DeSoto Dispatch - February, 2026

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Welcome to

The DeSoto Dispatch

February 2026

From

The DeSoto House Hotel

"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"

Since 1855

Stay with us at the DeSoto House Hotel and enjoy all the fun of winter in Galena!

What our Guests are Saying:

"I am so glad that history gets the care and attention it deserves! Thank You so much one and all for the care you put forth."

February Packages:

Midweek Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$159.00

Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through February 26 2026

Midweek Breakfast Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$134.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through February 26, 2026

Midweek Breakfast & Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$174.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through February 26, 2026

History Museum Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum

$159.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through February 26, 2026

Best Available Rate

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Starting at $89.00

Subject to availability

Everyone loves a cocktail or two...

Stay with us Sundays through Thursdays and enjoy a complimentary cocktail in one of our fabulous restaurants.

Then join us for dinner!

Upcoming Events:

Celebrate Mardi Gras all weekend!

Our Shrimp Boil is available from 11AM Friday, Feb 13 - 8pm Sunday, February 15.

No Reservations Required.

Valentine's Dinner!

Call 815.777.0090 to make your Valentine's Dinner Reservations. Special menu runs Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 15 from 4pm to close in our Generals' Restaurant.

Join us for Easter Brunch!

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Friday, February 13

Grab your sugar skulls & voodoo skills for a pub crawl down Main Street with your hosts, the Gabby Kittens, accompanied with live, traveling music by The Wundos! $25 includes a commemorative cup, drink specials & some giveaways!

There will be raffle tickets for a Galena Getaway Package and TWO 50/50s!

Online sign-up is available with packet pick-up and registration any time after 2 pm on Friday, March 13th, at The Grape Escape, 242 N. Main St., Galena, IL.

Crawl starts at 5:30 pm:

Banquet room & exclusive bar in the DeSoto House Hotel
Eagle’s Club
Blaum Bros Public House
Galena Cellars
Galena, Illinois Elks Lodge
Paradise Bar & Grill
Gobbies Sports Pub and Eatery
The Gold Room
and The Grape Escape – Grand Prize Drawing presented here.

Hat & Honey Bar

DeSoto House Hotel

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Cost: $80

Date: February 13, March 6, April 3 and May 8

Gather your friends and family for a one-of-a-kind experience at Dry Creek Beekeeping's Hat Bar & Honey Bar Event held at the DeSoto House Hotel in Galena!

Create Your Custom Hat: Choose from Western, Fedora, or Flat-Brimmed hats and try your hand at burning a gorgeous bee and sunflower design onto your hat using specialized tools. Your hat will be pre-stenciled with a custom-made bee and sunflower design, so you can easily burn in the design with the help from expert instructor, Marie McDonough from Marie’s Wood Carvings. Plus, you’ll add your personal touch by choosing a hat band, feathers, and other accessories to make your hat truly unique!

Honey Bar Tasting: Sip, savor, and sample up to 20 varieties of delicious honey from around the world! Learn about the distinct flavor notes of each variety and discover where they come from. Once you've found your favorite, you can purchase your top picks to take home!

All-Inclusive Fun: Your registration fee of $80 covers everything: instruction, tools, hat, band, accessories, and honey tasting. By the end of the event, you’ll be rocking a stylish, custom-burned hat that’s all your own—and you’ll be buzzing about your honey finds!

Don't miss out on this creative and sweet event. Space is limited—reserve your spot in advance!

Food and drinks are available to purchase through the DeSoto House Hotel. Maybe you'd like to order a charcuterie board or try a glass of honey mead wine as you enjoy this workshop.

Children ages 8+ are welcome. The felt burning of the hat requires the use of a hot tool, so please consider this when booking for children.

For tickets and more information, please click here!

Chocolate Lovers Stroll

Downtown Galena

12 pm - 4 pm

Cost: $35

2/14/2026

Unlock the sweetest side of Galena with the Annual Chocolate Lovers Stroll!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate treats while strolling picturesque Galena's Main Street, loaded with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Your ticket will get you a punch card good for 10 treats ($50 value) and a custom Galena Stroll canvas bag ($10 value). And of course the memories you create are priceless! You choose how to mix and match between our chocolate treat options & drink options.

All ticket holders must check in between 11am and 1pm at Galena Cellars at 111 N Main St. to get their punch card and embark on chocolate filled adventure. It's a true chocolate lover's dream come true! Ticket's sell fast, so don't delay!

For more information and to register, click here!

Save the Date!

Whiskey Lovers Weekend

March 7, 2026

Experience the warmth and richness of winter with an extensive collection of bourbons and whiskeys at this historic establishment! With over 200 varieties to choose from, you'll be able to explore the world of whiskey and find your new favorite.

Whether you're a seasoned whiskey enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of spirits, this is the perfect place to discover new flavors and appreciate the subtle nuances of each pour. So come in, and let the whiskey tasting begin!

Tickets for 2026 have not gone on sale yet. Click here! to find out when tickets go on sale.

St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl

Friday March 13

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Reserve your spot for our St. Pat's Party pub crawl down Main Street in Galena, IL, with your hosts Miss Kitty of The Grape Escape, her sister, Diane!

Raffle for a Galena vacation getaway, a 50/50 raffle, and prizes for the best Instagram hashtag scavenger hunt.

$25 includes a commemorative cup, drink specials & some giveaways! All proceeds will be donated to The Galena Fire Department.

Online sign-up is available with packet pick-up and registration any time after 2 pm on Friday, March 13th, at The Grape Escape, 242 N. Main St., Galena, IL.

Crawl starts at 5:30 pm:

Green Street Tavern in DeSoto House Hotel
Eagle’s Club
Galena Cellars
Galena, Illinois Elks Lodge - 1st 50/50 Drawn
Paradise Bar & Grill
Gobbies Sports Pub and Eatery
Goerdts' Brewhaus
The Grape Escape – Grand Prizes announced
The Goldroom - 2nd 50/50 Drawn

Crawl space is limited! Same-day sign-ups, if available, start at 2 PM.

Hosted at the DeSoto House Hotel

Friday, February 13, 2026

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Join us inside the haunted DeSoto House Hotel for an evening of dark Galena history, eerie folklore, and true ghost stories, with a touch of music.

Hear of infamous murders, tragedies, and hauntings that have lingered throughout our darkest history.

Our intimate, indoor Salon style show runs for 90 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission, and features free hot & cold appetizers and a cash bar. Just $30 per person. We offer a few select Saturdays through March.

Come ready to hear all about Galena's dark history, local folklore, and infamous hauntings.

For more information and to book tickets, click here!

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: