A Family-Friendly Weekend Trip to Charming Galena

Illinois is a wonderful state, but it lacks a certain topographic charm. In other words, it is really, really flat. 

Downtown Galena is lined with historic brick buildings.That’s not the case, however, in Galena, a town of about 3,400 people tucked in the state’s northwestern corner, one of the few areas of Illinois not flattened like a panini when the glaciers rolled on through during the Ice Age. As you wind your way along the area’s twisty, hill-hugging roads -- looking into valleys populated by trees and grazing farm animals -- you might be inspired to wonder, “Am I still really in Illinois?”

You are, and it turns out that this town -- located a 2 1/2 to 3-hour drive west of the Fox Valley -- has even more going for it than its geographic beauty. With a historic downtown that looks straight out of a sepia photograph, family-friendly shops and restaurants, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, Galena makes for a fun, unique place for a weekend trip or short vacation. 

With fall just around the corner, those rolling hills and valleys will also make for a beautiful spot to appreciate the changing colors of the leaves. And while this article makes recommendations for a family-friendly trip to Galena, it also is a great spot for a girlfriend getaway or romantic weekend. Just read to the end for some tips on planning those types of trips.

Before you hop in the car, I highly recommend doing a bit of advanced scouting via either the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau website or the Visit Galena organization. Once you arrive in Galena, you’ll want to start your trip at either the Galena Welcome Center (123 S. Commerce) or Visitor Information Center (101 Bouthillier Street) to pick up a free map of the area and gather any tips or news on events you might want to attend from the helpful staff.

Told you it was pretty. Photo by Soumit on Flickr.Then head to Main Street, which is filled with boutiques, restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, toy stores and ice cream parlors -- almost all housed in restored brick buildings dating to the mid-1800s. (Galena’s boom during those years stemmed from the discovery of lead nearby, as well as its valuable location as a port on the Mississippi River. Some of the mansions that resulted from all that wealth are open for tours, others are now B&Bs.) 

Your children will want to check out two toy shops. The nostalgic offerings in the Atomic Toy Co. (209 S. Main)  will inspire lots of “I had one of these!” from those belonging to the Baby Boomer or Generation X. Many of the items at R Toys & Gifts (117 N. Main) are musical or artsy in nature and aim to bring out the creative side in your kid. 

Most of the restaurants along Main Street are family-friendly, including Benjamin’s (103 N. Main St.) a pub with much-better-than-average pub fare. Or check out what types of sandwiches Chef Ivo is offering at the Galena Canning Company (106 S. Main Street) and head to a park or bench for an impromptu picnic. 

You’ll have plenty of choices for a treat, including The American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor (102 N. Main St.), Galena’s Kandy Kitchen (100 N. Main St.) and Great American Popcorn Company (110 S. Main St.) For more sophisticated palettes (in other words, for mom) there is Chocolat’ (229 S. Main St.), which offers more than 200 flavors of chocolate, including violet, rosewater and sea salt.

A view of the hilly downtown. Photo by Rustic Roads on Flickr.But even the most patient child is probably going to tire quickly of watching his or her mom browse the art galleries, clothing boutiques, jewelry stores and home decorating shops that make up much of Main Street.

So it’s definitely recommended to schedule a couple of kid-centric blocks of time. (Or here’s an idea .. Dad can take the kids to one of the following spots and and let Mom have her own block of time!) 

Located just southeast across the Galena River from Main Street, accessible via a footbridge, is Grant Park where kids can explore historic cannons, a gazebo, and a statue of the town’s most famous resident -- Ulysses S. Grant. In the summer, Galena’s Recreation Park (at the intersection of Field and Jo Daviess streets, just about a mile from downtown) features an awesome, recently refurbished swimming complex that includes a zero depth swimming pool, a wading/splash pool and a couple of water slides. (Children get into the pool for $2, adults are $4.) Otherwise, the park offers a BMX/skateboard park, several good-sized playgrounds, a shuffleboard court and a children’s basketball court.

Fever River Outfitters (525 S. Main Street; 815-776-9425) rents bicycles, kayaks, canoes, cross-country skies, snowshoes and other equipment and can give information on the best places to put their equipment to use or can arrange a group tour for you. One easy spot for a hike or bike ride is the Galena River Trail, with a downtown entrance past the parking lot under the U.S. 20 bridge and another in Recreation Park.

Shenandoah Riding Center (200 N. Brodrecht Road; 815-777-2373) offers guided trail rides for novice and experienced horse riders. Or, if you want to appreciate Galena from the sky via a hot air balloon, check out Galena on the Fly (815-777-2747.)

A hot air balloon floats over Galena. Photo by Sheila Ryan on Flickr.In winter, Chestnut Mountain Resort (8700 W. Chestnut Road; 800-798-0098) offers skiing on 19 runs. In fall, spring and summer, a lift takes you to the top of the “Alpine Slide” slide so you can ride 2,050 feet of track back down -- right into the Mississippi River, it seems at points along the way. In summer months’ only, the resort offers a 90-minute Mississippi Explorer Cruise. 

Kids can learn about frontier life during the 1832 Black Hawk War at the rebuilt Apple River Fort State Historic Site in Elizabeth, about 15 miles east of Galena. (A young Abraham Lincoln arrived at the fort a day after settlers turned back an attack by 200 Native American warriors.) 

About 17 miles northeast of Elizabeth, or 30 miles east of Galena, the 297-acre Apple River Canyon State Park offers five hiking trails that showcase the limestone bluffs and deep ravines left behind when the glaciers missed this part of the state.  

If you don’t mind leaving the state, just 15 miles to the west of Galena is the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the museum highlights the history of America’s most famous river with six large aquariums, interactive history and living history demonstrations. 

As for where to lay your head after all this activity? Many of Galena’s hotels and motels are located along U.S. Highway 20 outside of town but only a few minutes’ drive away. The town has more than three dozens B&Bs, inns and guest cottages, many located walking distance to downtown, although you will want to check their policies on young guests. A third option you might want to consider is renting a townhome or house at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa (444 Eagle Ridge Drive) located about six miles from downtown Galena. 

Insider’s Tip: Like I noted above, in addition to being a great family friendly getaway spot, Galena is also a perfect place for a romantic weekend with your hubby or a place to reconnect with your girlfriends. The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau has some suggestions for both of those types of getaways. Just click the “Visitor Information” tab, followed by “Things to See and Do” and you’ll have a number of choices for the type of trip you’re wanting, including “Romance,” “History and Architecture,” and “Girlfriend Getaway.”

Comments

[angela]

i'm planning a trip there soon myself! it is a beautiful drive once the leaves start turning. i love touring grant's house.