Galena, Illinois With Kids: 22 Top Things To Do in Galena

Galena, Illinois, a city rich in history and charming surroundings, is less than three hours away from Chicago, making it a perfect getaway for families. Once a hub for commerce by way of the Mississippi River, its legacy is worth exploring. Grown-ups and kids will love everything from learning about its most famous resident—former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant—to the abundance of nature, shopping, and more. Here are 22 things you must do in Galena, Illinois with kids.

Looking for other fun adventures near Chicago? Check out everything to do in Napierville, Springfield, and Lake Geneva, WI

Exploring Gallena, Illniois. 

What to Do in Galena, Illinois With Kids

1. Take a Trolley Tour

Want to get a full overview of this historic city? This is it. The 90-minute ride takes you past the Grant Home, the oldest house in Galena, and the scenery for several movies filmed in the area. The historic trolleys make the ride fun even for non-historically inclined kids.

2. Tour the U.S. Grant Home

Illinois may be known as the Land of Lincoln, but another U.S. President made his home in Galena: Ulysses S. Grant. His post-Civil War house, where he lived with his wife and four children, is open to tour for free with a suggested donation. Our kids loved learning about life in the 1860s and 1870s and seeing some of the original furniture and appliances used by an upper-class family of the time. 

Hanging out with the goats. 

3. Take a Hike... With Goats!

Step out of history and into the life of one modern-day family; Hoof It Goat Treks, owned by the Rury family, takes families on hikes with their pet goats. Kids (the human kind) will love walking with kids (of the goat kind) along the 1.25-mile trek. The goats walk alongside families and don't mind if you pet them as they scurry past. You can feed the goats carrots and take a selfie with them. The goats are mostly in it for the food, foraging as you walk alongside them, and it's fun to see their different personalities.

4. Go Shopping on Main Street

There are more than 125 storefronts along Galena's Main Street, all reminiscent of the town's heyday in the 19th century. Our kid's favorite was Poopsie's, a toy shop with every little trinket your kid could want, plus some they probably didn't think of. There are stores specializing in books, candy, apparel, antiques, crafts, kitchenware, pasta, root beer, hot sauce, socks, baked goods, and more. You could easily spend a whole day popping in and out of various shops.

5.  Go Ziplining

Longhollow Canopy Tours gives you a view of northwestern Illinois from above along six ziplines 75 feet above the ground. Travel a 140-foot sky bridge to reach the final zipline, which is more than 1,250 feet long. Ziplines reach about 40 mph, so these are not for the faint of heart! Slightly less adventurous families might prefer the adventure park, which includes 40 tree-top obstacles and two unique treehouses to explore. That experience ends in a 400-foot zipline to the finish.

Horseshoe Mound is worth the trek. 

6. See three states from one spot at Horseshoe Mound

This 200-acre park has lots of hiking opportunities, kicking off with the views of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin from the Council Overlook. Kids can also follow along with an adventure booklet available at the park or via digital download to learn more about the history and geology of the Driftless Area, this part of Illinois which has lots of hills created by glaciers.  We saw many different birds and butterflies throughout the park during the summer.

7. Visit the Apple River Fort Historic Site

Learn more about the Blackhawk War of 1832 at this reconstructed historic fort from the era. The fort offers self-guided tours of exhibits about the war and the fort, and a 15-minute video. Check the website for dates of historical reenactments, special scout days, and holiday celebrations

8. See how tools were made in the olden days at the Blacksmith Shop

See real blacksmiths working the old-fashioned way at this historic shop just a block from the Main Street shops. After observing the blacksmiths at work, you can buy a souvenir from the gift shop or order a custom-made fireplace set for your home.

9. Rent an e-bike or kayak from Nuts Outdoors

Does the athlete in you need more action? Rent a fat tire electric bike or a kayak from Nuts Outdoors. Choose from a two-hour rental, a bike to a specific destination (like Galena Cellars Vineyard), or an all-day rental. Children's bike trailers are also available for little ones who can't ride alone. You can also go on a guided wading fishing tour or fish from an electric GPS fishing kayak.

10. Go skiing or snowboarding, or ride the Alpine Slide at Chestnut Mountain Resort

Are you visiting Galena, IL during the winter months? There aren't many places to ski within driving distance of Chicago, but Chestnut Mountain offers some of the best slopes in the Midwest for skiing or snowboarding. In the summer, the mountain transforms into a mountain biking course with an Alpine slide for families to enjoy sans snow. Segway tours and river cruises offer even more options for getting to know Galena.

