Attractions
Area Attractions and Venues
Dream big in a field of dreams, take a scenic tour of the Mississippi River, or browse through one of historic Galena, Illinois' many art galleries and museums. With so much to do, the only question you'll have is, “Where do I start?”
Galena Cellars
515 S. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-3330
Just six miles from downtown Galena, you can see how Galena Cellars wine is made and enjoy a glass as you gaze at the beautiful countryside. Our Vineyard Tasting Room features wine tasting, a gift shop, and guided tours of our winemaking facility that include a lesson on how to taste wine. You can also purchase cheese, crackers, and glasses of wine to enjoy on the spacious deck, where the view is spectacular.
Apple River Fort Historical Site
311 E. Myrtle St.
Elizabeth, Illinois 61028
815-858-2028
Experience the history of this reconstructed fort. Learn about the conflict between local Native Americans and early settlers that grew into the Black Hawk War.
The Belvedere
1008 Park St
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0747
Visit this Italianate 1857 mansion built for J. Russell Jones, Ambassador to Belgium, complete with Victorian furnishings, Liberace's estate items, and Gone With the Wind green drapes. Guided tours are available.
The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design
601 S. Prospect St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-4444
The Chicago Athenaeum, an international museum, has opened a new satellite facility in Galena that features contemporary art, architecture and photography from around the world.
Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort
8700 W. Chestnut Drive
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-1320
Chestnut Mountain, one of the Midwest's top rated ski resorts, features 17 trails, a 475-foot vertical drop, 1/2-mile runs, 9 lifts and a 7-acre terrain park for skiing, snowboarding and more.
Fiber Wild
214 N. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-3550
A huge selection of yarns and fibers are featured at this shop, along with patterns, tools and books for knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers. Additionally, you can find unique handmade items. Classes are also offered.
Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
500 Boothillier
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0248
This Italianate home was presented to U.S. Grant, Civil War General, in 1865. Grant became the 18th President of the United States (1869-1877).
Celebration River Cruises
2501 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265
309-764-1952 or 800-297-0034
Open all year. The Celebration Belle is a deluxe, 800 passenger, four-deck riverboat; the largest luxury riverboat excursion vessel on the Upper Mississippi River. These scenic cruises on the Mississippi River take you through some of the area's most historically rich locations. The 100-mile daylong cruise departs from the Quad City area on Mondays and cruises upriver to Dubuque, Iowa, or on Tuesdays, board in Dubuque and cruise south to Moline, Illinois.
Crystal Lake Cave
Highway 52
Dubuque, Iowa 52003
563-556-6451
A Great American Show Cave, this is a natural living cave with a panoramic view of beautiful, intricate, and rare formations. Open in May on weekends from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m; Memorial Day through Labor Day, open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Labor Day through mid-October, open weekdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m .and weekends 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. On-site picnic grounds and gift shop.
Diamond Jo Casino
400 East 3rd St.
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-690-2100
Located in the Ice Harbor, the casino offers 650 slot and video machines, blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean Stud and Let-It-Ride. Free admission, open year-round and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, with one early morning cruise Monday through Friday (seasonal). Two portside restaurants. Must be 21 years of age to enter boat.
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
3800 Arboretum Drive
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-556-2100
Award-winning all-American rose gardens, annual and perennial flowers, grasses, wildflowers, ground covers, ornamentals, trees and shrubs, Walters' dwarf conifer collection, and the nation's largest hosta glade. Visit the garden gift shop, viewing porch and library. Handicapped transportation available (prior reservation). Tours available from May through October. Free summer concerts on Sunday evenings.
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
1855 Greyhound Park Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-585-2940
Located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River with 600 of the newest and most popular slot machines! Open year-round and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy exciting live greyhound racing May through October, from Wednesday through Sunday and simulcasting year-round. Minors are admitted to the park when accompanied by adults.
Dubuque Museum of Art
701 Locust St.
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-557-1851
The Dubuque Museum of Art offers exciting exhibitions of national and regional artists, as well as a variety of educational programs throughout the year. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is by donation.
National Mississippi River Museum
350 East 3rd St.
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-557-9545 or 800-226-3369
Explore 300 years of exciting river history with life-size exhibits and hands-on displays. Includes award-winning film River of Dreams, Woodward Riverboat Museum, National Landmark steamboat Wm. M. Black, Make Me A River exhibit, the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and two gift shops. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Art Galleries:
Chicago Contemporary Art
112 S. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0461
See artists at work. High-level contemporary paintings, small to large (72 x 96). Abstracts, Chicago cityscapes, jazz and blues, and figurative: $300-$1,000.
Art Attack
204 N. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-3526
Choose from limited edition prints, posters, sculpture and jewelry. Civil War images and articles on display. Specializing in custom framing with 28 years experience. Custom picture framing and poster gallery, cards, doormats and more.
Artists' Annex
412 Spring St. (US Hwy 20)
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0354
View pottery demonstrations from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. - noon on Sundays. Three artists' galleries/studios, located on the second floor, are open to the public.
Carl Johnson's Gallery
202 S. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-1510
Watercolors painted on location in Galena, greater Midwest, Europe. Original etchings, limited edition reproductions. The Building of Galena Website with gallery news/artwork. Open daily.
The Frame Shop
231 S. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0555
Custom framing always available with a selection of prints, mirrors and original local art. Established in 1976 and still serving you the friendly, old-fashioned way. Open six days a week 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Wednesday.
Images of Nature
421 S. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-4277
Featuring the award-winning nature photography of Thomas D. Mangelsen. Limited photographic prints, books, art cards, posters and calendars and more. Open daily.
Janet Checker Studio
115 S. High St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-2277
This art studio features original pastels, oil paintings, prints and note cards, including portraits, landscapes, murals, equine, and art inspired by the American Southwest. Commissions are accepted.
The Milagro Studios
402 Spring St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-1074
Contemporary hand-wrought jewelry of original design: gold and silver, precious/semi-precious stones. Custom work and special orders available. All work done on premises.
Galena Beads
109 N. Main St.
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-4080
Art gallery/working studio of Illinois art family from Jo Daviess County. Home of Picasso's Creative Clothing. Exhibits at major art shows including Galena Country Fair.
Stone House Pottery & Gallery
418 Spring St. (US Hwy 20)
Galena, Illinois 61036
815-777-0354
Pottery: functional (handmade decorative tiles, teapots, casseroles, bowls, cups) and nonfunctional; limited edition figurative bronzes. Two-dimensional works. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Weekdays by appointment.
Studiowork
130 N. Main St.
Elizabeth, Illinois 61028
815-858-3588
A gallery of handmade pottery and art by regional artists and the studio of Adrienne Seagraves.
Woodbine Glass Museum and Gift Shop
3799 Woodbine St. (US Hwy 20)
Woodbine, Illinois 61085
815-947-3904
The museum displays 3,700 pieces of contemporary and antique hand-blown glass. Admission: $3. The shop has glass and jewelry for sale. Hours: weekends, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.