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Welcome to
The DeSoto Dispatch
December, 2023
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from
The DeSoto House Hotel
"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"
Since 1855
| Spend the upcoming holidays in charming and beautiful Galena! | |
~ Check Out Our Midweek Packages ~ | |
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DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates
make perfect gifts!
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Don't miss these upcoming events!
They sell out quickly!
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Midweek Dinner Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
$50.00 Dinner coupon
$184.00
Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through December 21, 2023
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Midweek Breakfast Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$164.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through December 21, 2023
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Best Available Rate
One-night stay
Starting at $104.00
Subject to availability
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Everyone loves a cocktail or two... | |
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Stay with us Sundays through Thursdays and enjoy a complimentary cocktail from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in one of our fabulous restaurants.
Then join us for dinner!
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Model Train Show
Now through Friday, December 17, 2023
Thursday - Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Galena Center for the Arts
971 Gear Street
Galena, IL 61036
The Galena Center for the Arts will offer a family holiday celebration of model trains.
Train enthusiast Philip Jackman will display his N Scale operating trains at the Center with trains running through the large display featuring a variety of topography, including small towns, cities, deserts, canyons, oceans and more, with up to three trains running at a time.
What a great opportunity to make family memories!
There will even be a train that the kids can try running themselves.
On Sundays at 2:00 PM, an actress will read aloud the children’s book “the Polar Express”.
For more information click here.
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Scenic Art Loop's Monthly Art Drive
Friday, December 1, 2023 - Sunday, December 3, 2023
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Various Artist Galleries
Galena, IL 61036
Drive the hills and valleys of the Driftless Region’s most scenic counties. Take a laid back self-guided tour experiencing art from inception to fulfillment.
Visit talented artists’ in their studios & galleries, while enjoying artisan libations such as food, wine craft brews, and spirits, and discover the region’s hidden talent. Interact and enjoy with unique individuals along your personal tour.
Each month our artists come together to host the Scenic Art Loop by ARRT’s Monthly Art Drive.
Join us on the first full weekend of each month for a new experience. A new map is created monthly to ensure artists’ availability.
For a downloadable map and more information click here.
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Brew Methods Class
Friday, December 1, 2023
Friday, December 15, 2023
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Trolley Depot Coffee & Tea Company
315 South Commerce Street
Galena, IL 61036
Discover the fascinating journey of our specialty coffee beans from farm to cup.
Join our expert barista as she guides you through four different brewing methods that you can try at home.
Experience the delightful combination of coffee and food to enhance the unique flavors found in our premium coffee beans.
For more information and to register click here.
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Apple River Fort State Historic Site
311 E. Myrtle Street
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Saturday, December 2, 2023
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Celebrate Christmas - the 1830's way!
Visit the Apple River Fort and take part in historical Christmas celebrations.
Experience a typical frontier German Christmas, complete with a decorated fir tree.
Meet Mrs. Juliette Kinzie, wife of Ho-Chunk Indian Agent John Kinzie of Portage, WI.
Play with historical toys and hear how Christmas is the "Day the World Turned Upside-Down."
Visit the trading post to barter for the best goods on this side of the Mississippi.
Don't forget to check out the Fort's gift shop, where you'll find unique items for everyone on your shopping list.
For more information click here.
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Saturday, December 2, 2023
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Green Street Plaza
Galena, IL 61036
This come and go, family-friendly event will feature traveling local artisans with holiday items, local food vendors, live music including Christmas caroling, kids’ activities, a Christmas wreath sale, and silent auction.
Plan to spend the day in the plaza of the Midwest's best holiday town and the evening watching a magnificent display of fireworks presented by the Galena Downtown Business Association.
This event will raise donations to support the Galena Art & Recreation Center.
For more information click here.
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Holiday Fire in the Sky
Saturday, December 2, 2023
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Depot Park
91 Bouthillier Street
Galena, IL 61036
Enjoy the evening sky as it comes alive with fireworks to
kick off the holiday season in downtown Galena.
See the fireworks from just about anywhere in Galena and surrounding areas.
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Classical Blast's Dark Side of the Yule
Friday, December 8, 2023
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Turner Hall
115 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
Dark Side of the Yule melds classic rock by bands like Evanescence, Simon & Garfunkel, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Moody Blues and more, all melded with well-known holiday music: standards, pop & classical! There’s simply nothing else like it.
It's where Christmas meets Classic Rock!
Hear music from our album of the same name and so much more, performed like no one but Classical Blast can! Guest cellist, Tom Culver, from the popular Chicago area band, Strung Out, will be back too.
It may be the most unique holiday show you've seen, featuring top-tier Chicago musicians.
An annual Galena favorite, the show is performed in theaters all over the Midwest.
For more information and tickets click here.
