Prinz beach park is one of the little hidden beaches in Rogers Park (hidden because they're at the end of cul-de-sacs along the lake). The park is relatively large, but don't go swimming--at least, in summer 2022--because the water quality is not sufficient for swimming. The water is nice and clear, so don't be fooled; check the Chicago Park District site! The park is named for Tobey Prinz, a longtime Rogers Park resident who was a leader and activist in the housing movement, had a strong impact on Chicago housing conditions, and was an advocate for Chicago parks and open space. Perhaps her most notable accomplishment was getting the old site of the Bryn Mawr Country Club, slated to become a shopping center, instead turned into Warren Park, one of the largest parks on the north side. She was also instrumental in preserving lakeside property in cul-de-sac spaces just like these. The bench that runs for hundreds of yards along park is painted white each year and the community is invited to repaint a section. It's fun to wander along and see what people have contributed for the year. There's also tennis courts in the grassy part of the park. There's also a nice view of the city from the pier as you walk toward the lighthouse, which unfortunately was clouded the day I was here by the foggy weather. Parking is essentially non-existent here, so public transportation is really your best bet. read more

See all

I can't remember how I found out about the murals. I think I was just randomly hanging out at the beach because I had two other apartments nearby. I thought it was really pretty but one-and-done. Once I found out that this is a thing that happens every year (Artists of the Wall), it turned out to be a fun way to celebrate around Father's Day and Juneteenth. The new paintings are up, and these are my favorites this year. (I have a photo collection of my favorites every year for at least a decade. Just saw these today. Nice job, artists!) Also, this is a fun park to bring your dog too. I was nervous about the off-leash dogs at first, but once my dog became less aggressive (but NOSY AS EVER!) around other dogs, it was much more comfortable to bring her here. Sometimes she's the off-leash dog, too, long enough to chase a toy or two and come back. read more

See all

Nice place to relax and have a good time with family and , friends. Not a good place for fishing lol read more

See all

"Tobey Prinz Beach Park" is informally known as "Pratt Beach" among Pokemon Go trainers. Since Pokemon Go was released in early July 2016, day after day, night after night, Pokemon Go enthusiasts have been gathering to catch mostly water, and occasionally, rare pokemons. Yes, with my frequent check-ins over here, I'm definitely part of the mass gathering. While CPD officers working in Rogers Park neighborhood are having their work cut out for them to get people out of the park by 11pm, I'm obviously home already to render this review. I have to say I like this beach park very much. You can see the magnificent sky view of downtown Chicago. There's a tennis court that I see it's always being used. The beach park extends north unto Loyola Park, which is another park where lots of picnics and BBQ fun happen on the weekends. T. Prinz Beach Park is located in between the CTA Loyola and Morse Red Line stations. It's approximately three (3) blocks northeast from CTA Loyola and two (2) blocks southeast from CTA Morse. As many of you are aware, the Red Line "L" runs 24/7. Public restrooms are available near Morse Ave. exit in Loyola Park. Parking near the parks is mostly neighborhood permit or paid. However, hubby told me some free parking is available among neighborhood streets further west, past Sheridan. Hey, take his words for it because his work requires him to drive A LOT. I don't know about you, but I've been discovering cool parks and beaches in the city with playing this mobile game. "Yelping" certainly goes hand in hand with being physically active so that many places can be introduced via the facilitation of social media. Ok...I think I'm done writing...hey folks, GROWLITHE! read more

See all

A cold autumn day DisaPIER in frosty blue No worries; just peace read more

This is my favorite beach in the area. It's generally pretty clean and not too crowded. I remember five or six years ago it was a Pokémon Go hotspot, I kept going after people got sick of the game because I just liked the vibes. Always felt very safe here after dark too. Definitely recommend over Montrose beach (too crowded) or the suburban beaches that make you pay ten dollars to get in. read more

Chicago's best kept secret. It might take 20 minutes to find parking, but it's worth the effort. read more

