The Illiniwek and Potawatomi tribes lived in Naperville before the arrival of European settlers; three Naperville high schools have names from figures in Potawatomi history (Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, and Metea Valley). Schoolchildren in Naperville head to Naper Settlement, an outdoor history museum that preserves some of the city’s oldest buildings, to learn about local history. The museum traces Naperville’s history from its roots as a settlement founded by Joseph Naper in 1831, and visitors who stroll through the grounds will get a peek into buildings from the past. That includes the Pre-Emption House, a hotel and tavern where stagecoach travelers would have stayed; the Century Memorial Chapel, originally built back as St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1864; and crafts buildings such as a blacksmith shop and print shop. Just a couple of blocks away from Naper Settlement, even more history awaits within the Naperville Cemetery. The cemetery offers a vibrant glimpse into the lives of Napervillians over the years, with burials and interments continuing to this day. Those who stroll through can find the graves of settlers born in the 1700s, veterans of the Revolutionary War, and entire families buried together. Nearby, towards the train station, Naperville’s Historic District boasts gorgeous old homes beneath the shade of mature trees. However, Naperville is definitely more than a historic town. Even in the downtown district, new construction continues at an impressive clip, with developers specializing in luxury homes putting up modern new single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. As you move further out from downtown, the neighborhoods themselves become newer. The south side of Naperville in particular has seen fast development in the past 30 years, with many new subdivisions, shopping centers, and more going up. It’s a trend that continues to this day.

Naperville’s arts and entertainment options are larger than what you might expect for a suburb; in fact, it’s this vibe that landed Naperville a spot on Apartment Therapy’s list of Coolest Cities. Local libraries frequently host free concerts, the high schools stage plays and musicals with serious production value, and professional theater troupes take to the stage at BrightSide Theatre. While the arts scene in Chicago is just a train ride away as well, Naperville residents are just as likely to head to nearby Aurora’s Paramount Theater for off-Broadway productions.

Community events are a big deal in Naperville. Annual events include a big Memorial Day parade, the Last Fling celebration of the end of summer, an arts fair that takes over downtown, and the summer RibFest (which has grown so large it is now moving to the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton).

On the arts front, art fests and craft fairs pop up all over the city during warm weather months, and holiday markets flourish in the winter. The downtown area includes art and jewelry boutiques, as well as spots for DIY creation, including paint-your-own pottery and paint-along classes.

Outdoor recreation is also popular in Naperville. Swimming at Centennial Beach, going kayaking down the DuPage River, biking on dedicated paths, and hiking in nature preserves are all popular with local residents.

Naperville has a thriving, well funded park district that maintains a huge amount of recreational space in the city. There are more than 70 playgrounds around town, ranging from smaller parks in neighborhoods to gigantic themed playgrounds complete with splash pads.