Get relief from the heat at a Park District cooling center, or at a beach, pool, water playground or water feature. View sites & hours. Outdoor pools are now open for the season. For information on other City of Chicago cooling centers visit 311.chicago.gov. or call 311.
Swimming Prohibited
Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am – 7pm.
Weather
Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am – 7pm.
Updated : 06/22/2025 7:00 PM
Surf
Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am – 7pm.
Updated : 06/22/2025 7:00 PM
Water Quality
No swim restrictions due to water quality.
CCE: 80
Updated : 06/22/2025 12:03 PM
What do these numbers mean?
The Chicago Park District tests the water for Enterococci bacteria seven days a week during beach season using a rapid analysis method. Enterococci is an indicator of the presence of pathogens that could make you sick. The US EPA recommends notifying the public when Enterococci bacteria levels are above 1000 CCE.
Local weather information
Updated: 06/23/2025 3:00 AM
Data obtained from: Ohio Street Beach
- Temperature 83° F/ 28.6°C
- Humidity 66%
- Wind: 4.6 MPH from W
Local surf information
Updated: 06/23/2025 3:56 AM
Data obtained from: Ohio Street Beach
The source for our surf data is currently unavailable. We are working to correct this. Please check back for updates. Thank you.
57th Street Beach
Description
57th Street Beach is located at 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive (57th St. @ Lake Michigan) in Jackson Park. This beach features an ADA accessible beach walk and restrooms. Beach goers can stop by the Tasty Grill offering a Mexican menu along with hot dogs and refreshing beverages. The distance swimming area is located parallel to shore from 55th Street south to pier. Limited street parking is available nearby, west of Lake Shore Drive.
Distance swimming area: parallel to shore from 55th St. south to pier
For questions regarding Chicago beaches, email beaches3@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
History
The renowned designers of New York's Central Park, Olmsted & Vaux, laid out Jackson Park along with the adjacent Midway Plaisance and Washington Park in 1871. Their earliest park improvements included a beach composed of granite bricks at the location of what is now the 57th Street Beach.
Improvement plans for Jackson Park after the Columbian Exposition World's Fair included a sand beach. However, raw sewage was still being dumped into Lake Michigan, and the lake was not considered a desirable place to wade or swim. The beaches were often used as paved drives for strolling or promenading, rather than wading or bathing.
The lakefront did not become a popular place for public bathing until 1899, when Chicago's innovative Drainage Canal was complete. Since the turn of the century, the 57th Street Beach has been used by generations of Chicagoans.
In 1993, the Chicago Park District constructed a new beach house for the beach, and beach-goers can enjoy a beautiful view of the city skyline.
Additional Information
Parking
Limited street parking nearby, west of Lake Shore Drive
Get rates and additional information.
Public Transit
The following public bus & train routes serve this beach:
CTA Bus Routes:
6 Jackson Park Express
15 Jeffery Local
26 South Shore Express
28 Stony Island
55 Garfield
59 59th/61st
63 63rd
67 67th/69th/71st
57th Street and Lake Michigan
57th Street Beach
57th Street Beach