What to do in Galena, IL

Activities, attractions and tours
Galena featuring a city

Galena Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Galena AU$122. From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

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Top places to visit

1. Belvedere Mansion

The Belvedere is a spectacular 19th-century redbrick mansion and gardens in Galena that can be toured in the warmer months. Totally air-conditioned, the majestic halls and corridors make for a welcome respite from the afternoon heat as well as offering a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of affluence. On a visit to Belvedere Mansion, ring the doorbell without a reservation to ask for a guided tour of the building and its 22 rooms.
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Galena showing a house, heritage elements and heritage architecture

2. Dowling House

Scenic Galena is a place filled with historic buildings, but none is of greater significance than the Dowling House, the oldest house in the town. Come here to see a house and store carefully laid out as they would have been in the early 19th century, when this was the home of the Dowling family.
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Galena featuring heritage elements and a house

3. Grant Home

Visit Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site, the historic abode of Civil War hero and 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. It remains largely unchanged since he lived here more than 100 years ago and gives visitors a unique glimpse into this famous figure’s daily life.
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Grant Home featuring a house and heritage elements

4. Old Market House

Visit Old Market House for a warm welcome to Galena, Illinois. This converted market offers practical information, historical facts and souvenirs.
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Old Market House showing heritage elements and a house

5. Grant Park

Grant Park is a compact and well-maintained community green space in the heart of the scenic town of Galena. As in the rest of the town, history is important here in the park. You won’t walk far without finding some reminder of the past. Join local residents who come here each day for a run before work or a quiet evening stroll amid the flowers.
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Galena which includes heritage elements, military items and a park

6. Old Blacksmith Shop

Visit the Old Blacksmith Shop to take a trip back in time to a bygone period of 19th-century forging and hammer work. A guided tour offers insight into the workings of this blacksmithing shop, which dates back to 1897. Chat to the on-site historian about the changes and constants of the blacksmith industry.
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Live demonstrations provide a fascinating experience at this blacksmith shop, with anvils and fire pokers glowing red hot and bending to the might of the hammer.

Recommended things to do in Galena

Number of things to do
1
Things to do from
AU$122
Cheapest thing to do
City centre Galena Food and Drink Tour
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Galena

Discover the most popular places to visit in Galena

Galena showing a house, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Belvedere Mansion

Most of this lavish mansion and its landscaped gardens are open for tours so you can appreciate its glorious Italianate design.

Belvedere Mansion
Galena featuring heritage elements and a house

Dowling House

Get an authentic look at the past inside this pretty and historic building, the oldest house in the town of Galena and now a captivating museum.

Dowling House
Old Market House showing heritage elements and a house

Old Market House

Make this historic market building your first stop in Galena. Part welcome center, part museum, it gives you a perfect introduction to the city.

Old Market House
Grant Home featuring a house and heritage elements

Grant Home

Retrace the daily life of Ulysses S. Grant in his Galena home, where he and his family lived between the Civil War and their move to the White House.

Grant Home
Galena which includes heritage elements, military items and a park

Grant Park

Enjoy the sun in this small but beautiful park, which is scattered with colorful flowerbeds, historic monuments and shaded picnic areas.

Grant Park
Old Blacksmith Shop

Old Blacksmith Shop

Live demonstrations provide a fascinating experience at this blacksmith shop, with anvils and fire pokers glowing red hot and bending to the might of the hammer.

Old Blacksmith Shop
Washburne House Historic Site which includes a house and heritage elements

Washburne House Historic Site

Learn about the fascinating Elihu Washburne, who helped shaped American politics during and after the Civil War, at his stately brick home in Galena.

Washburne House Historic Site

Eagle Ridge Resort Golf

Enjoy a round of golf in Galena at Eagle Ridge Resort Golf. Wander the riverfront in this romantic area.

Eagle Ridge Resort Golf

Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve, a lovely green space in Galena. Wander the riverfront in this family-friendly area.

Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve

Explore areas of Galena

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The Galena Territory

The Galena Territory might not have many top sights, but Eagle Ridge Resort Golf and Horseshoe Mound are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

The Galena Territory
Galena featuring a city

Galena Historic District

Travellers come to Galena Historic District for its stunning river views, and you can see top attractions like Dowling House and Galena-Jo Daviess County History Museum while you're in town.

Galena Historic District

 

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