Wedged between the Adler Planetarium and Northerly Island (formerly Meigs Field), this South Side beach draws in patrons from all over the city. It's a favorite with serious swimmers, who can safely dive into deeper waters, located just east of the beach. And thanks to its distance from the downtown area, 12th Street Beach is more focused on family-friendly activities and laid-back crowds than it is pretentious partygoers and scantily clad cliques.