After three years here on the North Shore, I finally made my way to the beach last week. I know, I know - ridiculous, right? I just have always had pool passes to Roosevelt and Flick Park in Glenview, and the pools are great - there wasn’t any motivation until I had a friend from Michigan in town. So with some preparation (as in, what to take in the cooler!), we got our butts in gear last Friday morning and hit the road for Glencoe Beach.

I had already kinda sorta scouted it out last year from a distance and made a promise to the kids that we’d go, so I knew where to go, and to get there early enough to grab some free parking. I’m kind of a worry wart, so I got us there at 9:45 - plenty early, as it turned out. The beach doesn’t even open until 10 a.m.

The kids immediately got down to business building a giant, um, hole. OK - I’m not raising future architects. But they had f.u.n.

The beach was well-tended and the lifeguards do a nice job of keeping any chaos to a minimum. I was allowed to haul my cooler right up to where we parked it for the few hours we were there, and the traffic was relatively light - maybe the clouds kept more beach-goers away. We did end leaving earlier than planned, due to thunderstorm activity, but for the money, I was really impressed, and will definitely head back! Check it out when you get the chance:)

Technorati Tags: Glencoe Beach, North Shore Chicago Beaches, North Shore kids activities

Like to mix your shopping pleasure with great deals and spectacular outdoor weather? Here’s a rundown of upcoming sidewalk sales this summer:

Evanston (Central Street): Thursday, July 10 – Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
What to do: Kids’ activities, Budding Artists Art Fair, Storybook Mom, Antique Fire Truck

Evanston (Downtown): Friday, July 25 - Sunday, July 27, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Glencoe: Friday, July 18 – Saturday, July 19

Wilmette: Friday, July 11 - Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
What to do: Music, kids’ activities

Lake Forest: Friday, August 1 - Saturday, August 2

Winnetka: Friday, July 18 and Saturday July 19, 2008
What to do: Jazz music in all three business districts, food, clowns, games, balloons, face painting, etc.

Highland Park: Thursday, July 24 – Sunday, July 27, beginning at 10 a.m.
Where: Central Avenue from Green Bay to Sheridan Road (and First and Second Streets, and Elm Place)
What to do: Prices at 50 - 75 percent off in most places, kids’ activities, etc.

Technorati Tags: North Shore Chicago sidewalk sales, Highland Park sidewalk sale, Glencoe sidewalk sale, Evanston sidewalk sale, Wilmette sidewalk sale, Winnetka sidewalk sale, Lake Forest sidewalk sale

We mean it. Channel that inner smart ass and let us know what you think!

We’ve opened up the “comments” feed on our blog roll for you - our NorthShoreInsider friends. If you read something that makes your ears burn or your heart sing in agreement, post a comment! If there’s a blog about a great restaurant, and you can one-up us, go for it! If you want to chime in with a “OMG! I love that place too!” - we want to see it! From time to time, we’ll ask a question - if you’ve got an opinion, share it!

NorthShoreInsider can only get better when we hear from the people that use it - namely, you. So don’t be shy! To start things off on a summer theme, we’re asking you:

What’s your favorite beach and why?

Post a comment and let us know - where’s the best sand? Who’s got the best looking lifeguards? Where are the kids the friendliest? Best concession stand? Talk! Talk!