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Welcome to

The DeSoto Dispatch

March, 2023

from

The DeSoto House Hotel

"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"

Since 1855

Come and stay at the DeSoto House Hotel and enjoy the beauty of winter in Galena!


~ Check out our Midweek Packages ~

Special 168th Anniversary offer from the DeSoto House Hotel!

Join us in celebrating our 168th Anniversary!

 

We are offering a special midweek rate for the month of April. 


Come and stay with us any Sunday through Thursday night for $168.00!




This package includes:


- A $50.00 voucher towards dinner in our Generals' Restaurant


- Breakfast for two in our Courtyard Restaurant


- A Complimentary DeSoto House Hotel Anniversary Bear



Reserve your stay with us by March 15, 2023 to receive this special offer.


To make a reservation click here


Or call: 800.343.6562 or 815.777.0090


March 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 March 30, 2023

Midweek Breakfast Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$134.00


Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through March 30, 2023

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 March 30, 2023

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 March 30, 2023

Best Available Rate

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 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in one of our fabulous restaurants.


Then join us for dinner!

Upcoming Events:

Broad Ideas: Art Show


Galena Center for the Arts

971 Gear Street

Galena, IL 61036


* Gallery *

Friday, March 3, 2023 to Saturday, March 25, 2023

Thursdays thru Sundays

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM


* Opening Night *

Friday, March 3, 2023

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM


* Broad Bingo – Celebrate International Women’s Day *

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

This event offers a new twist on the classic game of Bingo.

There will be popcorn and snacks, cash bar and prizes.

It is a free event, and babysitting is provided.

Reservations are requested.


* Teen Storytelling Workshop *

Saturday, March 11, 2023

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Learn how to tell and perform your story!

Prompt of day is "what makes you strong?", although you can tell any story you want.


* Songwriters Showcase *

Thursday, March 16, 2023

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

This is always a night to remember. 

Multiple singer songwriters perform original music.


* Spoken Word and Closing *

Saturday, March 25, 2023

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

The Spoken Word Closing is always a soul moving event. 

Powerful stories and poems shared amongst friends in the sacred space of Broad Ideas at Galena Center for the Arts. 

 


Broad Ideas is a month-long inclusive, feminist celebration that includes artists, poets, and musicians.


This show focuses on the power of telling our stories, specifically those that dismantle patriarchy and misogyny.


This year’s prompt is “What makes you strong?” 


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Galena Whiskey Weekend


Saturday, March 4, 2023

1:00 PM Session

5:00 PM Session


Turner Hall

115 S. Bench Street

Galena, IL 61036


Sip your way through winter with an extensive collection of bourbons and whiskeys! 


Cheers to over 200+ Whiskey offerings!


For more information and to purchase advance tickets click here.

~~~

Silver Saddles Horse Encounter


Friday, March 10, 2023

Friday, March 24, 2023

Friday, April 7, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Shenandoah Riding Center

200 N. Brodrecht Road

Galena, IL 61036


Silver Saddles is an interactive horse experience for individuals ages 55+.


The program contains many elements to allow a relaxing bonding experience between the horses and the seniors.


Seniors are invited to brush the horses, groom them, feed them treats, and lead them around the property!


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Murder & Mayhem in a Mining Town


Saturday, March 11, 2023

Saturday, April 15, 2023

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM


The DeSoto House Hotel

230 S. Main Street

Galena, IL 61036


An evening of dark Galena history, eerie folklore and ghost stories performed at the haunted DeSoto House Hotel.


Hear of infamous murders, tragedies, and hauntings that have lingered throughout Galena's darkest history.

 The 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 $28 per person.


Seating is limited so purchase your tickets early!


For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

~~~

Shamrock Shimmy 5K & Kid's Mini Shimmy


Saturday, March 18, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM


Galena Elks

123 N. Main Street

Galena, IL 61036


Pre-registration for the Shamrock Shimmy 5K is required.


No registration required for the Kid's Mini Shimmy.

Just show up to run the race and have fun! 


