About Naperville's Downtown Naperville

It was a beautiful day in early October. With temperatures in the 60's and unlimited sunshine, it was a great day to be outside...

I was with my two year old daughter Morgan. We were in Downtown Naperville, and we were going to her favorite Naperville playground...

Hoping to take advantage of the nice weather, we decided to park a short walk away. We quickly found a spot in front of The Nichols Library, I grabbed my camera, and our adventure was underway...

-the Jackson Street entrance of The Nichols Library...

-this fountain is located just across from the library...

-the leaves had just begun to change along the Riverwalk...

-the Riverwalk was quiet, despite the beautiful weather...

-The Riverwalk's Ampitheatre was a popular place for exploring children...

-a work of art (or is it a statue?) along the Riverwalk...

-a quiet stretch of the Riverwalk...

-a covered bridge along the path...

-the paddleboat quarry and bell tower combined for a beautiful picture...

-We finally reach our destination. My patient daughter prepares for the "bumpy" slide at the Riverwalk Playground in Naperville...

-the office at Keller Williams Infinity in Naperville is located just two blocks south of the downtown...

Today started out like most others. I have been at the office quite a bit recently, and I was there again this morning...

It was another beautiful day in Naperville. Temperatures were in the low 80's with little humidity. A great day to be outside.

Just before lunch time, I was already feeling quite hungry. Without plans for lunch, I decided to take a little walk, and see where I ended up. I brought along my camera, just in case...

I headed towards downtown...

The Naperville River Walk, a beautiful paved stretch along the West Branch of the DuPage River, runs directly behind my office. The walk, running almost two miles through the heart of Naperville, is used by those looking for exercise as well as those looking for a quiet walk...

Since I am not picky and I wanted it quick, when I came upon this vintage Burger King, my decision was made. I enjoyed a quick lunch, and returned to my adventure, satisfied...

Just behind the Burger King sits a real neat old-fashioned looking bridge. Built of wood and decorated with flowers, it was beautiful as well as useful in crossing the river...

Just over the bridge lays a park. Anchored by this fountain, the park had a clocktower at the other end. Between the two was a pretty flower garden and a well manicured grassy area. The park was incredibly clean.

Although the day wasn't overly hot or humid, I reach my hands in the cool water of the fountain. It felt great...

As I leave the park, I find myself on the southern edge of Downtown Naperville. I am greeted with traffic. Excitement. The activity that comes with a vibrant downtown...

-a large mural on a building in downtown Naperville...

-the patio outside of Rosebud in Naperville...

Shops. Big stores. Restaurants. Night life...

Excitement.

Naperville is a great city. Downtown Naperville is one of the reasons...

As I continued my walk, it was obvious why my wife loves the shopping in Naperville.

There are plenty of big name stores like the Gap, The Apple Store, and Barnes & Noble. Big chains. Plus...

Downtown has lots of cool smaller stores. There is the Naperville Running Company, Sugar Monkey Cupcakes, and Lil J's Bohemia, just to name a few...

If you like shopping, big or small, Naperville's downtown has stores for you...

As I walked along, I noticed the pleasant level of activity on a weekday at lunchtime. Busy. But not too busy...

I finished up my stroll where I usually end up when downtown. At the Starbucks.

"One Venti mild, please..."

Ken

-the Apple Store in Naperville looks modern inside and out...

I wasn't really shopping. I was curious...

I was hanging out with my father-in-law Dave on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

We were in downtown Naperville. Our wives were shopping, so Dave and I had some time to kill...

Naperville's Downtown is a great place to bring visitors. There is so much to do...

"Do you want to check out the Apple Store?" I asked.

"Sure," my father-in-law answered.

A great addition to the downtown, I had hoped to visit the Naperville's Apple Store since it opened, but never stopped in...

I also have never owned an Apple product. Yet. But I am curious.

As we walked through the large glass doors, Dave proclaimed in a loud voice...

"Wow!"

The store was filled with energy. Customers moving about. Employees, dressed in blue shirts, were busy answering questions...

-customers on a Sunday afternoon at Naperville's Apple Store...

-Apple products set in cool displays are available for customers to sample...

-large overhead signs advertise Apple's new products...

-the display tables for the Ipad2 were popular with customers...

Wow. What a neat store. Cool looking products, too.

It was a nice afternoon, and although I didn't end up buying anything...

I am curious.

Ken

The Naperville Ribfest is how Naperville kicks-off the summer, the first of many summer festivities.

Here is a list of Fourth of July festivities that I found for Naperville and surrounding areas. As you can see some towns have their fireworks on July 3rd, not July 4th.

Festivals and Fireworks:

Lisle: Lisle Eyes to the Skies Hot Air Balloon Festival July 2-4

Naperville: The fireworks show is at 9:30 pm on July 4.

Warrenville: The celebration at Cerny Park runs from 5 to 10 pm, with fireworks at the end of the festivities on July 3.

Aurora: The fireworks at Aurora Central Catholic High School begin at 9:30 pm on July 4. There will be family activities for before the show.

Downers Grove: Independence Day Ceremony is at 9:30 at Downers Grove Museum. The parade kicks off at 12:30 pm in Main Street. Fireworks are a 9:00 pm at Lemont Road and 75^th "Street in Downers Grove on July 4.

Glen Ellyn: The fun at Lake Ellyn Park begins at 1:30 with family fun, food, carnival and music by "1969." The fireworks begin at dusk on July 4.

North Aurora: The fireworks show is at dusk at Aurora Towne Center on July 4.

Wheaton: The 2009 parade is the conclusion of Wheaton's yearlong 150^thanniversary celebration, themed "Celebrating Tomorrow." The parade begins at 10 am at Hawthorne and Main Street and travels south. The fireworks show begins at dusk at the DuPage County fairground on Manchester Road east of County Farm Road. The fairgrounds open at 6:30 pm. Arrive early as parking fills up quickly on July 4.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July celebration!

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Maria Mastrolonardo is a Realtor Associate with RE/MAX of Naperville and has been assisting home-buyers and home-sellers since 1997. Maria can be reached at (630) 248-6077 or email: mmastrolonardo@remax.net

Servicing the towns of: Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Warrenville, Wheaton, Woodridge or other surrounding areas.

When driving through Downtown Naperville, you can't help but notice the beautiful murals painted on the side of historical buildings. A picture of Naperville's history.

Within their paint strokes the artists tell the story of Naperville's history. The story of how Naperville was founded in 1831 by Joe Naper and that it is the oldest city in DuPage County.

The murals seem to come to life as we follow the story of the development of Naperville. The settlement of the first families that started the businesses, which then lead to the growth of the rail.

I enjoy hearing stories from true Napervillians - (people that have lived in Naperville for generations), they tell how Naperville once was. They tell stories of how their house was surrounded by corn fields because anything past 75th street was nothing but corn fields. How Downtown Naperville's anchor was a grocery store that has since been replaced with modern stores.

The pictures and stories are reminders of how far Naperville has come, and that within the old and new still lies the history of Naperville.

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Maria Mastrolonardo is a Realtor Associatewith RE/MAX of Naperville and has been assisting home-buyers and home-sellers since 1997. Maria can be reached at (630) 248-6077 or email: mmastrolonardo@remax.net

Servicing the towns of: Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Warrenville, Wheaton, Woodridge or other surrounding areas.