Best Beach in Forest Park

"With a sprawling 21 acres of land, Loyola Beach is an expansive beach that provides ample space for witnessing exceptional vistas of the city skyline. The beach is nestled in the outpost of the East Rogers Park community. The beach features various amenities for visitors to enjoy, such as the woodshop, clubrooms, fitness centers, and a boxing centre."

"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."

"Rainbow Beach is a 61-acre public beach and park within Chicago's South Chicago neighborhood, originally developed as two separate beaches in the early 20th century before being consolidated into a single beach when the area was acquired by the Chicago Park District in 1959. The beach is named in honor of the United States Army's World War I 42nd Rainbow Division and is located at the terminus of 75th Street at the Lake Michigan shoreline, one of 18 street-end municipal beaches located throughout the city. A field house at the beach, developed in 1999, offers a fitness center, gymnasium, handball courts, and multipurpose community rooms, while a nine-acre natural area preserves significant dune habitats."

"South ShoreLike many South Side beaches, Rainbow has a lovely view of the Downtown city skyline, as well as Wi-Fi, free parking, a playground, handball courts, and a nine-acre natural dune habitat. What more can you ask for?. What to know: With a gymnasium and fitness center, it’s Chicago’s version of Muscle Beach."

"Located in the South Chicago neighborhood, Rainbow Beach is also connected to the Rainbow Beach Park. Pack a picnic and escape the hot sun for a midday lunch in the shaded park!"

"Hyde ParkTucked away behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street Beach was designed by renowned landscape architects Olmsted and Vaux as part of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Parking is fairly easy west of Lake Shore Drive, and the beach is accessible via the pedestrian underpass. Once the sun goes down, head on over to nearby Promontory Point and gather around a bonfire pit (reservations needed).What to know: While the criminally underrated Promontory Point is worth a visit to this beach alone, nearby (and always bumping) neighborhood music venue The Promontory makes the trip even more appealing."

"57th Street Beach is one of Chicago's most popular swimming beaches, located within Jackson Park at 57th Street's terminus at the Lake Michigan shoreline. Though developed beachfront has existed at the site since the park's original landscaping by famed park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1871, it was not renovated into a swimming beach until 1899, following the completion of Chicago's Drainage Canal. Today, it offers unprecedented views of the Chicago skyline for swimmers, along with a long-distance swimming area spanning between 55th Street and the beach's ADA-accessible pier."

"Opened on the site of an old limestone quarry, Palmisano Park unfurls an urban prairie landscape with great views of the Chicago skyline. Locals come here to fish for bluegill in the lagoon in summer and sled the hills in winter. The winding walkways, made of recycled construction debris, are great for a stroll anytime."

"Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty."

"27 acres of wetlands and urban fishing make Palmisano Park a fun place to visit. The park also offers a phenomenal view of Chicago. In winter, it’s a great place to go sledding."

"Restaurants French Loop. A contemporary French brasserie set within the Pendry Chicago hotel (inside the famed Carbide & Carbon building), Venteux is the latest project from former Temporis chef Donald Young, who earned his first Michelin star at the age of 28. Set in a cozy, wood-paneled space, the kitchen turns out traditional French delicacies such as steak frites and French onion soup alongside less conventional options like an omelette topped with trout roe."

"Don Young is one of the youngest chefs to preside over a Michelin-starred restaurant (Temporis), and he brings a fresh approach to French cuisine at Venteux inside the Carbide & Carbon building off Michigan Avenue. Young’s attitude is to respect the classics like coq au vin and steak tartare, but he’ll liven things up with an omelette stuffed with eggs in his “Eggs 5 Ways” and dry ages beef using koji. Diners shouldn’t assume an all-day restaurant inside a hotel will be boring, and Young is elevating the bar."

"The swanky new French brasserie inside the Pendry Chicago hotel is off to a strong start thanks to Don Young’s modern approach to classic dishes. The executive chef and partner, who previously earned a Michelin star at Temporis, has brought his creativity into the daylight with the launch of brunch service. The menu offers items such as eggs prepared five ways, banh mi hash, dry-aged duck and waffles, and ratatouille pasta."

"In my opinion, the more students that study abroad in Spain, the more the tapas demand in the US is bound to grow. With a tapas menu more noteworthy than most, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba is another authentic Chicago favorite. Their Pintxos (bite-sized tapas) and chocolate cake are especially good."