Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Galena (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Chestnut Mountain Resort, Dowling House, and Old Market House. Also, be sure to include Lake Galena in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Galena (Illinois).
Table of Contents
Chestnut Mountain Resort
![Ski resort in Jo Daviess County, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/3637e2f99d1140351d2438bde142dde3.jpg)
Ski resort in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. The Chestnut Mountain ski resort is located in Galena, Illinois, 20 miles southeast of Dubuque, Iowa, in Jo Daviess County. It is visible from a 10-mile radius. The ski resort opened in 1959 and features two restaurants, a lodge with 119 rooms, an indoor pool and hot tub area, as well as several other accommodations. There are 19 ski runs: 4 Beginner, 11 Intermediate, 3 Advanced, plus "The Far Side", a snowboarding terrain park. The park has two quad chairs, four triple chairs, and two surface lifts.
Village Ski Center
Chestnut Mountain's 20,000 square foot ski center houses an apparel shop, equipment rental area and ticketing outlet. The apparel shop features Rossignol skis and boots, Burton Snowboards and clothing from Burton and Nordica (company). The Ski Center Pro Shop also houses a ski school, first aid station and tuning shop. The equipment rental area perpetually whisks visitors through 2,400 sets of rental gear and onto the skiing premises.
Chestnut provides a Children's Center and there is an affiliated Chestnut Mountain Race Team.
During the warmer seasons the resort operates a mini golf course and a playground, as well as an Alpine Slide served by a ski lift. Boat rides on the Mississippi River are available from the resort from Memorial Day through late October.
The Special Olympics of Illinois annually conducts the Winter Special Olympics at Chestnut.[1]
Address: 8700 Chestnut Dr, 61036-8787 Galena
Dowling House
![Museum in Galena, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/4c2b1ffeb3146c4baa8d01a4532045c4.jpg)
Museum in Galena, Illinois. The Dowling House is the oldest building in Galena, Illinois, United States, now a historic house museum.[2]
Address: 220 Diagonal St, 61036-2241 Galena
Old Market House
![Building in Galena, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/f3ce14874248c691432a61c87b0af70d.jpg)
Building in Galena, Illinois. The Old Market House, currently being operated as the Galena Welcome Center, is a brick building built in the Greek Revival style in 1845 in Galena, Illinois. It is owned and operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as an Illinois State Historic Site.[3]
Address: 123 N Commerce St, 61036-2209 Galena
Lake Galena
![Reservoir in Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/8fe30e4a894522f67b166c1b67c7cade.jpg)
Reservoir in Illinois. Lake Galena is a reservoir in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, located near Galena.[4]
Saint Michael's Catholic Church
![Catholic church in Galena, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/3945976a655ad20fd937e9fc1dabebaa.jpg)
Catholic church in Galena, Illinois. Saint Michael's Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford. The church is located in Galena, Illinois, United States, at 227 South Bench Street in Galena.
The parish is named after the Archangel Michael, and is seated on a hill overlooking downtown Galena.[5]
Elihu Benjamin Washburne House
![Building in Galena, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/af8301cac8b4dffc60ff2bc25ecc00fa.jpg)
Building in Galena, Illinois. The Elihu Benjamin Washburne House, also known as the Washburne-Sheehan House, is a 1+1⁄2-story Greek Revival house located at 908 Third Street in Galena, Illinois. Constructed in 1844–45, the building was built for and owned by Elihu Benjamin Washburne, a prominent Galena lawyer who served in Congress during the American Civil War, and as Secretary of State and Minister to France under President Ulysses S. Grant, another famous Galenian. The Washburne House was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[6]
Galena Historic District
![Galena Historic District](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/55599668af8aaeb25399fade0b11f29d.jpg)
The Galena Historic District is a historic district located in the city of Galena, Illinois, United States. The historic district encompasses 85 percent of the city of Galena and includes more than 800 properties. The downtown area consists of three successive tiers made up of Main, Bench and Prospect Streets. Within the boundaries of the district are such notable homes as the Ulysses S. Grant Home and the Elihu B. Washburne House. The Galena Historic District was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1969.[7]
Ulysses S. Grant Home
![Historical place in Galena, Illinois](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/8ea25109d0926006115a9bfc2cbffdf5.jpg)
Historical place in Galena, Illinois. The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois is the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general and later 18th President of the United States. The home was designed by William Dennison and constructed in 1859 - 1860. The home was given to Grant by residents of Galena in 1865 as thanks for his war service, and has been maintained as a memorial to Grant since 1904.[8]
StoneHouse Pottery & Gallery
![StoneHouse Pottery & Gallery](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/05855dab2e4844454aba6db2dd0f2b9c.jpg)
Museum
Address: 418 Spring St, Galena
Horseshoe Mound
![Horseshoe Mound](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/c72623dddb39a670176cef2c5dcacae6.jpg)
Nature and wildlife, Park, Relax in park
Address: 1679 N Blackjack Rd, 61036-9412 Galena
Galena Public Library District
![Galena Public Library District](https://gtsy.b-cdn.net/media/images/us/place/800/612dcb074e24d01fd7ba76a69f0c37ea.jpg)
Library
Address: 601 S Bench St, Galena