How Chicago Built an Amazing Lake Shore

Chicago’s lakefront went from a narrow strip along Michigan Avenue to one of the best in the world. This video tells that story.

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Produced by Dave Amos in sunny San Luis Obispo, California.
Edited by Ryan Alva in Los Angeles, California.
Audio by Eric Schneider in cloudy Cleveland, Ohio.
Select images and video from Getty Images.
Black Lives Matter.

[mauricehopes]

I didn't realize how special and unique Chicago's lake front is until I started traveling around the country. Most of the other large cities that are right off water (new york, miami, Los Angeles, or Milwakee ) don't have expansive beaches and infrastructure right on their waterfronts. Except for Santa Monica pier and coney island New York and L.A. do surprisingly little with their ocean fronts. And Milwaukee has a big lake park, but there's only one beach on it. Miami has tons of beaches, but most if it is private to the condos built on the ocean.

In Chicago there are tons of beaches, 15 miles of parkland and bike trails, skate parks, Museums, dinner cruises, boating, and tons of other stuff on the lake. All of the park land is very popular and gets used constantly (except for during winter). Chicagoians love our waterfront.

Chicago is far from perfect. We have tons of problems. But our lakefront is amazing and beloved.

[rossedwardmiller]

I can always tell whether someone has been to Chicago or not. I’ll tell people how much I love it and they always ask about the crime, and never know about the beach.

[nicksifuentes]

As a Chicago resident that enjoys the beaches, you did its history right here. Keep up the good work!!

[Thukad]

Fun fact, when Chicago burnt down the Queen of England was horrified and sent a few ships filled with books (many from her own collection) to help rebuild the Chicago library. While private libraries with memberships had been a thing before the fire (and burnt down in it), Chicago had never before had a public library. The enormous quantity of books coming from donors worldwide made the construction of a public library a requirement in the rebuilding of the city.

[majy]

I (European) took my first visit to Chicago last year and I have to confess it was even better than what I expected. It's really an awesome city, with a compelling architecture and, as this video points out, a gorgeous waterfront. Thumbs up!

[brianarbenz]

Chicago does more with a lakefront than most cities do with an oceanfront. And to compensate for the absence of mountains, the city built a skyline that serves as the best human-made equivalent of a mountain range ever. Your look at the history behind this is wonderfully thorough, relevant and lively. Great work, City Beautiful!

[utterbullspit]

Chicago is definitely my favorite city in the U.S. It sits right on a lake and has so much green space and park lands. A really beautiful city in my opinion.

[Cruz]

If Chicago didn’t have this Lakefront I wouldn’t even THINK about living here. It is absolutely amazing in the summer. Stunning and stellar views/vibes. 10/10 Best lake/oceanfront in the US.

[themasterjay]

I’ve been lookin at Chicago’s beautiful lakefront ever since I was 9 years old. I love how the city appreciates its lakefront and the iconic Skyline. It shows how much the city complements the parks and greenery that stretches from the Southside to the Northside. Now, I don’t know why they built a Major 10 Lane Road, but needless to say, it doesn’t really get in the way when u see the Skyline from the lake, so props.

[JeffWallick]

Did I just learn that the land under Millennium Park is basically debris from The Great Chicago Fire?? Honestly, my mind was just absolutely blown. What a cool story.... thanks so much for sharing. I'm from Ohio and I've lived in Chicago for about five years. I absolutely love this place and will probably never leave. The Lakefront is one of my favorite places in the world.

[EmilyTienne]

Hands down, America’s most beautiful city, and I’ve seen many beautiful cities here and abroad. The free and largely open lakefront makes Chicago unique and wondrous.

[kelly]

"Mate your house will be gone in 20 years, we're gonna build a seawall."
"And I'm not paying for it."

[tubz]

I moved to Chicago a few months ago and WOW I can't get over how much public lakefront there is. Love this city, truly a gem.

[elijahbee]

I'm a native New Yorker and never been to Chicago, but I always felt Chicago had a better waterfront.

[berrylarry]

I'm a third generation Chicagoan and we've been enjoying the lakefront for decades. Love how it's always improving with bike trails, beach festivals, public commodities, and entertainment for everyone.

[mentonerodominicano]

Love Chicago so much. Never get tired of visiting. Makes sense that lakefront was planned. It's beautiful day and night.

[milesknowlton]

One of the experiences that makes Chicago so incredible is going to the beach surrounded by the skyscrapers of a business district

[armaghett]

My favorite part of the Chicago Lakefront is how truly public it is. Any given weekend, you'll see families from all parts of the city, picnicking, grilling, flying kites, swimming or just sitting and relaxing. All colors and backgrounds, rich and poor, we're all there to appreciate our beautiful lake shore.

[icreatedanaccountforthis]

I didn't know Chicago has such amazing parks. I only knew about the architecture.

[xtremegamer]

Lake Shore Drive was once planned to be a part of the Interstate Highway System. It was going to be designated as Interstate 494 and later Interstate 694. That’s why in the areas north and south of the Chicago River, it resembles a freeway. Also, before the s-curve south of the Chicago River was built in the 80s, Lake Shore Drive used to turn immediately right onto part of what is now Wacker Drive and immediately left on two 90-degree turns. These turns then connected LSD to a viaduct that crossed the old rail yards of the Illinois Central Railway on what is now Field Boulevard and the parks. LSD also used to encircle Field Museum on both sides.