Think you’ve seen it all in suburbia? Naperville’s collection of museums is ready to prove you wrong—and then some. From tanks you can climb to time machines disguised as train depots, here’s our can’t-miss lineup of spots where boredom simply isn’t allowed.
First Division Museum at Cantigny | Outdoor Tanks & Hands-On History
If you have ever wondered what it feels like to stand beside a Sherman tank without enlisting or hopping on a flight to Normandy, you’ll find your answer here. Part well-curated war museum, part interactive thrill ride, this destination transforms dusty battlefields into immersive experiences. Galleries cover muddy trenches, coded communications, and the human stories behind every operation.
Inside, exhibits stretch from the Great War’s frontline chaos to modern missions, complete with virtual reality pods that make textbooks seem stale. Outside, Tank Park invites you to climb aboard and inspect armored giants that have seen a century of service. The roar of a dormant engine still rumbles under the Illinois sky.
Admission is free, so you can splurge on a cappuccino at the café or bring home a miniature soldier in the gift shop. Families will find hands-on learning around every corner, and history buffs can linger over tales of valor and strategy. Keep in mind the museum is closed on Tuesdays, but most other days welcome you in with open doors. March over here for the details.
Cantigny | The Ultimate Tank Playground
Why settle for a single gallery when 500 acres of history and horticulture await? This estate weaves elaborate flower gardens, a stately Georgian mansion, and immersive military exhibits into one unforgettable day out. It’s equal parts zen stroll and adrenaline rush.
Begin your visit meandering through rose-lined walkways and shaded terraces. Soon, you’ll find yourself immersed in recreated World War I trenches, complete with realistic soundscapes that echo distant artillery. Just beyond, Tank Park beckons: climb ladders, pose beside turret hatches, or trace the evolution of armored warfare.
Inside the museum, interactive displays bring personal stories and rare artifacts to life. Teens who groan at history class often emerge captivated by letters home and detailed battle plans. When hunger strikes, on-site bistros tempt with fresh pastries, sandwiches, and seasonal fare. A Georgian-era mansion offers a time-travel pause between exhibits.
Parking carries a small fee unless you hold membership, but admission remains free. Whether you’re chasing vibrant blooms or tales of valor, this sprawling campus delivers surprises at every turn. Plan your tactical visit here.
Illinois Aviation Museum | For Plane Geeks (and Kids Who Think They Might Be)
Step into the Illinois Aviation Museum and explore a 6,000 square foot hangar filled with historic aircraft and interactive exhibits. From the looming presence of a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk to a replica Fokker Dr.I triplane, every corner invites curiosity and discovery. Admission is completely free, making it easy to plan a family outing on a tight budget.
Hands-on experiences are at the heart of this museum. Visitors can climb aboard a Link Trainer flight simulator and test their piloting skills in a unique, game-like setting. Whether you’re a budding aviator or simply fascinated by flight, the staff’s enthusiasm is contagious and adds an extra layer of excitement.
Young learners will love the STEM-focused activities and weekend Story Time sessions designed to spark their imagination. Parents can relax knowing that little ones have space to roam and engage with puzzles, models, and more.
Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, the Illinois Aviation Museum rewards weekend planners with an afternoon of history, technology, and pure fun. See what’s taxiing down the runway this month.
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum | Stuffed Lions & Giant Whales
If you’ve ever wanted to lock eyes with an African lion without needing liability insurance, the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum is your spot. Tucked away on the second floor of Benedictine University’s science hall, this is Naperville’s one-stop shop for natural history overload—think taxidermy ranging from black bears to entire bird flocks, plus a 38-foot actual whale skeleton overhead, because why not? The geological collection covers everything from shiny coal to ancient not-yet-coal fossils, and if you’re in the mood to “discover,” there are hands-on discovery boxes perfect for budding (and grown) nature nerds.
Admission? Free, which is almost impressive in today’s museum economy. Parking’s a breeze and the place is accessible for everyone, allergies to whale bones included. If you like your museums with a quota on Instagrammable dead animals, group tours, and the occasional tree walk, this is where science class suddenly becomes way more interesting. Go marvel at a menagerie you’ll absolutely never find in Central Park.
Museums at Lisle Station Park | Time-Travel for History Nerds
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like before Amazon Prime and soy lattes, step into the past at Museums at Lisle Station Park. These living history grounds invite modern explorers to roam through genuine 19th century buildings, from a tavern that predates Wyoming’s statehood to a blacksmith shop with live hammering demos. It’s hands-on enough to make any screen-happy friend jealous.
