'''Naperville''' [http://www.visitnaperville.com] is a bedroom community in the Chicagoland area. In July 2008, CNN/Money and ''Money'' magazine ranked Naperville third on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States; in 2007, the city was honored with second place.
Get in
I-88 Runs through the northern part of the city and goes to Chicago.
'''Amtrak''' [http://www.amtrak.com/] has a station in Naperville at 105 E. Fourth Avenue. It is served by the daily ''Southwest Chief'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442673827&ssid=132] between Chicago and Los Angeles, the daily ''California Zephyr'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321209&ssid=133] line between Chicago and San Francisco, and the ''Illinois Service'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321807&ssid=133] routes.
Get around
If you plan on bringing your rental car downtown, be prepared to park it in the large public parking structures, because finding a space in the downtown area can be tortuously slow work. There is often a spot in the three-story free parking garage by the Barnes and Noble near the corner of Washington and Chicago Avenue. The second and third floor are accessible via Jefferson Avenue, which is a block down Washington.
See
Downtown Naperville is pretty nice. You'll find new high-end chain stores, specialty shops and restaurants inhabiting quaint old buildings which are still a reminder of when Naperville was a sleepy burg. Through this same downtown area runs the '''Riverwalk'''. It runs along the shore of the DuPage river and was originally inspired by the more famous Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.
The '''Naper Settlement''' is a reconstruction of the town as it looked in the 1800s when it was founded by trader Joe Naper.
Scott M. Huber. 7 East Chicago Ave.. ust east of Barnes and Noble. ttp://flickr.com/photos/7506162@N08/. A local homeless man who lives his life surrounded by protest signs. His ultimate goal is to become mayor of Naperville. Stop by and talk to him; he's friendly.
Do
Buy
Stop by the bustling downtown area to do some serious power shopping. There's nothing that can't be found anywhere else other than foods indigenous to the area, such as Chicago pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, etc.
Eat
Stop by '''Lou Malnati's''' pizza in downtown Naperville. This Chicago pizza restaurant do their pies well (and have arguably the best crust in the state) and is housed in what until the 1980s was the city's firehouse. The fire pole still resides in a corner of the bar area. No, they won't let you slide down it. '''The Lantern''' still has a cheeseburger and fries for 5 bucks- just the same way they were making them back in the 60s.
Another local favorite is the Naperville branch of celebrity '''Chef Jimmy Bannos' Heaven on Seven''' restaurant, which specializes in Cajun and Creole foods. Most of the food is all right for anyone to eat, but if you want it fiery, they can make it happen.
And you really should go to either '''El Centro''' or '''El Famous''' (both on Ogden Avenue) to wolf down a giant burrito.
If you want some really fresh, delicious seafood during lunchtime, head over to '''Succulent Seafood''' at Gartner Plaza (corner of Gartner Road and Washington Street) and order a pasta dish or a fish sandwich with any of a number of freshly prepared sauces as you wait.
'''Tango Argentinean Grill''' [http://www.tangogrill.com/] serves Argentinian grilled steaks, Spanish Tapas, and Italian pastas. They are known as the home of "The Longest Steak in the World"--a rolled-up skirt steak that's probably two foot long. The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Naperville, and within walking distance of the Riverwalk.
Drink
Several of the more well known and long lasting bars in town include '''The Lantern''' and '''Potter's Place''' in downtown Naperville. For those of you seeking a less glamorous but just as interesting (if not more so) time in the company of hardworking blue-collar types, head to '''White Tavern''' on Ogden avenue or '''Orazio Pub''' at the Naperville train station.
Sleep
There are all manner of hotels available- none of them truly exceptional but all more than passable. If it's good location you are more interested in, try the mammoth '''Holiday Inn Select''' on Diehl road just off the I-88 tollway exit.
Get out
There is, of course, plenty to do in the city of Chicago. Nearby Aurora, Illinois has the Hollywood Casino if you feel like gambling. There are plenty of local parks available, perhaps the best of which is Herrick Lake in nearby Warrenville. There's also the Morton Arboretum one town over in Lisle. It's a sprawling complex full of all manner of flora.