Montrose - Wilson Beach, Public beach in Uptown, Chicago, United States.
Montrose-Wilson Beach is a public sandy shoreline on Lake Michigan in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, with marked swimming areas and volleyball courts. The southern end meets a protected wetland section, and a boat launch area for non-motorized watercraft is also available nearby.
The beach was built in the 1920s as part of a landfill project that pushed the Lincoln Park shoreline further into Lake Michigan. The original bathhouse was shaped to look like a lake steamer, a design that made it stand out along the waterfront for many years.
The beach draws Chicagoans from many neighborhoods on warm days, mixing swimming, volleyball, and picnics along the water. The contrast between the open sand and the protected wetland just a short walk south gives the spot a double character that many visitors find unexpected.
The beach is open to everyone and lifeguards are on duty during summer, keeping an eye on the swimming areas. It is a good idea to bring your own towels, sunscreen, and water, as there are no rental stations on site.
The beach sits at the southern end of the Montrose Point peninsula, where the shoreline curves into a small protected cove. This sheltered position, rather than the open lakefront, is what draws birds and birders to the spot each migration season.
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