Posted on August 10, 2021 by Kirsten Bell
Image: Hoof It Goat Treks
Hardworking teams need some time out together to refocus and reenergize. What better place to increase team collaboration than in historic, scenic, and fun-loving Galena Country! From gliding through treetops on a zipline tour to watching spark fly at an old blacksmith shop demo, there's something for every interest and personality on your team. We have highlighted some ideas to choose from when planning the perfect retreat.
Whether you have three or twenty team members, Galena Country has everything from cozy B&B's, to large resorts to accommdate everyone. Some ideas include the following:
Experience authentic offerings perfect for groups. Take a peek behind the scenes on a tour of a brewery or distillery, create your own scented candles, be entertained at a magic show or go on a ghost hunt in haunted Galena.
Galena Country's rolling terrain creates a natural playground for unique outdoor activities! Feed your hunger for adventure with these fun team-building experiences:
| Chestnut Mountain Resort activities | Nuts Outdoors |
| Golfing | Parks and Trails |
| Hoof It Goat Treks | Shenandoah Riding Center |
| Long Hollow Canopy Tours |
Learn about the history of Galena Country together! Gain an insight into the 1832 Black Hawk War with a visit to the Apple River Fort or follow in Ulysses S. Grant's footsteps with a visit to his home, frozen in time!
| Apple River Fort State Site | Galena History Museum Step-On Tours |
| Galena Trolley Tours | The Old Blacksmith Shop |
| Grant Home State Historic Site |
One-of-a-kind shopping in Galena Country means that the name of the game is boutique! From leather apparel, cigars, locally roasted coffee, and sportswear to delicious food items, everyone in your group will find something on Galena's Historic Main Street. This charming half-mile is lined with morre than 125 shops and restaurants!
Break from chain dining with singular eateries offering artisan-inspired dishes from around the world at every corner! Some group-friendly restaurants include the following:
Take the guesswork out of your next Group Tour with a message to the Group Experience Director and a browse through the digital visitors guide. In Galena Country, we've always been known to have a good time... times may change, but that never will.
Posted on July 29, 2021 by Fallon Oldenburg
If you want to make the most of your time, go to a place that’s frozen in it! Gather a group of friends and experience fall in Galena Country!
First up is lunch with a view at the Sunset Grille located at Chestnut Mountain Resort. Feast your eyes on incredible panoramas of the Mighty Mississippi while enjoying lunch, followed by check-in. Settle into your room before venturing downtown to Galena’s Historic Main Street, where you’ll be immersed in history on a Trolley Tour. After the tour, experience more than 125 boutiques, galleries, attractions and eateries. Finish the day with a savory meal at Galena’s oldest supper club, the Log Cabin Steakhouse. Start the meal with an order of saganaki and finish with a flaming grasshopper!
Enjoy breakfast at the resort or off site at Big Bills Sandwich Shop & Coffee Bar on Main Street. Next, head to the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site to tour the home of the United States 18th President. Take note of the many original furnishings, still on display! Next, journey outside of town to Horseshoe Mound Preserve, where you can take in views of Galena and the rolling hills of the driftless region. Be ready to snap some photos of these unforgettable views! Grab a bite to eat at Green Street Tavern at Desoto House Hotel for lunch, followed by a ‘behind the scenes’ tour at Blaum Bros Distilling Co. Make your way back to the resort to freshen up for fine dining at Timmerman’s Supper Club, a nostalgic restaurant perched along the bluffs of the Mississippi River backwaters.
Finish breakfast at the resort with a relaxing chairlift ride overlooking the Mississippi River, then venture to town for shopping and wine tasting. Fuel up at Gobbies’s Sports Pub and Eatery for lunch before heading to Hoof it Goat Treks, where you’ll experience a peaceful hike through the forest while baby goats follow and play along the trails.
Everyone loves a good story, and here, one good story always leads to another. Make plans to experience Galena Country with the best of friends, because we may be old, but never the same old thing.
