What are the best beaches in Chicago?

It depends what you're looking for. North Avenue and Oak Street beaches are where most younger people hang out, but they are so ridiculously crowded, especially on the weekends, that you probably won't be able to put down your towel.

My favorites on the north side are Foster Beach, Hollywood Beach and Montrose Beach. Montrose is the more crowded of the three - a lot of people go there. The others are quieter. On the south side I like 57th Street.

The farther north or south you go, the less crowded the beaches become, so depending on what you like keep that in mind.