Or, imagine, being able to be magically whisked away to...Galena.

March 22, 2007 9:49 AM

What would you do on a three-day visit in Galena, Illinois?

I'm hitting the road from Chicago to Galena and will be there from Saturday to Monday. Accommodations are booked, so any recommendations on places there to visit, eat, drink, stroll, or otherwise?

I had a great time at the Mississippi Palisades (thank you, Sufjan) last year, so I'm planning to go there again.

Also, if there are any must-see stops on the way there, I'd love to hear about them.

posted by asuprenant to Travel & Transportation around Galena, IL (6 answers total)

The Amana Colonies aren't that far from Galena, if memory serves.
posted by FlamingBore at 10:12 AM on March 22, 2007

Hey, I was there the other day! We mostly walked around the little downtown area where there are a ton of shops. It was an afternoon, but I bet I could have stretched it to an entire day. Lots of antique stores nearby, too.

I have a few pictures in a set on my flickr.
posted by sugarfish at 11:45 AM on March 22, 2007

The pub at the Irish Cottage is pretty decent, and should have some live music going on.
posted by MrZero at 12:27 PM on March 22, 2007

Seeing Ulysses Grant's house is about it--although I popped into a used bookstore that was playing the Smiths.
posted by brujita at 9:35 PM on March 22, 2007

Best answer: Get over to Dubuque. Go to the river museum there, it's great. I'm in love with The Busted Lift, a neat Irish-ish pub on the Main Street. No offense to the Irish Cottage suggestion, but the busted lift seems more authentic and a lot cooler. They get some rock/indie/trad shows pretty frequently. But yeah, Dubuque's worth a long afternoon.
posted by jaysus chris at 10:13 PM on March 22, 2007

Response by poster: Right on - these all sound great. I'm a fan of things slightly off the beaten path, so I'll make the trek to Dubuque and check out that pub. Thanks!
posted by asuprenant at 12:18 PM on March 23, 2007