Duck Talk on the Riverwalk

When my husband and I want to enjoy some family time with our three kids without spending a dime, we take them to Naperville’s Riverwalk, located in the heart of downtown Naperville. The Riverwalk is truly breathtaking with its lush landscaping, brick pavement, and of course an abundance of ducks just paddling away. In the spring and summer I would not say that it is crowded but rather lively. Everyone is out enjoying the scenery and just relaxing. The best place to begin your walk is at Main and Jackson Street. There is a free parking complex just one block east on Chicago Avenue, behind Barnes and Noble.

Our two and 1/2 year old son, Ethan, and twin one year old girls, Paige and Emmy, have a blast when we take them for a stroll down the river. On a recent trip, our son befriended a rather large goose just waddling down the path. The goose instantly became a member of our family as he joined us on our stroll. Then to our surprise, Ethan began to communicate with the goose in duck talk. There was a quack-quack here and a quack-quack there! We did not know Ethan was so fluent in duck. We could not help but laugh and of course Ethan loved the attention. The moment was adorable and we will treasure it always.

Emmy and Paige being only one year old just giggle as they watch the ducks swim around and chase each other. Emmy decided to make the walk a bit more interesting by throwing her toy into the river. I am happy to say no ducks where injured by this but the next thing I knew I was running down the path chasing her toy that was rapidly drifting away by the current. Luckily there was a large bolder against the wall and I cautiously stepped down and scooped it up. Victory! Her toy was safe at last but needed a good washing.

Once we finish The Riverwalk we then make our way to the beautiful fountains just above the path. Ethan of course has to play with the water and get all wet. I highly recommend bringing a change of clothes just in case. Downtown Naperville also has many quaint boutiques, a variety of restaurants and novelty shops. We enjoy walking up and down the streets just browsing. One of our favorite places to eat is Jimmy’s Grill on the corner of Chicago and Washington. It is a large bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating. The prices are reasonable and Jimmy’s is big enough to fit a family of five with one booster seat and two highchairs.

There is no doubt in my mind that Naperville's Riverwalk is worth our time and energy. Not only is it free, which is a crucial necessity during these hard economic times, but it is also truly enjoyable. The shops and restaurants are just an added bonus. The Riverwalk would also make a great romantic evening out just for two. So next time we will leave the kids at home and re-experience downtown Naperville in a whole new light.