First Ascent Avondale
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
First Ascent Avondale is a highly-rated climbing gym ideal for families and individuals seeking an active, progressive challenge. It offers a wide variety of routes for all skill levels, extensive auto-belay options for independent climbing, and strong community vibes. Its multi-gym access membership and family passes provide excellent value and flexibility.
Key Highlights
- ✓Extremely friendly, authentically helpful, and courteous staff from entry to climbing areas.
- ✓Facility provides rental shoes and harnesses, making it easy and convenient for first-time climbers.
- ✓Offers a huge variety of climbing routes and difficulties, catering to beginners through advanced climbers.
- ✓Abundance of auto-belays allows for independent climbing without needing a dedicated belayer, enhancing flexibility for families or solo climbers.
- ✓Family Day Pass ($99 with gear for a family of 4) allows re-entry on the same day and access to any of their other 3 city gyms (Uptown, Block 37, Humboldt).
- ✓Membership offers access to all First Ascent locations, weight rooms, and yoga/pilates classes, described as '3 gyms in one membership'.
- ✓Facility is clean, organized, and beautifully maintained, with a warm, alluring aesthetic.
- ✓Safety is consistently prioritized and honored by staff.
- ✓Free belay certification is available after passing a test, empowering climbers to expand their options.
- ✓Offers specific programming such as 'homeschool climb time' and community events.
- ✓Clean locker rooms with free lockers available.
Standout Features
- ⭐Variety of auto-belay routes for flexible, independent climbing.
- ⭐$99 Family Day Pass which includes gear rental and multi-gym access for a family of 4.
- ⭐Free belay certification available (after passing test) to expand climbing opportunities.
- ⭐Clean locker rooms with free lockers.
- ⭐Comprehensive membership offering access to all First Ascent locations, weight rooms, and yoga/pilates classes.
- ⭐Dedicated 'homeschool climb time' and community events.
- ⭐Consistently helpful and friendly staff.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider the free belay certification if you plan on frequent visits or wish to belay others for top-roping, unlocking more climbing options.
- →Utilize the auto-belays for independent climbing, especially if attending alone or with children who can use them.
- →Families should definitely consider the $99 Family Day Pass, as it provides great value with gear, re-entry, and access to multiple locations.
- →If you have a membership, remember it grants access to all First Ascent locations and includes fitness classes (weight rooms, yoga/pilates).
- →First-timers can arrive confident, as shoes and harnesses are provided by the facility.
Things to Consider
- ⚠There are very limited options for roped rock climbing without a certified belayer; patrons primarily rely on auto-belays or must get certified for traditional top-roping.
Price & Value
The $99 Family Day Pass for a family of 4, including gear rental, re-entry, and access to any of their 3 other city gyms, is highlighted as a great way to spend the day and offers excellent value. Belay certification is free after passing a test, avoiding an extra cost. Memberships are seen as very valuable, providing access to all First Ascent locations (Avondale, Uptown, Block 37, Humboldt), weight rooms, and yoga/pilates classes, essentially offering '3 gyms in one membership'. Initial gear (shoes and harness) is provided with day passes/first visits.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs or accessibility features (e.g., wheelchair access, sensory-friendly hours) are mentioned in these reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Families with the day pass are allowed to leave for lunch and come back, indicating flexibility for off-site meal breaks.
- •No explicit policy on bringing outside food or drinks inside the facility is mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking (e.g., free lot, street parking) are mentioned in these reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd level information or peak times are mentioned in these reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Safety is explicitly stated as being 'prioritized and honored' by the staff.
- •Staff are described as 'authentically and thoroughly helpful,' which contributes to a safe environment.
- •The availability of free belay certification testing promotes safe climbing practices among patrons.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If your primary interest is un-roped bouldering and you do not wish to use auto-belays or get belay certified, as top-roping options without a belayer are limited at Avondale (though other FA locations might be bouldering-focused, like Uptown).
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
2 Week Trial
N/A (implied free trial, no commitment)Duration: 2 weeks
Explore everything the gym has to offer, from Vinyasa Yoga Classes to meetups, without any commitment.
