For a small-town America vibe with big-city amenities, visit this thriving community west of Chicago, consistently named one of the country’s best places to live.
Fall in love with Naperville, just 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Chicago, and one of the country’s best places to live, raise a family, work and ultimately retire. The western suburb shines with world-class parks, undeniable charm and modern amenities. After a visit to Naperville, drive into Chicago for even more sightseeing, dining and shopping opportunities.
Stroll through Downtown Naperville, a popular Midwest destination for its family-owned shops, national brand stores and distinguished dining. Old and new architecture stand side by side, with many of the buildings dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s. Sign up for a food tour to taste downtown’s best flavors, while also getting history and art lessons.
Explore Naperville’s favorite urban nature area, the Riverwalk. Full of families, joggers and picnickers, the park was built as a 150th birthday gift to the city in 1981. Look for covered bridges, fountains and shepherd’s crook light poles that speak to the city’s history as DuPage County’s oldest settlement.
Bring your kids to the DuPage Children’s Museum, a regional favorite for its hundreds of hands-on activities. Take older kids on a haunted tour through the Historic District, learning the legends behind Naperville ghosts Charlie Yellow Boots and the Specter of Seibert Hall. Visit Naper Settlement, an intriguing outdoor history museum with heritage architecture, period clothing and archival photographs depicting area life in the 19th century.
Climb the 253 steps to the top of the Moser Tower, home to the Millennium Carillon and its 72 bells. The impressive tower is 14 stories high, taller than the Statue of Liberty, and offers the city’s best views of the Riverwalk, Centennial Beach and even the Chicago skyline on clear days.
Travel around Naperville by car, using the abundant free parking. Public transit options include the Pace bus system and the Metra commuter rail service, which runs regularly to and from Chicago and Aurora. Amtrak also serves the city.