Travel Destinations Illinois Galena, Illinois Top Things to Do in Galena, Illinois On the Galena River in northwest Illinois, this town’s century-old buildings now house shops, galleries, wineries, restaurants and bed-and-breakfast lodgings. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 9, 2024 The Galena River runs through the heart of Galena, Illinois. Photo: Courtesy of Galena Country Tourism What to Do Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours Entertainment with Amelia's includes ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, vineyard visits and dinner theater. Dowling House The 1826 limestone structure, Galena's oldest residence, is furnished with authentic artifacts. Casper Bluffs Self-guided tours of the 85 acres reveal burial mounds, a 1,000-year-old Thunderbird effigy mound and migrating birds. Galena and U.S. Grant Museum Peer into an 1830s lead-mine shaft and measure yourself against a life-size photo of President Lincoln at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum. Walk with goats through native prairie and forest with Hoof It Goat Treks. Courtesy of Galena Country Tourism Goat Experiences Jenn and Josh Montgomery renovated a historic farm and started Galena Goat Yoga, while Christine Eisbach founded Hoof It Goat Treks on her family farm; visitors walk with goats through native prairie and forest. 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 the third weekend of June. Zipline across the forest with Long Hollow Canopy Tours. Kevin J. Miyazaki Long Hollow Canopy Tours Six ziplines and a 140-foot sky bridge provide adventure through the forest about 10 miles southeast of Galena. One-Day Itinerary in Galena Fifteen miles of trails at Mississippi Palisades State Park lead to overlooks of the Mississippi, rock formations and wooded ravines. Clint Farlinger 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. Kayak the Galena River with outfitters like Nuts Outdoors. John Noltner Nuts Outdoors Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at Nuts Outdoors to float down the Galena River, or get electric bikes to explore the area. Guided fishing trips available too. Top Things for Active Travelers to Do in Galena Old Blacksmith Shop Take a tour and shop for Galena-forged items at the 1897 space with working forges and smiths. P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre The venue's small size makes the audience part of the act at P.T. Murphy's show. Downtown Galena is home to more than 100 restaurants and shops in historic buildings. David Nevala Shopping More than 100 boutiques, restaurants and other shops line historical Main Street and side streets. Favorites include Galena Book and Paper, for books, cards and paper goods; Galena River Goods store, with home goods and clothing; Galena Roasters Gift Shop, for specialty brew or a bag of beans; and Galena Spoon Company, with new and vintage hand-carved wooden spoons, handcrafted kitchen boards and hand-turned bowls. 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. Where to Eat + Drink Blaum Brothers Distilling Company Tour the distillery and taste products like the devilishly good Hellfyre, a vodka with hot peppers. Durty Gurt's Burger Joynt The friendly staff at Durty Gurt's sling some serious burgers; be prepared for the irreverent vibe (sassy signs, toilet seating in the foyer). Embe Eatery and Lounge The candy bar martinis at Embe taste like dessert, but that didn't stop us from ordering hot bread pudding too. Fried Green Tomatoes Dine on creative Italian dishes, like wild mushroom and kale ravioli. And don't overlook the namesake appetizer. 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. Find empanadas, macarons and other treats at Galena Bakehouse. Courtesy of Galena Country Tourism Galena Bakehouse Geoff and Alex Arroyo-Karnish run this grab-and-go-bakery, one of the newer businesses in Galena. Specializing in treats like empanadas, macarons and jumbo cookies, they operate out of an 1850s building that was once an antiques shop. 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. 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. Little Tokyo Come for big plates of Japanese cuisine, including sushi, tempura and their signature steak teriyaki. Massbach Ridge Winery and Tasting Room The downtown location of Massbach Ridge pours a variety of estate-made wines; drive to the vineyard 25 miles southeast of Galena for vineyard and winery tours. Otto's Place Cafe and Lounge Breakfast all day at Otto's means indulging in treats like banana bread French toast. Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy House specialties at Vinny Vanucchi's—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. Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa offers golf as well as may different types of lodging on its 6,800-acre property. Adam Alexander/Courtesy IOT 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. 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. DeSoto House Hotel The Main Street lodging, in a brick building that dates to 1855, offers 55 spacious rooms with Victorian décor. 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. The two-story turret suite at Goldmoor Inn has a panoramic view over forest and gardens. John Noltner Goldmoor Inn Indulge like royalty at the Goldmoor 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. Spend the Night, Take a Tour or Dine at One of These Regal Midwest Castles 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. The Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel The spacious rooms at the Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel, 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. The romantic Jail Hill Inn offers comfy king beds, gas fireplaces and chilled champagne waiting for you upon arrival. Courtesy of Jail Hill Inn 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. The Best Romantic Getaways in Illinois The Steamboat House Bed and Breakfast Steamboat builder and captain Daniel Smith Harris and his wife Sarah Harris, a doctor, lived here in the late 1800s, raising 10 children. Today, the Gothic Revival mansion is The Steamboat House Bed and Breakfast, housing five guest rooms with antique furnishings, all overlooking wooded hills and gardens. For more information visitgalena.org Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit