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Rainbow Beach

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

Best for

Ideal for families with children and those seeking a quiet holiday. Suitable for swimming, picnics and birdwatching. Not suitable for lovers of ocean waves.

Best month

July

Water
+16.0°C
Length
805 m
Rainbow Beach is one of Chicago's oldest beaches, named after the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division. It has calm water, wide sand, and fewer crowds than the central beaches.
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
Rainbow Beach is one of Chicago's oldest beaches, named after the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division. It has calm water, wide sand, and fewer crowds than the central beaches.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Light brown sand
  • Calm water
  • Views of the Chicago skyline
  • Developed infrastructure: showers, toilets, lifeguards
  • Kids playground and sports zones
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Dune ecosystem

Cons

  • Crowded on hot days
  • Paid parking
  • Water can be cool
  • Limited shade
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and those seeking a quiet holiday. Suitable for swimming, picnics and birdwatching. Not suitable for lovers of ocean waves.
Features
What makes this beach unique
A beach with views of the Chicago skyline and a unique dune ecosystem with rare plant and animal species.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
light brown
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
805 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+16.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+24.0 °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
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
1.5 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
E. coli — periodic advisories
Mosquitoes
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
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Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
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Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
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Flight compensation
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
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
2 pcs
Best restaurants

Rainbow Beach Concession

American

Snack and drink kiosk on the beach

Nearby cuisines

American

Light snacks and drinks

Must try: Hot dogs, ice cream, drinks
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
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Hat
Best Time to Swim
In the morning before 11:00 the water is calmer and there are fewer people. On hot days arrive early.
Local Rules
Alcohol consumption on the beach is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Chicago Skyline

Panoramic city views from the beach.

Rainbow Park

142-acre park with sports courts and gardens.

Museum of Science and Industry

Major Chicago museum, 10 minutes away.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Rainbow Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity moderate, average temperature +16.0°C, warms up to +24.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Rainbow 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.
Rainbow Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 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.
Rainbow Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — light brown. Texture — fine. Beach length — 805 metres.
Rainbow 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.
Rainbow Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are unlikely. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Rainbow Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: E. coli — periodic advisories, Mosquitoes. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Rainbow Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Rainbow 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.
Rainbow Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Rainbow Beach Concession. Cuisines available: American. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Rainbow Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Hat.
Rainbow Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning before 11:00 the water is calmer and there are fewer people. On hot days arrive early.
Rainbow Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Alcohol consumption on the beach is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Rainbow Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Rainbow Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and those seeking a quiet holiday. Suitable for swimming, picnics and birdwatching. Not suitable for lovers of ocean waves.
Rainbow Beach: what makes this beach unique?
A beach with views of the Chicago skyline and a unique dune ecosystem with rare plant and animal species.
Rainbow Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Light brown sand, Calm water, Views of the Chicago skyline, Developed infrastructure: showers, toilets, lifeguards, Kids playground and sports zones, Free Wi-Fi, Dune ecosystem. Cons: Crowded on hot days, Paid parking, Water can be cool, Limited shade.
Rainbow Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Chicago Skyline, Rainbow Park, Museum of Science and Industry. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Rainbow 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: 41.758300, -87.549400

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