By Kate Pickford
The unofficial start to the summer is marked by the annual flock to the lakefront as Chicagoans and tourists alike move outdoors and towards the water to enjoy the summer sun after a grueling winter. The sandy beaches, running and biking paths, smoothie stands, restaurants, paddle board rentals, and volleyball nets serve to draw in people of all ages and interests.
An early-morning view of North Avenue Beach from the bridge in Lincoln Park
High school students swarm the concrete beach, nicknamed “The Ledge”, just south of the North Avenue Boathouse, as older age groups enjoy happy hour in cabana-esque bars. Summer camps stake out a spot in the shallow water of Oak Street Beach, and athletic adults outfitted in wetsuits and swim caps can often be seen leaving for an open water swim from Olive Beach.
The other day, a group of friends and I decided that despite the heat wave, we wanted to spend some time outdoors. Firm believers that there is no better way to explore than on foot and inspired by our waterfront idea of summer, we decided to walk from North Avenue Beach up to Evanston. This was a slightly arbitrary end goal, chosen because of the numerous brunch spots and bakeries that served as motivation to reach the end.
The sun shines over the Chicago Yacht Club, which has its home on the southern end of Belmont Harbor
To beat the 90-degree heat expected later in the day, we drank a cup of coffee, laced up our sneakers, and set off at 6:00 am. Walking over the bridge that connects Lincoln Park to the lakefront, we were surprised to see that the path was already busy with joggers, bikers, and the occasional rollerblader. With their matching workout sets and high-tech watches, we were surrounded by hardcore, pre-work athletes. And yet, there was a sense of camaraderie rather than competition. A woman that I often saw biking on the lakefront cheered on the runners she passed, getting smiles and waves in return. Everyone had gotten up early and was therefore in this together.
The sandy dog beach is captured moments before the dogs arrive, ready to enjoy this pet-friendly oasis
Starting our walk up north, we welcomed the breeze off the lake, which fought the morning humidity. Our brisk 16-minute mile pace quickly brought us past Fullerton, Diversey, and Belmont. Along Belmont Harbor, a handful of dogs and their early-rising owners were at the animal beach enjoying a summer morning outdoors.
Looking past the baseball fields, you can see the Clock Tower Cafe, a popular dining spot along the lakefront path
An idyllic look at Montrose Harbor, with sailboats on the left, and a patch of protected wildflowers and greenery on the right
Our walk continued past the tennis courts and the Sydney Marovitz Golf Course. Though closed so early in the morning, I couldn’t help but get hungry as we passed by the Clocktower Cafe. One of many restaurants along the lakefront path, it is home to one of my favorite Caesar salads in the city and one of my favorite places to stop for a bite after a run.
At Montrose Harbor, we took a quick break to enjoy the stunning view of the skyline and a lovely patch of wildflowers. Once home to the summertime Friday Morning Swim Club, the weekly gathering when thousands gathered to jump in the lake and enjoy a cup of coffee, the harbor is now a quieter spot in the morning.
A look through the grassy dunes at Foster Beach makes it hard to believe that we are in Chicago rather than the East Coast
A somewhat unassuming sign marks the northern end of the lakefront trail, which stretches 18.5 miles up the shore of Lake Michigan
The miles started to blend as we kept walking towards Foster Beach. With the multitude of beaches nearer to the heart of the city, none of us had been there before, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a gorgeous sandy beach with basketball courts and volleyball nets. Though undoubtedly busy later in the day, we couldn’t help but feel as though we had uncovered a hidden gem, having arrived before all of the beach goers.
From there, it was only a short walk before we arrived at the end of the lakefront path. Already about seven miles in, we realized that we had a long while left to go. We cut inland to Sheridan Road, grateful for the shade from the buildings. The shops along the way were closed, and few people were leaving their apartment buildings, so it was a peaceful trek to Loyola University.
Modern buildings throughout Loyola University’s campus provide an appealing mix of architecture
Tucked in Rogers Park along Sheridan Road is The Emil Bach House, built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1915
We cut through the campus, admiring the blend of traditional architecture and modern glass buildings. Though in the summer session, college students were milling about before heading to class, work, or the gym. Rejoining Sheridan Road on the other side of the school, we passed the Emil Bach House, a Frank Lloyd Wright home, with a facade of pale, tan brick and a deep, red wood. Not soon after, we returned to the water’s edge for the first time in over an hour as we made our way around the edges of the expansive Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Here marked the official start of Evanston.
Following the curve in the road past the cemetery, we get another glance of the lake, and officially cross the border between Rogers Park and Evanston
On the other side of the cemetery, the houses were noticeably grander. Not far from our destination, we started to weave inland as we continued north, growing closer to downtown Evanston.
Sweaty and tired after more than eleven miles, we arrived at the heart of Evanston and rewarded ourselves with warm croissants from Bennison’s Bakery. Eager to get off our feet, we sat outside on the sidewalk and enjoyed our treat.
Arriving at the end of our walk, we are greeted by the charming Bennison’s Bakery, a cornerstone of Chicagoland since 1938
Despite our aching legs, we were in good spirits. There was no better way to spend a summer morning than at the lake, and we had explored far more than ever before. It can be easy to fall into a routine of frequenting the same few places, but our adventure showed me that there are so many new spots waiting to be uncovered.
A chocolate croissant is a perfect post-walk treat!
In the cool air conditioning of our Uber back to the city, it was an easy decision to do another long walk again, perhaps even farther than this one. In a city known for its neighborhoods, walking through several distinct areas showcased both the unique and common aspects of each, which often go unnoticed when explored separately. With the gorgeous views that Chicago has to offer and the promise of baked goods at the end of the journey, I feel ready for more summertime adventures.