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Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Living Windows: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Luminaries: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
Enter a land of enchantment on this magical night with more than 5,000 candlelit luminaries on streets, steps and sidewalks.
From Main Street to the hills overlooking Grant Park, all of Galena will be glowing.
Stroll down Galena's Main Street and watch store windows come alive with holiday-inspired animation in Living Windows!
Many of the businesses offer extended hours, so take advantage of the magic and do some holiday shopping!
To enjoy some scenes from last year's event click here.
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Tuba Christmas!
Sunday, December 10, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Turner Hall
115 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
Join us as tuba and euphonium players of all ages and all levels from around the tri-state area gather to proclaim the sounds of the season, big brass style.
The ensemble will be led by Dr. Daniel Rowland, tuba and euphonium performer, educator and arranger. Currently, Dr. Rowland is Assistant Professor of Low Brass & Music Education at University of Wisconsin - Platteville and is Acting Principal Tuba of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.
For more information click here.
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Sunday, December 17, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Shenandoah Riding Center
200 N Brodrecht Road
Galena, IL 61036
What do horses eat? Do they need special diets or vitamins? What do we do if a horse needs to see the vet? These are just a few examples of things we will discuss during your visit.
Come and join us and get a glimpse into what Shenandoah Riding Center is all about.
This is a perfect experience for families or groups that have kids too young for our trail rides. This is also a great choice for those who want to interact with horses without having to get into the saddle or ride in an outdoor environment.
Over the course of your visit, we will engage in several different horse-related activities, and meet with many horses both big and small. We will groom, tack, and lead the horses around the property.
Our horses absolutely love attention and are a great way to interact with equines for younger or more apprehensive humans.
We will also tour our barn and meet with whoever may be inside that day while learning about the functioning of the farm and what it takes to care for these amazing animals.
For more information, other events and to register click here.
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Galena & US Grant Museum Open House
Sunday, December 17, 2023
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Galena History Museum
211 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
Join us at the Museum to celebrate our 85th Anniversary!
The Galena & U.S. Grant Museum is a treasure trove of captivating artifacts, inspiring artworks, and stories that span generations.
Discover the wonders of our community’s past and present as we proudly showcase the vibrant tapestry of our shared history.
Explore Galena’s history and meet the spirit of Ulysses Grant in a hologram that welcomes guests to the museum where true national treasures, such as the “Peace in Union” and “General Grant on the Battlefield” paintings, Flag from the Vicksburg Siege, a topographical map of Jo Daviess County, and the stories of mining and steamboating are presented.
The museum is located in an 1858 Italianate mansion built as a private residence by Galena merchant Daniel Barrows. The museum features over 6,000 square feet of exhibit space and presentations on lead mining in the northwest region, the Driftless Area, Grant’s leather store, the Port of Galena: 1858.
Discover souvenirs, gifts, and books of a historical nature in the museum gift and bookshop.
For more information click here.
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Chocolate Lovers Stroll
Saturday, February 10, 2024
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Historic Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
Enjoy chocolate treats of all sorts all while strolling Galena's half mile long historic Main Street loaded with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.
Tickets are needed.
Your ticket will include a punch card good for 10 treats (mix and match as you like between the chocolate treat options).
Tickets are $30.
Tickets always sell out 1-2 weeks prior so don't delay!
All ticket holders must check in between 11:00 AM -1:00 PM at Galena Cellars at 111 North Main Street to get your punch card.
Enjoy the stroll!
For more information and tickets click here.
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In addition to browsing through Galena’s 19th-century downtown with more than 100
storefronts, here are some other ways to enjoy our beautiful area:
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The Galena River Trail offers 8.0 miles (one way) of scenic hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Galena River Trail
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Enjoy scenic outlooks with views across three states at the Horseshoe Mound Preserve.
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
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Enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River from Casper Bluff Land and Water Preserve.
Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve
| Be sure to visit the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation website for a list of more places to see under the "Visit Our Preserves" tab. | Other great places to visit in addition to our local historic attractions and museums are: | |
Take a break and stop by our Quiet Room on the Main Street level of the hotel to view these videos:
The DeSoto House Hotel
"The Largest Hotel in the West"
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Galena: Steamboat Capital of the Old Northwest
Both videos are about 15-20 minutes in length and run continuously.
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You can learn more about the history of the DeSoto House Hotel here. | There's always plenty to do in scenic, historic Galena! | |
Create your dream wedding... | |
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Call to make your dreams come true!
815.777.6818
Sales Department
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Reserve your getaway now!
Make your reservations by calling
815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562
Check out our website . . . DeSotoHouse.com
| Consider us your home away from home! | Keep more informed and become a Facebook Friend of the DeSoto House Hotel. | | |
DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates
make perfect gifts!
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Michael Steinhoff
General Manager
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