See all

The lakefront at Pratt Street is one of my favorite beaches. It's separated into two halves by a long pier that stretches out into the lake. Try walking all the way out on the pier and chatting it up with the fisherman out there. They always have an interesting story. The beach to the south of the pier is small. Water is shallow and good for small kids or for casual wading, but not very suitable for serious swimming. North of the pier, the beach stretches for a half mile up to Touhy. It's also relatively shallow and the lifeguards keep the swimmers close to the beach by patrolling in their rowboats. One of the unique and cool features of Pratt Street Beach is the long concrete bench that runs north along part of the beach's jogging/biking path. Every year, the city whitewashes the bench and then segments it into about 200 4-foot sections. Then on one Saturday, people from the area can come and get assigned to paint one of the sections. There's no common theme, just a hodge-podge of ideas and creativity. I've come down for the past 3 years to survey the eclectic artwork and enjoy the lake and the beach at the same time. Note: While this beach and the surrounding area are relatively safe during the day, use discretion when visiting after dark or alone. read more

Lovely beach for being in Chicago!! A bit difficult to find parking; especially if you have a large car. Not too crowded and lifeguards on duty. read more

I am so blessed to live so close to this beach. After living in Santa Monica, CA -- where I was 3 blocks from the Pacific Ocean and also Venice Beach -- I can honestly say that I like this a whole lot better. First, I never dreamed that I could afford to live even closer to a beach. Santa Monica and Venice had become so touristy that they were unpleasant much of the time. I found that I stopped visiting because of this. I love the tranquility of Pratt Beach. The people that hang out there seem really cool, to. There are really nice grassy park areas, too. You can sit in the shade or soak up the sun; whatever you desire. My sister came to visit from the 'burbs and noted how culturally diverse it was. From what I've read, Rogers Park has been considered one of the most culturally diverse in the entire nation. That is part of this beach's charm. You see people of all ages, dogs of all types, people of all races -- it's really kind of its own little urban utopia. I don't need an ocean when I have Lake Michigan right at my doorstep. Best of all, you don't have to be wealthy to live near Lake Michigan. This is truly urban living at its best. read more

You are owned only by the city so I can be frank, Pratt Beach. You're a bit creepy. You seem empty. Where is everyone? The weather is great now, but you're not being used. That sucks. Maybe you need to be cleaned, or maybe you reflect the neighborhood, which I describe as sleepy. But you are peaceful. So I like you. I ignore your litter. And that 'green glop floating near the shore.' My dog likes you too, and she is getting braver with going in. read more

My cousins have two kids going to Loyola so they bit the bullet and bought a condo for them nearby. I had to take the CTA to school but guess this is what parents now do for college kids. I think they just wanted to have a place in the city after the kids finish college to save themselves from their boring suburban existence. And Rogers Park definitely qualifies as "the city". Plus its a stones throw away from this great little park. They asked me to come take a look at the unit. While waiting for them and the real estate agent I checked out this park. I never knew this park existed and it looks like a little gem. Its a nice little park which will satisfy whatever needs you may have, whether it be beach, small wilderness area, fishing walking or just plain people watching. Plus there is a great view of the city as you can see from my photo. read more

Tobey Prinz Beach Park - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of my favorite places in Rogers Park. I LOVE the pier...I'm out there just about every evening watching the sunset when the weather isn't plaguing me. And it's just about the BEST place I've ever found to "people watch." Naturally, I pick up on themes of the beach/park. Tonight's was "Big Muscly Men walking tiny dogs on leashes" and "Newbie Rollerbladers." Yesterday's--"Joggers out for the first time this spring." It's the best cheapest entertainment one could ever hope for. If the people bug you, turn due east and stare at the lake for an hour. Ah. A perfect evening. read more

