Whether it’s a walk along the Riverwalk, grabbing a beer, bite, or ice cream downtown, or getting some shopping done, Naperville and its downtown and historic district are well worth a stroll when visiting Chicagoland.
Downtown Riverwalk
In 2021, the Riverwalk celebrated its 40th anniversary and is considered the “crown jewel” of Naperville; the Riverwalk is a place of beauty and tranquility along the West Branch of the DuPage River. It features 1.75 miles of brick paths, fountains, bridges, outdoor sculpture and artwork, recreational facilities, and more. The Riverwalk is a preferred destination and an ideal place to stroll, unwind, and reflect.
The Riverwalk Brochure (PDF) includes a description of many of the Riverwalk amenities, a listing of some of the annual events, a brief history of the Riverwalk, contact information, a map, and more.
Location: 400 S Eagle St, Naperville, IL 60540 Map It
Hours: Daily, 24 Hours
Connect: Website
Downtown Naperville
You can’t go wrong when visiting downtown Naperville, which is consistently voted one of the best suburban downtown areas in the United States. As you wander about, you’ll find a great mix of over 150 best-in-class stores and spas alongside more than 50 fantastic places to grab a bite.
Discover your favorite shops, spas, and restaurants in the pedestrian-friendly, historic downtown with amenities in every direction.
Address: 55 S. Main Street, Suite 355, Naperville, IL 60540 Map It
Hours: Various
Connect: Website Facebook Instagram
Grabbing a Bite or Two
You can never go wrong with a great grilled cheese sandwich. Enter Everdine’s Grilled Cheese Co., where handcrafted sandwiches are made while you wait. With 15+ options like the Tuna Turner or the Messy Jessie, plus build-your-own, all served on Texas Toast; this is the place to stop when comfort food is needed. Add a bowl of Tomato Soup or Everdine’s popular Macks (Mack and Cheese, Sloppy Mack, Tomato Mack).
Address: 24 W. Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, IL Map It
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Closed on Monday
Connect: Website Facebook Instagram
There are plenty more options throughout downtown Naperville for all tastes. If you are in the mood for craft burgers, Whiskey, and beer, then Empire Burgers & Brew is the place to check out.
On the corner of Main and Van Buren, you’ll find Q BBQ, an authentic BBQ joint that finds its inspirations from all the best spots… the backwoods of the Carolinas to the finger-lickin’ good spots of Memphis. All the meats are slow-cooked for almost 24 hours, and the sauces and sides are made from scratch.
Then, there’s always Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House, a steak and seafood establishment known throughout the Chicago region. Heads up, you’re going to want to make a reservation here.
Getting To Naperville
Naperville is easily accessible by car and train from points throughout the Chicago region. From the Loop to Naperville is approximately 33 miles one way. Metra, Chicago’s commuter train operator, serves two Naperville stations multiple times daily. Naperville and Route 59 are served by the BNSF Railway Line (Aurora-Chicago), the busiest route in the system. Amtrak also serves Naperville with both local and long-distance trains. Naperville is served by the local Chicago-Quincy route and two long-distance routes, the California Zephyr to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles.
The Naperville train station is located in the Historic District and is a short 10-minute walk to downtown Naperville and the Riverwalk. Pace, Chicago’s local bus operator, provides service to and from Naperville on multiple routes, with a handful serving both the train station and downtown.
The nearest airports to Naperville are Chicago’s O’Hare International to the northeast and Midway International to the east.
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Updated January 2025
