Experience the Rich History and Scenery of Galena, Illinois
Want to experience the charming town of Galena through a local’s perspective? There are numerous Galena tours year-round for everybody! No matter your interests, you’re sure to find some that will be fun and exciting for the whole group. Some of the options to choose from include haunted ghost tours, trolley tours, history tours, winery tours, and boat tours. But, before you go sightseeing, plan your entire trip with help from our handy Vacation Guide. Our free tool includes all of the best Galena attractions, restaurants, and more to make your trip planning as easy as possible!
History Tours in Galena
Galena Trolley Tours
History buffs need to experience Galena through a historic narrated tour. You can ride on the first trolley in Galena, which has been traveling around town since 1988. You can choose from a one-hour tour of the Galena Historic District, or a two-and-a-half-hour tour of the U.S. Grant Home, Belvedere Mansion, and the Dowling House. It’s great for the family as kids ride free year-round!
Galena Main Street Walking Tours
Follow along as General Ulysses S. Grant guides you on a one-hour walking tour of Galena’s Historic Main Street. Don’t worry – it’s an impersonator! We’ll get to the ghost tours later!
The tour teaches you all you need to know about early life in Galena, including lead mining, steamboating, and of course, Ulysses S. Grant and his role in the Civil War!
Galena Tours App
If you would prefer to take a self-guided tour, the Galena Tours App is a great resource. This comprehensive app was created by Paula Schonhoff, a native of Galena and lifelong resident. This app took three years to complete because of the sheer amount of extensive research necessary to cover the history of Galena. The app comes with nine pre-arranged tours, contains several historic locations with voice-narrated information, and features hundreds of historical photographs from around Galena.
Haunted Tour in Galena
Haunted Galena Tour Company
Experience a tour of historic Galena as night falls while accompanied by candlelight and Galena’s most famous ghosts with Haunted Galena Tour Company.
If you’re looking for something a little more spirited, try their Spirits and Spirits Tour. A storyteller and bootlegger will take you to a hotel, an eatery, and a brewery for special drinks to go along with some scary ghost stories. It’s a spooky tour that you have to experience!
Winery and Distillery Tours
Blaum Bros Distilling Company
Taste some of the best liquors in Galena with a tour of Blaum Bros Distilling Company. You can see the distillation area, the barrel room, the tasting room, and the cocktail bar. The best part about this tour is that it’s a full sensory experience, meaning you can touch, taste, and feel the ingredients that make their drinks so special!
Some other great tours to add to your Galena itinerary are:
Relax in a Historic B&B in Galena
If you love history as much as we do, you’ll love our accommodations at Farmers Guest House. Each of our suites is uniquely named after a U.S. general’s wife during the Civil War!
Stay in our Julia Suite for a luxurious king size iron sleigh bed, gas fireplace, and double whirlpool tub.
Then, satisfy your morning hunger when you wake up to the Best B&B Breakfast in North America! Enjoy a gourmet breakfast every morning in our dining room to be ready and energized for a day of exploring Galena.
Check our availability, and reserve your getaway today!