Includes:
- •Free Gear Rental
- •Yoga & Fitness Classes
- •Learning to Boulder Classes
Individual Monthly Membership
$94/moDuration: Monthly
Most popular and most flexible membership option.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •5 free gear rentals
- •20% off a Starter Bundle for gear
- •FREE Learning The Ropes class
- •FREE Learning To Boulder class
- •Weekly routesetting
- •Full schedule of yoga & fitness classes
- •Fully-stocked fitness area
- •FA Bonus rewards program (redeem for guest passes, retail discounts, free month of membership)
- •Bring first-time visitors for free (earns reward points)
- •Special member pricing on all paid Climbing Classes, Yoga and Fitness workshops, Climbing Training programs
- •Fun events and meetups
Individual Annual Membership
$1034Duration: Annually
Best value membership option, paid in full.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •5 free gear rentals
- •20% off a Starter Bundle for gear
- •FREE Learning The Ropes class
- •FREE Learning To Boulder class
- •Weekly routesetting
- •Full schedule of yoga & fitness classes
- •Fully-stocked fitness area
- •FA Bonus rewards program (redeem for guest passes, retail discounts, free month of membership)
- •Bring first-time visitors for free (earns reward points)
- •Special member pricing on all paid Climbing Classes, Yoga and Fitness workshops, Climbing Training programs
- •Fun events and meetups
Student Monthly Membership
$84/moDuration: Monthly
Discounted monthly membership for full-time students.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •5 free gear rentals
- •20% off a Starter Bundle for gear
- •FREE Learning The Ropes class
- •FREE Learning To Boulder class
- •Weekly routesetting
- •Full schedule of yoga & fitness classes
- •Fully-stocked fitness area
- •FA Bonus rewards program (redeem for guest passes, retail discounts, free month of membership)
- •Bring first-time visitors for free (earns reward points)
- •Special member pricing on all paid Climbing Classes, Yoga and Fitness workshops, Climbing Training programs
- •Fun events and meetups
Student Annual Membership
$924Duration: Annually
Best value discounted annual membership for full-time students, paid in full.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •5 free gear rentals
- •20% off a Starter Bundle for gear
- •FREE Learning The Ropes class
- •FREE Learning To Boulder class
- •Weekly routesetting
- •Full schedule of yoga & fitness classes
- •Fully-stocked fitness area
- •FA Bonus rewards program (redeem for guest passes, retail discounts, free month of membership)
- •Bring first-time visitors for free (earns reward points)
- •Special member pricing on all paid Climbing Classes, Yoga and Fitness workshops, Climbing Training programs
- •Fun events and meetups
Child Add On (Monthly)
$50/moDuration: Monthly
Add a child to an adult monthly membership.
Family Monthly Membership
$199/moDuration: Monthly
Most popular family option.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •Includes up to 2 adults and all children in the same household (dependents of an adult on the membership)
Family Annual Membership
$2189Duration: Annually
Best value family option, paid in full.
Includes:
- •Access to all First Ascent locations
- •Includes up to 2 adults and all children in the same household (dependents of an adult on the membership)
Group Event Package (Up to 10 climbers)
$450Duration: 2 hours
Group event package for kids birthday parties, office outings, field trips, or friend crews. Includes a fun climbing session, instructors, and dedicated space.
Includes:
- •Dedicated climbing area
- •Friendly instructors
- •Dedicated party space
- •All climbing gear
Group Event Package (11-15 climbers)
$675Duration: 2 hours
Group event package for kids birthday parties, office outings, field trips, or friend crews. Includes a fun climbing session, instructors, and dedicated space.
Includes:
- •Dedicated climbing area
- •Friendly instructors
- •Dedicated party space
- •All climbing gear
Group Event Package (16-20 climbers)
$900Duration: 2 hours
Group event package for kids birthday parties, office outings, field trips, or friend crews. Includes a fun climbing session, instructors, and dedicated space.
Includes:
- •Dedicated climbing area
- •Friendly instructors
- •Dedicated party space
- •All climbing gear
Events & Schedule
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food and drinks are welcome for group events/parties.
- • Alcohol is not permitted for group events or birthday parties.