Packets may be picked up from 5-7pm on Friday, March 17th at the Galena Elks Lodge. Packets may also be picked up beginning at 9:00 AM the morning of the race.


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Hosted by the Galena, Illinois Elks Lodge


Saturday, March 18, 2023

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM


Main Street

Galena, IL 61036


A "fun for the whole family" parade including marching bands, costumed clans and floats!


After the parade, head to the Elks lodge for music!

~~~

Horse Play at Shenandoah Riding Center


Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Sunday, May 28, 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 and to register click here.

~~~

Haunted Galena Conference


Friday, March 31, 2023

Saturday, April1, 2023


The DeSoto House Hotel

230 S. Main Street

Galena, IL 61036


Join the Haunted Galena Tour Company in Galena, one of the oldest and most haunted small towns in the Midwest, for their second-ever Haunted Galena Conference!  


This conference will feature speakers and workshops on hauntings, dark history, ghosts, mediumship, and various aspects of the paranormal.


You will also get to experience specialty exhibitors and vendors.


There are also optional special after hours events (additional registration required), including paranormal investigations with regional research group Transcendent Paranormal Society.


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Julien Dubuque International File Festival Pre-Event


Saturday, April 22, 2023

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM


DeSoto House and Green Street Plaza

230 S Main St

Galena, IL 61036


The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) will host a pre-event in Galena sponsored by the Galena Country Tourism.


Now entering it's 12th year, JDIFF is a 5-day film festival celebrating and showing independent films from around the world.


The main event is April 26th - 30th in Dubuque, but on Saturday, April 22nd, JDIFF will host a pre-event in Galena.


A selection of features, documentaries and short films will be shown throughout the day in the Parker Room in DeSoto House, ending the evening with an outdoor film in the Green Street Plaza.


Music and food vendors will also be included.

All screenings are free.


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Grant's Home Front Reenactment & Encampment

 

Friday, April 28, 2023 - Sunday, April 30, 2023

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM


Depot Park

91 Bouthillier St.

Galena, IL 61036


Learn about life in the 1860s through the Encampment and Civil War Battle. 


Over 3,000 people visited this event last year!


Shop the Sanitary Fair (a Civil War Ladies Bazaar supporting our troops) with beautiful handmade items. 


Battles: Saturday at 11:30 am, Sunday at 1:30 pm


This is a family friendly event with the chance to interact with reenactors portraying both military and civilians in the 1860's during the war.


Meet General Grant and his staff, see a medical demonstration, and have your child "drill" with the troops!


Watch history come alive in Galena Country.


For more information click here.

~~~

2023 Ride the Ups and Downs


Saturday, May 6, 2023

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM


CTE Academy

950 US Hwy 20 W.

Elizabeth, IL 61028


The G.O.A.T.S. Cycling Club of Galena is hosting the annual "Ride the Ups & Downs" Event.


This self-paced, bicycle ride is a one-day tour of beautiful Jo Daviess County, Illinois that features hilly terrain, spectacular ridge top panoramas and long valley views. Choose one of three clearly marked routes on rolling, low traffic, paved roads throughout our rural setting.


For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Live at the Plaza

Educators Appreciation


Thursday, May 25, 2023

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Live at the Plaza will be held at Green Street Plaza every last Thursday of the month, starting on May 25 and ending on September 28!


This family-friendly, free-to-attend event will feature regional musicians, performers, food, and drink.


For more information 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:

The Galena River Trail offers 8.0 miles (one way) of scenic hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.


Galena River Trail

Enjoy scenic outlooks with views across three states at the Horseshoe Mound Preserve.


Horseshoe Mound Preserve

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:

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium


The Shenandoah Riding Center


Dubuque Symphony Orchestra


Dubuque Museum of Art


Diamond Jo Casino

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"

~~~

Galena: Steamboat Capital of the Old Northwest


Both videos are about 15-20 minutes in length and run continuously.

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...

Call to make your dreams come true!


815.777.6818

Sales Department

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!

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DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates

make perfect gifts!

Michael Steinhoff

General Manager

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