Oak Street Beach
7.4Locals Score / 10#6 of 6 Beaches in Chicago
free
Known forglamorousurbaniconiclively
Situated at the foot of the Magnificent Mile, Oak Street Beach is Chicago's most glamorous urban beach with a chic, see-and-be-seen atmosphere. The beach house has a popular outdoor café and bar, and the views of Lake Shore Drive curving alongside the skyline are postcard-perfect. It's a great spot for people-watching and volleyball, though it gets extremely crowded on summer weekends. The proximity to downtown makes it very tourist-heavy, which can detract from the local vibe.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | — |
| Time needed | — |
| Best time to go | — |
| Last verified | July 14, 2026 |
Locals Score
7.4/10- Value9.0
- Iconic7.0
- Excellence8.0
- Crowd level9.0
- Authenticity6.0
- Accessibility9.0
Nearby in Ask Chicago
- Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagoMuseum0.66 km · 8 min walk
- 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH ChicagoCafé0.71 km · 9 min walk
- Magnificent MileNeighborhood0.92 km · 11 min walk
- North Avenue BeachBeach1.11 km · 14 min walk
- AMBAR Restaurant, ChicagoRestaurant1.15 km · 14 min walk
Where to stay near Oak Street Beach
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Locals Score