Hours
Facility Hours
Hours Notes
The beach is open from 6 am to 11 pm, but swimming is only permitted during the beach season when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am to 7 pm, in designated swim areas. The beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day, through Labor Day.
Description
12th Street Beach is located at 1200 S. Linn White Drive (12th Street at Lake Michigan on Northerly Island) and is nestled just south of Adler Planetarium on Chicago’s Museum Campus in Burnham Park. Beachgoers can enjoy food and beverages from the concessionaire located at the beach house. The beach house also offers restrooms. A non-motorized boat launch is available at the beach, and distance swimming can take place parallel to the shore at boat line. Parking is available in a paid lot along with limited street parking. This beach has an accessible beach walk.
For questions regarding Chicago beaches, email beaches3@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
History
12th Street Beach dates to the 1920s. In 1909, renowned architect Daniel Burnham envisioned a new park composed of several man-made islands between Jackson Park and Grant Park. Northerly Island was the only island that was actually built.
The South Park Commission began creating Northerly Island in 1920. By 1927, nearly the entire island was filled in. The island was later converted into a peninsula.
The Commercial Air Craft Association requested permission to use the island as a temporary landing strip. Shortly thereafter, a group of women’s organizations suggested a public bathing beach instead of a landing field. The commissioners agreed, and created 12th Street Beach.
In 1933 and 1934, Northerly Island and Burnham Park served as the site of Chicago’s second World’s Fair, “A Century of Progress.” In preparation for the fair, the commissioners increased the size of the island even more. The Alder Planetarium opened on the island in time for the fair. It is one of the few structures that remained open after the fair.
By the 1940s, in addition to the public beach, Northerly Island also had paths, walkways, scattered trees and grassy open spaces.
In 1948, a small airport called Meigs Field opened, but this site closed in 1996. The following year, after a new initiative called for the replacement of outdated facilities on the lakefront, the Chicago Park District constructed a new beach house at 12th Street.
Parking/Directions
Parking
Parking lot with pay gate and limited street parking
Public Transit
The following public bus & train routes serve this beach:
CTA Bus Route:
146 Inner Drive/Michigan Exp.
Map & Facilities
12th Street Beach - Del Campos Tacos | Concession
1301 S. Lynn White Dr
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
:
(773) 457-5492
