Blue Island - all beaches

We had a great time swimming in the evening at this beach while admiring the buildings, boats, and sunset. The shoreline is a bit rocky, and the water is not as clear as Foster Ave Beach, but I appreciate its proximity to the Magnificent Mile and the fact that it's just a short walk from our hotel. It's also not too crowded, and there are public restrooms nearby, although we didn't need to use them. Overall, we had a lovely time and plan to come back.

A serene and picturesque beach nestled in a semi-private area of northwest Indiana, offering a refreshing escape from the bustling and noisy city beaches typical of Chicago and even Indiana Dunes. Its tranquil location makes it incredibly relaxing. There is ample parking available; you pay at the card machines and place your paper receipt on your dashboard to inform security that you've paid. The parking rates are reasonable, averaging $12.50 for two hours. You can extend your time in half-hour or hour increments until 6pm, which is when the beach closes. Security personnel inform everyone of the 6pm closing time. Large trash cans are available on the beach, but be cautious of bees that tend to swarm around them. Outdoor showers are conveniently located near the parking lot for rinsing off sand, and there are large port-o-potties near the showers as well. Note that there is no lifeguard on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. The water depth reaches up to 5'6", which is quite comfortable. The charming town of Whiting is easy and interesting to navigate through on the way to the beach, giving the impression of being in another state. However, be aware that you might be delayed by freight trains, Amtrak, etc., for up to 30+ minutes just before the beach entrance, as happened to me. Initially, everyone seemed impatient, but when the gates finally lifted, cheers erupted from multiple cars.

One of my preferred locations. You can savor the sight of urban skyscrapers. You can grill out there.

The views at the beach were incredibly peaceful and my family had a wonderful time enjoying the tranquility.

You have the option to park for as low as $2 for 1 hour. Although my purpose of visiting was to see The Secret Mermaid, I was taken aback by the abundance of litter, plastic, and glass scattered across the beach. Despite the presence of trash cans and recycling bins every 50 feet, the beach was still covered in garbage. I attempted to clean up the litter to prevent it from entering Lake Michigan, but I quickly became overwhelmed by the sheer volume of trash. Witnessing the extent of pollution on the beach brought tears to my eyes, as it highlighted the consequences that animals bear due to our collective failures. On a positive note, the mermaid was quite as I had anticipated. I am relieved that she has not been vandalized. Thank you for taking the time to read my review!