Galena, Illinois Is Being Called One Of The Best Small Town Vacations In America
By Melissa Mahoney|Published October 07, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Time and again, the small town of Galena gets placed at the top of the list of places in Illinois to visit. In 2021 alone, it was named one of the “coolest towns in America to visit” by the Matador Network, and now Esquire has featured Galena in its article, “Charming American Small Towns You Haven’t Heard Of But Should Visit ASAP.” So, why is this small Illinois town considered one of the most desirable places to visit, not just in Illinois but in the country? Let’s have a look and find out.
Whether you're looking for a place to vacation or staycation, the small town of Galena offers plenty of charm, history, nature, and things to do to make your stay both a relaxing and memorable one.
Founded in 1826, Galena is located close to the Mississippi River in the northwest corner of the state. With over 1,000 preserved buildings constructed before 1900, 85 percent of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Pictured here is the Galena Historical Society & Museum, which occupies the Daniel Barrows Mansion. Located in the historic downtown, you can learn more about Galena's history here.
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Its bustling downtown area covers six blocks and is a step back to simpler times. Enjoy strolling past the red-brick buildings and exploring the shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. There are over 125 businesses along Main Street alone.
If you love architecture, you'll find plenty of Greek Revival and French Colonial buildings around town. It may be worth taking either a guided or a self-guided walking tour.
From downtown, take the bridge across the Galena River to Grant Park, where you'll find historic monuments, cannons, and a fountain. Not only that, but you'll get some of the best views of Galena's downtown from here.
Aside from the Galena Historical Museum, another place worth a visit is the Ulysses S. Grant Home. This stately home was gifted to Grant in 1865 to thank him for his service as a general in the Civil War. The Italianate-style house is still filled with furnishings that belonged to Grant, and you can learn more about his involvement in the war through exhibits. Like many other buildings in Galena, this home is on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you want to explore nature around Galena, go for a hike along one of the many trails at the 150-acre Horseshoe Mound Preserve. From certain viewpoints, you'll be treated to panoramic vistas of Galena as well as the states of Wisconsin and Iowa.
As you can see, Galena has so much to offer, which is why Esquire chose it as one of the best small town vacation destinations in the country. Have you visited the charming historic town of Galena yet? If so, what did you enjoy the most about it? Please tell your fellow readers all about your experience in the comments.
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