After going here for a civil union ceremony last month, the boyfriend and I had a yen to hit the beach last weekend. (There's this really nifty arch that the wedding party exchanged vows under. Very cool.) GOOD PLAN! We mixed up a quart of lemonade loaded up the cooler, grabbed some ice and headed out. Now, bear in mind that the parking is street only and can be challenging. Still, we parked just west of Clark and walked down Pratt the rest of the way. It was an awesome day. Not crowded at all. We pitched our umbrella and walked into the lake. There was a nice sandbar and it made my soul happy to watch kids building a sandcastle on the beach. There were lifeguards in the tower and in a row boat and the 'guards' changed regularly. I considered it a plus that the ice-cream man pushed his bike-cooler across the beach every two hours. Pretty much everyone there was well-behaved and mellow. I just relaxed on the beach, waded in the water, collected some pretty stones and took a break under the umbrella to read a nice, soothing murder-mystery. Good times. Next time I go, I'll have to explore the park and dunes, but I was too busy being relaxed to check it out. Interestingly, when I talked to my my parents last Sunday night, they remembered that beach and also had very fond memories of it. Pretty cool.. read more

High school. Mather. 70s, beer. Sunsets, sunrises. Smelt fishing in the spring with my brother, great memories!

Tobey Prinz Beach is one of .the most beautiful, pastoral, undiscovered (except for its residents), areas in all of the city of Chicago! A unique city treasure and, the hot, up and coming neighborhood to buy real estate! I'm not kidding! Despite a few rough edges; the beach proximity, parks theaters and restaurants are bound to go high end once people discover the coolness of the neighborhood. Home to famous Chicago musicians, actors, educators, writers, young people and families and dog lovers, who form an interesting mix of all nationalities that mingle and live together in wonderful, colorful harmony! I know Rogers Park! Contact me real estate broker, Celeste Johnson von Dahm, read more

I love it...partly because I consider it my backyard. Sure...it's a little odd, but Rogers Park is odd, and it caters to all manner of folks, from college kids to aged hippies to families and kids. It is my favorite spot in Chicago. It's so beautiful and peaceful in the morning. Never crowded even on a 90+ day, and if you find yourself here on the 4th sit back and enjoy the best private fireworks display in the city. read more

This is my spot! Running, walking, beach day or a picnic in the park.... I am here almost everyday. It's beautiful, somewhat undiscovered and only a block away from me! The perfect place to escape the city for a moment and just enjoy the lake, the beach (a little bit rocky but mostly nice), and a little bit of nature. read more

Pratt Beach is a fun beach to go to on a lazy, sunny day if you are looking to kick back and relax without the throngs of people you may encounter elsewhere, say North Ave. Beach. It has a great pier to walk out onto with great views of the Lake as well as Montrose Harbor and downtown. We were pleased to see the abundance of lifeguards on duty: two on the Lake in rowboats, one on the beach in a tower, and one on the beach in a hut. However, my friends and I had a hell of time trying to ward of the millions of biting, nagging flies everywhere! Overall, that is what put a damper on our beach day. read more

Quite clean (nice sand to walk in) and never too crowded. The pier is great to walk on- if you walk towards the end there is a great view of downtown! read more

This is one of the most well maintained beaches in all of Chicago, located in Rogers Park, its sanctuary in its own way. Standing at the end of Pratt pier is one of the most spectacular scenic views in the city. The people you meet are so friendly and all care a great deal about the environment. "The Wall" a concrete bench area that stretches a great distance around the center of the park area and walkway, is something that the community looks forward to yearly, in which it is white washed and made available to the public, friends, family and solo artist all gather to have fun painting and expressing a piece of themselves for others to see for the next year to come. There are lots of other festivities the park provides over the year, its definitely a great place to visit and enjoy, a lovely place to relax and get some sun, or get some exercise and take a swim, I highly recommend it for anyone to check out! read more

pratt beach is filthy and usually has a thick layer of green glop floating near the shore, but if you're not interested in swimming it's great. easy access to the park and a super rad look out point, you can see for miles. no bathrooms. wear sunscreen. read more