Take a mini-vacation from the city and enjoy the lakefront's natural beauty at Montrose Beach. 

Montrose Beach is a fantastic beach close to downtown that doesn't get as busy as some of the more popular Chicago beaches. Driving, you enter Montrose Harbor from Montrose Avenue, east of Lake Shore Drive. There is plenty of metered street parking, and you can also park in the lot. Parking south on Montrose Harbor drive will direct you to the beach, skyline, bird sanctuary, and fishing spots along the harbor. If you go North on Simonds Drive, you will have better access to the playground, skate park, and dog beach.

Feel free to bring your outdoor fun and bbq. Seasonally, you can also stop at The Dock at Montrose Beach for a bite, drink, and maybe even some live music. The Dock does not have a kids menu, but several items are kid-friendly, and the staff is always easy to work with. Many evenings there is live music or events.

The bird sanctuary just south of the beach makes for a relaxing adventure. Dogs are not allowed. So be sure to leave your furbabies at home if you want to walk through. There are several entry points - off of Montrose Harbor Drive, from the beach, and off of the lake. 

If you continue walking along Lake Michigan, you will come around to a sweet shot of the Chicago skyline on the Montrose Steps. This part of the harbor is a favorite spot for watching sunsets or fireworks on July 4th.

There are also various ways to rent bikes and paddleboards off the beach, but you can also bring your items.