Things to Do in Naperville

Hollywood Palms Theater, modeled after Hollywood Boulevard and the legendary Chinese Theater, engages moviegoers with its opulent design, a restaurant and bar, and seat-by-seat service. Winning praise from myriad press outlets, the movie house boasts nine distinctive auditoriums, each dressed to a cinematic theme, including Coconut Grove and The Rainbow Room. Within the confines of each theater, rows of high-backed leather chairs comfortably cradle bodies, while the latest Dolby surround sound swathes ears in the tummy rumbles of on-screen actors. An attentive wait staff takes orders throughout films from an extensive menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, beer, wine, and cocktails.

Located on the shores of the Fox River, Fox Paintball has numerous fields suited for chromatic combat, along with a fully stocked pro shop. The Stonehenge field is comprised of a wooded area marked with ancient-styled barriers—ideal for both close exchanges and long shots—and is inhabited by a druid who officiates each match. The new Gauntlet field puts players among wrecked cars, a trench, sandbag bunkers, and a makeshift "power plant" building. Bunkers and two-story structures dot the other woods fields, and geometric inflatables provide protection from pigment projectiles and low-flying pigeons on the regulation XBall! field. Offering a respite between operations, the pro shop and concessions booth are stocked with eats, drinks, markers, and equipment by makers such as Empire, Tippmann, and Kingman. The park plays host to numerous tournaments and scenario games throughout the year.

In 1976, busy California mother Joan Barnes wanted nothing more than to find a play place where she and her kids could enjoy age-appropriate, educational activities. Finding none, she developed her own innovative play environment within a developmental-based program structure now known as Gymboree Play & Music. Today, kids tumble and learn in more than 650 locations in 33 countries around the world, engaging in open play and classes designed to build cognitive and motor skills. As parents participate in their children's development, their kids learn to paint, play music, and interact socially outside of their preschool knitting circles.

Huddled within a 20,000-square-foot facility, Bounce Town's private and semiprivate play arenas encourage sock-clad youngsters to bound, glide, and frolic atop abundant inflatables. Air-filled mazes and 50-foot obstacle courses challenge participants to traverse hurdles and twists, while frog- and Batman-themed bounce houses accommodate leaping youths. Kids who have conquered their brief bounds into midair and gained an understanding of how physics works can also find new challenges scaling the rock-climbing wall. When gathering a group for play time or birthdays, throw parties overseen by personal attendants or bring the celebration home with a bounce-house rental or a Bounce Town photo-booth rental.