CCCityCheck

This Weekend in Naperville, IL

Nov 6–Nov 8

Chicago's west suburb that acts like its own city. Riverwalk, Centennial Beach, and restaurants that don't need the Loop's markup.

15 things to do3 free12 outdoor

🆓 Free this weekend

Downtown Naperville Shopping

Downtown Naperville

Over 100 shops, restaurants, and cafes along Washington, Main, and Jefferson streets. Mix of local boutiques and well-known brands. Walkable from the Riverwalk and the Metra station. The holiday lights in November-December are a genuine draw.

Free to browse· Individual store hours vary; most open 10am-8pm· outdoor
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Naperville Riverwalk

Downtown Naperville

Two miles of paved path along the DuPage River through downtown. Covered bridges, fountains, sculptures, and a bell tower at Moser Tower with 72 bells. Free concerts Wednesday and Thursday summer evenings at the Dandelion Fountain. The best free thing in Naperville any day of the year.

Free· Open daily, dawn to dusk· outdoor
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Naperville Farmers Market

Downtown Naperville

Saturday morning farmers market with local produce, baked goods, flowers, and prepared food vendors. Runs May through October at the 5th Avenue train station. Get there by 8am for the best selection — the pastry vendors sell out fast.

Free admission· Sat 7am-12pm· outdoor

🌳 Get outside

Topgolf Naperville

South Naperville

Multi-level driving range with climate-controlled hitting bays, arcade games, food, and cocktails. Tuesday is half-price all day. Bays are rented by the hour and fit up to 6 people, so it's cheaper per person than you'd think if you go with a group.

$27-49/hr per bay (6 players max)· Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 9am-1am, Sun 10am-12am· both
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CityGate Grille

South Naperville

Contemporary American restaurant in a former industrial building near I-88. Known for the patio in summer, solid steaks and seafood, and a wine list that takes itself seriously. A Naperville institution for special occasions.

Entrees $25-50· Tue-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm· both
Visit →

Naperville Riverwalk

Downtown Naperville

Two miles of paved path along the DuPage River through downtown. Covered bridges, fountains, sculptures, and a bell tower at Moser Tower with 72 bells. Free concerts Wednesday and Thursday summer evenings at the Dandelion Fountain. The best free thing in Naperville any day of the year.

Free· Open daily, dawn to dusk· outdoor
Visit →

Moser Tower & Millennium Carillon

Naperville Riverwalk

A 16-story bell tower on the Riverwalk with 72 bells — the largest carillon in Illinois. Free recitals on Sunday afternoons in summer. You can climb the tower for panoramic views of the DuPage River valley. The bells sound better than you'd expect and the view from the top is the best in town.

Free to listen; tower climb $5· Sunday recitals 2pm (summer); tower seasonal· outdoor
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Naper Settlement

Downtown Naperville

A 12-acre outdoor history museum with 30 historic buildings telling the story of Naperville from the 1830s to the 1900s. Costumed interpreters, blacksmith demonstrations, and seasonal events. The grounds are free to walk year-round; museum admission applies to building interiors and events.

$15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 children 4-12· Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm (Apr-Nov)· outdoor
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🍷 Date night

Two Brothers Roundhouse

Nearby (Aurora, 15 min)

A historic 1856 limestone railroad roundhouse converted into a brewery, restaurant, and event space. Massive beer selection brewed on-site, a beer garden, and live music on weekends. The building alone is worth the drive — it's stunning and unlike any other brewery in Illinois.

Pints $7-9, entrees $14-28· Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-9pm· both
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Solemn Oath Brewery

South Naperville

Award-winning brewery specializing in West Coast, Belgian, and barrel-aged beers. The taproom is spacious with a rotating selection of 20+ beers on tap. Food trucks rotate through regularly. One of the best brewery taprooms in the western suburbs.

Pints $7-10· Mon-Thu 12-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9pm· both
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Naperville Grand Theater

North Naperville

Classic Cinemas' Naperville location with reserved seating, affordable matinees, and special screenings. Tuesday discount days. A reliable local theater that hasn't been swallowed by AMC prices yet.

$8-12 regular, $6 matinee· Daily, showtimes vary· indoor
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CityGate Grille

South Naperville

Contemporary American restaurant in a former industrial building near I-88. Known for the patio in summer, solid steaks and seafood, and a wine list that takes itself seriously. A Naperville institution for special occasions.

Entrees $25-50· Tue-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm· both
Visit →

Topgolf Naperville

South Naperville

Multi-level driving range with climate-controlled hitting bays, arcade games, food, and cocktails. Tuesday is half-price all day. Bays are rented by the hour and fit up to 6 people, so it's cheaper per person than you'd think if you go with a group.

$27-49/hr per bay (6 players max)· Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 9am-1am, Sun 10am-12am· both
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🎭 Entertainment

Centennial Beach

Downtown Naperville

A former limestone quarry turned into a six-acre public swimming area with a sand beach, zero-depth entry for little kids, and a deep end with diving boards. The water is naturally fed and the setting feels nothing like a suburban pool. One of the most unique swimming spots in Illinois.

$15 non-residents, $8 residents· Daily 11am-7pm (summer)· outdoor
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DuPage Children's Museum

Downtown Naperville

Three floors of hands-on exhibits for kids — building, water play, science experiments, and art. Regularly rotates exhibits. Thursday evenings are extended hours until 8pm. One of the best children's museums in the Chicago suburbs, and you don't have to drive into the city for it.

$16 general, free under 1· Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Thu until 8pm, Sun 9am-5pm· indoor
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Catch 35

Downtown Naperville

Upscale seafood restaurant on Washington Street with live jazz most evenings. The sushi bar and raw bar are excellent, and the atmosphere is more downtown Chicago than suburban strip mall. One of the best date-night spots in the western suburbs.

Entrees $28-55· Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm· indoor
Visit →

Topgolf Naperville

South Naperville

Multi-level driving range with climate-controlled hitting bays, arcade games, food, and cocktails. Tuesday is half-price all day. Bays are rented by the hour and fit up to 6 people, so it's cheaper per person than you'd think if you go with a group.

$27-49/hr per bay (6 players max)· Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 9am-1am, Sun 10am-12am· both
Visit →

Naperville Grand Theater

North Naperville

Classic Cinemas' Naperville location with reserved seating, affordable matinees, and special screenings. Tuesday discount days. A reliable local theater that hasn't been swallowed by AMC prices yet.

$8-12 regular, $6 matinee· Daily, showtimes vary· indoor
Visit →