GALENA COUNTRY MEDIA MENTIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

2024

Girl and dog in nature Galena Country Tourism

Where to Hike in Illinois for Beautiful Spring Buds and Blooms - Discover the best spring hikes in Illinois with this Midwest Living roundup, featuring Galena’s scenic Casper Bluff and Hanover Bluff preserves.

Galena's Historic Main Street Matt Haas

13 Best Small Towns to Retire in Illinois - WorldAtlas names Galena one of the best small towns to retire in Illinois, highlighting its historic charm, scenic beauty, and vibrant community. Explore why this gem stands out in 2024.

Illinois Town Crowned One of the 'Most Beautiful Small Towns' in the U.S. - World-renowned Galena was recently named one of the U.S.'s most beautiful small towns, spotlighted for its historic charm, riverfront setting, and picturesque Main Street cobblestone…

The Best Weekend Escapes from Chicago - Discover why Observer lists Galena as a top weekend escape from Chicago, with its charming Mississippi Riverfront, and downtown full of antiques shops and boutiques.

Person looking out at rolling hills Galena Country Tourism

Hidden Travel Gems for a Luxury Vacation in the Midwest - Indulge in upscale Midwest charm with Galena, a beautifully preserved historic town celebrated for its brick-lined Main Street, boutique dining, scenic trails, and picturesque river views.

MSN

Travel Back in Time in This Illinois Town - Take a nostalgic trip to an Illinois area where Ulysses S. Grant lore meets Kraft cheese nostalgia and kitschy Midwestern charm. Perfect for history buffs and lovers of offbeat Americana.

Outside view of Grant Home Galena Country Tourism

10 Great Day Trips from Chicago that Deliver Nature, Culture and Superb Food - Explore why the Chicago Sun-Times recommends a day trip to Galena Country, just a three-hour escape featuring historic Main Streets lined with restaurants, charming shops, and scenic…

Birds eye view of Highway 20 in fall Drone Media Chicago

15 Best Towns for a Fall Foliage Road Trip - Visit Galena Country this fall to enjoy vibrant foliage, seasonal festivals like Oktoberfest, and historic home tours set against colorful blufftop and river views. Ideal for a cozy Midwest autumn escape.

These Festive Christmas Towns Feel Like a Hallmark Movie - Plan a festive holiday trip to Galena, one of Midwest Living’s most magical Christmas towns, where Victorian-costumed carolers, twinkling lights, trolleys, and a charming Holidaze market bring Main…

Illinois Streets Among America's Best for Christmas Shopping - NBC Chicago names Galena’s Main Street one of the best in Illinois for Christmas shopping, thanks to its festive lights, historic charm, and locally owned boutiques filled with unique holiday finds.

Family playing mini golf Matt Haas

Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Galena, Illinois - St. Louis Magazine highlights Galena as an ideal Midwest getaway, featuring a lively dining scene, local shops, scenic views, and charming historic accommodations. It’s a perfect destination to eat, play, and…

Beloved Illinois Spot Named 'Most Charming Small Town' in the State - Galena has been named Illinois’s most charming small town, lauded for its vintage shops, stunning galleries, cobblestone streets, and rich Ulysses S. Grant history, wrapped in quirky…

Beloved Illinois Spot Named 'Most Charming Small Town' in the State' - WorldAtlas spotlights Galena as one of Illinois’s cutest small towns, celebrated for its historic charm, vibrant downtown with unique boutiques and cafés, and the Ulysses S. Grant Home museum

This Charming Midwest Destination is the Antidote to City Life - Explore Galena Country with Thrillist’s insider guide featuring historic sightseeing from cobblestone Main Street and the Ulysses S. Grant Home to unique outdoor adventures like goat treks, river…

2023

8 Most Beautiful Lakes in Illinois - Galena’s own Lake Galena offers a peaceful, tree-lined 220‑acre shoreline ideal for boating, fishing, and relaxing reflection. This scenic reservoir blends recreational charm with rolling Jo Daviess County hills.

View of houses on hill Drone Media Chicago

The 50 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Each US State - Galena shines as Illinois’s most beautiful small town with its French colonial and Greek Revival architecture, rolling hills, and historic charm. It’s a perfect destination to unwind amid scenic, bygone-era…

Galena Lands on Ranking of Top ‘Alternative Romantic Destinations’ in Country' - NBC Chicago ranks Galena among Illinois's top “alternative” romantic destinations at No. 78, thanks to its quaint, historic ambiance and scenic far‑northwestern location.

The Most Charming Towns and Small Cities in the Midwest - TravelMag celebrates Galena for its beautifully preserved 19th‑century architecture, vibrant shop‑ and restaurant‑lined Main Street, scenic surroundings, and its celebrated local wineries—perfect for…

The Tiny Illinois Town That “Time Forgot” - Country Living highlights Galena as a must-visit destination filled with historic charm, new shops, scenic outdoor adventures like ziplining and goat treks, plus year-round fun from ghost tours to balloon races.

Galena Ranked Among Best U.S. Towns with Fewer Than 10,000 Residents - Travel guide Far & Wide names Galena as Illinois’s best and coolest small town, praising its rolling Driftless Area hills, well-preserved early‑1800s architecture—including Ulysses S. Grant’s…

Couple on bench in Grant Park Matt Haas

Galena Ranked among the Best Fall Foliage Towns in the U.S. - Galena ranks among Country Living’s best U.S. leaf-peeping towns, offering colorful foliage, fall festivals like Oktoberfest, and scenic trails through Apple River Canyon and along the Galena River.

This Charming Midwest Town is the Antidote to City Life - Thrillist's guide to Galena Country shines a spotlight on its quaint 19th-century downtown, Ulysses S. Grant home, goat treks, river activities, scenic hiking, and local craft brews and wines.

10 Gorgeous Illinois Towns to Visit in 2023 - WorldAtlas highlights Galena in its “10 Gorgeous Illinois Towns to Visit in 2023,” praising its 19th‑century architecture woven with Mississippi River panoramas. It’s a stunning destination for history, scenic…

10 Perfect Christmas Shopping Getaways - Midwest Living names Galena one of the top Christmas shopping getaways in the Midwest, with its 1800s brick storefronts adorned in festive lights and old-fashioned trolley rides down Main Street.

Galena Ranked Among Top 10 Illinois Winter Destinations - Traveling Lifestyle recommends Galena as a top Illinois winter destination, spotlighting its historic charm, Ulysses S. Grant ties, and nearby outdoor fun at Chestnut Mountain Resort and Eagle Ridge’s…