USA Lighthouse Beach, Evanston, Illinois

If you're looking for an awesome Lake Michigan sunrise (with the focus NOT being the sun glinting off the gorgeous Chicago cityscape, that is), it doesn't get any better than Lighthouse Beach in Evanston. This is seriously a can't-miss spot for sunrises in the Chicago area.

The posts make for excellent leading lines and can be a great compositional element. The sunrise colours are wonderful, so there's not much you have to do other than get there early and wait for the show! If you want to get a little more advanced, bring along a neutral density filter to slow the shutter speed (even when the sun is coming up and the colours are the most vivid) just a bit so that the waves soften. In the winter, the lake freezes over near the shore, which adds some extra compositional elements to play with! :)

Lighthouse Beach is right off the Central purple line stop, so if you prefer public transportation that's your best bet. If you're trying to get there really early, though, the purple line might not be running. It starts around 4:30 am on weekdays, but it doesn't start until 5:30 or 6:00 on weekends, so make sure to check the schedule before you head out!

If you have a car, there's a parking lot and plenty of parking nearby so you shouldn't have any issues.