Although it's one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Naperville
is also hailed as 'a big city that feels like a small town'! Founded
by Joseph Naper in the 1830's, it began largely as an agricultural
hub, but today, it has world-class shopping, restaurants, parks, schools
and museums! In fact, Money Magazine recently named Naperville one
of the top three places to live in America! Janet Davies headed out
to this southwestern suburb to scope out some of the 'must see' destinations!
Watch the Video
One of the most unique things about Naperville is Naper Settlement. It's one of the Midwest's only living museums where guests can literally see what life was like for Naperville's pioneers.
It houses 30 structures -- both historic homes and businesses, most all were relocated to a 13-acre preserve in the heart of downtown. You will see everything from one room cabins to a lavish turn of the century mansion.
But along with the buildings, it's the costumed villagers that really help to bring this frontier outpost to life.
"When you visit, you get a microcosm of how Naperville as a community got settled and grew and evolved over its first 100 years of time," said Peggy Frank/Exec. Director Naper Settlement.
Peggy Frank is the Executive Director at Naper Settlement. Each year, nearly 150,000 people visit. Today, Naperville second graders are learning about the early days in Naperville.
"It was a planned effort by Joseph Naper who had been a sea captain from Ohio, to come and establish a town," said Peggy Frank.
These days though, the town has ballooned to a population approaching 150,000, businesses have cropped up, its even been named one of the top three places to live in the U.S. by Money Magazine. The man at the helm is Mayor George Pradel.
"The downtown is just flourishing. We have so many restaurants. Some that have come out from the Chicago area. People come out here to enjoy restaurants and theatre, they enjoy the riverwalk, which is second to none," said Mayor Pradel.
Twenty-four years ago, residents of Naperville actually built the five mile winding brick path along the banks of the DuPage River, to celebrate the city's 150th birthday. Riverwalk remains a favorite Naperville destination today.
Towering above Riverwalk is a landmark you can see from just about anywhere downtown. It is the Millennium Carillon. Up at the top are 72 bronze bells -- the largest weighs in at a whopping 6 tons!
Sue Bergren has been climbing the 160 foot tower to play the carillon for three years.
"It's one of the 4 largest in the world. I think its something that makes Naperville unique Sue Bergren, Carilloner.
The Carillon chimes automatically each day on the hour but catching a live performance, well, that's something special.
"There's a key for each note but instead, you play with your fists or feet," said Sue.
For all the shoppers out there, you'll find many of the big Michigan Avenue names in Naperville. One of the city's newest shopping areas is Main Street Promenade, but don't forget about a charming old favorite.
This Greek Revival mansion was built in the mid-1800's. Then about 20 years ago, Kristin Guill's dad got his first notion of what his new Naperville home might become.
"At some point, they were sitting with some friends who said, gee we'd like to open a store in your living room, which was still sitting unused and that's how it all started," said Kristin Guill, Jefferson Hill Tea Room and Heritage Shop owner.
Jefferson Hill Shops is home to three boutiques that range from collectibles and housewares to designer fashions and handmade jewelry. In the midst of it all is a full service salon.
Just steps away, is the quaint Jefferson Hill Tea Room. Each day, the tea room serves up lunch and, of course, high tea. This really is a unique one-stop shopping destination.
"The first thing they say is how long have you been here and why haven't I found you before. We do have customers who've been coming since they were kids and now, they're coming with their grandchildren," said Kristin.
Another historical home provides a unique dining destination for Naperville
"We sit in a Georgian Style mansion built in 1853.. unique and different," said Hossein Jamali, Meson Sabika Owner.
While the restaurant's architecture may be classically British, the cuisine is all Spanish -- tapas to be exact.
"Our paella is the best. There are many more," said
And anytime the weather cooperates, diners flock to Meson Sabika's stunning 200-seat brick terrace.
Sweet-tooths can try out a unique concept in cookies with a trip to downtown Naperville. That is where Jim Bewersdorf started Cookie Dough Creations. If you ever snuck fingers full of your mom's cookie batter, you will love this place.
"My son came up with the idea for the cookie dough ice cream pie. We started making that. From that, we came up with the idea of using dough as an ingredient, to combine it with ice cream," said Jim Bewersdorf, Cookie Dough Creations owner.
Now, with eight cookie dough flavors and 24 different ice creams, Jim and son Kevin can whip up 150 different combos. And never fear, their dough is made without raw eggs. It's the only business like it in the Midwest.
For more information:
City of Naperville
www.naperville.il.us
Naper Settlement
523 South Webster Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6010
www.napersettlement.museum
Riverwalk
(630) 848-5000
www.napervilleparks.org
Millennium Carillon
Just West of Washington Street on Aurora Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 305-7701
www.napercarillon.org
Meson Sabika
1025 Aurora Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 983-3000
www.mesonsabika.com
Cookie Dough Creations
22 West Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-4833
www.cookiedoughcreations.com
Jefferson Hill Shops/Tea Room
43 East Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-7992
www.jeffersonhillshops.com
