Best Beach in Glen Ellyn

"Oakwood Beach, also known as 41st Street Beach, is Chicago's newest public beach, developed in the late 1990s by the Chicago Park District and officially opened to the public in 2010. The beach, which is located at the terminus of 41st Street at the Lake Michigan shoreline within Chicago's Oakland neighborhood, spans 1,300 acres and is open to the public for swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with lifeguards staffed on duty between 11:00am and 7:00pm. Environmentally-sustainable beach features include a bio-retention area intended to treat storm sewer runoff and a LEED-certified beach house with rainwater-harvested toilets, which received the Chicago Greenworks Award in 2010."

"OaklandOpened to the public in 2010, Oakwood—also known as 41st Street Beach—is both relatively new and still somewhat of a hidden treasure. Although it’s small in size, it manages to pack in a great beach house, a nearby picnic area, and volleyball courts. And, of course, you can’t beat the view!"

"Dogs love hanging out at the beach, and what dog parent doesn’t want to spend time with their pup playing in the waves?. Belmont Harbor Dog Beach is the perfect spot for you and your dog. It’s great because it is not as busy as other dog beaches/parks in Chicago."

"It is tucked right along the Lakefront Trail and faces docks in Belmont Harbor. Unlike Montrose Beach, this spot is away from people looking to relax on the beach. So, let your dog roll in the sand and run endlessly after balls in the water."

"Day 1: Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Chicago Athletic Club, Riverwalk, Flamingo Rum Club, Signature Room at the 95th Kick off your Chicago trip in the heart of the action, by wandering past the glittering storefronts lining North Michigan Avenue, AKA the Magnificent Mile. This 13-block stretch in the Loop area hosts more than 460 stores including luxury brands like Gucci, Burberry and Louis Vuitton, nearly 300 restaurants, and some of the city’s top hotels. Art aficionados will want to pop into LIK Fine Art Chicago, which displays incredible pieces from famed photographer Peter Lik."

"No trip to Chicago would be complete without a stroll up Michigan Ave and the Magnificent Mile, so head up there after the aquarium. Most of the shops here are super high-end (think Gucci), so if you’re like me, you’re mostly window shopping, but it’s still fun to walk along and enjoy what is Chicago’s version of NYC’s Fifth Avenue."

"If German-style lagers are your thing, then head straight for Metropolitan Brewing—they’ve been making this sort of beer since 2009 and they’re quite good at it. Krankshaft, the flagship brew, is made year-round and offered at Soldier Field, O’Hare and Midway International Airports, and at the home of the White Sox. Once a bit under the radar, the popularity of Metropolitan Brewing has increased since the addition of the Rockwell Taproom (listed on their website as dog, kid and freak-friendly) in Avondale, overlooking the Chicago River."

"Bars Breweries Avondale. You won't find food on the menu at this Avondale brewery's riverside patio and dining room space, but guests are welcome to order from nearby restaurants—Kuma's Corner and Dmen Tap are just a couple options—to accompany Metropolitan's German-style lagers."

"Logan Square/Lincoln Park Known for their inventive takes on the brewing process and the eccentric flavor combinations in their beers, Off Color is on the rise thanks to the relentless pursuit of excellent from its founders: former Goose Island barrel-age brewer John Laffler and Dave Bleitner, formerly of Warrenville’s Two Brothers. While the brewery has only been around since 2013, it raised its profile with the recent unveiling of The Mousetrap tap room in Lincoln Park. Highly regarded for their focus on brewing forgotten styles of ales, stop into The Mousetrap and try some of their latest (and weirdest) small-batch specials.Must-try beer: Brewed with grain and sugar to create a hazy, golden body, their popular Apex Predator farmhouse ale pairs superior drinkability with a dry finish and fruity bite."

"Another Chicago staples, Off Color was founded in 2013 by John Laffler (formerly of Goose Island Brewery) and Dave Bleitner (formerly of Two Brothers Brewing). As you might expect, the pedigree of the founders is obvious in Off Color Brewing’s mature and technically excellent beers, which lean toward European styles. While the beers are serious, the branding is fun, leading to a very silly and unique taproom experience at both the original location and The Mousetrap, located on the North Branch Canal just west of the Old Town neighborhood."

"A selection of seven cans in the "Beer for" series is seen at Off Color Brewing's Mousetrap taproom. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)"

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Patrick Hoesly used under CC BY 2.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Addison is a smaller, cosy mall (fewer than 30 stores), located in the Avondale neighbourhood."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel X. O'Neil used under CC BY 2.0. Another outdoor shopping centre on our list is located in Bronzeville, known for being the centre of African-American life and culture. If you are planning to visit this area in August, check out the annual Bud Billiken Parade."