Naperville, Illinois: 72 Bells, Two Portillo's, and One Very Famous Bubble

Welcome to Naperville, Illinois, the suburb that looks like someone asked an AI to generate "a nice place to raise a family" and then hit "regenerate" until every lawn was perfect. It sits 28 miles west of Chicago on the DuPage River, and with 149,540 people at the 2020 census, it's the fifth-most populous city in Illinois. That's bigger than a lot of places that have actual skylines.

We got roasted over on RoastMyTown.com, and we're here to say: some of it lands, some of it stings, and some of it deserves a closer look.

The Bubble: Charming, Comfortable, and Slightly Too Aware of Itself

Locals call it "The Bubble," and the nickname exists for a reason. Naperville regularly tops "best places to live" lists, and the city's own 2026 community survey says it remains one of the highest-rated communities to live and raise children. The mayor's 2026 State of the City address even went with a "Made in Naperville" theme. If that doesn't scream "we peaked in the snack aisle," nothing does.

The roast calls it a place where teenagers get BMWs at 16 and complain about being bored. We can't confirm the BMW rate, but we can confirm the vibe: this is a town where the big civic news in September included a Public Safety Open House and a cancelled Building Review Board meeting.

The History Part We Shouldn't Skip

Here's where the jokes pause. The roast accuses Naperville of a "sundown town" past, claiming Black visitors weren't welcome after dark. Look at local historical sources and the Naper Settlement museum for the documented record.

What's solid is the founding story: the Riverwalk was begun by volunteers in 1981 to commemorate the city's 150th birthday. Naperville is named for Joseph Naper. A town that's honest about who it has and hasn't welcomed is a better town than one that just points at the fountain.

Riverwalk and the Great Bell Flex

Now, the roast says the Riverwalk is "blocked off half the time." Fair, it's a construction-prone town, and the city is currently asking residents to help guide the third phase of its downtown streetscape project. But the Riverwalk is genuinely lovely. It's considered the "crown jewel" of Naperville, with covered bridges and a Dandelion Fountain.

Then there's the Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower, which is the most extra thing a suburb has ever done. The tower stands 160 feet tall with 253 steps and 72 bells, and the biggest bell weighs six tons. One TripAdvisor reviewer called it a financial black hole that should be torn down, which is the most Naperville review imaginable.

Food, Fun, and the Portillo's Situation

The roast's food card is about the two Portillo's locations, and honestly, we respect the commitment to Italian beef. Is it culinary adventure? No. Is it dipped, juicy, and delivered with a side of cheese-sauced fries? Yes. Dining out here is less "hidden gem" and more "reliable chain with a parking lot the size of a small county."

As for "Naper-Thrills," the nickname is real enough that locals use it, but the entertainment lineup is better than the roast admits. Beyond movies and bowling, you can climb the carillon, rent a kayak, sled down Rotary Hill in winter, or catch a free summer recital. Is it Vegas? No. But it's hard to argue with a place that closes out the year with a Halloween scavenger hunt called "Boos and Clues."

The Verdict

Naperville is safe, polished, wealthy, and very good at schools, parks, and snack manufacturing. It's also a place with a real history to reckon with and a reputation it can't quite shake. Visit for the Riverwalk, climb the carillon, eat the beef, and maybe talk to someone outside your zip code while you're at it.

Think we were too nice? See the full roast on RoastMyTown.com.