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Tourism Tourism is a treasured way of life in Galena. A visit to Galena is not only a step back in time; it's also a step into a new kind of future. Your senses may be overwhelmed by the preserved beauty of 19th-century aesthetics, but your sensibilities will be pleased by the sophistication of Galena's residents. Tourism is not just seen as a means to a living in Galena, but as a way of living. Therefore, everybody – from the merchants you meet in downtown stores to the innkeepers who greet you at your bed and breakfast – embraces a first-class customer-relations philosophy. The people of Galena want to see you return again and again, because such patronage helps create the atmosphere of elegant familiarity that lends this town its distinctive feel. If you come to Galena ready to shop, you will discover over 100 shopkeepers in Galena's downtown business district who offer individualized service, hours to accommodate a variety of schedules, shipping, delivery, e-commerce purchasing potential, and toll-free numbers to accommodate future buying needs. Beyond the service in downtown Galena, you'll find that the gifts, goods and services, from antiques, apparel and arts to restaurants, wines and woodcraft, all attest to the skills of Galena's diverse population. Plenty of parking is available in city lots, through the floodgates and across the river. Free shuttle services will carry you into downtown, or you can enjoy the short walk across the footbridge from Grant Park. If you come to Galena to sightsee and soak up some history, you'll find yourself saturated in a wealth of visual treasures. With 85 percent of Galena structures being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a walk through the terraced neighborhoods rising above the business district will prove to be a fruitful adventure. Also located near downtown, the Old Market House Historic Site features exhibits that depict Galena living at the height of lead-mining prosperity over 150 years ago. Another popular Galena destination is the home of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and 18th president of the United States. Located along U.S. Route 20 on Galena's east side, the home was a gift to Grant from local citizens, presented during his term as president. Future plans are being developed for the construction of the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library in Galena. In addition to these historic places, sightseers can choose to explore the area in a variety of different ways. Rubber-tire trolleys glide through the streets of Galena on historic tours. Horse-drawn wagons carry travelers through the scenic countryside and even on moonlit tours. Water lovers can cruise the Mississippi by day or night and even enjoy a stop at a nearby riverboat casino. If you come to Galena to dine, you can immerse yourself in a cornucopia of eateries, taverns and wineries. With more than 20 eating establishments in Galena alone, everything from a casual "quick bite" to elegant dining is available. The quality of Galena's restaurants is matched only by their diversity. At virtually all Galena restaurants, you may "come as you are." Enjoy Italian, Mexican, Greek and Asian cuisines that offer a spectrum of culinary choices from fresh seafood to expertly prepared steaks. For those with a taste for wine, cheese or sausage, locally produced products are showcased at several locations. Local vineyards produce dozens of wines to appeal to a range of palates. If you are seeking accommodations in Galena, you can choose anything from fully modern hotels and resorts with all the amenities you have come to expect to elegant, historic bed and breakfast inns. With nearly 50 bed and breakfasts in Jo Daviess County, the area has been crowned the "bed and breakfast capital of the Midwest." From guesthouses, inns, mansions and cottages to hotels, motels and resorts, the Galena area offers dozens of choices to rest after a fun and relaxing day. The
Illinois Bereau of Tourism 2002 Travel
Expenditures in the County – $135,320,000
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