The Tiny Illinois Town That “Time Forgot” is Actually Bustling With Cool New Businesses
Old meets new in the northwest corner of the Prairie State.
Who’s ready for weekend getaway? If you’ve been itching for a change of scenery, you’ve come to the right place. We here at Country Living specialize in small towns, and we’ve a great one to add to your list—especially if you’re living in the Midwest. Welcome to Galena, Illinois. (Population: 3240.)
Named for the ore mineral lead sulfide, which spurred the town’s once-prolific mining industry, Galena was established in 1828. Situated in the northwest corner of the Prairie State, it’s a beloved destination for many Midwesterners. (From Chicago, the drive is three-and-a-half hours; from Madison, Wisconsin, it’s just under two hours.)
Though the unofficial Galena town motto is “the town that time forgot,” its historic Main Street stays abuzz with a new generation of small, independently-owned businesses. (Creative bakeries! Adorable bookshops! The list goes on.) More in the mood for fresh air? Don’t worry, Galena has you covered on that front, too—the surrounding landscapes beckon to be explored by foot, hoof, and air. (Read on to see what we mean!)
Whether you’re visiting with family or a group of friends, this historic small town offers something for every kind of group, and in every kind of season. So keep scrolling for the best things to do in Galena, Illinois, including the best new shops, tried and true restaurants, historical attractions, and a wonderful roster of outdoor activities. (P.S.—Looking for more great Midwestern getaways? Check out our guides to Grand Marais, Minnesota and Saugatuck, Michigan.)
Break Bread
At newcomer Galena Bakehouse, Alex and Geoff Arroyo-Karnish (pictured above) serve house-made empanadas, croissant danishes, and seasonal pastries from a historic 1800s storefront that has also been home to an auto garage, an antiques store, and a butcher shop.
Hitch a Ride
Every hour on the hour (until 4 p.m.), cherry red street cars touting narrated tours of the town's historic district depart from the Galena Trolley Depot.
Step Through Time
Set in a circa-1858 Italianate mansion, the Galena History Museum features exhibits dedicated to the culture and commerce of the region. History buffs can also tour the rooms of the limestone Dowling House, Galena's oldest home; ambassador J. Russell Jones's extravagant Belvedere Mansion and Gardens; and the Ulysses S. Grant Home, a former brick dwelling of the 18th U.S. president.
Turn the Page
Opened in 2020, Galena Book & Paper is a charming spot to peruse classic and contemporary titles, along with a colorful assortment of cards and paper goods.
Make a Four-Legged Friend
Patrons of Hoof It Goat Treks can frolic with Boers and Nigerian Dwarves on a bucolic hour-long stroll through wooded prairie, while nearby Shenandoah Riding Center offers guided horseback trail rides along 40 miles of rolling hills.
Drink Up
Set for late September, the annual Fall Harvest Festival at Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery (pictured) invites families on property for pumpkin painting, wagon rides, and a chance to experience wine-making the old-fashioned way—by crushing grapes underfoot in wood barrels. At Root Beer Revelry, you can stock up on gourmet varieties from makers across the U.S., or sip on your favorite in an ice-cream float.
Visit the Vistas
Galena sits in America's Driftless Area, which breaks from stereotypical Midwestern flatness with forested ridges and steep valleys. Take it all in at the 200-acre Horseshoe Mound Preserve, which is dotted with viewing scopes, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks spanning three states.
Soar Skyward
June through October, Galena on the Fly sends thrill-seekers 3,000 feet in the air on sunset hot-air balloon rides.
Hit the Shops
More than 125 independent storefronts dot Galena's half-mile Main Street. At Galena Apothecary, Allison Stauter (pictured) sells creams, candles, and other personal care products. Foodies can fill their pantry with mustards, BBQ sauces and more at Galena Canning Co. and pick up carved-on-site wooden utensils at Galena Spoon Co., while antique lovers can get their fix at Peace of the Past Antiques and Books and Tin-Pan Alley Antique Mall.
Stay for Supper
French and German classics (steak frites! chicken schnitzel!) fuel the menu at Fred and Karyn Grzeslo's comfy bistro Fritz and Frites.
Rest Your Head
Cozy quarters await at the circa-1867 bed-and-breakfast Farmers Guest House, while Ulysses Suites (pictured) offers more spacious accommodations complete with kitchenettes in Galena's first metal-front building.
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