Plan your Galena trip

WHERE TO STAY

Galena abounds with picturesque bed-and-breakfasts and historic hotels. Here are a few within on or near Main Street; find more lodging options at visitgalena.org/galena-lodging-search.

DESOTO HOUSE HOTEL, 230 S. Main St., (815) 777-0090, desotohouse.com

Illinois' oldest operating hotel has played host to presidents and celebrities alike. Steeped in history, it is conveniently located on the south end of Main Street.

FARMER'S GUEST HOUSE, 334 Spring St., (815) 777-3456, galenabedandbreakfast.com

A block from Main Street, guests enjoy a breakfast cooked by award-winning chef and owner Susan Steffan each morning, can sip an afternoon glass of wine and visit the massage room on the second floor.

MAIN STREET INN, 404 S. Main St., (815) 777-3454, mainstinn.com

Housed on the second story of a building originally occupied by the Standard Cigar Co., the Main Street Inn offers easy access to downtown Galena's shops and restaurants.

305 NORTH, 305 N. Main St., (815) 777-9125, 305n.com

This recently-renovated bed-and-breakfast donates 25 percent of its proceeds to Arena of Dreams, a therapeutic center offering free services to special needs individuals.

THE STEAMBOAT HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST, 605 S. Prospect St., (815) 777-2317, thesteamboathouse.com

Located less than two blocks from Main Street, this inn is one of Galena's largest mansions and features three-course breakfasts, evening wine and places to relax from parlors and the library to the front porch and gardens.

WHERE TO EAT

There are more delectable cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and taverns in Galena than we could fit in these pages, so here are a few of our picks. Find more at visitgalena.org/galena-restaurants.

EMBE EATERY & LOUNGE, 233 S. Main St., (815) 777-2323, embegalena.com

Go for their famous bread pudding and stay for the rest of the menu of deli-style food, fully-stocked bar and live music on the weekends.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, 213 N. Main St., (815) 777-3938, friedgreen.com

Serves up steak, fresh seafood and Italian classics paired with a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine menu.

GALENA BREWING COMPANY, 227 N Main St., (815) 776-9917, galenabrewery.com

Sip seasonal monthly brews, enjoy pub fare, take a brewery tour and listen to live music on the weekend.

GALENA CELLARS VINEYARD & WINERY, 515 S. Main St. (tasting room) and 4746 N. Ford Rd. (vineyard), (800) 397-9463, galenacellars.com

Sample from more than 40 varieties of wine in the Main Street tasting room or tour the country vineyard.

ONE ELEVEN MAIN, 111 N. Main St., (815) 777-8030, oneelevenmain.com

Farm-to-fork upscale fare with a focus on comfort food.

WHAT TO DO

From live music to outdoor adventures, Galena offers enough activities to pack any trip. Here are a few ways to dive deeper into the town's history and culture.

GHOST TOURS: Step into Galena's haunted past with All About a Ghost Tour, 230 S. Main St., (815) 777-9252, facebook.com/AllAboutaGhostTourGalena; Amelia's Tours, 303 S. Main St., (815) 994-2868, www.ameliastours.com; or The Haunted Galena Tour Company, 301 N. Main St., (815) 990-7203, hauntedgalenatourcompany.com.

PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY: The home of Civil War general and President Ulysses S. Grant, Galena, Ill., is steeped in history. Three stops on the Grant historic sites tour are the Ulysses S. Grant Home, 500 Bouthillier St., the Washburne House, 908 Third St., and the Galena Welcome Center in The Old Market House, 123 N. Commerce St. Learn more at granthome.com or call (815) 777-3310.

TROLLEY RIDES: Take a guided journey of Galena with Galena Trolley & Depot Theatre, (815) 777-1248, galenatrolleys.com; or Tri-State Trolley, (815) 777-0820, tristatetravel.com/trolley/galena-trolley-tours.