Posted on July 15, 2021 by Kirsten Bell
Image: Chestnut Mountain Resort
Are you thinking about taking a midweek vacation to Galena Country but wondering if there will be anything to do, let alone after 5 p.m.? Well, pack those bags, there is more than enough to keep you entertained and the best part is, where will everyone else be? Waiting for their weekend vacations of course! Take advantage of this novel idea and profit from less crowds.
Naturally, enjoying the outdoors with others is fun, but if you’re looking for an experience that feels a little more solitary, visiting parks and trails midweek can be rewarding! Hike with entertaining goats, race down an alpine slide to the banks of the Mississippi, soar high on a zipline, or enjoy a friendly round of mini golf.
Galena Country's charming and independently owned storefronts will keep you shopping the entire day, but no need to stop there; the following stores are open after 5 p.m. Enjoy extra elbow room while browsing delicious eats and treats, clothing, homeware, specialty items, and more. Every Thursday night, live music along Galena's Main Street will serenade you while you shop.
Finally, there are some fun events that take place during the week that are typically targeted toward locals, such as trivia nights, weekly car shows, and live music - join in! How about a ghost tour or haunted pub crawl (if you dare) or enjoy a delicious wine tasting or Magic show!
Dining is generally less busy during the week, and you could even be seated right away; additionally, you might even benefit from midweek restaurant deals such as burger night at Millennium Bar & Marina on a Thursday night! Pay just $1 for a burger with the purchase of any beverage.
Galena Country transports people to another time and place to enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences and adventures. Some historical, some timeless, and some brand-new, but always original! Browse the latest Visitors Guide for more ideas on how to enjoy good times and find your comfy lodging here!
Posted on June 14, 2021 by Kirsten Bell
Beautiful year round, Galena Country offers breathtaking views, delicious food, one-of-a-kind boutique shops and priceless memories waiting to be made on a scenic road trip.
Traveling west on Highway 20 towards Galena, you will drive through the charming village of Elizabeth. Stretch your legs and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at E-Town Coffee Co. Pick up a bottle of wine from their great selection for that sundowner later on, and browse the local art on display.
Before you leave, grab a cup of E-Town’s locally roasted, freshly ground coffee for the road! Elizabeth is where the battle of the Apple River Fort took place as part of the Black Hawk War in 1832. An exact replica of the fort lies on Myrtle Street if you want to take a peek.
As you leave Elizabeth, you will be treated to views of wooded countryside interspersed with neat farmsteads and hilly terrain. Who says Illinois is flat? Not here! A must-stop is the Long Hollow Scenic Overlook. The breathtaking scenery of Galena Country’s rolling countryside is quite something! Be sure to use this perfect backdrop to snap your selfies!
Traveling just a little further will take you into the Tapley Woods Conservation Area, home to the Long Hollow Canopy Tours. Driving through this area is a special treat in any season! The forest crowds in close to the roadside, and with low speeds and open windows, you can enjoy the sounds of birdsong and the buzz of insects. There are spots where the trail breaks clear of the woods and opens up to views of the hilly landscape.
Ahhhh, Galena! Such beauty and so much history! As you enter this town, you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set. Frozen in time, the Historic Main Street is lined with beautifully restored 19th Century buildings which house art galleries, eclectic boutiques, and stores as well as restaurants. Nearly every scene offers a picturesque background you won’t forget.
Stop in at the 1864 American Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor which features an old-fashioned fountain and original cabinets. Grab a refreshing ice cream and take a seat on a sidewalk bench to take in the sights and sounds of Galena. Directly next door to the ice cream parlor is Galena’s Kandy Kitchen. You can’t pass up the opportunity of purchasing some lip-smacking homemade candy for the rest of the drive!
While you munch on that delicious candy, continue west to Menominee. This quaint village is located on the Little Menominee River near East Dubuque. J.M.’s Tap is Menominee’s hidden gem! This family-run restaurant specializes in homemade pizza and features all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry! Enjoy a hearty meal as you get to know the locals and share your Galena Country experience with them.
