Downtown Chicago would not be the same without the imposing presence of Lake Michigan. This is one of the best places to spend your summer. If you are feeling puckish then there are plenty of eating places. We visited the lake on our way from the observation tower and found it to be an excellent stop for tourists. The closeness to the beach makes it seem that you are actually living on the lake. This is an idealized version of the tourist attractions but that is what you get with all the marketing hype. I have to say that Lake Michigan was genuinely interesting. I did not feel as if I was being cheated of a great experience. Instead I felt right at home with all the arrangements. The grass patches near the beach are perfect for kids to enjoy some time out. You can go for walks or take up other hobbies depending on the weather.

There are some restrictions in order to preserve the natural beauty of the place. For example you are not allowed to do barbecues there.  Likewise we were not allowed to carry alcohol. There are some beaches further down the road which takes on a more liberal approach. The bottom line is that you get to enjoy Lake Michigan with all the trappings and none of the drama. Make sure that you do not park in the wrong place. We nearly got a ticket for some sloppy parking. The police are very vigilant here. The lake is a public resource and therefore you should expect that the crowds are quite significant. However that is what the tourism sector is all about. You need to see the local people in their elements in order to fully understand how the place operates. I was extremely pleased with my stay near Lake Michigan.

The lake really does nothing but it is just perfect in its beauty. Therefore 4 out of 5 stars would reflect the joy that you get from visiting it.