Chicago Swimmers Reveal Top Spots for Open-Water Swimming Across the City

A survey of Chicago-area swimmers has identified numerous popular destinations for water activities, reflecting varying preferences across public beaches and waterfront locations. Respondents cited venues ranging from well-established swimming areas to more secluded spots, each presenting distinct benefits for different swimming styles and experience levels.

North Avenue Beach emerged as a frequently mentioned favorite, drawing swimmers with expansive views of the city’s downtown core and an active social environment. The beach’s combination of scenic vistas and bustling daytime activity makes it a consistent draw for the swimming community.

Olive Park beach received particular praise from respondent Christine Spencer for its swimming-specific amenities. The facility includes buoys positioned by the park district for triathletes and long-distance swimmers, with a one-mile round-trip course marked toward Oak Street and ladder access provided at regular intervals along the harbor wall.

Open-water swimmer Dan Miller recommended three separate venues for serious swimmers seeking varied experiences. Promontory Point features buoys, a welcoming swimmer community, and tranquil conditions, while the waterfront corridor between North Avenue Chess Pavilion and Oak Street Beach offers lifeguard stations and the Hancock Tower as a visual reference point. Montrose Point on the harbor side delivers striking views of downtown.

Additional recommendations highlighted lesser-known locations including rock formations adjacent to the Adler Planetarium, mentioned by Ed Volpi, and the Chicago River itself, which drew a lighthearted endorsement from Mike Petrakovitz.

Not all respondents favored open-water swimming options. Christine Bock expressed a preference for chlorinated pools, citing water quality and sanitation considerations as primary concerns with natural water environments.