Best Beach in Hillside

"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!"

"Hyde ParkTucked away behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street Beach was designed by renowned landscape architects Olmsted and Vaux as part of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Parking is fairly easy west of Lake Shore Drive, and the beach is accessible via the pedestrian underpass. Once the sun goes down, head on over to nearby Promontory Point and gather around a bonfire pit (reservations needed).What to know: While the criminally underrated Promontory Point is worth a visit to this beach alone, nearby (and always bumping) neighborhood music venue The Promontory makes the trip even more appealing."

"57th Street Beach is one of Chicago's most popular swimming beaches, located within Jackson Park at 57th Street's terminus at the Lake Michigan shoreline. Though developed beachfront has existed at the site since the park's original landscaping by famed park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1871, it was not renovated into a swimming beach until 1899, following the completion of Chicago's Drainage Canal. Today, it offers unprecedented views of the Chicago skyline for swimmers, along with a long-distance swimming area spanning between 55th Street and the beach's ADA-accessible pier."

"You can probably already tell that we love our cupcakes here in Chicago. More Cupcakes is known for their upscale environment and minimalist display. Stop by for delicious cupcakes with unique toppings."

"It doesn’t get any more old school than Chicago’s oldest family-owned bakery, which has been servicing Humboldt Park sweet tooths since 1911. As a specialty, Roeser’s offers low-glycemic options for birthday boys and girls who could benefit from reduced sugar, carbs and calories. Follow the bakery’s iconic neon sign to find cakes baked using recipes perfected over 4 generations with culinary skills to decorate to any theme you could possibly imagine, including a wide variety of licensed character cakes."

"A staple of Chicago’s Humboldt Park for over 100 years, this Roeser’s Bakery celebrates true vintage fashion by selling incredible baked goods for cheap. This bakery in Chicago features custom cakes, tortes, and cookies and more, making Roeser’s Bakery everyone’s go-to place for amazing quality sweets."

"One of Chicago's oldest food purveyors, venerable Roeser's Bakery has been in business in Humboldt Park for more than 100 years. Beautiful custom cakes and tortes are a specialty, but don't miss the cookies and holiday items at this long-running local institution."

"The extra-light macarons served at Pierrot Gourmet can only be described as very moreish. The European-style bakery and cafe found on East Superior Street inside the Peninsula Hotel, which also boasts a terrace eatery, just like theseother great bars and restaurants with rooftops in Chicago. Pierrot Gourmet is home to a range of fabulous baked goods, including macarons, which are said to pair perfectly with a specialty coffee or a glass of wine."

"Fancy and intricate French dishes are always a pleasure but sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a croissant, and prime views. This all-day café inside the Peninsula offers a casual setting that’s ripe for people-watching in the heart of downtown. Though the menu includes items like tarte flambée, boeuf bourguignon, and duck cassoulet, the restaurant’s bakery is its biggest standout."

"It’s part of the Chicago Peninsula hotel and offers authentic Parisian vibes. They have both indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, adorned with flowers, located in a prime people watching spot in the city. It is incredibly charming."

"Named for Marchesa Luisa Casati, an Italian muse and patron of the arts renowned for hosting parties teaming with interesting people, food, wine and song - this is your romantic sweet spot. The Main Salon is inspired by the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice or dine in The Apartment modeled after a Parisian pied-a-terre. Start with European cheese and charcuterie, caviar service or medallions of foie gras for moments of sheer decadence."

"The Loop isn’t quite rife with French cuisine so this casual steakhouse, attached to the Hyatt Centric and run by WellDone Hospitality Group, has been a welcome addition to the area since opening two years ago. Whether guests stop in during lunch for a beef dip sandwich or treat themselves to a nice hunk of dry-aged beef at dinner, there are plenty of delicious choices that’ll evoke visions of Paris."

"Kick off the last day of your Chicago itinerary with brunch at Cochan Volant, a French bistro in the Loop that is basically a brunch-lovers paradise."