Naperville's signature walkway runs 1.75 miles of brick paths along the West Branch of the DuPage River — fountains, three covered bridges, a 72-bell carillon, a sled hill, and a 9/11 memorial, all free to visit. Here's how to make the most of it.
The Riverwalk was dedicated on Labor Day in 1981 as a gift from Naperville's citizens to mark the city's sesquicentennial — 150 years since settlement. The original section ran from Eagle Street east to Main Street, turning an industrial stretch of the West Branch of the DuPage River into a public promenade.
It has grown steadily since: west to Jefferson Avenue in the mid-1980s, east toward Hillside Road in the late 1990s, and Fredenhagen Park near the Washington Street Bridge in 2003. Today it's more than 1.75 miles of paved pathways with fountains, sculptures, memorials, an accessible playground, a sled hill, and a visitor center. Locals call it the "crown jewel" of Naperville — and the city is planning its future under the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan, which includes extending the walk toward Edward Hospital.
Built at the turn of the millennium on Rotary Hill, the tower houses a world-class 72-bell carillon. Scheduled tower tours climb to the observation deck — check current tour availability with the city or Park District before visiting.
The grassy hill below Moser Tower doubles as Naperville's favorite sledding hill in winter and a picnic and sunset-watching spot in summer. The nearby Riverwalk Eatery serves food and snacks, and paddleboat rentals operate from the Paddleboat Quarry on non-school days from mid-May to mid-September.
The dandelion-shaped fountain at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street is the Riverwalk's most photographed spot — flowers, the nearby covered bridge, and plenty of benches make it the classic picnic stop. The walk's three covered bridges give the trail its postcard look.
Just east of the Dandelion Fountain, this plaza honors the men and women who served in the military, with a monument listing Napervillians who made the ultimate sacrifice. It anchors the eastward stretch of the walk.
A moving 9/11 memorial named for Naperville native Naval Commander Dan Shanower. More than 140 faces — molded by Naperville schoolchildren — line a 48-foot retaining wall around an eternal flame in a perennial garden. One of the first 9/11 memorials dedicated in the U.S.
The open-tiered amphitheater seats up to 100 and hosts community events and performances, including library family story hours — it's also a popular rentable spot for outdoor weddings. The Millennium Wall carries the original donor inscriptions in bronze, and the labyrinth is a replica of the Chartres Labyrinth in France, built for quiet walking.
It's 1.75 miles of brick-paved pathways along the West Branch of the DuPage River — 3.5 miles if you walk out and back. Dedicated on Labor Day 1981 for Naperville's 150th anniversary, it's grown from its original Eagle Street-to-Main Street stretch to reach Jefferson Avenue on the west and Hillside Road on the east.
Yes — the walk itself is free and open to the public year-round. Only add-on activities charge, like seasonal paddleboat rentals and scheduled Moser Tower tours; confirm current prices and hours with the Naperville Park District or the city before you go.
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome — keep them leashed at all times and clean up after them. Note that bicycles and micromobility devices are not permitted on the Riverwalk itself.
There's no single official entrance. Popular starting points include Rotary Hill near Moser Tower (open space and the 72-bell Millennium Carillon), the Eagle Street end near the Riverwalk Eatery and Paddleboat Quarry, and downtown near Main Street where the walk meets restaurants and shops. Street parking and downtown parking decks serve the area; weekends and nice-weather evenings fill them up, so arrive early.
Four-person paddleboats are available for rent at the Paddleboat Quarry (near Rotary Hill) on all non-school days from mid-May to mid-September, with rental information at the Riverwalk Eatery. Season, hours, and pricing can change — confirm with the Naperville Park District before planning a visit.