Galena preserves its natural landscapes and 19th-century character
Galena is a charming city in Northwestern Illinois with a historic downtown that looks about the same as it did in the 19th century. Located near the state lines of Iowa and Wisconsin, Galena was originally a mining town whose industry flourished when steamboats began delivering freight via the Mississippi River in the 1820s. Two centuries later, Galena has become a popular tourist destination in Jo Daviess County for its many shops and restaurants, area attractions and historic sites. “Many residents have been here for generations,” says Barb Hocker, Galena Area Chamber of Commerce director and a resident for over 40 years. “The topography is beautiful, the history is immense and everybody participates in the community. It’s one of those towns you just feel blessed to belong to.”
Historic landmarks and recreational options by the Mississippi River
Many historic sites are downtown, including old homes, mansions and churches. The Ulysses S. Grant Home is an Italianate-style residence once owned by the famous Union Army general and President, with much of the original furniture on display. There’s a statue dedicated to him in Grant Park, as well as a playground, basketball court and Civil War-era cannons. The Galena Visitors Bureau is housed in the former Illinois Central Railroad train depot, and there is a boat dock and a canoe launch on Galena River. The Old Blacksmith Shop has workers operating forges and tools and showcasing what blacksmithing looked like in the late 1890s. Visitors can also watch magic tricks at the P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre, a 24-seat venue built in the 1840s.
Several more parks can be found around the river, including the 8-acre Galena Recreation Park that has a skate park, sports fields for pickleball and softball and a swimming pool that’s open during the summer. The Galena Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course, a pro shop and an on-site restaurant. Many also enjoy boating and fishing in Lake Galena and the Mississippi River south of town.
Downtown restaurants, boutiques and grocery stores
Galena’s historic Main Street is filled with over 120 boutiques, antique stores, museums and art galleries, as well as several restaurants serving a range of cuisines. “There’s such a variety,” Hocker says. “There’s Mediterranean, Italian, popcorn shops, candy stores – anything you could possibly want.” Log Cabin Steakhouse, one of Galena’s longest-running establishments, has been in service since 1937. Durty Gurt’s Burger Joynt has half-pound hamburgers, patty melts and seafood platters. Vinny Vanucchi’s “Little Italy” is an Italian bistro that serves scratch-made pasta and veal entrees, and Gobbie’s Sports Pub & Eatery is popular for its Chicago-style pizza. There’s also a handful of specialty grocery stores along Main Street, plus there’s a Walmart and a Piggly Wiggly north of town.
Ranch-style and Victorian houses with a strong second-home market
Historic homes can be found in subdivisions surrounding the main highway, some of which were built as far back as the 1800s. Ranch-style homes are common, with many having decks, brick exteriors and fireplaces. A few cottages used to house miners in the 1840s and have rock foundations with wooden siding. Some Victorian homes are within walking distance of Main Street, and several townhomes can have cozy sunrooms, lofts and backyard patios. Many country homes in the outskirts are built on hilly landscapes, with some of them situated close to the river. There’s also a large second-home market for those who come to visit during the summer. The median sale price is around $252,000, which is lower than the state median of about $292,000.
Farmers’ markets, country fairs and hot air balloon races
Galena keeps a busy calendar with several annual events. Galena Whiskey Weekend is a tasting event held in early March, while the Galena Sky Trail Race has participants running in their best Viking costumes. The annual Pride Picnic brings live music and drag performances to Grant Park every summer, and proceeds from the Great Galena Balloon Race benefit children who have diabetes. The Galena Country Fair features over 100 vendors offering original handmade items such as jewelry, clothing and home decor, and locals look forward to Galena’s Oktoberfest and Halloween Parade in the fall. A farmers’ market is also held in the city hall parking lot from May to October. “There’s something going on all the time,” Hocker says. “We have a lot to offer for a town of 3,200.”
Galena schools offer AP classes and after-school support
Galena Unit School District No. 120 serves over 800 students and is highly lauded for its teachers and athletic programs, earning an A-minus on Niche. Galena Elementary & Middle School also earns an A-minus and has after-school programs for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Galena High School offers dual credit and advanced placement courses and is getting a new gymnasium by 2027, earning a B-plus.
Two highways to Iowa and Wisconsin
U.S. Route 20 is the main highway through town that leads over 16 miles northwest to Iowa, while Illinois Route 84 runs over 7 miles north to Wisconsin. Jo Daviess County Transit provides ADA-accessible public transportation throughout the county, including to the 24-hour Midwest Medical Center north of town. Dubuque Regional Airport is located approximately 24 miles west and has connecting flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which has nonstop flights to more than 240 destinations worldwide.
