Top 10 Family-Friendly Activities to Try on the Beaches of Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan offers plenty of exciting activities for everyone to delight in, especially families.  If you're in Chicago and looking for some fun activities to enjoy on the shores of Lake Michigan, you can't beat these top family-friendly activities. downtown Chicago lake front skyline Image via Flickr by romanboed

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

If you're looking for an activity that can challenge the entire family, check out stand-up paddleboarding. While you're seeing who in the family can stay up on the stand-up paddleboard the longest, you'll also have a chance to take in awesome views of the Chicago skyline from the water. You'll also find plenty of places along the lake where you can rent a stand-up paddleboard. Some of the most popular spots include Montrose Beach, Monroe Harbor, 31st Street Beach, and North Avenue Beach.

Kayaking

Kayaking is another amazing way to get an unforgettable view of the city and spend some time on the waters of Lake Michigan. You'll find numerous businesses that rent kayaks by the hour or by the day. If you're looking for something a little more structured, you can sign up for one of the kayak tours. For example, Kayak Chicago offers a Lake Shore Skyline Paddle that lasts for 2.5 hours and takes you past beaches and breakwalls as you tour the shoreline and take in breathtaking views of the city.

Fireworks

Kids and adults alike will marvel at the beauty of fireworks over Lake Michigan. The best part is, you don't have to wait until the Fourth of July to see them. Instead, simply head over to Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday night. As you stroll along the pier, you can take in the spectacular fireworks show that's perfectly synchronized to music. While you're there, you can also check out the restaurants, rides, games, and shopping opportunities.

Chicago Full Moon Jam

When the sun starts to set and the full moon is out, head to Foster Beach to watch the Chicago Full Moon Jam. The Chicago Full Moon Jam started in 2004 when a group of friends came together to celebrate a birthday with some drumming and fire spinning. Today, it's an enduring tradition that brings together a diverse crowd of musicians, performers, and spectators. The fun starts at sunset and lasts until 10 p.m. It's also a family-friendly event with no alcohol, open flames, or fireworks.

Bonfires

If you'd like to safely play with a little bit of fire yourself, make the trip to Promontory Point in Burnham Park in the evening to have a legal bonfire in one of the park's fire pits. While the park has a number of fire pits that run along the shoreline, the best one sits at the northern end because it offers a remarkable view of the city. To make the most of your evening, bring some sticks, hot dogs, and s'mores ingredients. The fire pits also offer plenty of open space, so you can have fun throwing a football or Frisbee.

Boat Tour

Families who want to see Chicago from the water but aren't actually interested in being in the water should check out a boat tour. When you hop on board one of these boat tours, you'll be treated to beautiful views of the city. With so many options available, you'll have no problem finding something everyone will love. For the adventurous family, consider the 30-minute Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour. Other options include a classic lake tour, fireworks tour, and a lunch or dinner cruise.

Fishing

Fishing is a very popular activity on Lake Michigan, and one of the best places to go in Chicago to enjoy some fishing is Burnham Harbor. This is the largest harbor in the city, and it's known for providing anglers with good catches, including trout, salmon, and bass. Best of all, you don't even have to go out on a boat to catch anything. Instead, you can simply cast your line right from the shore. Other good spots to go fishing around the city include Montrose Harbor and Chicago Harbor.

Kite Flying

Telling someone to go fly a kite when they're in Chicago isn't always a bad thing. After all, there's a reason it's called the "Windy City." If you have a day with windy weather, take advantage of it and go fly a kite. One of the best places to fly a kite in the city is Cricket Hill at Montrose Harbor. Since this used to be an old cricket field, it's free of trees and has a gentle slope that's perfect for catching some wind. Another great spot to fly a kite is Northerly Island Park. At one time, Northerly Island Park was home to Meigs Field Airport. However, since the airport's demolition, the park now has plenty of open space that offers unimpeded winds.

Swimming

A visit to Lake Michigan just isn't complete without spending some time cooling off in the water. Fortunately, the city has numerous parks where you can enjoy a nice swim. Montrose Beach is one of the most popular spots in the city for swimming because it offers something for everyone in the family. It has a nice beach area where kids can splash around. The northern end of the beach also has a dog-friendly beach where the four-legged family members can run and play.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Chicago and enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Michigan, you can travel just outside of the city to Indiana Dunes National Park. This large park hugs 15 miles of shoreline and offers an incredible variety of things to do. You and your family can go for a hike on one of the 14 distinct trail systems that run through the park. You'll also find opportunities for horseback riding, camping, swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and birdwatching. At Pasquesi Sheppard, we believe these are some of the best family-friendly activities you should try on the shores of Lake Michigan. Did we miss one of your favorite activities? Let us know, and we'll make sure to add it to our list.