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Home / Beaches / Foster Beach

Foster Beach

Пляж Фостер
United States · Beach · Chicago
moderate
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet lake holidays. Not suitable for those seeking a lively resort atmosphere.

Best month

July

Water
+20.5°C
Length
390 m
Foster Beach is a family-friendly beach in the Edgewater neighborhood with calm water and shaded areas. It has playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a café, as well as a bike path along the lake.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Foster Beach is a family-friendly beach in the Edgewater neighborhood with calm water and shaded areas. It has playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a café, as well as a bike path along the lake.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Wide sandy stretch
  • Lifeguards on the beach
  • Developed infrastructure
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Calm family atmosphere
  • Full Moon Jam festival

Cons

  • Paid parking ($2-7)
  • Can get crowded on weekends
  • Water is cold even in summer
  • Limited space for seclusion
  • Dogs prohibited
  • Noisy due to activity
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet lake holidays. Not suitable for those seeking a lively resort atmosphere.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Foster Beach is the only beach in Chicago hosting the monthly Full Moon Jam festival with music and fire dancing. The beach is also known for its mosaic mural.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
beige
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
390 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
5.0 m
Average Water Temp
+20.5 °C
Max Water Temp
+24.6 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
June July
Season end
August September
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards.
Dangerous creatures
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Beach Cafe

American, Snacks

Beach cafe with snacks, drinks and ice cream.

Edgewater Restaurants

Various

Many restaurants in the Edgewater area, a 5-10 minute walk away.

Nearby cuisines

Local

American cuisine with emphasis on hot dogs, burgers and snacks.

Must try: Hot dogs, burgers, ice cream
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash
Best Time to Swim
Morning has fewer people and calmer water. Evening — beautiful sunsets.
Local Rules
Swimming only when lifeguards are on duty (11:00–19:00). Dogs prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Lincoln Park

Large city park with zoo, gardens and walking paths.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Free zoo with over 1,000 animals, a 15-minute walk away.

Edgewater Beach

Neighbouring beach with similar amenities.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Foster Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity moderate, average temperature +20.5°C, warms up to +24.6°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Foster Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Foster Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Foster Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — beige. Texture — fine. Beach length — 390 metres.
Foster Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in June, July. It ends in August, September. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Foster Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are unlikely. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Foster Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: . We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Foster Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Foster Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Foster Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Beach Cafe, Edgewater Restaurants. Cuisines available: Local. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Foster Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash.
Foster Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Morning has fewer people and calmer water. Evening — beautiful sunsets.
Foster Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming only when lifeguards are on duty (11:00–19:00). Dogs prohibited.
Foster Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Foster Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet lake holidays. Not suitable for those seeking a lively resort atmosphere.
Foster Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Foster Beach is the only beach in Chicago hosting the monthly Full Moon Jam festival with music and fire dancing. The beach is also known for its mosaic mural.
Foster Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Wide sandy stretch, Lifeguards on the beach, Developed infrastructure, Free Wi-Fi, Calm family atmosphere, Full Moon Jam festival. Cons: Paid parking ($2-7), Can get crowded on weekends, Water is cold even in summer, Limited space for seclusion, Dogs prohibited, Noisy due to activity.
Foster Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Edgewater Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Foster Beach: how do I get to the city of Chicago?
The beach is located near the city of Chicago. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Chicago.

City

Chicago

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

July

Useful information

Country: United States
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 41.977000, -87.646400

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