63rd Street Beach sits inside Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side lakefront, with the historic Beach House at its center and the drum circle's longtime gathering spot nearby.
Parking note: in July 2025, the Chicago Park District installed gated parking at the Beach House lot, raising rates from $2 to just over $4 per hour. This change displaced the drum circle from its usual spot near the lot — a central issue this council is organizing around. See our full history for context.
What's Here
The Beach House
The 1919 Mediterranean Revival pavilion, restored in 2000, with restrooms and a concessions history.
The Drum Circle Spot
The longtime gathering place for Bongo Beach's drummers, near the Beach House — currently affected by the 2025 parking changes.
Sand & Swimming Area
A lifeguarded swimming beach in season, with a lakefront path connecting north and south along the shore.
Dune Grassland
The native plantings the community fought to establish in the early 2000s — see our Stewardship page.
Parking
Gated lot at the Beach House, current rate just over $4/hour. Street parking is available along the lakefront drive.
Lakefront Trail
Connects directly to the Lakefront Trail running the length of Chicago's shoreline.
A Living Map, Not a Finished One
We're working on a fully interactive map of the beach — amenities, the drum circle's spot, accessible entry points, and more. For now, this guide covers the essentials. If you know this beach better than we do, tell us what we're missing.