Favorite Things
Places to Eat
BREAKFAST
The Galena Bakehouse – Start your day at Galena Bakehouse, a craft grab and go bakery on Galena’s charming Main Street. Enjoy our housemade pastries, always made from scratch, using the highest quality ingredients possible. Love their empanadas 🙂
Galena Roasters – Welcome to Galena Roasters, where every cup is crafted with care. Great breakfast sandwiches, too!
Otto’s Place – Homey, bi-level breakfast & lunch place in a historic building with local art on the walls. Good Gluten Free selection.
Charlie’s Place Eatery – Dive into comfort at Charlie’s Place! Enjoy hearty breakfasts, savory soups, daily specials, and pies that are simply to die for. A great place for bigger groups, too!
LUNCH/DINNER
Durty Gurts Burger Joynt – Looking for a great burger in downtown Galena? Durty Gurts pride themselves in serving hand pattied burgers and homemade dishes in an exciting environment. We eat here all the time!!
Vinny Vanucchi’s – Vinny Vanucchi’s is a Galena tradition serving authentic made from scratch Italian recipes passed down five generations. This is our son’s favorite restaurant in all the land!
Log Cabin Steakhouse – Where steak is king! Old-fashioned, family-run institution with steaks, seafood, martinis & some Greek items 1937. It is Galena’s oldest and longest running eating establishment. We’re Greek, so this one is always on the list … lol!
Highlands Restaurant and Lounge 289 – A casual & friendly space offering locally sourced ingredients, house made specialty drinks and views overlooking The Galena Territory that are stunning. We like to eat in the bar!
THINGS TO DO
Galena Trolley Tours – Historic non-stop trolley tours to step back in time and see the homes and buildings that once made Galena a major river boat and lead mining community. We’ve love the trolley tour and have taken it several times!!
Go Nuts Outdoors – Rent a fun and easy-to-ride electric fat tire bikes or classic cruisers and discover the beauty of Northwest Illinois and cruise through our charming historic town, admiring stunning 19th-century architecture, or venture off the beaten path onto scenic trails, or rent a stable and easy-to-maneuver kayaks to explore the picturesque Galena River, taking in the charming riverside scenery and enjoying a unique perspective of the town.
Alpine Slides at Chestnut Mountain – Chestnut Mountain Resort is the perfect destination for summer adventure. Thrill-seekers can race down the Alpine Slide or take to the skies on the Soaring Eagle Zipline, while biking enthusiasts tackle the trails at Farside Bike Park. For a more relaxed experience, visitors can enjoy a scenic Mississippi River cruise, soaking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Whether seeking adrenaline or tranquility, Chestnut provides an ideal setting to embrace the great outdoors. This place is SO fun!!!
Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. – Embark on a journey through our distillery and witness the artistry behind our craft. Our story is one of passion, precision, and innovation. Join us as we share our devotion to the art of whiskey making. The tour was super interesting & enjoyed hearing the history of the brothers! Love The Public House bar downtown, too.
Golf at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa – Whether you are a weekend golfer or a scratch golfer, Eagle Ridge is the perfect destination for golf. Here you’ll find four championship golf courses set in the rolling hills of the scenic Galena Territory offering stunning views that are sure to delight. When you stay at The Ace, you are front and center to the 15th hole on the North Course 🙂
Shopping – Voted one of “America’s Best Main Streets” by Fodor’s Travel and Parade.com, you’ll love browsing through Galena’s 19th-century Main Street with more than 125 storefronts featuring clothing, jewelry, collectibles, specialty items, gifts, and more. Without exception, every time we go to Galena we always visit to stores: Galena Book & Paper for a new book to read and New Earth Animals to get a souvenir treat for Greta!