Lake Michigan

Illinois locals are incredibly proud of Lake Michigan, perhaps because it resembles an ocean more than a lake. The beautiful shores are peppered with families and friends throughout the summer, making it the perfect place for a barbecue or a game of beach volleyball. On top of all that, the sunsets over the lake do not get any better. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, there’s a lot to keep you entertained here, from ice luging and snow kiting in the winter to lake surfing, flyboarding and parasailing when there’s less snow around.