- • Each location has a refrigerator available for use for group events.
- • Decorations, plates, napkins, etc. are not included but are welcome for group events.
- • Guests can access their dedicated party room 15 minutes prior to booking window for setup.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Everyone who enters First Ascent must complete a waiver.
- • Parents or legal guardians must complete a waiver on behalf of participants under the age of 18.
- • Climbing shoes are required for all climbing activities.
- • A harness is required for using auto belays.
- • Auto belay climbing and bouldering can be done after a brief orientation.
- • Top rope and lead climbing require passing a belay check or taking the appropriate rope skills class.
- • Belay checks are required for top rope and lead climbing (typically 15-minute wait time).
- • For top rope climbing, all ropes have a GriGri permanently attached, which belayers must use.
- • For lead climbing, use the assisted braking belay device passed the lead check with.
- • Bouldering involves climbing shorter routes with a cushy pad below for falls (no harness or rope required).
📅Booking Policy
- • Waivers can be completed online before arrival to save time at check-in.
- • Email verification is required as part of the waiver process.
- • Group event booking is done via an online portal.
- • For group events, payment is due in full at the time of booking.
- • A dedicated Group Events team will confirm details and climbing roster within 48 hours of booking.
- • To freeze a monthly membership, submit a 'Membership Change Form' by the 25th of the current month for the freeze to take effect the following month.
- • To cancel a monthly membership, submit a 'Membership Change Form' by the 25th of the current month for cancellation to take effect the following month.
- • Monthly EFT memberships require a credit card or debit card on file.
- • Payment is only accepted via credit card or debit card.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 10 reviews)
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Knowledge applied is wisdom
3 months agoSo much fun, we loved the experience & it would be nice if you're not limited to having someone belay you. There's very limited options to rock climbing workout a certified belay to help you. Likewise there's no limits with a belay available. They can also certify you as a belay for free if after passing test.
Alison Carchi
2 months agoMy son and I were instantly hooked on climbing after our intro courses! We’ve both really struggled to find movement that we enjoy and can sustain. Never did I imagine we’d find something we can do to challenge the bodies together! Rock climbing fits the bill: progressive challenges you can face autonomously or with a partner, approachable and accessible, and is naturally thrilling! The ultimate habit stack! The facility is clean+organized, safety is prioritized and honored, aesthetic is warm+alluring. The staff is authentically and thoroughly helpful. We can’t wait to get back for so many reasons: homeschool climb time, community events, our next climb, hitting the weight room, and group classes. There’s so much to look forward to!
David Holliday
2 months agoThe staff was extremely friendly as soon as I walked into the door. It was my first experience climbing and the registration process was very easy (facility provides shoes and harness as well). The facility is awesome, with a huge variety of different routes and difficulty. Loved the variety of auto belays too, so I didn’t have to constantly have to ask a belayer to assist me on courses.
Ellen Wong
a month agoOur family of 4 purchased the $99 family day pass with gear. It was a great way to spend the day. We were allowed to leave for lunch and come back. The pass also allows you to visit any of their other 3 gyms. The Avondale gym is well equipped with a variety of rock climbing and bouldering walls, suited for beginners to advance climbers. The locker rooms were clean with free lockers. The staff was super courteous and helpful. Will be back!
Amelia Smith
4 weeks agoI've been climbing at First Ascent since I started climbing in February 2021. I can't speak highly enough about this gym. All of their Chicago locations are beautifully maintained, well-staffed with extremely pleasant and helpful employees, and have great routes for every skill level. (I've only been to the city ones, but I'm sure the suburban ones are great, too.) I primarily climb at the Avondale location because I enjoy top-roping, but I love the boulder-only gyms in Uptown, Block 37 downtown, and Humboldt, too. Their membership gives you access to any of their gyms, along with access to their weight rooms and yoga/pilates classes. It's like 3 gyms in one membership, it's actually the best. I've visited a number of other climbing gyms, both in Chicago and a few other cities and countries, and no gym has felt more at home than FA. The vibes of the employees and the climbers that go there are great. I've met a handful of climbing partners just from being at the gym and chatting between attempts.