Whether you’re a cyclist, a runner, a swimmer, a wheelchair user or just a fresh-air fan, the Lakefront Trail should be on your must-do list if you’re visiting Chicago (weather permitting, of course).
Like any big city, Chicago can seem like an endless sea of asphalt, steel and glass. Trains hum along the elevated tracks of the Loop, sirens wail and skyscrapers soar so high that wisps of cloud sometimes obscure the upper floors. Fortunately, the 18-mile Lakefront Trail along the shore of Lake Michigan gives stressed-out urbanites lots of room to escape the bustle.
The Lakefront Trail is divided into separate, two-way sections for wheeled and non-wheeled users. (The pedestrian section is actually slightly longer, at 18.5 miles.) It stretches from Lincoln Park in the north to Jackson Park in the south. If you traveled the Lakefront Trail’s entire length, you could visit many of Chicago’s major attractions along or near the trail, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, multiple beaches, Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Plan Ahead
One thing to note if you’d like to visit the trail is that it’s not always easy to reach. That’s because Lake Shore Drive, a multi-lane expressway, runs between the trail and the rest of the city for much of the trail’s length.
A number of underpasses and overpasses connect city streets to the Lakefront Trail, but check the trail’s website or a map app in advance to avoid the frustration of being able to see the lake without being able to get to it. (I speak from experience.)
The Lakefront Trail from Ohio Street Beach to North Avenue Beach
After encountering a number of dead ends when trying to reach the lake, I used Google Maps to plot my route from the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago to the Lakefront Trail. An underpass from East Grand Avenue took me under Lake Shore Drive to the entrance to Jane Addams Memorial Park. From there, I followed the signs to the Lakefront Trail.
A short walk up a gentle hill and—voilà! I arrived at Ohio Street Beach, a sandy expanse where kids from a local school were running races on the sand as a coach shouted encouragement. Nearby, teenagers and families basked on sun loungers. There was a beachfront café, along with metal lockers where swimmers could store their gear. And to my left, the paved Lakefront Trail snaked away along the shore toward a distant point of land jutting into the lake.
On this sunny Monday morning in late June, a steady stream of walkers, runners, cyclists, inline skaters and parents pushing strollers were using the trail. This particular stretch of trail was treeless, and I gave myself a mental pat on the back for coating myself in sunblock and wearing a baseball cap and good sunglasses. (Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring a water bottle; more on that shortly.)
Stay in Your Lane
I quickly realized that the volume of users on this popular trail means that sticking to the clearly marked lanes is important. Otherwise, you run the risk of (a) being run over by a distracted cyclist, if you’re a pedestrian or (b) being yelled at by a local who wants to ensure—often in colorful terms—that you follow the rules.
Fortunately, it’s simple to stick to the lanes, which are wide enough for passing and clearly separated by use.
I decided to make the point of land in the distance my goal. I had no idea how far away it was, but it seemed a manageable endpoint.
At first, I was just enjoying the light breeze off the lake, the splashes as show-off teens did backflips into the water from embankments, the snowy sails of boats against the cloudless sky. I exchanged friendly small talk with some of the other walkers, mostly about the beauty of the weather and the blueness of the lake. But about 20 minutes after I set out, as I approached Oak Street Beach, a growing thirst made me acutely aware that I’d forgotten to bring water.
Bring Your Own Water
I scanned the edge of the beach, looking for a refreshment stand. I spotted another beach bar—called, naturally enough, the Oak Street Beach Restaurant—but I didn’t want to sit down.
Finally, I spotted a takeout stand behind the bar. My eyes popped when I saw the price for a one-litre bottle of smartwater: $6 plus tax.
Sure, it was extortionate, but I didn’t really relish the prospect of heat stroke. It was only after I’d ponied up $6.70 that a second realization hit me: If I was going to drink all this water, I was going to need a restroom, sooner or later.
Fortunately, as if the universe was reading my mind, I soon spotted a restroom sign pointing down some stairs. Not surprisingly, for restrooms on a public beach, they were utilitarian and a bit damp. On the bright side, they were clean and well maintained.
Back above grade, I kept walking along the Lakefront Trail toward the point of land. Shortly before I reached it, the path entered a shady parkland, which was heavenly. There was also a bandshell-like structure, which was a nice spot to take a breather.
Just past the point, I arrived at North Avenue Beach, another large stretch of sand with a boat-shaped building housing a restaurant and restrooms. Kayaks and Jet Skis are available for rent at this beach. And while all three beaches I saw have accessible paths of travel for visitors using mobility aids, North Avenue Beach also has beach wheelchairs that you can borrow for free with valid ID.
Lakefront Trail: Worth the Time?
Having reached the point of land that had initially captured my interest, I checked my Fitbit and saw that I’d walked 1.5 miles. I’d always intended this to be just a short break in a busy day, so this seemed like a good place to turn around and retrace my steps. I arrived back at Ohio Street Beach a bit windblown but happy with my lunch-hour adventure.
If you’re looking for a free (aside from the water!) way to get a different perspective on Chicago’s skyline, enjoy some fabulous lake views and mingle with the locals, I highly recommend the Lakefront Trail—and I only walked a small fraction of it.
