Kayak Chicago Montrose Beach
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Kayak Chicago at Montrose Beach offers an accessible and generally affordable opportunity for families, including beginners and children, to kayak with scenic lakeside views of Downtown Chicago. They provide all necessary gear, including kid-sized life jackets, and offer basic paddling lessons. However, parents should be aware of conflicting reports regarding the types of kayaks available (sit-on-top vs. sea kayaks) and a significant concern raised by one reviewer about pricing transparency and staff demeanor.
Key Highlights
- ✓Located directly on Montrose Beach with staff assistance for getting kayaks to the water.
- ✓Offers scenic lakeside views of Downtown Chicago from the water.
- ✓Provides basic paddling lessons, suitable for beginners and those unsure how to paddle.
- ✓All necessary kayaking gear is provided, including PFDs (life jackets) in kid sizes.
- ✓Staff are reported to be very attentive to safety on the water and generally friendly.
- ✓Can be an affordable way to go kayaking.
- ✓Possible to rent specific paddling gear like sea kayaks (conflicting reports) and neoprene sprayskirts.
- ✓Business operates until at least October 31st for the season.
Standout Features
- ⭐Direct beach access with staff assistance to the water.
- ⭐Provision of all necessary kayaking equipment, including PFDs and kid-sized options.
- ⭐Basic paddling lessons for novices.
- ⭐Lakeside views of the Chicago skyline.
- ⭐Affordable pricing (though contested by one review).
- ⭐Staff focus on safety on the water.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Make reservations online, especially if visiting on a busy day or if you need specific types of kayaks (like single kayaks), due to limited availability.
- →Before visiting, verify directly with the venue about the types of kayaks available (sit-on-top vs. sea kayak) to ensure it meets your expectations, given conflicting review information.
- →Confirm current pricing directly with the venue, as one reviewer noted discrepancies with the website.
- →Be prepared for potential surf conditions on Lake Michigan.
- →If paddling in colder weather (e.g., late season), consider bringing or renting appropriate cold-weather paddling gear, though some rentals are available.
- →Monitor staff interactions, as one review reported issues with staff demeanor.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Conflicting information about kayak types: one review states 'only rent sit on tops, not regular or sea kayaks', while another claims to have rented a 'sea kayak'. This is a critical point for parents to clarify based on their preference and child's skill.
- ⚠Allegations of deceptive advertisement and pricing that doesn't match the website.
- ⚠Reports of condescending and lazy staff at Montrose beach (one reviewer).
- ⚠Owner (Dave) allegedly unresponsive to messages.
- ⚠Limited availability of single kayaks, suggesting that reservations are advisable on busy days.
- ⚠Potential for surf conditions on the lake.
Price & Value
Described as "Very affordable" by multiple 5-star reviewers. However, one 1-star review claims "deceptive advertisement and pricing" where "prices don't match" the website and suggests a business model that "rip[s] off visiting tourists." No specific prices are mentioned in reviews, so parents should verify current pricing directly with the venue.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The venue is right on the beach, and staff take you down to the water. No specific accommodations for physical disabilities or sensory needs are mentioned, but staff assistance to the water might be helpful.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews. As a kayaking rental, it's unlikely to have a dedicated food policy beyond perhaps allowing personal water bottles.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews. Its location "right on the beach" suggests it is likely subject to Montrose Beach's general parking options (e.g., paid lots or street parking, which can vary).
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can be busy on "particularly busy day[s]", leading to limited availability of single kayaks. No specific times or days are mentioned for high crowd levels.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Workers are described as "very attentive to your safety on the water."
- •All necessary gear is provided, including PFDs (life jackets) in various sizes, specifically mentioning "kid sizes."
- •Basic lessons are provided for those unsure how to paddle, enhancing safety for beginners.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are specifically seeking a traditional sea kayak and are not prepared for a sit-on-top, *do not visit without direct confirmation from the venue* regarding their current kayak fleet.
- • Visiting without a reservation on a busy day, especially if you need a single kayak, to avoid disappointment due to limited availability.
- • If you are highly sensitive to potentially poor customer service, as some staff have been described as condescending or lazy.
- • Relying solely on website pricing and kayak descriptions without direct verification, due to reported discrepancies.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Air and Water Show Tour
Not specified
Not specified
Kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour.
Fireworks Tour
After dark
Not specified
Kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour after dark.
St. Paddy’s Day Green River Tour
Not specified
Not specified
River tour related to St. Patrick's Day.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • First priority is safety.
- • Every guest/group receives a personal lesson with an instructor covering paddle strokes, safety, boat control, balance, and rules of the water.
- • Guided tours led by certified guides and instructors.
- • All equipment provided, including personal flotation devices (PFD).
📅Booking Policy
- • Online reservations available (pays for the first hour).
- • Rentals are pro-rated after the first hour, by the quarter hour.
- • Walk-ups are available on a first come, first serve basis.
- • Reservations are subject to short wait times on busy days due to high demand.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Martin Biermann
5 years agoMemorable padling tour with good lakeside views of Downtown Chicago. Be prepared for some surf. Dave opened up just for me (they close for the season on 31 Oct). I brought along my full winter paddling gear, but was able to rent sea kayak, spare paddle, PFD, neoprene sprayskirt, paddle float, and pump. Warmly recommended even though it was cold.
Mimi
a year agothe place is right on the beach and they take you down to the water, everything provided. we didn’t make a reservation, but you’d probably want to online if it is a particularly busy day (there’s only so many single kayaks). they give basic lessons as well if you’re not sure how to paddle.
Luis Centeno Coach
7 months agoAwesome experience with Kayak Chicago. We cleaned up the beach and went kayaking afterwards. Check them out. It’s fun, there’s plenty of rentals available with life jackets and kid sizes.
Victor Protsak
5 years agoIf you love kayaking or just want to enjoy your time at the lake, stay away! They have an attractive website, albeit with deceptive advertisement and pricing: they only rent sit on tops, not regular or sea kayaks, both at their Montrose and North Ave beach locations, and the prices don't match. Be prepared to encounter condescending and lazy staff at Montrose beach. Their business model seems to revolve around ripping off visiting tourists, who don't mind this kind of treatment, and letting friends rent for free. The owner, Dave, who has his finger in everything, did not even bother to respond to a message.
Gina Kasht
3 years agoVery affordable, easy way to kayak. Workers are very attentive to your safety on the water and friendly. Gone here many times. Enjoyed every part of this.