Chicago Local Getaways
Our 7 Favorite
Family Friendly Beaches
Glencoe Beach (pictured above)
Are you in the mood for day trippn’. This beach is very easy to get to from the city. It’s the same beach from Ferris Buller’s Day off and we all know how much he got done in one day! Hang out and relax or enjoy sailboat boating, kayaking or even jump in a hobie catamaran.
Fontana Beach
Located in Lake Genevea
This beach is full of SUP Boarding, kayaking and other fun water activities. When you are all done for the day you can head into town, for that small town feel. There you can find lots of cute shops and plenty of restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. Good for a day trip or a long weekend.
Illinois State Beach
Grab your sleeping bag! This place has it all especially if you are looking for a break from the urban skyline. Hiking, bike trail
s, fishing swimming, camping, dunes wetlands. The whole family will find something they enjoy doing.
If you want to end your day watching the sunset over the water head to the other side of the lake…
Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is only about an hour away from the city. It has a string of sandy beaches, and trails t
hrough dunes, marshland, and jack pine forests. And if you still like to see your city from a distance the Dune Succession Trail at West Beach has views of the Chicago skyline and the lake’s bird-rich wetland.
If you head to Bridgeman, Michigan you can find two great beaches with a beach to beach bike route through town
Warren Dunes
Sitting on the beach at the Warren Dunes, you will see mud covered people walk by you all day long. When you finally get curious enough to follow the path they are coming from you will excited to find, clay pits and makeshift mudslides. You and the kiddos will love to get down and dirty in them. The Warren Dunes has almost 2,000 acres of recreational opportunities along the beautiful shore. The rugged dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake and offers spectacular views and excellent for hang gliding if you are up for it. 
Weko Beach
Down the bike path you can find long sandy beach, volleyball courts, and beach house with concessions and restrooms. There is also an elevated boardwalk and stair system that provides spectacular views of Lake Michig
an and the beach area. Something to think about when planning your travels, this can be good to plan for or avoid depending on your taste. Weko Beach has the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival in mid-June and the brewers festival in the fall.
St Joesph Silver Beach
Yes you can surf in fresh water! Just a few short hours away from the city. Take surf lessons form a local surf shop and take a ride on a hand-carved carousel horse. Then you can let the kids play and splash around in a huge spray fountain.
We hope to see you out at the beach this summer! All that vitamin D can be a great way to prevent postpartum depression. If you need support getting everyone out to the beach bring your Postpartum Doula!
