Galena, IL Road Trips

The name Galena comes from the word for lead sulfide, and indeed the very reason for the town's early growth was the abundant lead found in the area, mined since the times of the Native Americans. Galena grew to be the most important river port north of St. Louis (despite only being on a small tributary of the Mississippi) and in its heyday rivaled Chicago in size and importance. During the Age of Railroads, however, the town passed up a Chicago-Dubuque rail line in order to "keep the sanctity of the port", a decision that began Galena's decline. Floods and the Great Depression took their tolls as well, but soon enough people began to move back and restore the beautiful 19th century heritage. Now Galena has reinvented itself as a tourist destination, taking in its commercial and presidential history, beautiful setting among the hilly driftless region, and ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, becoming a popular weekend destination for Illinoisans, Iowans, and Wisconsinites. Old Market House Galena Welcome Center, 123 S. Commerce Street, toll-free: +1-888-942-5362. Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center, 101 Bouthillier Street, toll-free: +1-877-444-5850.

1 The Belvedere, 1008 Park Ave, ☏ +1 815-777-0747. Considered the finest mansion in Galena since it was constructed in 1857. Guided tours offered about every 15 minutes from late spring to late fall, no reservations necessary. 2 Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design (Chicago Athenaeum), 601 S. Prospect St, ☏ +1 815-777-4444, [email protected]. This museum is located in an old brewery building. The museum exhibits include contemporary design, photography, sculpture, and other artwork such as weaving. The museum is headquartered in Chicago with a branch in Schaumburg. (updated Jul 2022) 3 Dowling House, 220 Diagonal St, ☏ +1 815-777-1250. The Dowling House is the oldest building in Galena, now a historic house museum. 4 The Galena/Jo Daviess County Museum, 211 South Bench St., ☏ +1 815-777-9131, [email protected]. The museum is housed in a 19th-century Italianate mansion and features plenty of agricultural history, Old Galena trinkets, and Civil War memorabilia. The centerpiece is a huge painting by Thomas Nast entitled "Peace in the Union," upstairs. (updated Jul 2022) 5 Ulysses S. Grant's Home, 500 Bouthillier St, ☏ +1 815-777-3310. Mar-Oct: W-Su 9AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: W-Su 9AM-4PM. The house probably appears much like it did in the 1860s and 1870s, as much of the original furniture has been placed throughout the house. He only lived here for a short time, though: a year before the Civil War and a few years afterwards before he moved to the White House. (updated Jan 2022) 6 Grant Park.

1 Chestnut Mountain Resort, 8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd, toll-free: +1-800-798-0098. Skiing in winter is quite good for the region. Summer activities include an Alpine Slide, zip line, disc golf, mountain bike rentals, and Mississippi River cruises. (updated Jan 2022) Galena Artists Guild hosts events like gallery walks throughout the year. The gallery on US Hwy 20 showcases local talent. Galena Cellars, Winery, and Vineyard has two locations, a shop downtown and a vineyard 6 miles north of Galena. It's in a beautiful setting and worth the short drive. The Galena Country Fair takes place in October every year, where more than 100 artists sell arts and crafts. Linmar Gardens is a privately owned garden on a hill overlooking downtown. There's a waterfall, sunken garden, flagstone pathway, and sculptures. The Great Galena Balloon Race, Galena Territory. Hot air balloon race and festival in mid-June Shenandoah Riding Center east of town, in the midst of the rolling hills, offers guided trail rides on over 40 mi (64 km) through hills, woods, and along creeks. The one-hour rides are offered daily year-round. StoneHouse Pottery & Gallery, 414 Spring, ☏ +1 815-777-0354. Offers once-monthly "Glaze and Graze" deals, whereby participants can decorate their own three-piece dinnerware set and put it to use the next night at the Great Galena Cookery.

The region boasts a selection of intimate bistros, world-class steak and chophouses, eclectic cafés and traditional diners as well as specialties including Chicago-style pizza, fresh seafood and authentic ethnic cuisine, from Mexican and Italian to Greek. 1 Cannova's Pizzeria, 247 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-777-3735. Pizza and pasta and a diverse wine selection. Quaint and cozy dining with lovely atmosphere. (updated Apr 2020) 2 Fried Green Tomatoe, 213 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-777-3938. (updated Jul 2022) 3 Great Galena Cookery, 412 Spring St. Ste B, ☏ +1 815-777-1556. Cooking school. 4 Little Tokyo, 300 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-777-8883. Daily 11AM-10PM. A Japanese sushi restaurant noted for fresh fish and other fresh ingredients. It is on the north end of Galena's historic Main Street and a local favorite. Log Cabin. Market House Restaurant.

