Danville
For small-town, Midwestern charm that's still close to the big city, Danville, Illinois, is the place to be. This family-friendly community is close to both Indianapolis, IN, and Chicago, IL, and is full of great schools, parks, restaurants, and shops. Danville grew rapidly as a major coal mining city during the 1800s, and many of the mines have now been converted into recreational areas, such as lakes and parks, and are perfect for a family outing.