The boathouse at North Avenue Beach.
August 2026 — dog days of summer. It’s the start of a new week, yet things feel indistinguishable from the one prior. The 537th hour of a long, rolling, sticky ball of a day, punctuated by hazy air, violent storms, and sweet moments of summertime beauty.
I’m tired. The couch is comfortable. But it’s summertime, and I live in Chicago … at this time of year, every moment spent indoors feels like a missed opportunity.
The FOMO is there, but it’s vague. Where should I go? Somewhere. I don’t know. I don’t have plans tonight, which I secretly love. Walking around would be nice. When’s the last time I walked around North Avenue Beach?
It’s not my beach. I’d like to think every Chicagoan has one—their favorite, or their default, even if they live nowhere near it. For me, that beach is Montrose. But it feels too far for a Monday night, so North Avenue it is.
Volleyball tournaments at twilight, taken from the rooftop of the Castaways boathouse.
Even on Monday, it’s a scene. Thousands of people of all ages, shapes and sizes — though a lot are definitely skewing younger. It’s more scene-y than I remember; there’s a second bar on the beach now, not just Castaways.
The Scene
Volleyball is in full swing, with dozens of games pulsing simultaneously. Joggers and bikers keep the pace moving, mostly sticking to their separate paths.
Tourists taking in the sights are there as well, some sporting lanyards from a downtown conference. A frisky little dog zips across the sand, his glowstick-lit harness keeping him visible.
The rave hound is safe and happy. So are the swimmers, who make the most of Chicago’s August heat.
For those who are unfamiliar with Chicago, North Avenue Beach is arguably the most popular and energetic one in the city—and in August, while summer’s at its peak, beach season almost feels like it’s here forever.
Alas, it isn’t. In fact, this may be one of my last visits before the fall.
Glad I made it off my couch.
