Northwest Illinois
Galena
A lead-mining boom town frozen in the 1800s: a curving Main Street of brick buildings, Ulysses S. Grant's house, river trails and big Mississippi views nearby.
Photo: Main Street, Galena, Robert Haugland, CC BY-SA 4.0
Galena was a rich lead-mining and steamboat town in the mid-1800s. Most of the town is a historic district, with brick shops stacked up the hillsides above the Galena River. Every staircase leads somewhere.
Ulysses S. Grant lived here before the Civil War, and the town gave him a house when he came home a hero in 1865.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Mississippi Palisades State Park
Bluff-top trails and overlooks above the Mississippi near Savanna. About 45 minutes.
Free
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
A hilltop preserve east of town with a short trail and wide views over the hills.
Free
Apple River Canyon State Park
Limestone canyon trails along the Apple River. About 35 minutes east.
Paid
Chestnut Mountain Resort
Skiing in winter, an alpine slide and river views in summer.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Old Market House
An 1840s market building, now a state historic site.
Cheap
Ulysses S. Grant Home
The house given to Grant in 1865, with many original furnishings.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Galena trolley tours
Narrated trolley tours of the historic town.
Part of our Galena and Dubuque guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Wineries and dinner on Main Street make the evening.
- The Mississippi bluffs are a half-day drive.
- Fall colours in the hills are worth a weekend.
Nearby and worth the drive
Ready-made trips with Galena
Good to know
- Tourism: visitgalena.org.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Main Street, Galena, Robert Haugland, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The Galena River in downtown Galena, IvoShandor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The Mississippi from Mississippi Palisades State Park, rboed*, CC BY 2.0
Photo: The Ulysses S. Grant Home, Galena, Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The Illinois Central depot in Galena, Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois, CC BY-SA 2.0