across from Uptown, this beach is linked up with a huge park and there’s tons to do. The park has a boat harbor, golf course, skate park, and migratory bird sanctuary. The biggest bonus to this beach is that there’s a dog-friendly area. A seasonal beach bar, The Dock, serves up burgers and plays live music.

This beach is typically packed with younger crowds and people blasting portable speakers. If you’re looking for lots of energy, this is where to go. Runners and bikers whiz past on the trail, DJs blast music from the boat-shaped Castaways Bar and Grill, and cabanas can be rented at Shore Club. It’s quieter on the north end, and a lot busier the further south you go. Many of the beaches have volleyball nets, but there’s a lot at this beach so many leagues choose to play here throughout the summer.

Across from the Gold Coast neighborhood, this beach is close to downtown. On one side, dramatic high-rises surround the sand. On the other, a clear sky and blue Lake Michigan water. If you’re looking for sun, it’s best to get here early before it sinks behind the buildings. A popular seasonal bar, Oak Street Food and Drink, brings in leafy palm fronds and chairs facing the water.

This beach is on man-made Northerly Island just south of Adler Planetarium. It’s way from city noise and might be feel more secluded since its a little bit more of a trek (there’s parking and a bus route, but the closest L stop is a 20 minute walk). The Huntington Bank Pavillion hosts concerts in the summer including The Roots, Phish, and Vampire Weekend.

This is one of four beaches in Jackson Park. This beach is anchored by a historic, ivy-covered beach house with an interactive fountains for kids. There’s a bike rental company, a kayak launch, and buoys set up for distance swimming. Nearby is the South Shore Cultural Center (there’s a beach here too), where you can play a game of golf or explore the nature sanctuary.

This beach is over in the South Shore neighborhood. It’s connected to a 60-acre park with a fitness center, community garden, basketball and tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and two playgrounds. Not every park and beach has programming, but here you can sign up for sports leagues or day camps.