Best Beach in 31st Street Harbor

"This is one of the best public beaches in Chicago and is huge in area lying east of the Rogers Park neighborhood. It is adjacent to the famous Loyola Park known for its stunning basketball and tennis courts, a community garden and a natural dune habitat near the lighthouse. There is long distance swimming available here running parallely to the shoreline making it one of the best beaches for swimming in Chicago."

"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."

"Unlike other dog beaches in Chicago, Belmont Harbor Dog Beach isn’t as crowded. And this beach is perfect to see how the dogs react to the beach for the first time. Nestled just a few minutes' walks away from Wrigley, Belmont Harbor Dog Beach has plenty of spaces for playing around, splashing in the waters, soaking up in the sun, and more."

"The name says it all, and if you don’t have a dog, don’t worry. You can watch the pups play in the water together. It’s a short walk from Wrigley and is a little quieter than Montrose."

"Calumet Beach is a lovely public beach within Chicago's Calumet Park, which was originally developed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1905 as an urban oasis for the city's crowded immigrant neighborhoods. The park, which was not completed until the 1930s, is named for the Norman-French term chamulet, or pipe, a reference to peace pipes traded between French traders and indigenous Great Lakes tribes. Today, its beach is open to the public daily between 6:00am and 11:00pm, with lifeguards staffed on duty during peak hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day."

"East SideLocated a stone’s throw away from the Indiana border, you'll find the delicious seafood spot Calumet Fisheries just a short 5-minute drive from here. Given that it’s not the most populated beach in Chicago, this stretch of shoreline is ideal for large gatherings. As part of the 200-acre Calumet Park, the area features a boat launch, softball and soccer fields, a playground, and several different concession stands."

"Nestled just steps away from the Indiana border, Calumet Beach is one beach in Chicago that’s least populated. The name of the beach is named as a way of tribute to the region of Calumet. This region is surrounded by several communities from the south side and the Calumet River."

"3 Chicago locations: Old Town, Lincoln Park, Edgewater (773) 248-9888www.nookiesrestaurants.net. Located in the heart of Boystown, Nookies Tree is the definition of the all-night breakfast hangout. Though they do serve lunch and dinner, breakfast is king."

"This ’40s-style steakhouse has something for everyone, with menu choices ranging from chopped salads to filets on the adult side. As for the kids, they can choose a rack of ribs, their own filet, spaghetti and meatballs or classic chicken tenders, and they can even start with a kids’ dinner salad. There’s a hot fudge sundae for dessert."

"Let me start with the best part: I ordered the filet medallions oscar and I COULD CUT IT WITH A BUTTER KNIFE!. I have had meat that tender only…"

"Restaurants Contemporary American Streeterville. Seasonal flavors—what's available at the farmers market, really—dictate the menu at Marisol, located inside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Streeterville. Honey panna cotta gets a zing of citrus from fresh blood orange, the flourless chocolate cake is dressed with huckleberry creme fraiche ice cream, and the buckwheat cake gets a helping hand from preserved apples."

"Marisol is Jason Hammel's playground in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Like his other restaurant, farm-to-table pioneer Lula, the cuisine is farm-driven and vegetable forward—vibrant colors, simple presentations, quirky combinations define the shareable, exciting dishes. A front-facing café counter is open for all day dining, while a softly lit dining room and bar feels intimate despite the capacity to seat 125 diners."

"There’s no simpler way to pair wine than with a host of the best artisan cheeses from this region as well as France and Spain. Beautiful Rind, situated in Logan Square, features six- and three-ounce pours of global rosé, chenin blanc, pinot noir and other selections. Pairing classes are held regularly by local and visiting cheesemongers, plus the menu changes daily and you can take bottles to go."