Above / Nestled in the landscape along the DuPage River, rocks display signs of local history before there was a Riverwalk from Hillside Road to Jefferson Avenue, winding through downtown Naperville.
Beyond the first day of spring break in Naperville…
Visit the Riverwalk
Watch for scaffolding going up, up, up at Moser Tower as workers begin to assess future needs for care and maintenance of the 158-foot tall structure that houses the Millennium Carillon, a musical instrument with 72 bells.
Then venture over the foot bridge to observe park district workers preparing the former limestone quarry now known as Centennial Beach for the good old summertime of play and recreation. The Beach is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Created to commemorate Naperville’s sesquicentennial in 1981, the Riverwalk welcomes visitors to downtown Naperville every day where they can enjoy the city’s can-do spirit and rich history throughout its linear park.
Located in the heart of the central business community with North Central College, Naper Settlement, Nichols Library and the DuPage Children’s Museum, the attractive Riverwalk is just steps from shopping, dining and entertainment.
Come spend the day and find plenty to explore from one stone marker to the next.
Easter Egg Hunt for Adults, March 28-31
Back by popular demand, Alixandra Collections Annual Easter Egg Hunt is slated during business hours March 28- March 31. Simply stop by and pick an egg with a surprise discount inside, up to 25% off! Alixandra Collections, a women’s accessory store also features the latest trends in clothing, accessories and jewelry, is located at 219 S. Main Street in downtown Naperville.
Consider spring break with a break at Pottery Bayou on Tuesday
Tuesday is half-off studio fee day (usually $8 studio fee per painter)! Pick a piece of pottery from over 100 decorative pieces, ranging in price from $6.50 to $60. Pottery Bayou, located at 210 S. Washington Street, opens its doors at 11AM for all levels of creativity Tuesday through Friday.
Eggstra! Eggstra! Bargain hunt for savings throughout downtown Naperville
Do the bunny hop around the shops in Downtown Naperville! Enjoy the fine art of window shopping while discovering what’s new in hundreds of local businesses.
Search for eggstravagant spring sales and eggciting specials in abundance in Downtown Naperville in a variety of shops.
Discover eggceptional savings from shop to shop on items to spruce up spring wardrobes or the home.
You’ll also find everything you need to help your favorite Easter Bunny fill baskets at Naper Nuts & Sweets.
Or visit places such as Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum or the Naperville Art League.
Open Season Preview at Naper Settlement runs this week
Naper Settlement hosts its Open Season Preview from March 27 to March 31. Visit the museum grounds, look inside 30 historic buildings, and speak with building interpreters to learn about the past and see how it relates to the present. Remember! Sunday, April 1, is the beginning of the summer season at Naper Settlement.
Fill Easter baskets with one stop at Oswald’s in Naperville Plaza
Hop to it to find coloring activities, stuffed bunnies and chicks at Oswald’s Pharmacy in Naperville Plaza.
What’s more, Oswald’s has seasonal greeting cards for all the spring holidays as well as candy (Jelly Bellies), chocolates (Russell Stover and Fanny Mae), baskets, egg-coloring kits, stuffed bunnies, puzzles and a wide array of other novelties sure to be the one-stop help to celebrate Easter Sunday, April 1.
A large selection of cards for Passover, Fri., March 30, through Sat., April 7, also is available.
In addition, kids are welcome to come into the store from 10AM – 2PM on Sat., March 24, to see the EGGMAZING in action! It’s like a Spirograph for decorating Easter eggs!
Naperville Plaza is located at Gartner Road and Washington Street with plenty of parking near Casey’s Foods and Busey Bank.
Naperville Park District hosts Flashlight Egg Hunt on Thursday
Ages 9-13 invited to participate in a 45-minute event at Knoch Knolls Park when the Naperville Park District hosts kids ages 9-13 in its Flashlight Egg Hunt beginning at 7:30PM Thurs., March 29. Parents must be present, but may not assist their children with the hunt.
The Flashlight Egg Hunt is an outdoor, evening event, where kids can hunt for prize-filled eggs and then enjoy refreshments. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight and a bag or basket for the eggs and prizes. Register online for the event at www.napervilleparks.org. The cost is $10 for Naperville residents and $15 for nonresidents.
