Montrose Beach

This beach is such a great spot to relax and enjoy the day! There’s plenty of public parking, especially if you arrive in the morning, which makes getting settled really easy. It’s a spacious area with lots of families, kids, and people just enjoying life, giving the place a lively and welcoming vibe. The water is clean, the sand is well-maintained, and everyone you encounter is generally friendly. Bathrooms could be a little closer considering the size of the beach, but it’s a small trade-off for such a great atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to unwind, take a swim, or just soak in the sun, this beach offers a really good overall experience.

Montrose Beach was the first one I visited when I moved to the area. It’s always a bit quieter than the other beaches. What a great view of the northern part of Chicago. I’ve been there during every season and love it. Winter did not disappoint today! It’s a nice dog beach too. It’s fun to watch the pups running around

It was beautiful! My kids loved it! I wish I could've stayed a lil longer. Parking at the beach was free in case anybody is wondering. We were booked downtown Chicago at best western and parking was $60 a day!! I couldn't believe it when we got there. But while booking over the phone, the lady told me only $25! But they honored it so that was cool. The pool is on the roof!! And the view...was something I never wanted to leave

This is a great beach with lots of public parking. It is easy to park in the morning, but towards late morning, the minute you pull away, someone is holding your spot for another car. Some areas are free and other areas had metered parking.

Man made beach. No bugs in the sand. Near the water is perfect to set up and tan as there is less plastic and glass pollution. Sea gulls were not aggressive. There is an enclosed dog park by the beach to allow them to run without a leash. Highly recommend going on a week day when there is not a lot of people. Went there on a Monday at noon and it was a perfect number of people! Photos: 1 - panoramic view of the beach 2 - the Beach up close 3 - seagulls 4 - seagull in flight

Montrose Beach in Chicago offers an excellent beach experience that stands out when compared to smaller river beaches elsewhere. The beach is spacious, clean, and well-maintained, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the open views of Lake Michigan. The presence of seagulls adds to the coastal atmosphere, reminding you that this is a true lakeside beach rather than a smaller river spot. Overall, Montrose Beach provides a lively environment, plenty of space for activities, and a refreshing setting that makes it a far better choice than the more limited and quieter river beaches found in other places.

A large beach just north of downtown. It was late April on our visit but nice weather, we were able to to enjoy a beautiful sunset here. There was dog area beside. Paid Street parking was available.