Galena, Illinois

The Ulysses S. Grant Home is the former home of Civil War General and 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant.

Designed by William Dennison and built in 1860, the house was donated to General Grant as a token of appreciation for his outstanding service during the war, and it has been maintained as a memorial ever since.

Located on Bouthillier Street, the U.S. Grant Home is furnished with mid-1860s furniture and décor that once belonged to the Grant family. Interpreters dressed in period costumes lead group tours that detail Grant's activities during the Civil War through to his presidency.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Places, the Ulysses S. Grant Home (video) is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

500 Bouthillier St, Galena, IL 61036, 815-777-3310, Map

Founded in 1938, the Galena - Jo Daviess County Historical Society was founded to educate and enrich the public about the history and material culture of Galena and Jo Daviess County.

The society is home to the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum and their various resources and exhibits, displays, and educational programs bring the history of the region alive.

The society hosts a variety of historical and educational events throughout the year, including Historic Homes Tours, Cemetery Walks, Galena in Maps, and Peace in Union. The museum has excellent exhibits that focus on important aspects of the region from lead mining in the Northwest and the construction of Port Galena to the history of the Vicksburg Flag and the role women played in the development of Galena.

Group tours of the History Museum and The Old Blacksmith Shop are offered and can be booked in advance.

211 S Bench St, Galena, IL 61036, 815-777-9129, Map

Chestnut Mountain Resort is popular mountain and ski resort spanning 220 acres and featuring a variety of snow-based activities.

Perched high on a ridge overlooking the Mississippi River in the hills near Galena, the resort boasts 19 ski snowboard trails up to 3,500 feet in length and cut through solid rock bluffs to create challenging courses.

A seven-acre all-terrain park called The Farside has its own triple and offers a quarter-pipe, two halfpipes, and plenty of rails, kickers, and jumps for all levels of snowboarder, while an exhilarating 475-foot vertical drop draws adrenaline junkies from around the country. The Chestnut Hotel offers comfortable accommodation, excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars and an indoor swimming sauna and whirlpool for après-ski relaxation.

8700 West Chestnut Road, Galena, IL 61036, 800-798-0098, Map, Chestnut Mountain Resort Video

Located at 908 Third Street in Galena, The Elihu B. Washburne House was built in 1845 for local politician Elihu Benjamin Washburne, and it stands today as an outstanding example of the architectural Greek-Revival style.

The house has a rich history of occupation by famous people, including Elihu Washburne, a political adviser to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant and the ambassador to France in the mid-1800s.

The temple-like front portico and towering pillars of the house reflect the characteristics of the Greek-Revival style, which was a traditional building style during that period, and the house serves as an excellent example of architecture for history buffs and architectural aficionados.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and is open to the public to explore on self-guided or organized tours.

The Elihu B. Washburne House, 908 Third Street, Galena IL 61036, 815-777-9406

Built in 1845 in the Greek Revival style, the Old Market House was constructed by the city to serve as a town hall and enclosed farmer’s market, forming a community hub during Galena’s “Golden Era.”

The Old Market House served as a meeting place for the community to discuss important city issues, and it was also home to a variety of vendors selling their wares.

Shoppers would gather here to shop, meet, and catch up on news.

The Old Market House was restored to its former glory in 1955 and currently operates as the Galena Welcome Center, managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as an Illinois State Historic Site.

Old Market House, 123 N. Commerce Street, Galena IL 61036, 815-777-3310

Located in the heart of historic downtown Galena, P.T. Murphy Magic Theater is a private 24-seat theater that presents a variety of intimate magic shows.

P.T. Murphy's is run by Master Magician P.T. Murphy himself, who is known for his sophisticated sleight of hand and mischievous sense of humor, which add to the mystery and appeal of the show. The magic show is suitable for all ages from 13 upwards and runs for approximately an hour with no intermission.

P.T. Murphy Magic Theater, 204 Hill Street, Galena IL 61036, 779-214-0035

Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve is an archeologically significant site that boasts breathtaking views of the Mississippi River bluffs and presents an array of outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, bird watching, and sightseeing.

The 85-acre area features two archeologically significant Native American sites, namely the Aiken Mound Group and the Effigy Mound, both of which boast evidence of early civilization and their way of life. The reserve is home to a variety of bird species, making for excellent bird watching as well as spectacular scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

870 S Pilot Knob Rd, Galena, IL 61036, 815-858-9100, See the Map

Nestled on a hillside overlooking Galena, Linmar Gardens is a privately owned three-and-a-half-acre garden that has been beautifully landscaped and curated to provide a secluded and tranquil space in which to relax in nature. Linmar features a variety of individual gardens such as The Four Seasons Garden with a 20-foot waterfall dropping off a natural bluff and an array of unique sculptures by local artist John Martinson, and the centerpiece Sunken Garden, which forms the foundation of an African-American Baptist Church.

The Sunken Garden has a lovely fountain and myriad flowers, making it the perfect place for reflection. The gardens also feature several peculiar attractions, including a bell tower from a Galena firehouse and a fake lead mine complete with Galena ore, as well as meandering paths, hand-built terraces, water features, fountains and streams, and eclectic sculptures dotted about between the flora.

Linmar Gardens, 504 S. Prospect Street, Galena IL 61036, 815-777-1177

The West Street Sculpture Park is an outdoor space that features more than a dozen large, welded steel sculptures by John Martinson that are scattered around two acres of beautiful parklands. Open year-round from dusk to dawn, the park boasts a variety of contemplative artworks, unique signs, and quirky assemblages, as well as two massive 40-foot towers and a giant tinker toy.

Winding wooden paths through the park make exploring easy, and maps are available for visitors to enjoy a self-guided tour around the grounds, where plaques identify pieces of art and sculptures. The park is also home to an on-site studio where John Martinson creates his works and some of which can be bought.

West Street Sculpture Park, 619 S. Dodge Street, Galena, IL 61036, 815-777-9591