When summer finally hits Chicago, you want to stay outdoors, you want to enjoy the sun and you want to dip your feet in the water. If a trip to Lake Michigan feels a bit to grounded, look up, towards the Chicago rooftop pools.
Even though this is the 3rd largest city in the US, packed with sky-high buildings, finding a rooftop pool Chicago is not the easiest task. Which makes the ones available even more exclusive, and this complete guide very handy.
We will take you to the top venues to enjoy the sun and swim with a view, from luxurious Chicago hotels with rooftop pools to an all-in-one fitness club.
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Here's our guide to the 10 best rooftop pools Chicago
Found just minutes away from the Magnificent Mile shopping district, the suberb hotel Viceroy Chicago offers premium location, along with a top class rooftop experience. Set 18 levels above the busy streets, the terrace holds both a lovely Chicago rooftop pool, as well as a stylish rooftop cocktail lounge.
The rooftop pool is open seasonally and is exclusive to guests staying at the hotel, offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Gold Coast district. Refreshing dips and tasty poolside cocktails under the Chicago sun does not get much better.
The rooftop bar, called Devereaux is open to all, and also open year-round thanks to an indoor lounge and some very cosy rooftop greenhouses.
Among the Chicago hotels with rooftop pools, Viceroy is a real winner, especially if you take a closer look at its suites. The hotel offers many luxurious amenities, including a deep soaking tub with amazing city views. If that’s something you’re looking for in a hotel, check out this list of suites with spa baths in Chicago.
Address: 1118 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Open: Seasonally
This rooftop pool Chicago really breathes exclusivity! To have full access you must be a guest at the hotel or a Soho House member. It is definitely worth staying a night at the hotel just to enjoy this rooftop pool.
With the great Chicago skyline in front of you, the large, steel-rimmed swimming pool is surrounded by comfy sun loungers. A spot easy to spend hour upon hour, just relaxing.
Next to the rooftop pool you also find a bar where you can enjoy well made cocktails, refreshing beers and bites with flavors and spices of the Middle East.
Address: 113 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Availability: Only guests at the hotel / Soho House members
Hours: Daily 7am - 12am
Towels included: Yes
Looking for a large rooftop pool in Chicago? Close to downtown and other attractions? Well, you will find this at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel!
This rooftop pool is very convenient if you want to combine cooling off, tough strokes, close to green areas and some shopping. Here you will find all kind of amenities.
The sun deck is large, and with a 25-meter lap rooftop swinning pool it makes a perfect place to start your visit in Chicago. Radisson is a well-known brand and since they can offer the largest rooftop pool in Chicago, it is on the to-visit-list.
Apart from the rooftop pool, there is also a running track, hot tub, cabanas, fire pits, wading pool, sauna and sun decks. And some cool views of the Chicago sky scrapers.
Address: 221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Towels included: Yes
Opened in 2019 and found in Fulton Market, the modern and urban Hoxton hotel is designed to reflect an 'open-house policy'. This concept is visible all the way from the spacious ground floor lobby to the beautiful and bright rooftop.
Up on the top floor of the hotel, you find both a seasonal and refreshing Chicago rooftop pool, as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant called Cabra, specializing in Peruvian shared plates.
As part of the several communal spaces found at the hotel, the stunning view of the Chicago skyline and the inviting swimming pool is available to all hotel guests, which makes The Hoxton a great hotel to book your hotel nights at. You don't want to miss out on this rooftop pool.
Address: 200 North Green Street, West Loop, Chicago, IL 60607
Availability: Pool only to hotel guests. Bar open to the public from 4:00 PM
Open: Seasonally
The Robey is a beautiful art-deco hotel, situated in the northwest part of town, close to Wicker Park. Up on the 6th floor of the hotel you find a lovely, seasonal Chicago rooftop pool and poolside bar.
This stylish rooftop oasis is a little slice of summer vacation in the heart of the Windy City, where you can combine refreshing swims and fantastic 180-degree views of the Chicago skyline.
