North Shore Beach Among America's 'Top 100 Secret Beaches,' Poll Finds

LAKE BLUFF, IL — A nationwide survey of families identified Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff as the best hidden beach in the state and one of the top secret beach destinations in the United States.

Sunrise Beach was ranked No. 54 in the top 100 secret beaches in the USA in a recent online poll of 3,000 adults.

Going up against coastal beaches various vacation destinations, the suburban midwestern gem held its own.

It ranked just below and Cherry Beach in Michigan and Mansion Beach in Rhode Island and just ahead of Bandon State Natural Area in Oregon and Cayo Costa State Park in Florida.

The top five secret beaches in the country were: Awahua Beach in Hawaii, Shell Key Preserve in Florida, Lanikai Beach in Hawaii, Kauapea Beach in Hawaii and Sedge Island in New Jersey.

Conducted by the website Family Destinations Guide, the survey used a two-step process of stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting to ensure a representative sample, according to its methodology.

South Sunrise Beach and shelter is due to be closed for the entire 2023 summer season as the North Shore Water Reclamation District builds a subterranean overflow basin.

During the project, the district will also replace the parking lot, resurface the road and add permanent, accessible bathrooms, among other things, according to the Lake Bluff Park District.

Earlier: NSWRD Completes Revetment Project at Sunrise Beach