10 suburban beaches to check out this summer

Summer is the long-awaited season. The sun beaming down on you, the break from school, and a trip to the beach is dreamed of all year long, especially in the Midwest. The feeling of the sand in between your toes and the icy, yet refreshing, lake water is unmatched. So take a closer look at the beaches near you — what they have to offer and fun events for you to attend. A trip to a suburban beach is one of the best ways to enjoy the warm summer months.

Centennial Beach

500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, (630) 848-5092, centennialbeach.org/.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, now through Aug. 14. Hours vary after Aug. 14. Last day is Sept. 2.

Admission: Adults: $10 residents/$16 nonresidents; kids 3-17: $8 residents/$14 nonresidents; after 5 p.m.: $5 residents/$8 nonresidents. Season memberships available.

Featuring wading and swimming in depths of 15 feet in what used to be a quarry, Centennial also offers a waterslide, diving boards, rafts, water features, a sand volleyball court, a sand play area and locker rooms with showers. There’s paddleboarding yoga from 7:45-8:45 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. It's $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents. Advance registration is required.

Main Beach

300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5404, crystallakeparks.org/beaches

Hours: 9 a.m. to dusk now through Aug. 9; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31 and Sept. 1-2

West Beach Swim Area

2330 Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5009, crystallakeparks.org/beaches

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 9

Admission at both beaches: Residents: $1; free for seniors and kids 3 and younger; free for residents after 5 p.m. Nonresidents: $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and kids 4-15, free for kids 3 and younger; half price after 5 p.m. Season passes are available.

Pack a picnic for a day of swimming and athletic activities at the two beach options. Pavilion rental is available for groups.

Diamond Lake Beach

1016 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein, (847) 566-5650, mundeleinparks.org/aquatics/diamond-lake-beach/

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 4

Admission: $6 residents, $12 nonresidents; seniors 55 and older: $5 residents, $10 nonresidents. Season passes available.

Besides a sandy beach and a large lake, there are ample grassy areas and a shaded picnic grove. Kids can frolic in the playground on the sand. And, in addition to swimming and boating, Diamond Lake offers kayaks, paddle boats and stand-up paddleboards for rent.

Gillson Park

North entrance: Lake and Michigan avenues; south entrance: Sheridan Road and Michigan Avenue, Wilmette, wilmettepark.org/lakefront-gillson-park/

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. now through Sept. 2. Swimming is not permitted after 8 p.m., as no lifeguards are on duty after that time.

Admission: Residents $5, nonresidents $10 (credit card only). Season passes are available. See the website for details.

Situated along 60 acres of lakefront property, Gillson Park offers a swimming beach, a playground on sand, picnic areas, bicycle trail, sand volleyball, lighted tennis courts, a fitness course, a tot lot, a dog beach, a kayak and SUP launch area and more. Lifeguards are now stationed at the new fee-based swim area at South Beach, which offers three designated entrances.

Glencoe Beach

55 Hazel Ave., Glencoe, (847) 835-1185, glencoeparkdistrict.com/glencoe-beach

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 2. Only open to season passholders on the weekends, holidays and before noon on weekdays.

Admission: Daily fees are $12 for residents and $24 for nonresidents; free for kids 2 and younger. Season passes are $36 for Glencoe and Northbrook residents ages 2-64, $72 for nonresidents ages 2 and older; free for Glencoe senior residents 65 and older, $36 for Northbrook seniors, $72 for all other seniors.

Wiggle your toes in the sand at the beach, which is set up for family outings, picnics and more. Popular with the little ones, the sprayground features interactive water play pieces, swings, slides and a playground that’s open during regular beach hours. If you want to try other water activities, paddleboards, kayaks, sailboats, and chairs and umbrellas are available to rent at the Adda and Paul Safran Beach House, which also features showers and lockers. Plus, there are volleyball courts and complimentary volleyballs available. The facility is open to walkers, runners and bikers from sunrise to sunset.

Don’t miss the cardboard boat regatta on Wednesday, July 17, or the beach campout on Friday, July 19. Registration is required at glencoeparkdistrict.com/glencoe-beach.

Hall Quarry Beach

400 S. Water St., Batavia, (630) 406-5275, bataviaparks.org/harold-hall-quarry-beach

Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday (twilight hours from 5-7 p.m.); noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Open through Aug. 11.

Admission: $10 residents, $15 for nonresidents. Twilight: $5 residents, $7 nonresidents. Punch passes: $90 residents, $120 nonresidents.

The 60,000-square-foot former quarry is a good spot for fun in the sun, with its sandy beach, zero-depth entry swimming area, drop slide, kids flume, sand volleyball courts, roomy picnic area and a concession stand.

Paulus Park Beach

200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, 847-540-5067, lakezurich.org/482/Beaches-Fees

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Aug. 4; hours vary on weekends in August and through Sept. 2.

Admission: $9 for residents, $11 for nonresidents; $6 for resident seniors 62 and older, $8 for nonresident seniors 62 and older; free for kids 3 and younger. Twilight rate after 5:30 p.m.: $4 residents, $6 nonresidents.

Enjoy the large beach and sprayground. Nonmotorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, SUPs) can be rented from noon to 5 p.m. daily for a fee.

Phil’s Beach

328 N. Main St., Wauconda, (847) 526-3610, waucondaparks.com/parks-facilities/philsbeach/

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Aug. 11. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 17 through Sept. 1. WIBIT hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $8 for residents, $10 for nonresidents; $1 for resident seniors 62 and older, $6 for nonresident seniors 62 and older; free for kids 3 and younger. Twilight (after 5 p.m.) is $3 for residents and $4 for nonresidents. Season passes are available.

Historic Phil's Beach features a splash pad, swim area, a sandy beach on the western shore of Bangs Lake, WIBIT inflatable, bathhouse, concessions, a picnic pavilion, baggo, game tables, board walk and more. Plus, there’s yoga at Phil’s Beach at 9:45 a.m. Sundays, July 14 and 21 and Aug. 4. The Abby Kay Band performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, and “Top Gun” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23.

Rosewood Beach

883 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, (847) 831-3810, pdhp.org/rosewood-beach/

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sept. 2

Admission: Daily passes are free for residents and $10 for nonresidents. Season passes are available. A parking decal is required.

Rosewood offers a guarded swimming beach with a nature cove for ecological and nature programs and concessions. Ship to the Shore will perform from 6-7 p.m. Sunday, July 21.

• With additional reporting from Russell Lissau.