Safest Neighbourhoods in Naperville (and Areas to Avoid)
Neighbourhoods + DuPage County belt
- Downtown Naperville (Jefferson, Jackson, Washington streets) — the walkable historic core with the Riverwalk anchor, the Hotel Indigo Naperville, Heaven on Seven (Cajun), Empire (steakhouse), Quigley's Irish Pub, Sullivan's Steakhouse. Tightly packed restaurant district between the river and Naper Boulevard. Closes by 22:00 weeknights, midnight at weekends.
- The Riverwalk + Centennial Beach — the 3 km landscaped path along the West Branch DuPage River, with bridges, fountains, the Moser Tower carillon, the Eagle Street pavilion. Centennial Beach (the former 1830s rock-quarry, now a swimming-and-family beach) sits at the western anchor. Free, open daily, family-friendly.
- Naper Settlement — the 13-acre living-history museum on Webster Street, with relocated 19th-century buildings (the 1833 Pre-Emption House, the 1864 Stenger Brewery, schoolhouse, chapel). Admission $14 adults; allow 2-3 hours.
- 5th Avenue Station + Metra station area — the downtown commuter-rail station on the BNSF Line. Coffee shops, the 5th Avenue Station shopping cluster, the new high-rise residential infill. Active morning rush, calm midday.
- North-side residential (around Naper Boulevard, North Aurora Road) — affluent suburban with the Edward-Elmhurst Health hospital campus, large lot homes, top-rated School District 203. Quiet evening; family clientele.
- South-side + 95th Street corridor — School District 204 (Indian Prairie), Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, the Hilton Naperville. Bigger newer subdivisions; chain restaurants along 75th Street.
- Naperville Crossings + Route 59 retail — the big-box retail belt on Illinois Route 59 (between 75th and 95th), with Best Buy, Whole Foods, Costco, the Springbrook Prairie shopping center. Practical for hotel-stayer errands.
- I-88 / I-355 corridor — Naperville sits at the I-88 (East-West Tollway, Reagan Memorial) interchange with I-355 (Veterans Memorial Tollway). 45 minutes east to Chicago downtown via I-88, 35 minutes north-east to O'Hare via I-355, 35 minutes east to Midway via I-294. The I-Pass / EZ-Pass toll transponder is essential for any out-of-town visiting (rental cars include a transponder usually).
- Greater DuPage suburbs — Wheaton (the county seat, 10 km north), Lisle (smaller, with the Morton Arboretum), Aurora (15 km west, the larger city with the Hollywood Casino).
Live Naperville safety score (updates daily) →