Despite being a Midwestern city, Chicago manages to have a spectacular waterfront view. City residents can walk along the Chicago Riverwalk and lounge on more than 20 different beaches on Lake Michigan. But if you’re thinking about moving to the suburbs, you don’t have to feel completely landlocked.

Here are six suburbs with waterfront views.

Aurora photo courtesy of Cbradshaw

Aurora

Just like Chicago, Aurora has its own slice of downtown riverfront. RiverEdge Park, located right on the Fox River, hosts live music and events throughout the summer. Catch jazz, blues, pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, and country performances while enjoying a picturesque view. In addition to the park, Aurora has its own Riverwalk. The idea of the Aurora Riverwalk was first born in 1986, proposed by Alderman Mike Saville (6th Ward), according to the Chicago Tribune. Today, it’s a defining feature of downtown Aurora.

Batavia

Downtown Batavia features a lovely riverwalk that curves around a split in the Fox River, offering waterfront views on both sides. Along the scenic path, you’ll find a wildflower sanctuary and the Batavia Historical Society’s Depot Museum. The wildflower sanctuary, maintained by the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, features native plants and trees from Kane County. The Depot Museum, a former train station, is dedicated to the history of the city. 

Glencoe

Glencoeis bordered by water to the east and west. The eastern edge of the neighborhood is right on Lake Michigan, while the western border runs along the Skokie Lagoons. With its prime lakefront location, this suburb has its own beach. Glencoe Beach is a sandy spot with a playground, picnic benches, and plenty of space to spread your towel. Residents can pay a daily admission fee or purchase a season pass to enjoy unlimited beach time all summer long. If boating is more your style, you can head over to the nearby Perlman Boating Beach, which has boat storage and rental options. Also, the suburb’s proximity to the Skokie Lagoons gives residents easy access to more boating options. You can paddle your way through the wooded network of waterways in a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or sailboat.

Glencoe photo courtesy of bogdanstepniak

Highland Park

Highland Park, located just north of Glencoe, is also right on Lake Michigan. This northern suburb has four public beaches on its lakefront. If you love the watching the water but prefer not to swim, Millard Beach is a dream come true. The non-swimming beach more than 1,000 feet of lakeshore and a rock garden. Swimmers can set up their towels and picnics at Rosewood Beach, whichalso offers volleyball courts and stand up paddle board rentals. Boaters get their own spot at Park Avenue Beach, which features boat launches and storage space. Pet owners have access to the dog-friendly area of Moraine Beach. 

Lake Forest

Beach-going residents of Lake Forest can get their waterfront view at the 29-acre Forest Park Beach. The Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department maintains a fishing pier, boat launch, sailing classes, volleyball nets, and a concession stand at the beach. On the southern end of the suburb, the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve extends all the way to the shores of Lake Michigan. The 0.75 miles of lakefront land offers the opportunity for hiking, fishing, and bird watching. The forest preserve also has more trails in the wooded area further back from the water.

Naperville

Naperville has its very own Riverwalk along the DuPage River, which runs right through the suburb’s downtown area. Established in 1981, the Naperville Riverwalk is now one of the city’s most recognizable features. The 1.75-mile path gives residents easy access to downtown’s varied collection of restaurants and outdoor amenities.

As you walk along the river, you can pause to rent a paddleboat or kayak and get out on the water at Paddleboat Quarry. You can also eat right on the water at Riverwalk Cafe. If you’re all about that beach lifestyle, the Riverwalk leads right to Centennial Beach. Open from May to early September, this swimming spot has open swim, swim lessons, and lap swim. Plus, you can relax outside of the water at the beach’s picnic tables.