11. Pick apples or pumpkins at Dittmar Farms and Orchards

If you visit Galena, Illinois in the fall, you can pick apples or pumpkins at this local farm. Throughout the year you can call for information about tours of the area via hay ride, antique tractor, or ATV. We stayed on the farm—more on that in the next section!

12. Tour the Belvedere Mansion and Gardens

The Gilded Age is still alive at the Belvedere Mansion and Gardens. Tour the 22 rooms of this ornate 1857 mansion once owned by a Civil War-era ambassador. The interior has many collections of Victorian furnishings and chandeliers, and the gardens are finished and maintained in a fancy 19th-century style.

13. And the Dowling House

The oldest house in Galena was built in 1826 and is a stark contrast to the Belvedere Mansion. It housed a trading post for fur traders in the early 19th century and includes many artifacts from the era. Ask about combination tickets to the Belvedere Mansion and the Dowling House!

RELATED: Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Chicago Kids

 
Grabbing a bite to eat. Photo courtesy of Bread & Vine

Where to Eat in Galena, IL

14. Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub

Enjoy delicious Irish specialties and live music at this Irish bar inside the Irish Cottage Hotel. The extensive kids' menu even offers a mini shepherd's pie in addition to the usual suspects like fish and chips. Plus, grown-ups can enjoy local and Irish beers and whiskeys to wind down their evening.

15. Big Bill's Sandwich Shop and Coffee Bar

This kitschy old-fashioned spot on Main Street has great options for kids and grown-ups alike without breaking the bank. The sandwiches are big and the kids' meals could serve the average adult. Breakfast items are also a draw if your hotel doesn't include a morning meal.

16. Cannova's Pizzeria

We got a 16" thin crust that fed the whole family for under $25. This is the cracker-thin pizza that many kids like, with plenty of cheese and topping options. You can also pick Italian pasta, entrees, or sandwiches, and a selection of wines and beers rounds out the meal for the grown-ups.

17. American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

Enjoy traditional ice cream, sundaes, malts, shakes, and homemade waffle cones at this old-timey ice cream shop on Main Street in Galena. They have amazing flavors like Paul Bunyan (pretzel logs, maple syrup, and Butterfinger dust), Elephant Tracks (moose tracks, but with chocolate ice cream), and Blue Moon. Get a Barber Pole sundae in a tall glass or an ice cream float while checking out old-fashioned cash registers, furniture, and newspapers that decorate the shop.

18. Bread & Vine

Get fresh and delicious bakery pastries for breakfast here, or stick around for sandwiches, quiche, flatbread pizzas, burgers and tacos for lunch. This newer bakery on Main Street also has macarons and other fancy desserts to pair with wines and cocktails for the grown-ups.

 
Galena, IL hotels. Photo courtesy of the Irish Cottage Inn & Suites

The Best Galena, IL Hotels for Families

19. The DeSoto House Hotel

Sticking with the historic theme of Galena, the DeSoto House Hotel is Illinois's oldest operating hotel. It opened in 1855 and served at Grant's campaign headquarters after the Civil War.  Today, it has 55 guest rooms and the General's Restaurant, honoring the nine Civil War generals from the Galena area. The rooms are small, but the location on Main Street can't be beaten, especially when parking is scarce during the tourist season.

20. Irish Cottage Inn & Suites

This charming Irish-themed hotel can be found in the hills of Galena, just a short drive from downtown. With an Irish pub featuring live music downstairs, you can spend an evening relaxing in these modern but cozy rooms after enjoying visits to the sites throughout the day. 

21.  The Arrowhead Treehouse and Hell's Branch Cabin at Dittmar Farms

We stayed in the adorable treehouse, which is more like a house on stilts! It has a cute loft with two twin beds with trundles for kids and a bedroom with a full-sized bed for the parents, plus a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and two-burner hotplate so you don't have to eat out every meal. Outside, there's a hammock, a firepit for making s'mores, and a charcoal grill, and you can walk to the orchards or along the river for some extra fun. The cabin is also on the farm grounds and sleeps eight guests in three bedrooms. Stay in the fall for free admission to the orchard and pumpkin patch.

22. Chestnut Mountain Resort

If you're going for an outdoor adventure, you can stay in the action at Chestnut Mountain Resort. You'll be right near the slopes and bike park in the amenity-filled hotel with an indoor pool and restaurants to boot. Check for specials in the summer months when there are no skiers.

All photos by author Maureen Wilkey, unless otherwise indicated.