Kids will hunt for eggs in the lower picnic grove at Knoch Knolls Park, just to the south of Knoch Knolls Nature Center, located at 320 Knoch Knolls Road. Parking is available at the park.
Weekend Easter Egg Hunts
Grab a basket and your kids for the Easter egg hunt of your choice (featured here)! Don’t be late for the very important date. Naperville kids are quick!
Year-round Gift Ideas focused on a Naperville Experience…
Give DNA gift cards to create an experience in 2018 such as a painting party at Pinot’s Palette or Pottery Bayou, both located in downtown Naperville.
Dine Around Naperville!
From Catch 35 to Meson Sabika, discover more than 260 delicious places to dine in or out at www.dinenaperville.com.
And 40 of the eateries are located throughout downtown Naperville where there are plenty of shopping opportunities in between meals. Cheers!
Every Tuesday at Quigley’s, ETAQ, etc.
On Tuesday, Quigley’s delicious fish and chips are available for $6 a platter, all day.
Then Wednesday is dedicated to corned beef specialties for $5. Choose from corned beef sandwiches, Reuben rolls and corned beef bites.
Thursday features traditional or boneless chicken wings for $5 with a choice of sauce.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings welcome live musical entertainment, featuring a variety of bands.
And when Monday returns, folks start the week with $5 Burger Night at Quigley’s. Friends gather to build a better Angus burger with a variety of available toppings and cheeses, priced accordingly.
Quigley’s Irish Pub is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave.
Consider things to do during spring break for future events in 2018
Give special certificates for a pair of tickets or an entire table to some other charity gala or golf outing this year. Supporting fundraising events in the community whenever possible is appreciated. Everybody is welcome!
Consider the DuPage Children’s Museum’s AWE Inspiring Moments Benefit Ball on Sat., April 7.
Reserve a spot to watch the First Naperville Chef Showdown to benefit Loaves & Fishes Community Services on Wed., April 11.
Reserve a seat at the table for Spring for a Cause in the Pavilion of Meson Sabika on Fri., April 13.
Be prepared for a day at the races at the 7th Annual Derby Party for Hesed House on Sat., May 5.
Attend the DuPage Veterans Foundation Honor Flight Fundraiser at Calamos Investments Hangar 11AM-2PM on Sat., May 5.
Or choose the 3rd Annual Project HELP “Community Begins at Home” Breakfast: Changing the Arc of a Life on Tues., May 8.
Also reserve tickets for 2018 Ribfest, July 4-7. Tickets now on sale at www.ribfest.net.
Check out Naperville’s independent business community Thanks for shopping locally!
Think dinner & the show
Think dinner and the show and combine a gift certificate/card to a restaurant and theater tickets to performances on stage at North Central College from Pfeiffer Hall to the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center.
Looking ahead, the Naperville Municipal Band Spring Concert is slated at Wentz Concert Hall beginning at 3PM Sun., April 22. Music will pay tribute to the Illinois Bi-Centennial, the 100th anniversary of World War I and the U.S. Navy, featuring special guest conductor Patrick K. Sweeten, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy
Director, Fleet Band Activities. All Naperville Municipal Band concerts are free of charge.
And there’s more…
Be prepared to pay close attention as hopefuls rev up after last week’s Primary. Folks elected by political party are running to represent the issues in the General Election slated for November 6, 2018.
Follow local governing bodies, too, such as City Council, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, Boards of Education for Districts 203 and 204 as well as township trustees in the six townships that serve Naperville and the College of DuPage trustees. Stay tuned to the issues and the candidates. Meet and greet the candidates when opportunities present themselves. Informed voters matter most.
Latest News
Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on PN’s Latest News. In addition to events and other happenings, find public meeting notices scheduled at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Check out PN’s Events Calendar for other events as well as to help plan next week and upcoming weekends where you also can add events.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & Walks, Charity Golf (This page soon will be updated for 2017), Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for thinking big in this city of nearly 150,000; yet, thanks for understanding why it’s important to shop locally in support of the businesses that make difference in our your hometown.
