Chicago’s Harbor System

Some of Chicago’s hidden gems are the ten municipal harbors that line the shore of Lake Michigan. These harbors, operated by Westrec Marinas for the Chicago Park District, provide gorgeous views of the city and are conveniently located near several popular Chicago attractions.

The harbors offer seasonal boating for those who would like to rent a slip or mooring can for the boating season, which in Chicago runs from May 1 until October 31. They also offer transient boating for boaters who would like to rent a slip for a shorter amount of time, with reservations made similar to the process of booking a hotel room.

The map below shows where the ten harbors are located, while also providing some photographs shot by myself and a brief description of the nearby amenities and attractions each harbor offers.

Here are the 10 harbors shown on the map above, listed from furthest north to furthest south:

Montrose Harbor
Address: 601 W Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60613
Notes: Montrose is Chicago’s northernmost harbor. It is the perfect harbor for those who want to visit Montrose beach or catch a game at Wrigley Field.

Belmont Harbor
Address: 3600 Recreation Drive, Chicago, IL 60613
Notes: Belmont Harbor is a relatively quiet harbor located a few minutes south of Montrose. Nearby attractions include the Boystown neighborhood and Wrigley Field.

Diversy Harbor
Address: 2601 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Notes: Diversy Harbor is conveniently located in Lincoln Park, with the zoo being just minutes away.

DuSable Harbor
Address: 111 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Notes: DuSable is located near Randolph Street and is only a few minutes away from Chicago’s most visited tourist attraction, Navy Pier.

Monroe Harbor
Address: 400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
Notes: Monroe is the only Chicago harbor that does not have any docks, as it is consisted entirely of mooring cans. It is located near Buckingham fountain and is home to the Chicago Yacht Club and the Columbia Yacht Club. Monroe is about a 15 minute walk from several iconic Chicago attractions, such as Cloud Gate (more commonly known as The Bean) and Millennium Park.

Burnham Harbor
Address: 1559 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Notes: Burnham is the largest of Chicago’s harbors, extending from museum campus to McCormick Place. The east side of the harbor, bordering Northerly Island, is home to the Huntington Bank Pavilion. Burnham Harbor provides some of the nicest views of the skyline in the entire city, and is within walking distance of Soldier Field, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium.

31st Street Harbor
Address: 3155 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
Notes: 31st Street is the newest harbor in Chicago, and it offers a view of the entire skyline. It is located right next to 31st Street Beach.

59th Street Harbor
Address: 5900 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60615
Notes: 59th Street is the smallest Chicago harbor. It is located within walking distance of the Museum of Science and Industry.

Jackson Park Inner
Address: 6400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Notes: Jackson Park Inner is one of the two harbors located in Jackson Park. It is only accessible via power boat, as boaters need to go under a bridge to access it. Across the street is the beautiful Jackson Park Golf Course.

Jackson Park Outer
Address: 6400 S Promontory Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Notes: Jackson Park Outer is the other harbor located in Jackson Park, and is Chicago’s southernmost harbor. Sailors who would like to stay in Jackson Park would choose Jackson Park Outer.