By Jennifer Jeffcoat
Jennifer writes for Farmer’s Guest House, sharing travel tips and recommendations to help you plan the perfect getaway.
Getting the whole family together for a vacation can be tricky. Grandparents may have a different idea of fun than teenagers or young kids, and no one wants to spend half the trip driving from one activity to the next. Galena makes planning easier. With its walkable downtown, outdoor attractions, family-friendly activities, and laid-back pace, everyone in your group will find plenty of ways to spend time together without requiring everyone to do the same thing all day.
If you’re planning multi-generational travel to Galena, here are a few activities to add to your itinerary.
Want even more vacation tips? Grab your free copy of our Galena Vacation Guide and get our local recommendations on top restaurants, activities, and more!
Explore Galena Together
A Galena Trolley Tour is an easy way to start your trip, especially if some members of your group aren’t up for exploring the hills of Galena on foot. Along the way, you’ll learn about the town’s history, architecture, and famous residents while getting a better sense of places you may want to visit later.
Afterward, spend some time on Main Street. Families can browse independently or stick together as they check out Galena’s boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and sweets shops. Stop for chocolates, ice cream, or another treat before heading to dinner.
For something a little more unique, visit Hoof It Goat Treks. These guided experiences let your family get outside and spend time with adorable goats along the way—an activity that can be just as entertaining for grandparents as it is for kids. The trek takes about 45 minutes to complete, and the trail is even and easy for multiple ages. Plus, you get to hand-feed the goats!
Get Outside in the Driftless Area
Galena’s location in northwest Illinois gives families plenty of options for getting outdoors. Head to Apple River Canyon State Park for hiking, picnicking, and views of the area’s wooded bluffs and limestone cliffs.
For something kids, parents, and grandparents can experience together, plan a visit to Berning Acres in nearby Menominee. This family-owned working dairy farm offers hands-on tours from May through November, giving families a chance to see the milking process and meet farm animals up close. It’s an especially fun addition to a late-summer or fall trip.
You can also spend a day at Chestnut Mountain Resort, where warmer-weather activities range from an 18-hole mini golf course and scenic Mississippi River cruises to the 2,050-foot Alpine Slide. Families looking for more adventure can try the Soaring Eagle Zipline, Segway tours, or Farside Bike Park. In winter, the mountain switches over to skiing and snowboarding, with 19 trails across 220 acres.
Make Time for the Simple Stuff When You Stay at Farmer’s Guest House
Not every memory needs an itinerary. One of the best parts of multi-generational travel is simply having time to catch up.
That’s especially easy when you stay at Farmers Guest House. We’re just one block from Main Street, so your family can walk downtown without coordinating cars every time someone wants to shop or grab a bite to eat. Back at the inn, our garden and three terraced patios offer quiet spaces to sit together over coffee or a glass of wine.
Start each morning with our award-winning breakfast, relax during afternoon WineTime, or schedule some downtime at our day spa. Our guest rooms also feature private bathrooms, individual thermostats, small refrigerators, microwaves, and K-Cup coffee makers, with select suites offering fireplaces and JACUZZI® tubs.
Ready to get the family together in Galena? Book your stay in one of our rooms at Farmers Guest House and make our historic inn your home base for your family getaway.