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Looking to get engaged in Chicago? As an experienced surprise proposal photographer, I have put together the best engagement photo locations in Chicago, whether you are local or visiting. While there are many options for Chicago proposal locations, these are my top three, and for a reason!
![Suprise proposal at North Avenue Beach in Chicago.](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/North-Avenue-Beach-Surprise-Proposal-Shane-and-Caroline-5742-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Suprise proposal at North Avenue Beach in Chicago.](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/North-Avenue-Beach-Surprise-Proposal-Shane-and-Caroline-5759-683x1024.jpg)
![couple visiting chicago, chicago couple photos, chicago engagement photos, chicago engagement photographer](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Engagement-Photos-Stephanie-and-Nelson-06254-1024x683.jpg)
North Avenue Beach – Best Engagement Locations in Chicago
North Avenue remains on my list of best engagement photo locations in Chicago. This location offers gorgeous cityscape views you cannot find anywhere else in Chicago. Perfect for a surprise proposal and engagement photos. What is great about this spot? North Avenue offers nearby parking for easy access. You get the lake and city in your backdrop, and there is no permit fee to photograph here.
Choosing a weekday can be ideal as the beach does get crowded during warmer months.
![Surprise proposal, surprise proposal locations chicago, chicago proposal photographer, surprise proposal photographer](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Engagement-Photos-Stephanie-and-Nelson-06242-1024x683.jpg)
Lincoln Park Boardwalk
Lincoln Park offers beautiful scenery of the park with a view of the city. The boardwalk especially has multiple options for a surprise proposal. The park is home to the People’s Gas Education Pavilion, known locally as “The Honeycomb”. A (well worth it) permit fee is required to photograph at the Education Pavilion.
The boardwalk has a lovely path that goes around the south pond of Lincoln Park, and there is a path that takes you to North Avenue Beach. I often times have clients that ask for both locations for their session.
![Lincoln Park Boardwalk Engagement Photos, Chicago engagement ideas, chicago engagement photo ideas](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Surprise-Proposal-Michael-and-Rebecca-09063-683x1024.jpg)
![Lincoln Park Boardwalk Engagement Photos, Chicago engagement ideas, chicago engagement photo ideas](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Surprise-Proposal-Michael-and-Rebecca-09147-683x1024.jpg)
![Lincoln Park Boardwalk Engagement Photos, Chicago engagement ideas, chicago engagement photo ideas](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Surprise-Proposal-Michael-and-Rebecca-09236-683x1024.jpg)
![Lincoln Park Boardwalk Engagement Photos, Chicago engagement ideas, chicago engagement photo ideas](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Surprise-Proposal-Michael-and-Rebecca-09669-683x1024.jpg)
![Peoples gas education pavilion engagement photos, Surprise Proposal at Peoples Gas Education Pavillion. Peoples Gas Education Pavilion photos, the honeycomb in chicago](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Boardwalk-Engagement-Photos-Stephanie-and-Nelson-05918-1024x683.jpg)
Best Engagement Photo Locations in Chicago
![chicago proposal locations, chicago proposal ideas](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-6825-768x1024.jpg)
![lincoln park boardwalk engagement photos](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-7271-683x1024.jpg)
![lincoln park boardwalk couples photos,](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-7038-1-768x1024.jpg)
![chicago photo locations](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-7205-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-7107-768x1024.jpg)
![engagement photo locations](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lincoln-Park-Honeycomb-Surprise-Proposal-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-7110-683x1024.jpg)
River Point Park
A newer location to the city of Chicago and located at the heart of the Chicago River is River Point Park. This spot offers an eastern view of the river and some iconic buildings in the city, like the Merchandise Mart, The Reid Murdoch Building and 333 Wacker Drive, which Ferris Bueller fans will recognize. In addition to the views, Gibsons Italia is here and the park is relatively quiet during the Summer and Fall.
This is a charming surprise engagement spot for those who want to encompass being in the city.
![](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/River-Point-Park-Proposal-by-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-Philip-and-Megan-09081-2-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/River-Point-Park-Proposal-by-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-Philip-and-Megan-09349-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/River-Point-Park-Proposal-by-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-Philip-and-Megan-09117-2-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://ashleecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/River-Point-Park-Proposal-by-Ashlee-Cole-Photography-Philip-and-Megan-09185-1-1024x683.jpg)
These are my top three best engagement locations in Chicago. If you are planning to propose soon I invite you to send me a note! Surprise proposals are one of my favorite moments to photograph and it would be an honor to do yours, too.
xoxo,
Ashlee