– A bicycle path spans 18 1/2 miles of Chicago’s Lake Michigan beach area. The path stretches from Hollywood Avenue (5700 North) to 71st Street on the south. So bring your own bike or rent one (see way below). Along the way, you can stop and ride the Seadog, the new 70-foot powerboat at Navy Pier, or check out the new baby gorilla at Lincoln Park Zoo.
– The Chicago Park District offers classes in sailing and lifeguarding. Sailing classes for kids 10 to 17 are at North Avenue Beach (1600 North), South Shore Beach (7100 South) and Burnham Harbor (1200 South). The cost is $85 for four to five (depending on the weather) 31/2 -hour group lessons during the week or four one-hour individual lessons on weekends. For info call 747-0737 (all numbers here have the 312 area code).
More Top Picks Best Heated Travel Mugs
– The Junior Lifeguard Program is for water lovers 15 and under. It runs year-round and teaches kids lifesaving and rescue techniques and lets them assist real lifeguards. For info, call 747-0833.
– You can rent a beach volleyball court (net and ball) at the park district’s trailer at the south end of North Avenue Beach. The cost is $10 for two hours. Courts are limited, so call 871-8008 or 742-3224 to reserve one.
– Fishing is for you if you like water sports but don’t want to break a sweat. Lake Michigan offers very good” fishing, says John Allen of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Perch fishing is best, but you can also catch smallmouth bass, rock bass, salmon and crappie.” And kids under 16 fish for free (you don’t need a fishing license).
– Take your dog to the doggy beach(3500 North) to frolic in the water with other four-legged pals.
We found a shop that offers windsurfing lessons and rentals. Windward Sports, 472-6868, 3317 N. Clark, rents boards for $35 a day; lessons at Montrose Beach cost $35 an hour, with a two-hour minimum.
– These lakefront shops offer bike and/or in-line skate rentals:
Bike Chicago, 944-2337, rents in-line skates and all kinds of bikes from six locations. Bikes cost $8 an hour, $30 for the day (lock rental is $2); in-line skates cost $7 an hour, $24 a day.
Londo Mondo in-line skate store, 751-2794, 1100 N. Dearborn, charges $7 an hour, $20 a day.
Kozy’s Cyclery & Fitness, 360-0020, has three locations; in-line skate rental is $7 an hour, $19 a day.
For all these stores, safety equipment is included in the price. All rentals require a credit card and some form of identification.