Genevieve looks up at us from her bench outside of Barnes and Noble on Washington Street. The Cat and the Hat practically takes our hand and strolls with us into Nichols Library. Officer Friendly, known to us today as Mayor Pradel, reminds the children of Naperville to be careful on one way streets ensuring the safety of our town's youngest citizens. We are reminded of uncommon valor when we gaze upon five of Naperville's most highly decorated servicemen from World War II immortalized in the bronze sculpture Veterans' Valor in the plaza next to the YMCA.

Each of these works is just one of the 40+ pieces of public art that make up Naperville's Century Walk. In 1996, Century Walk began as a public art initiative featuring murals, mosaics, reliefs, mobiles, and sculptures throughout downtown Naperville. Each of the first 30 pieces in some way represents the history of Naperville during the twentieth century through people, places and events. It is a fascinating way to portray the history of Naperville through public art. Several of the last pieces were not limited to historical themes as they expand the body of artwork throughout Naperville.

What makes the Century Walk stand out among public art projects is that the art work embraces the community which it represents, and the community which it represents becomes involved in the pieces of art themselves. As you look upon the faces in the crowd of The Great Concerto at the Community Concert Center in Central Park, do you recognize anyone? Look closely. This was Century Walk's 23rd piece of public art, and the faces of over 56 residents of our community are depicted on this epic work. The inclusion of the faces was part of a fund-raiser by Century Walk to help fund the project. The muralist, Bart Gunderson, spent 1,600 hours creating The Great Concerto. Because of the timelessness of this historic piece, we can delight in finding the faces of our friends, family and neighbors, not only in the crowd during summer concerts, but also in the artwork itself.

Watch your children's eyes light up with wonder and curiosity as they explore over 150 hands on activities within the brightly colored walls of a unique, three-story discovery center ...where learning comes in to play! Innovative activities invite both you and your children to splash, construct, build, create, and play in lively learning neighborhoods within DuPage Children's Museum: Build It, AirWorks, Make It Move, Creativity Connections, Math Connections, and Waterways. Even the littlest ones are at home at the Museum in three different Young Explorers areas, catering to children from birth to 24 months. The Good Show Gallery and the Interact with Art Gallery offer interactive ways to introduce children to the colorful, creative, inspirational world of art while daily Studio Drop-In activities allow you and your child to actually create your own take-home works of art. The Museum was awarded 2013 Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Award. Gift memberships are available. Open year-round, seven days a week, except the first two weeks of September. Check out the events section of this Visitors Guide for a listing of special events year-round at DuPage Children's Museum.

Visitors are invited to explore the fascinating DuPage River and its branches that teem with life of all kinds. The East Branch and West Branch of the DuPage River join together here at Knoch Knolls Park, creating a unique confluence of water and land. The Nature Center provides a window into the underwater world found right in our community. Take a journey back in time through our interpretive exhibits that tell the tale of the river's formation, local wildlife and the river's impact on the lives of our ancestors up through the present day. The 900-gallon freshwater tank provides a glimpse into the world of the river. The spacious deck overlooking the pond and the West Branch of the DuPage River sets the stage for beginning your outdoor exploration. Additionally, the Nature Center's numerous LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) features, including a cistern for collecting rainwater and the "living wall," illustrate the importance of conserving our natural resources for future generations.

Just steps from downtown Naperville, Naper Settlement is Chicagoland's outdoor history museum, offering interactive activities for all ages. Tour historic buildings, visit with interpreters in time-period clothing and enjoy programs on and off-site. The village tells the story of how life changed throughout the 19th century for the people of northern Illinois in towns such as Naperville. Naper Settlement has more than 40,000 historic objects and archival materials, over 10,000 photographs related to local history, and a research library. Wedding services, meeting rentals, parties, lectures and educational programs are additional offerings year round. Caroline Martin Mitchell laid the groundwork for Naper Settlement by donating her family's Victorian mansion and surrounding 212 acres to the City of Naperville in 1936. Today, her home has been brought back to its original Victorian splendor and is open to visitors. Check out the events section of this Visitors Guide for a listing of special events year-round at Naper Settlement.

Seems easy from the outside. Looking up at Moser Tower, the 160-foot-tall structure housing the Millennium Carillon in downtown Naperville, you might be inclined to think, climb the stairs to the top? No problem.

But at 14 stories high - and about 10 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty - the hike to the open-air Observation Deck poses some physical challenge; mental, too, if you're sensitive to heights. The reward, however, is a one-of-a-kind vantage of the city, the Riverwalk and Centennial Beach, and on clear days, the Chicago skyline.

"Moser Tower is designed for everyone to enjoy, and we wholeheartedly encourage the public to come and explore the interior of Naperville's latest downtown jewel regardless of physical limitations," said Brien Nagle, chairman of the Millennium Carillon Foundation.