North Avenue Beach is definitely the most popular. It's kind of a scene in the summer, and there's a huge outdoor bar/restaurant called Castaway's on the beach. It's my FAVORITE place to go in the summer when I visit home.

There are bike rentals available at Millennium Park, Navy Pier or North Avenue Beach. They begin around $8.00 per hour. Check www.bikechicago.com for info and reservations.

Oak street beach is popular as well and somewhat closer to the loop than the bigger North Ave. Beach.

Beware that Lake Michigan is never "warm" so do not think this is like swinning in a pool. Depending on the weather, it can be refreshing. Beaches in these neighborhoods are mostly social and "to be seen" affairs.

So true, the water is cold. And not just on the Chicago side, I tried in Lake Michigan last week on the MI side in 98 degree temperatures and the water still felt cold.

It's not like a small lake.

FYI

If anyone is interested in swimming, as in laps, the best place is in an area called the “pond”.

At Grand Avenue, breakwalls shelter a “cove” in the lake that was created when the water filtration facility was built. Recreational boat us this calm area to congregate offshore and party.

Facing north, setting off from Olive Park Beach, located at Grand Avenue, one mile south of Oak Street Beach and named after Milton Olive, a heroic Viet Nam solider. You swim out and back. Or, only out and then get out of the water if you do not want to do a 1 mile loop.

This is the area where the triathlons previously held the swim event, before moving to the event to the crowded boat filled (600 boats) Monroe Harbor.

With a north wind blowing, it can be an adventurous swim.

You’ll swim just meters from the shoreline bike path with lifeguards evenly spaced out and ladders available to get out of the water whenever you like.

You won’t be swimming alone.