Top Things to Do in Galena
On the Galena River in northwest Illinois, this town’s century-old buildings now house shops, galleries, wineries and restaurants. Beyond Main Street, find water sports, golf and other active outings.
What to do
Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours Entertainment includes ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, vineyard visits and dinner theater. ameliastours.com
Blaum Brothers Distilling Company Tour the distillery and taste products like the devilishly good Hellfyre, a vodka with hot peppers. blaumbros.com
Dowling House The 1826 limestone structure, Galena’s oldest residence, is furnished with authentic artifacts. belvederemansionandgardens.com
Casper Bluffs Self-guided tours of the 85 acres reveal burial mounds, a 1,000-year-old Thunderbird effigy mound and migrating birds. jdcf.org
Fever River Outfitters Rent kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards to float down the Galena River, or get bikes or electric bikes to explore the area. Activities can be combined with a yoga class. feverriveroutfitters.com
Galena and U.S. Grant Museum Peer into an 1830s lead-mine shaft and measure yourself against a life-size photo of President Lincoln. galenahistorymuseum.org
Galena Cellars Winery and Vineyard A restored 1840s granary downtown has a wine-tasting room and wine patio; head 7 miles east of Galena to the vineyard for tours and tastings. galenacellars.com
Galena's Kandy Kitchen Saltwater taffy fills wood barrels, and handmade chocolates dot this family- owned shop known for Pecan Georgies-homemade caramel with pecan halves dipped in chocolate. galenaskandykitchen.com
Galena Trolley Depot Narrators introduce visitors to Galena’s historical sites and homes on tours. galenatrolleys.com
The Great American Popcorn Company The selection of unique flavors includes Freakin' Hot, Louisiana BBQ, Kitchen Sink and Cinnamon Toast. Sweets for sale include jellybeans, chocolates and fudge. greatpopcorn.com
Great Galena Balloon Race Watch pros race hot-air balloons at dawn and in the evening, listen to live music, and check out tethered balloons at Eagle Ridge Resort (June 19–21, 2020). greatgalenaballoonrace.com
Long Hollow Canopy Tours Six ziplines and a 140-foot sky bridge provide adventure through the forest about 10 miles southeast of Galena. longhollowcanopytours.com
Massbach Ridge Winery and Tasting Room The downtown location pours a variety of estate-made wines; drive to the vineyard 25 miles southeast of Galena for vineyard and winery tours. Massbach Ridge Winery on Facebook
Mississippi Palisades State Park About 30 miles southeast of Galena, the 2,500-acre park caters to picnickers, campers and hikers. Fifteen miles of trails lead to overlooks of the Mississippi, rock formations and wooded ravines. dnr.illinois.gov
Old Blacksmith Shop Take a tour and shop for Galena-forged items at the 1897 space with working forges and smiths. galenahistory.org
Old Market House The former city market, built in 1845–46, serves as a visitors center and displays 1,500 artifacts related to Ulysses S. Grant. illinoishistory.gov
Rocky Waters Vineyard South of Galena in Hanover, the winery makes Wild Turkey Blush and Tower Red. Check out the view from the deck. rockywaters.net
P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre The venue’s intimate size (24 seats) makes the audience part of the act. ptmurphy.com
Shopping More than 100 boutiques line historical Main Street and side streets. Look for trendy garb and gifts at The Neighborhood Trading Company, and toys and treats for furry friends at New Earth Animals.
Ulysses S. Grant Home A tour of the 19th-century Italianate house gives insight into post-Civil War life in Galena and Grant’s life. granthome.com
Washburne House See the 1843 Greek Revival-style home of Elihu B. Washburne, a congressman who advised President Lincoln. illinoishistory.gov
Where to eat
Durty Gurt’s Burger Joynt The friendly staff sling some serious burgers; be prepared for the irreverent vibe (sassy signs, toilet seating in the foyer). durtygurtsburgerjoynt.com
Embe Eatery and Lounge The candy bar martinis taste like dessert, but that didn’t stop us from ordering hot bread pudding too. embegalena.com
Fried Green Tomatoes Dine on creative Italian dishes, like wild mushroom and kale ravioli. And don’t overlook the namesake appetizer. friedgreen.com
Fritz and Frites The split-nationality menu consists of French and German favorites: Fritz fans can load up on schnitzel and spaetzle; for Frites, there’s escargot and baked Brie. fritzandfrites.com
Little Tokyo Come for big plates of Japanese cuisine, including sushi, tempura and their signature steak teriyaki. littletokyogalena.com
Otto's Place Cafe and Lounge Breakfast all day means indulging in treats like banana bread French toast. ottosplace.com
Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy House specialties like Nana Lu’s meat lasagna were inspired by co-owner Deb Coulter’s grandmother, who always seemed to have a pot of sauce on the stove. vinnysgalena.com
Where to stay
Chestnut Mountain Resort This spot 9 miles south of Galena offers Mississippi River views and family-friendly activities. Zip down a 2,050-foot-long alpine slide, glide on the Soaring Eagle zipline, tour via Segway or take a cruise along the Mississippi. chestnutmtn.com
The Cottage on Lake Galena Fireplaces in the living area and bedrooms make for a cozy stay in this log cottage. The porch and outdoor hot tub take advantage of views. scenichideaways.com
Cloran Mansion Bed-and-Breakfast Modern comforts come wrapped in historic charm at the 1880 Italianate Victorian. The popular Tower Suite features a two-person whirlpool tub under a cupola. cloranmansion.com
DeSoto House Hotel The Main Street lodging, in a brick building that dates to 1855, offers 55 spacious rooms with Victorian décor. desotohouse.com
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa Outdoor enthusiasts will find golf, horseback riding, bicycling, kayaking, foot golf and hot-air balloon rides on the 6,800-acre property. Lodging includes 80 rooms in the inn, as well as 200-plus villas and homes. eagleridge.com
Goldmoor Inn Indulge like royalty during a stay in suites, cabins and cottages. Some rooms overlook the Mississippi, and the two-story turret suite sets the mood for romance. The inn also serves some of the finest meals in the area. goldmoor.com
The Inn at Irish Hollow On a 500-acre property with miles of trails, the inn has five opulent cottages plus two suites in a historic building that was once a general store. irishhollow.com
The Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel The spacious rooms, some with patios and whirlpool tubs, don't feel particularly Irish. But the inviting Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub and Grill was designed and made in Ireland. theirishcottageboutiquehotel.com
Jail Hill Inn The six lavish suites inside this masterfully restored brick building (once the county jail) include Kohler rain showers, gas fireplaces and plush Turkish cotton bathrobes. jailhillgalena.com
For information visit visitgalena.org