Apart from Chicago, Naperville is another city with a great history in Illinois. Joseph Naper founded Naperville in 1831. In its early years, it operated along the banks of the DuPage River. The city was initially known as Naper's Settlement before its name was later changed. In 1832, a year after its establishment, Naperville's population had hit 100 residents. The city became the county seat of DuPage County in 1839. This happened after the county was split from the larger Cook County. Naperville held the county seat position until 1868 when it was moved to another city. In 1857, the city's name was changed from Naper's Settlement to the Village of Naperville. At this time, its population was 2000 people. This was one of the highest populations in the region. In 1887, Peter Edward Kroehler, a renowned businessman, established the Kroehler Manufacturing Company in Naperville. It was situated along with the Burlington, Chicago, and Quincy tracks. In 1890, the city was reincorporated as a city, with its population reaching record levels. In the 1960s, the city experienced a massive population increase due to Chicago's urban sprawl. Around this time, Naperville was predominantly a rural community, with a significant part of the population engaging in farming. There was another population explosion in the 1960s that continued to the late 1980s. This was attributed to the diversification of the economy, with many businesses opening up. Many companies also started operations in Naperville, creating numerous employment opportunities for locals. In 1996, the city was the city of devastating floods that caused significant damage in eastern Illinois.

You won't run out of fun things to do and see in Naperville. The city is home to a wide range of exciting attractions and fun spaces. The Morton Arboretum is one of the most captivating places to visit in Naperville. This is a great outdoor museum that hosts a herbarium, library, and tree research facility. Covering over 1,800 acres of land, the museum has over 4,000 plant species. You have the freedom to research these plants in the facility's online database. Some parts of the arboretum have been restored to their original state, including the beautiful tallgrass prairie. The park offers various outdoor activities including cycling trails, driving trails, and hiking. There is also an interactive children's garden where kids will have a memorable time.

Cantigny Park is another top attraction in Naperville. This is the former site of the publishers of the Chicago Tribune. A visit to this spot will give you a wide range of fun activities to engage in. There are several attractions within the park including the historic McCormick Mansion, 27 holes of golf, the First Division Museum, children's playgrounds, outdoor concerts, picnic grounds, and dining areas. There are also over three miles of hiking trails. This is a unique and truly relaxing upscale park you should visit. Even better, several picnic tables within the park make your stay more comfortable.

Centennial Beach wouldn't have missed the list of things to do in Naperville. This is a public aquatic park that attracts lots of tourists. Even though it is not a "real" beach, it has just enough water-themed fun for your family. Covering over five acres of land, this facility has two acres of open water fetched from Lake Michigan. There is also a man-made sand beach that gives a beautiful appearance. If you visited this "beach", you would easily mistake it for a real beach on the country's coastline. There is a complex nearby that has a ball field, restaurant, and skatepark.