Stop in for a tasting and a tour at one of Jo Daviess County’s award-winning wineries or stay a while with a bottle of your favorite and some cheese and crackers. 1 Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub, 9853 US Hwy 20 (Decatur St.) (inside the Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel), ☏ +1 815-776-0707. M-Th 4PM-1AM, F-Su 11:30AM-1AM, Su-Th closes at midnight in winters. Irish-style pub with live entertainment with an interior designed in Ireland. 2 Galena Brewing Company, 227 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-776-9917. W-M 11AM-11PM. Brewpub with six beers on draft (one is seasonal), featuring daily tours (3PM and 6PM, $5) and live music on weekdays (7:30PM). Galena Cellars Winery & Vineyard, 4746 N. Ford Road, ☏ +1 815-777-3330. May–October: Su-Th 11AM-6PM, F Sa 11AM-8PM; April and November: Su 11AM-5PM, F Sa 11AM-6PM. Third-generation winery ten minutes east of Galena. Two to three tours a day from April to November ($5). Also operates a tasting room and shop in downtown Galena (515 South Main St.) 3 Gobbie's Sports Pub & Eatery, 219 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-777-0243. Su-Th 11AM-5PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Sports bar and pizza diner with an outdoor patio. 4 Green Street Tavern, 230 S. Main St. (inside the DeSoto House Hotel), ☏ +1 815-777-0090. Su-Th 11AM-5PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Casual dining and drinking in an old-style pub atmosphere. 5 Massbach Ridge - Downtown Galena Tasting Room, 117 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-291-6700, [email protected]. Wine tasting from vineyard and winery growing estate wines since 2003. 6 Miss Kitty's Grape Escape, 242 N. Main St., ☏ +1 815-777-0090.

Galena and Jo Daviess County’s unprecedented variety of quality lodging choices offer all the modern amenities expected by today’s traveler. Cozy, comfortable B&Bs; crisp, contemporary vacation rental homes; historic hotels, motels and nationally recognized resorts are all located in Illinois’ northwest corner. Abe's Spring Street Guest House, 414 Spring St, ☏ +1 815-777-0354. Also home of the StoneHouse Pottery & Gallery. $94-129. Cloran Mansion Bed and Breakfast, 1237 Franklin St, ☏ +1 815-777-0583. Fireplaces, whirlpools for two, private baths, mini fridge with complimentary beverages. DSL Wi-Fi available for guests. $99-225. Farmers' Guest House, 334 Spring St, toll-free: +1-888-459-1847. Galena's only 19th-century restored inn 2½ blocks from downtown's restaurants, attractions and shops. 9 rooms including Annie Lloyd's Cottage - deluxe whirlpool fireplace suites. Galena Log Cabin Getaway & Adventure Creek Alpaca Farm, 9401 W Hart John Rd, ☏ +1 815-777-4200. See a working alpaca farm and stay in one of 12 authentic hand-made log cabins on 45 acres. Walk along Adventure Creek running through the middle of the property. Visit the largest wetlands in Jo Daviess County east of the Mississippi River. Hike along 2 mi (3 km) of trails. Keep your eyes open for the Hines Emerald Dragonfly. It's an endangered species that you might see here. And when the stars come out, view them without any light pollution. Children are welcome but no pets. Each cabin has room for 4 - a new queen bed downstairs and a new full bed upstairs on the loft.

The vast majority of visitors to Galena arrive by car. Galena is intersected on the west end by US 20 (between East Dubuque and Chicago), which runs concurrently with IL 84. IL 84 branches off north of Galena to become WI 80 to Platteville. From Chicago, take I 90 west to Rockford and follow US 20 further west. From the south (such as Springfield or the Quad Cities), take IL 84 north along the Great River Road until it intersects US 20 north of Hanover. There is ample free parking throughout the city. There are no major airports near Galena. Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ IATA) is a small airport 23 miles west in Iowa, serving American Airlines flights from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and charter services. You will need to rent a car or take a taxi to reach Galena. Despite the city's prominence as a northern Illinois tourist destination, there are no interurban bus or train services.

Galena is only two miles long, so the most convenient way to travel is to park and walk through town. However, there is a fairly steep bluff between Bench and Prospect streets, which may make northwest foot travel from downtown difficult. Most parking is free, although parking spaces in the downtown area (Bench, Main, and Commerce streets) fill up quickly. There is also a large pay lot on the south bank of the Galena river west of Grant Park. A few companies offer trolley services that stop at significant places in town, which can also be chartered. Galena Trolley Tours, 314 S. Main Street, ☏ +1 815-777-1248. $Varies. (updated Jun 2017) Tri-State Trolley, 4349 Industrial Park Dr, ☏ +1 815-777-0820. $15 adults, $10 children (5 and under free).