The triangle-shaped rooftop pool is only available to hotel gusets, but it does share space with the rooftop bar Cabana Club, available to all. So for an extra relaxing poolside hangout, head up early, before the rooftop bar opens.
The Robey do also offer an even more elevated rooftop venue up on the 13th floor, called The Up Room. And while there is no pool up here, it is a great spot to enjoy prime cocktails with smashing views.
Address: 2018 W North Avenue, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL 60647
Availability: Pool is only for guests at the hotel / Rooftop bar open to all
Hours: May-September: daily from 9am
DoubleTree by Hilton Magnificent Mile comes with a great location in the heart of Chicago, just a short walk from the Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s #1 shopping street.
After a sticky, hot day and you can just put down your shopping bags and cool off in the hotel's newly renovated Chicago rooftop pool.
Spacious and refreshing, the rooftop pool is surrounded by skyscrapers and you really get the feeling of swiming right in (or above) the bustling city.
Equipped with comfy sun loungers and umbrellas, this Chicago rooftop pool and terrace is a fantastic spot to mix the city vibe with long and relaxing hours under the sun.
Address: 300 East Ohio Street, Streeterville, Chicago, IL 60611
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Towels included: Yes
If you want to explore Chicago in style, the aparthotel Penthouse at Grand Plaza in downtown is a very good place to start. These luxury penthouse condos and vacation rentals come with amazing views over the Chicago skyline, along with lots of amenities for recreation.
Best of all is the seasonal outdoor rooftop pool, surrounded with a spacious sun deck. A place easy to spend a full day during summer, where you can swim right among the Chicago skyscrapers and relax in one of the sun loungers.
Apart from a Chicago rooftop pool, The Penthouse at Grand Plaza also offers an outdoor running track, a basketball court, a fully-equipped fitness center, an indoor resistance pool and whirlpool, as well as steam and sauna. In other words: you are not short of options.
Address: 540 North State Street, River North, Chicago, IL 60654
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Open: Seasonally
Located a few blocks from the Sears Tower, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Chicago - Downtown is not the most luxurious option in town, but it is a great choice if you want a nice mix of comfort, location, value-for-money and some rooftop fun.
The best feature of the hotel is the seasonal outdoor rooftop swimming pool, where you can lounge and admire the cityscape for hours. Truly a blessing if the Chicago summer gets really hot.
Other facilities also include a modern fitness center and a restaurant.
Address: 506 West Harrison, Chicago, IL 60607
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Hours: 10am to 8pm
Found in the heart of Chicago’s best shopping and dining district, this downtown Chicago hotel with a rooftop pool offers not only a fantastic location, but also one of the most elevated places to mix swimming with a view.
Perched on the 40th floor, the rooftop pool at Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown - Magnificent Mile is surrounded by a covering wall, which help protect from winds but also make the swims a bit less panoramic.
So while you have to get out of the rooftop pool to enjoy the amazing views over Lake Michigan and the skyline, the open-air pool and terrace is still a really cool spot to enjoy a sunny day.
Address: 152 East Huron Street, Streeterville, Chicago, IL 60611
Availability: Only guests at the hotel
Open: Seasonally
All in one package! Well, these two rooftop pools is just one thing you can find at the East Bank Club close to the Chicago River.
Here you can work out, catch some sun, drink & dine, shoot some golf swings and of course, enjoy the large rooftop pool area and the fantastic skyline views.
There is both a North Outdoor Pool, used primarily for lap swimming and adult programs, and a South Outdoor Pool, used primarily for children's swim lessons, open family swim and water aerobics classes.
Primarily available for EBC Members, but outside visitors can also buy a daily guest pass to enjoy the rooftop pool.
Chicago is a sport town and East Bank Club answer up perfect with all kind of recreation services...and a great rooftop pool Chicago!
Address: 500 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Availability: Members / Day pass
Hours: Weekdays: 5am-11pm / Weekends: 7am-9pm
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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