We asked readers their favorite place to swim in Chicago. Here’s what you told us, lightly edited for clarity:
“Olive Park beach. The park district buoys it off for triathletes to practice swimming. It’s a half mile to Oak Street; [a round-trip] gives you a mile swim. If you need a break, it’s another 4.5 feet high near the wall and there are ladders at the markers.”
— Christine Spencer
“On the other side of Lake Michigan, because there are no lifeguards to tell you that you can’t go out far enough to actually swim.”
— Rob Stevens
“North Avenue Beach is my go-to. The skyline view while you’re in the water is unbeatable, plus there’s always good energy around.”
— Alex Gajda
“Any place where water meets chlorine and other pool chemicals. It’s germy out there.”
— Christine Bock
“I have three favorite spots for open water swimming. … Promontory Point: There are buoys to keep boats out, the views are good, fellow swimmers are friendly and often will chat, and there’s the chill atmosphere of the Point. North Avenue Chess Pavilion to Oak Street Beach: [There are] lifeguards … [and] Hancock Tower is a great landmark when swimming [the] back crawl northward. Montrose Point on the harbor mouth side: Great view of the Downtown skyline.”
— Dan Miller
“Ohio Street Beach. I love swimming there while enjoying the view. Caffe Olivia is great too.”
— Katy Stevens
“The Chicago River. If you survive that, you’ll never have a sick day again.”
— Mike Petrakovitz
“Off the rocks near the Adler Planetarium.”
— Ed Volpi
“I have two secret pools in Chicago, one outdoor and one indoor. And I’m not telling!”
— Cynthia Gallaher
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
