Top Things to Do in Galena
On the Galena River in northwest Illinois, this town’s century-old buildings now house shops and restaurants. Beyond Main Street, find water sports, golf and other active outings. Check out our guide for what to do, where to eat and where to stay.
What to do
Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours Entertaining guides lead bus tours past Galena's greatest haunts. Things get real at The Ryan Mansion, where visitors head into the library for ghost-hunting instruction. ameliastours.com
Blaum Brothers Distilling Company Tour the distillery at the town's sole maker of hard liquor, and prepare for some serious taste testing. Hellfyre, a vodka infused with hot peppers, is devilishly good. blaumbros.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. feverriveroutfitters.com
Galena and U.S. Grant Museum Peer into an 1830s lead-mine shaft, measure yourself against a life-size photograph of President Lincoln, and view the Vicksburg flag (hand-sewn by women supporting Civil War troops). 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. galenakandykitchen.com
Galena Trolley Depot Narrators introduce visitors to Galena's historical sites and homes on 1- or 2.5-hour 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
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 with bird's-eye views of the Mississippi, rock formations and wooded ravines. dnr.illinois.gov
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
Shopping More than 100 boutiques line historical Main Street and side streets. Look for Balinese bamboo wind chimes at Beyond the Horizon, dinner-party fare at Galena River Wine and Cheese, and artistic clothing at Earth's Treasures.
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 how the 1843 Greek Revival-style home of Elihu Washburne, a congressman who advised President Lincoln, reflected the owner's success. illinoishistory.gov
Where to eat
Embe Eatery and Lounge The candy bar martinis taste like dessert, but that didn't stop us from ordering hot rum-soaked bread pudding, too. embegalena.com
Fried Green Tomatoes Dine on creative Italian dishes like wild mushroom and kale ravioli with walnuts. And don't overlook the crispy namesake appetizer. friedgreen.com
Fritz and Frites The split-nationality menu consists of French and German favorites: Fritz fans can load up on schnitzel, spaetzle and sauerbraten; on the Frites side, there's escargot, baked Brie, pâté and tuna nicoise. fritzandfrites.com
One Eleven Main Beer- cheddar fondue makes a great starter for an evening of upscale American fare-from burgers to walleye. oneelevenmain.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 Come to this spot 9 miles south of Galena for Mississippi River views and family- friendly activities. Zip down a 2,050-foot-long Alpine slide, glide on the Soaring Eagle zipline or cruise 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
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa Outdoor enthusiasts will find golf, horseback riding, bicycling, kayaking 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 9 miles from Galena, the inn has five opulent cabins and two plush suites in the main 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: visitgalena.org