Location: Naperville
Top Things to do in Naperville
10 Things to Do in Naperville That You Shouldn't Miss
Consistently rated as one of the top places to live in America by Money Magazine, Naperville is a family-friendly suburb. Take a walk downtown along the Riverwalk and dine at one of Naperville's many great restaurants or learn about the history of the city at Naper Settlement.
Restaurants in Naperville
1. Riverwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 682 reviews
Reviewed By EnjoytheSilence44 - Wheaton, Illinois
I love the Riverwalk! It's prefect for a cool summer evening stroll... and we always see wildlife up close- raccoons,opossums, turtles. I love the murals near the Water Street Development and the 9/11 tribute area. It's a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat too.
2. Morton Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 774 reviews
Only 25 miles west of Chicago, there's something for everyone in all four seasons at The Morton Arboretum. Whether you seek a quiet hike in the woods or an active family day out, The Morton Arboretum offers a wide variety of fun activities, events, tours, and classes for all ages and interests. Here you'll find an oasis of 16 miles of hiking trails and nine miles of paved roads, perfect for hiking, running, biking or just exploring. From a guided tour on an open-air tram to the award-winning Children's Garden and Maze Garden, to seasonal exhibits and lunch in The Ginkgo Restaurant overlooking Meadow Lake, the Arboretum is a unique place to explore, discover, escape, and connect with trees and nature.
Reviewed By Todd C - Crystal Lake, Illinois
We've been here during the summer and now the winter (for the Winter Illumination). Both times we've loved it. I was taken back by the cost to walk through a small part of the arboretum during the winter but after doing it, it was well worth the cost. The lights are beautiful. We went as a group and the adults and kids enjoyed it (even though it was close to 0 degrees). There are warming stations and fire pits along the way so you can warm up with a drink (adult drinks too) or by the fire.
3. First Division Museum at Cantigny
Overall Ratings
5 based on 198 reviews
Museum with interactive exhibits on the trenches of WWI, the beaches of WWII and the rice paddies of Vietnam.
Reviewed By william f
This museum is located on the grounds of Cantigny Park the summer home of Robert McCormick who served with the First Division in WW I.
Outside the museum are several tanks from WW I to present.
A self guided tour takes you from the trenches of WW I to the rice paddies of Vietnam.
We spent too much time and were not able to visit the second half of the museum showing the present and future of the first division.
4. Dupage Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By C0lley - Chicago, Illinois
Great place for families with small children. Be prepared - it is very noisy and chaotic but with many, many hands-on activities. Very clean and well maintained with great staff. A nice afternoon activity.
5. Cantigny Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 487 reviews
Welcome to Cantigny!Discover a world of beauty, learning and fun just around the corner! Cantigny was Colonel Robert R. McCormick’s gift to the community and all 500 acres are yours to enjoy. Plan your visit today!
Reviewed By cwillini - New Lenox, Illinois
My wife and I decided to visit this place because it had some gardens to see and we hadn't been there in awhile. Also it was somewhere to go on a sunny day. The only problem was there was a lot of construction going on at the place, but it was still worth visiting. They have this 1st Division Museum on the property that was just recently opened and it was an interesting place to see. If you go there, you need to see the museum. We saw some humming birds and some beautiful gardens.
6. Main Event Entertainment
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 38 reviews
Main Event Entertainment - Warrenville is a top entertainment destination for people ready to play, featuring attractions such as state of-the-art bowling, a multi-level laser tag arena, billiards, a games gallery with more than 100 virtual and interactive games. Gravity ropes, rock climbing, mini golf, bocce ball and karaoke are also available at select locations. Main Event redefines the bowling experience with state-of-the-art lanes and lounge areas where players can eat and relax. Each center hosts FUNleagues, a non-competitive eight-week bowling leagues during the spring, fall and winter. In addition to bowling, Main Event offers specials including Monday Night Madness, Buy More Get More FUNcard offers and Summer FUNcamps for kids ages 8-15 with laser tag battles, bowling fundamentals and more. Main Event offers dining options for all tastes including chef-inspired casual dining featuring American classics, a pizza café and a full bar. Main Event offers full-service catering and private rooms, equipped with the latest A/V technology, making it the ideal venue for special events such as birthday parties, social gatherings and corporate meetings. Centers also have free Wi-Fi for guests.
Reviewed By skeeziks - Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
I don't think I would enjoy it if it had been crowded. However, we got lucky with our business event and practically had the place to ourselves. Had lots of fun playing the video games, bowling, and playing laser tag. The food was surprisingly good as well.
7. Naper Settlement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By Baseball4444 - Naperville, Illinois
Great fun for all ages. Great local history with lots of interesting educational opportunities for the kids. A true representation of early Naperville. Naper Settlement has many fun events such as Naper Nights and a fantastic Christmas Market.
8. Cantera 30
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By randhir111 - Columbus, Ohio
We were in Napterville/ Warrenville and had a free evening on 27th april. These cinemas were just around the corner from our hotel and The Grand Budapest was playing! What luck I thought.
The smart phone said the next closest show time was 7 pm. It was 6.30 p and so we drove there.
There were no crowds. The booking window had two clerks. We walked up to the window and the stern looking young female clerk demanded " CAN I HELP YOU ? " I asked for 2 tickets for the Budapest for 7 pm. I was told very sternly " THE NEXT SHOW IS AT 7.55 P.M." I said with surprise "but the next show is at 7 pm? according to my Google maps info on my phone? "
" GOOGLE IS WRONG ! WE GO BY FANDANGO. HOW MANY TICKETS DO YOU WANT?"
Thinking how we would pass the time, I was jolted by her next question shouted at me. " I ASKED YOU A QUESTION..."
By then I was mad and told her to learn some manners and stop shouting.
Finally after swallowing the insult we went to the next clerk a quiet older lady and paid for our tickets spent the time at a nearby restaurant.
The movie was good and different but Cantera 30 left a bad taste since obviously they don't take care to hire courteous people to man the box office window.
9. Centennial Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
Historic quarry-turned-swimming facility in 1931. Includes sand, grassy area for picnicking, shallow-end slide, water play features, diving boards and more.
Reviewed By Shelliu - Chicago, Illinois
Centennial Beach has something for everyone - a huge pool with a deep end and diving boards, a few swim lanes, a medium depth for bigger kids and shallow end near one of the biggest "sand boxes" which you might as well call a beach for the younger kids. There is a no floatie rule (kids can wear the life jackets or swimmers but no large mats, noodles or baby floating devices).
They also have a skate park, sand volleyball court, and nice restrooms with showers and changing rooms.
10. Naperville Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By YearlyVacationer1 - Baltimore, Maryland
This place is a little Gem. Filled with lots of shops and eateries. Some places were very unique and others were familiar chains. We enjoyed walking around this quaint little town. It reminded me of Georgetown in Washington DC.
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