Everywhere you go in Galena Country turns into a classic road trip, packed with adventure and places to explore. There is no hurry, take your time and soak it all in. Start planning your trip today by browsing the latest Galena Country visitors guide, and be sure to book your accommodation early!
Posted on June 8, 2021 by Kirsten Bell
When it comes to meaningful male bonding, after-work drinks just don’t cut it! To truly connect with your best buds, you need a 'bro-cation' in Galena Country for everything from thrilling outdoor activities to rocking live entertainment. Don't know where to start? We've gathered a list of great ideas for your man-cation.
Before the shenanigans begin, make sure that you have a place to rest your weary head after an action-packed day! Galena Country has a wide variety of lodging options to choose from but here are some fun stays for your guy's getaway:
Arrowhead Tree House, Elizabeth
Brixen Ivy Ranch, Elizabeth
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Galena
Irish Cottage Inn & Suites, Galena
LeFevre Inn & Resort, Galena
Palace Campground, Galena
Galena Country's rolling terrain creates a natural playground for unique outdoor activities! Feed your hunger for adventure with these experiences:
Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve, Galena
Drive 20 Golf Trail, Galena Country
Galena Fly Fishing Outfitters, Galena
Galena On the Fly Hot Air Balloons, Galena
Hoof It Goat Treks, Galena
Nuts Outdoors, Galena
River Valley Hunting, Scales Mound
Shenandoah Riding Center, Galena
Woodbine Bend Golf Course, Woodbine
Taste local in Galena Country by savoring handcrafted and award-winning beer, wine, and spirits, or hang out with the locals in hidden small-town bars and pubs.
Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., Galena
Highway 20 Brewing Co., Elizabeth
Incognito Bar, East Dubuque
The Otherside, East Dubuque
From leather apparel, cigars, locally roasted coffee, and sportswear to delicious food items, everyone in your group will find something on Galena's Historic Main Street. More than 125 shops and restaurants line this charming half mile.
Galena Canning Co., Galena
Galena's Kandy Kitchen, Galena
Galena Roasters, Galena
Nine Generals Cigar Co., Galena
Union Leathers, Galena
Verilife Cannabis Dispensery, Galena
Follow your appetite to home-inspired comfort food or trendy eateries and brewpubs; there's no way you'll go hungry in Galena Country! Check out these tasty spots:
Cajun Jack's Bar & Grill, Elizabeth
Frentress Lake Marina, East Dubuque
Log Cabin Steakhouse, Galena
Wally's Pizzeria & Pecatonica Beer Co. Tap House, Warren
Dare your pals to go on a haunted pub crawl where you'll hear spine-tingling stories of hauntings in Galena! Be mystified by sophisticated sleight of hand at a magic show or enjoy live music played by local talent at a historic 1850s general store and railway station, now a watering hole and live music venue.
Council Hill Station, Scales Mound
Matthew's Haunted Pub Crawl, Galena
PT Murphy Magic Theatre, Galena
Follow in Ulysses S. Grant's footsteps with a visit to his home, frozen in time! Learn all about the 1832 Black Hawk War with a visit to the Apple River Fort or watch a demo, using original tools and forges in an authentic 1897 Old Blacksmith Shop!
Apple River Fort State Historic Site, Elizabeth
Grant Home State Historic Site, Galena
Old Blackmith Shop, Galena
Galena Country offers one-of-a-kind events year through; however, some stand out as the perfect male-bonding events that are sure to build on those memories for a lifetime.
Galena Brew Fest
Grant's Homefront Reenactment and Encampment
Galena Whiskey Weekend
Heroes For History Stair Challenge
Shenandoah Pro Rodeo
In Galena Country, we've always been known to have a good time... times may change, but that never will. For more fun ideas on ways to enjoy Galena Country, check out the lastest visitors guide!
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