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First Ascent Avondale
4.8 ★★★★★ 797 Google reviews · Climbing gym in Chicago, Illinois
Plan your visit
- Day pass around $25 — check current rates; most gyms price gear rental separately and discount off-peak
- Gear rental nearly every climbing gym rents shoes (~$5–8 typical) and chalk; harness rental is often bundled with a ropes pass
- Waiver always required at climbing gyms — sign it online before you go to skip the front-desk line
- Belaying ropes gyms teach belaying or check your certification at the desk; bouldering and auto-belays need no partner and no belay test
- First timer? bouldering needs zero experience — rent shoes and walk in; staff will point you at the easiest problems
- Kids programs classes, camps, or youth teams mentioned — check the current schedule
- Yoga & fitness mentioned alongside the climbing — ask about the class schedule and what a pass includes
- Ages families visit with kids 5–8, going by reviews
- Memberships available — worth asking about if you'd climb more than a few times a month
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (773) 564-9815
- Website faclimbing.com
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–8 PM |
What's inside
“There’s a gym, a yoga studio, and of course plenty of bouldering problems and top rope routes (the walls are so tall!”
“There’s a gym, a yoga studio, and of course plenty of bouldering problems and top rope routes (the walls are so tall!”
“The rope walls are super fun with a wide variety of levels and enough auto belays to provide both warm ups and challenges.”
“There’s a gym, a yoga studio, and of course plenty of bouldering problems and top rope routes (the walls are so tall!”
What climbers say again and again
“From the environment and friendly faces that always say hi when i come in to the clean and challenging routes on the wall.”
“There’s a gym, a yoga studio, and of course plenty of bouldering problems and top rope routes (the walls are so tall!”
“Great routes for all levels, constantly updated problems, and such a welcoming, motivating atmosphere.”
“We went for the first time today, and tho we are not experienced climbers it felt like there were so many variations for all skill levels.”
“The rope walls are super fun with a wide variety of levels and enough auto belays to provide both warm ups and challenges.”
From the reviews
I came from Milwaukee for an afternoon of climbing. The gym was about 5 minutes off the Interstate, easy to find, and had ample parking. This was my second visit so I didn't have to get belay certified, but I would warn first timers the certification process can take up to an hour as you put your name on the list and…
This place is so much fun!! I climbed for about a year at Ohio States climbing gym and it was so much fun I wanted to keep climbing over the summer. This gym was super convenient and has so many different routes!! They also offer some clinics like less climbing or belaying, and have fun events almost every week.
I cannot praise this climbing space highly enough. The staff (shout out to Amy in particular) are so unbelievably kind and knowledgeable, going above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and at ease. The gym itself screams “safe place for all” with inclusivity motifs scattered throughout the location.
Reunited with my friend here. It was the best time. So scary for our first time, but listen I was climbing up that wall like Spider-Man from the start. Surprised myself, such a great feeling. My friend was stretched out like a starfish.
Birthday parties at First Ascent Avondale
First Ascent Avondale hosts birthday parties — confirmed on their own site. Climbing parties come with staff who handle the harnesses and belaying, so parents can mostly watch. One thing that's different here: every guest needs a signed waiver — send the gym's waiver link to the other parents when you send invites, or check-in day gets slow. Packages, party rooms, and pricing change often, so check the current options and book ahead — weekend slots go fast at popular gyms.
Kids classes & camps at First Ascent Avondale
Reviews and the gym's own info mention kids programs at First Ascent Avondale — climbing classes, school-break camps, or a youth team where kids learn technique from coaches instead of just scrambling around. Program schedules and age groups change each season, so check the current lineup before you plan around one.
Climbing gyms near First Ascent Avondale
Chicago Bouldering Collective
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Lakeshore Sport & Fitness
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