Naperville is the number one destination in the Chicago suburbs for so many reasons – shopping, eating, drinking and sightseeing – and in the honeypot of tourist attractions is the Naperville Riverwalk. Whether it’s a day out with the family, a romantic date, or a picnic with friends, the Naperville Riverwalk is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine.
There is so much to see and do on the Riverwalk and it would be a shame to miss the good parts. We’ve put together the best walking route through the riverside park and into downtown Naperville, which ticks off the best parking, the rotary tower, the quarry, the centennial beach, historical monuments, resting spots, and the perfect places to grab a coffee or bite to eat along the way.
Walk with us and we’ll show you how it’s done!
Scroll to the end for a printable map. It includes the full walking route and all the destinations mapped out along the way.
Self Guided Tour of The Naperville Riverwalk
1. Park at the Naperville Riverwalk Parking
This parking spot usually has spaces because it’s not right in the middle of downtown. There is also plenty of accessible parking, which is unrestricted. Parking is free for two hours from Monday-Friday between 7:00 am – 4:00 pm. That might not sound like long, but without any stops, the riverwalk itself only takes half an hour.
If you prefer a leisurely stroll or plan to make a long stop to paddle boat or hang out on centennial beach, then you can find all day parking at the Municipal Center Parking (again, free). And don’t worry because you can simply do the walking tour in reverse!
2. Find the hidden woodland pathway
Start at the Veteran of Foreign Wars Center, or in the parking bays just in front of it. Walk alongside the parking bays with the center on your right and the Grand Pavilion (a sheltered picnic spot) on your left. You’ll come to a small roundabout, where you’ll find a paved footpath through a woodland, heading towards the river. The old halogen style street lamps will have you feeling like you just stepped back a few decades in time to discover the charming river walk.
3. Stroll along the DuPage River
Through the short woodland path, you’ll break out onto the DuPage Riverwalk. Bear left and stroll the DuPage River, with the river bank to your right. You should be heading back towards Naperville downtown. Hint: Follow the flow of the river and keep it on your right.
You’ll head back past the Grand Pavilion, a playground, and the ice skating rink (which is retired in the summer). You’ll notice there are so many different kinds of trees planted throughout the riverwalk, thanks to the thoughtful park planning. If you’re with little ones you can make a game of counting how many different types you see!
4. Cross over at the Moser Tower Bridge
When you reach the first bridge over the river, cross it! It’ll take you over to the Moser Tower and the quarries. You can’t miss it because the Moser Tower is just shy of 160ft tall.
5. Enjoy the Quarry, Moser Tower & Rotary Hill
The Moser Tower is a significant landmark in Naperville, and not just for its height. It was built to celebrate the third millennium. The tower has 72 bells hidden inside and to get to the top, you’d have to climb 253 steps. The largest bell weighs six tons and is named after the founder of Naperville, Joseph Naper.
If you’re lucky, you might get to hear the majestic bells ringing out during one of the summertime concerts. Perhaps, somewhere, Joseph Naper himself is listening too! We hope he’d be proud of everything Naperville has achieved.
You’ll also find a small but scenic quarry just behind Moser Tower and if you head south, there’s a big hill for energetic children to run up. In the winter, Naperville locals head to Rotary Hill for sledding, which is great fun.
6. Take a rest at the scenic Gregory Gazebo
Once you’ve taken in the sights at the Moser Tower, head towards the second quarry. Take any of the paths from Moser Tower or Rotary Hill, but just keep the River on your left hand side. You’ll soon reach the big quarry and along its western edge, you’ll find the scenic Gregory Gazebo, which is a charming outpost perfect for taking in the view and snapping a selfie.
7. Optional: Go Paddle Boating on the Lake or get a snack at the Riverwalk Cafe (in summer only)
If you want a longer walk, you could take a stroll around the quarry – or you could walk up to the paddle boating rental station. It’s right beside the Riverwalk Cafe, which is next to the DuPage River here on the west side of the quarry. It’s only a few hundred yards from the Gregory Gazebo, so hopefully you won’t get lost!
During the summer months, you can paddle boat or kayak on the quarry for $10 per twenty minutes. The seasonal Riverwalk Cafe also offers all the family favorites if you need a quick snack or a coffee – though save some appetite for the Egg Harbor Cafe later on.
8. Walk across the beautiful covered bridge
One of the most beautiful parts of the riverwalk are the covered bridges. You’re about to head right over the first one on our tour. It has the official title of the Naperville Riverwalk Covered Bridge and it’s a sight to behold. It feels really romantic to walk through and in the evening it’s lit up with fairy lights. Children, wives or girlfriends are guaranteed to love it here, so leave enough time to take a quick picture!
9. Check out Centennial Beach
Now we’re back on the North side of the river and it’s time to check out one of the most popular summertime spots in Naperville – Centennial Beach. That’s right, you can find sandy shores right here in the suburbs.
If you bear slightly left and follow the winding footpaths, you’ll go through Centennial Park and back around to the beach. It’s not hard to find during peak months as there will be lots of people around it. In the summer, you can go swimming, diving or just top up your tan. So if you’re planning to make a longer stop, be sure to check your parking hours and bring a bathing suit.
It’s also a great spot for a picnic if you’re so inclined. Bring a blanket, a hamper and some good friends!
10. Pass by the Landforms Art Sculpture
Keeping the river to your right, head up the Riverwalk towards downtown. We’re getting pretty close to all the action now, but there are still a couple of beautiful spots along the Riverwalk to check out.
One notable historical monument are the landform sculptures. You’ll find them just on the corner where St Eagle Street cuts the Riverwalk path. The sculpture was a gift from the Naperville Art League in 1984, commemorating the hard work of all the volunteers who built the Naperville Riverwalk.
Community spirit is deeply embedded into the history and present of Naperville and you’ll find tributes to it dotted throughout the town as part of the Century Walk.
After you’ve checked out the sculpture, cross over St Eagle Street and keep the river on your left – this will make for the best reveal of the Dandelion Fountain.
11. Stroll over the Naperville Bridge to the Dandelion Fountain
We’re almost at the best part of the Riverwalk, the Dandelion Fountain. It’s a small but architecturally distinct fountain that makes for a lovely end to the Riverwalk.
It’s one of my favorite places to sit with a coffee, read a book, take a picture and just take in the atmosphere of downtown Naperville.
12. Stop for a bite to eat at the Egg Harbor Cafe
I don’t know about you, but I think any good walk should work up an appetite and be rewarded by a delicious meal. There’s no better place to head right now than the Egg Harbor Cafe. Simply cross Jackson Avenue at the Dandelion Fountain and it’s right there waiting for you.
They serve egg-ceptional breakfasts and lunches all day long, including gourmet pancakes, skillets, seafood frittata, waffles, french toast, meltingly cheesy sandwiches… Need I go on?
This place is well worth a stop, but if you’re tight on time you can grab a coffee and cake, or a healthy snack, to go.
And if you’re looking for a more serious meal in Naperville to end your walk, check out our recommendations:
15. Walk back along the Southside river path
We hope you enjoyed the walk so far! To get back to your car at the Naperville Riverwalk Parking, we recommend taking the Southside river path, since we spent a lot of time on the Northside. But you can also retrace your footsteps. The park is linear all the way along the river, so it’s pretty hard to get lost.
If you’re with little ones who are tired, you can get them hyped up by promising a quick play at the Jaycee Park, which is just before the carpark at the end of the walk. It’s a mini adventure playground with tons of slides, climbing frames and more.
Map of the Naperville Riverwalk Tour