Guided tours run by appointment, so plan if spontaneity isn’t your style. Otherwise, wander freely among vintage homes, a historic train depot, and old-time shops whenever the grounds are open. The “Little Pioneers” program even lets kids try out chores—no glued eyes to a phone in sight.
Entry is free with a friendly donation request that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re chasing local lore or just chasing a break from your phone, you’ll leave armed with new stories and a strange sense of superiority over your screen-addicted pals. Book your time travel here.
Hedges Station Museum | Oldest Train Depot Vibes
If you’ve ever wanted to time-travel back to when steam engines and sturdy brick buildings were considered high-tech, Hedges Station Museum is where you’ll want to kill an afternoon. This place isn’t just old—it’s the oldest building in Winfield, which might make your apartment look like a prefab dollhouse by comparison. Set inside Illinois’ oldest surviving train depot (1849!), the museum leans hard into railroad nostalgia and early town history, with displays legit enough to impress any self-appointed history buff.
Kids can get their hands on interactive models, and adults can side-eye the past with plenty of authentic artifacts while quietly thanking modern HVAC. Admission is always free, so there’s no need to dig for spare change—just check the calendar, since they do take a break for winter (and probably to keep ghosts at bay). If you’re curious about local lore, shoot the curator a note to snag a private tour or dive into their next cemetery walk event. Get the scoop on their next quirky event.
Naper Settlement | Best For History Buffs Who Hate Being Indoors
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like when smartphones were just, you know, hands and smoke signals, Naper Settlement is basically Naperville’s answer to time travel—minus any risk of offending the space-time continuum. Thirteen acres of historic houses, a mansion that’s actually a “Mitchell” not a Scooby-Doo haunt, and interpreters who commit to period costumes like they’re going for an Oscar. The “Selling Kroehler” and “Building Naperville” exhibits let you nerd out as much as your heart desires, and if you’re more the “let the kids run wild” type, you’ll appreciate the playground and regular hands-on activities.
It’s the rare museum outing where you can actually get some vitamin D, and with food and shopping a short stroll away, nobody’s getting hangry. Pro tip: Naperville residents don’t even have to pay admission, which might be the best local perk not involving free donuts. Year-round events keep the whole thing lively, from concerts to Oktoberfest, so there’s pretty much always something going on besides staring at old farm equipment. Step back in time and plan your visit.
DuPage Children’s Museum | Kid Energy Overload Zone
If your idea of a relaxing Saturday is NOT being outsmarted by a five-year-old at the water table, maybe keep moving—but if you’ve got kids who never tire of pressing buttons, splashing, and causing scientific chaos, this is your happy place. Everything here is hands-on and unapologetically interactive. AWEsome Energy will make your offspring wonder why your house doesn’t have its own wind tunnel. The Studio throws enough art supplies at them to keep your vacuum in business for weeks.
Toddlers get their own pint-sized adventure areas, which means fewer near-disasters involving your crawler and a Newton’s cradle. Unlike the big-city museums where half the fun is getting lost, DuPage keeps things manageable. Free parking right by the Metra station doesn’t hurt either.
Parents, rejoice: the on-site café serves food your kids will eat but you won’t regret. It strikes just the right balance between fun and learning without ever feeling like homework. If you’re ready to let your crew explore and maybe even learn—just don’t call it educational to their faces—you owe yourself this trip. Plan your eventual science-related exhaustion here.
The Beller Museum | Vintage Car Buff’s Playground
Step into automotive history in a small, unassuming building just a stone’s throw from Naperville. The Beller Museum feels like a personal garage turned public showcase. Rows of Ford Model As, sleek roadsters, and quirky trucks fill every corner. There’s no admission fee. A quick appointment gets you in. Guided tours meander through beautifully preserved classics alongside the tools that kept them running.
Each stop on the tour reveals stories you won’t find in any manual. You’ll hear how a coupe gained a racing pedigree and why an oddball truck once hauled circus gear. You don’t need to be a gearhead to appreciate these rides. Even your least car-savvy friend will start asking questions.
The collection has a warm, personal vibe. You can tell this was built out of passion and shared out of love. Donations are optional, but lingering by your favorite hood is encouraged. Whether you’re an automotive nostalgia junkie or just mildly car-curious, this tiny treasure trove is worth the trip. book your tour before some Model T beats you to it.
