Information
Landmark: Moser Tower and Millennium PlazaCity: Naperville
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Moser Tower and Millennium Plaza, Naperville, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Rising over downtown Naperville, Illinois, Moser Tower and Millennium Plaza stand as a proud landmark, echoing the city’s spirit and honoring the start of a new millennium, with its bells carrying across the river on crisp morning air.People know it best for the Millennium Carillon, a towering bell structure among the largest in North America, and for the landscaped plaza and Riverwalk that wrap around it, where flowers spill over stone paths by the water.In the late 1990s, the community dreamed up Moser Tower and the Millennium Carillon as a way to mark the year 2000 and honor Naperville’s heritage, with plans that echoed the town’s pride and the toll of future bells.The tower rose thanks to a $1 million gift from Harold and Margaret Moser, with the city, local businesses, and residents chipping in the rest.They broke ground in 1997, and by June 2000 the first phase stood finished, dust still clinging to the fresh concrete.By 2007, the whole project-plaza and all-was finished and welcoming visitors, with fresh stone tiles still smelling faintly of dust.In 2021, crews carried out major structural repairs on the tower, sealing cracks in the concrete and scraping rust from the steel to keep it safe and standing for years to come.Moser Tower and the Millennium Carillon rise 160 feet into the sky, built mostly from solid reinforced concrete that feels cool to the touch on a crisp morning.The modernist design shows off clean lines and an open frame, letting you glimpse the massive bronze bells inside.The Millennium Carillon holds 72 bells, all cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in the Netherlands; their rich tones span six octaves, earning it the title of a grand carillon.The bells span from little ones that weigh just 10 pounds to a giant-the Captain Joseph Naper Bell-tipping the scale at 5.8 tons, its deep clang echoing like a distant storm.You can play the carillon by hand, with a trained carillonneur striking its wooden batons like keys, or let a computer handle the music automatically.In summer, audiences can catch regular public recitals-Saturday at noon, Sunday afternoons, and Tuesday nights-each offering a lively mix of musical styles, from bright piano pieces to rich string quartets.Millennium Plaza sits at the foot of Rotary Hill, right next to the Naperville Riverwalk-a quiet path that winds along the West Branch of the DuPage River, where water glints between the trees.Millennium Plaza offers tidy green lawns, winding paths, shaded benches, and signs that tell the story of the carillon and the town’s past.It’s built to feel like a quiet hideaway, yet it opens up easily for lively community gatherings-picture neighbors chatting over fresh coffee under the shade of old oak trees.The plaza and the Riverwalk buzz with life, hosting concerts, weddings, and festivals, with the Grand Pavilion and Riverwalk Amphitheater just steps away to keep the crowds comfortable.Visitor Experience Tours let you explore the tower, climbing all 253 steps to the top, where you can take in sweeping views of Naperville and, on clear days, even spot the Chicago skyline shimmering in the distance.If you can’t manage the stairs, the elevator will take you straight to the Gallery Level Observation Deck, where the floor gleams under the soft overhead lights.The Visitor Center sits right next to the tower, with clean restrooms, hands-on exhibits, and a small gift shop where you can pick up carillon-themed keepsakes and Naperville postcards.It’s where guided tours kick off, right by the old oak doors.The site welcomes visitors with disabilities, offering an elevator and fully ADA-compliant facilities, right down to wide doorways you can roll through with ease.Moser Tower stands as a proud marker of Naperville, reflecting the town’s spirit and its drive to nurture the arts-like the warm chime of its carillon carrying across the river on a summer evening.It honors the city’s history while looking ahead to what’s yet to come, like the echo of old church bells carrying into a bright morning.The tower’s lights shift from deep blue to bright gold to mark holidays, awareness drives, and special events, turning it into a vivid, ever-changing symbol for the community.Along with live music, the plaza and tower bustle with community gatherings-weddings under strings of lights, lively outdoor festivals, and hands-on educational programs.You’ll find it at 443 Aurora Avenue in Naperville, IL 60540.Tours usually run on weekends and warm summer evenings, though the schedule can shift with the season.It costs about $3 for anyone 5 or older to tour the tower, while little ones under 4 can stroll in for free.You can wander through the plaza and enjoy plenty of events without spending a dime.You’ll find plenty of parking close by, from shaded spots along the Riverwalk to convenient lots in downtown Naperville.Moser Tower and Millennium Plaza welcome visitors with a striking mix of history, bold architecture, lively music, and the soft rush of water along the river.The tower rises high, its carillon bells ringing clear and bright, drawing you in to discover the craft behind their music.Just outside, the plaza and the Riverwalk offer a quiet spot to linger, share a bench, and watch the water drift by.This landmark shows Naperville’s deep commitment to preserving its heritage, from the worn brick archway to the stories it keeps alive, and to adding richness to the city’s cultural life.
