Just outside Chicago, this beloved summer hangout features an enormous pool, volleyball courts, barbecue pits, swim lessons and much more.
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than taking a dip at Centennial Beach, a former quarry, now a pool. The site is designed with family fun in mind and staffed by a team of lifeguards. Swimming at Centennial Beach is like swimming in the ocean, but better. Pack a picnic and bring your swimsuit to spend an enjoyable afternoon in the hot sun, with the only work to be done deciding what to do next.
Come to Centennial Beach well rested so you have energy for the many activities. Wade in the zero-depth entrance to the water, scaled like a beach. The deep end reaches up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) in depth. Try the well-maintained diving boards or practice your open-water swimming to the islands dotted around the water. Get a workout in designated swimming lanes or dry off with a game of volleyball beside the pool.
Let kids play on the artificial sandy beach, which features fountains and equipment for building sand castles. Come on a weekend morning for the Adult Float, when you can climb onto your favorite inflatable and revel in the sunshine in an over-18 environment.
Barbecue pits are available for grilling lunch after all that activity. Purchase picnic items from the kiosk located on site. Relax with sunbathing on the grass or simply rest in the shade, admiring the WPA-built bathhouse constructed from quarry limestone as you enjoy the sun and atmosphere.
Find Centennial Beach in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, a 45-minute drive west of Chicago’s downtown. Public transportation is available from Chicago’s central station to Naperville’s downtown in about 1.5 hours. Drive here in 30 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Ample free parking is available nearby.
The beach is open daily from late May to early September, depending on weather. The site has variable hours, but generally the pool is open from mid-morning to late evening, closing earlier on Sundays. Adult Float takes place on weekend mornings. Pay the admission fee, with discounts for Naperville residents.
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