Chamber Promotes 'Hidden' Beaches Of Rogers Park

CHICAGO, IL — The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a small guide to beaches that are "hidden in plain sight" in and around the neighborhood. Rogers Park beaches stretch for nearly a mile alongside Loyola Park, complete with walking trails, natural dunes, picnic grounds, a fishing pier and lighthouse. Located a half-mile walk from the Morse and Loyola Red Line stops, the beaches are near "unique" restaurants and pubs, independent shops, public art and a popular farmer's market, the business alliance said.

"Rogers Park has everything you need to plan a beach day-trip without leaving Chicago," the chamber said in its guide.

Here's a list of restaurants, shops and weekly events in the neighborhood (courtesy of RPBA):

Stock up for a picnic:

· Glenwood Sunday Farmers Market, 6962 N. Glenwood Avenue(glenwoodsundaymarket.org), open every Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

· Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Avenue (heartlandcafe.com) a neighborhood staple for 40+ years with fresh smoothies and an in-house market.

· Taste of Peru, 6545 N. Clark Street (tasteofperu.com). Traditional Peruvian dishes, featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Beach reading & unique shopping:

· Third Coast Comics, 6443 N. Sheridan Road - from comics to graphic novels, take your favorite superhero to the beach.

· ChiTown Magpie, 6443 N. Sheridan Road - locally made art, plus Chicago-themed gift items, cards and jewelry.

· Nodd Pottery, 7063 N. Glenwood Avenue - drop-in art studio with materials and on-site instruction provided.

· Bark Place, 1775 Greenleaf Avenue - after a romp at the beach, bring your pup by for grooming or a treat.

Art-filled strolls:

· Mile of Murals, Glenwood Avenue from Morse to Estes. Public art initiative sponsored by Rogers Park Business Alliance, with 14 murals along the CTA Red Line tracks running down Glenwood Avenue

· Artists of the Wall, Loyola Park Beach — community-painted 600-foot lakefront mural on the beach, celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Sweet treats:

· Caffe ArrivaDolce, 6451 N. Sheridan Road - gelato and coffee bar, plus breakfast and lunch bites

· Caribbean American Baking Company, 1539 W. Howard Street. Jamaican-style baked goods and pastries

Post-beach drinks & dining:

· Empirical Brew Pub, 1330 W. Morse Avenue - exploring the science of beer, with craft brews and beer-infused pub food

· Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood Avenue - creative frozen cocktails and classic drinks

· R Public House, 1508 W. Jarvis Avenue - rustic-chic bar with elevated pub grub and weekend brunch

· TJam Kitchen, 1418 W. Howard Street - fresh breakfast and lunch creations with an international flair

· Twisted Tapas, 1146 W. Pratt Boulevard - traditional and international fusion tapas

· J.B. Alberto's Pizza, 1324 W. Morse Avenue - a popular, family-owned and operated pizza spot since 1965

· Rogers Park Provisions, 6928 N. Glenwood Avenue - boutique craft beer, liquor and wine shop with artisan cheese and charcuterie.

For more information about activities, shops and restaurants in Rogers Park, visit rpba.org.

Images of the Loyola Dunes and Loyola Park Beach, credit Kessel Cherney for Rogers Park Business Alliance.