Chicago has the finest department of parks in the nation in my opinion and as I travel throughout the city, I find gems that are truly remarkable. Such is the case with the 63rd Street Beach House. I had no idea it existed until I walked into it. This South Side beach has great views of downtown Chicago and a nearby marina with 500 boat slips.
This, from the city of Chicago:
The 63rd Street Beach House is an elegant Classical Revival style pavilion. South Park Commission in-house architects produced plans for the impressive building. Completed in 1919, the elegant exposed-aggregate concrete building takes full benefit of Lake Michigan with its open balconies and loggias (open-air galleries on the ground level) allowing for lovely lake views and comfortable breezes.
Historically, the building provided bathrooms and showers, medical rooms and separate courtyards for men and women with hundreds of wooden changing booths.
Ralph Braseth 