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Welcome to
The DeSoto Dispatch
May, 2026
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From
The DeSoto House Hotel
"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"
Since 1855
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Stay with us at the DeSoto House Hotel and enjoy all the fun of spring in Galena!
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What our Guests are Saying:
"Our stay at The DeSoto House Hotel was quite comfortable and inviting. Staff are incredibly pleasant and conversational, which is refreshing. The food at the Courtyard Restaurant & Green St. Tavern and Restaurant was delicious."
| | Celebrate Mother's Day with us! | | |
Midweek Dinner Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
$50.00 Dinner coupon
$244.00
Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through May 31, 2026
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Midweek Breakfast Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$209.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through May 31, 2026
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History Museum Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum
$244.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through May 31, 2026
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Best Available Rate
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Starting at $119.00
Subject to availability
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The Galena Ghost Walk Package
Available: Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights
Starting May 13
Subject to Availability
One Night Stay
Breakfast for Two
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Experience genuine street theater featuring ghost storytelling
and dark history as you stroll haunted Galena by candlelight.
Performed in a true story telling format with costumed guides, our Ghost Walk is spooky fun for all. The 90 minute walking tour begins at the Dowling House and ends at the DeSoto House Hotel.
Come ready to hear all about Galena's dark history, local folklore, and infamous hauntings.
$254.00
*Tours begin at 8 pm sharp at the Dowling House (220 Diagonal Street). When arriving, please leave enough time to check in at the Front Desk and receive your tickets before heading to the show. Tickets are only valid for the night that you book - if you book a Sunday night room, your tickets will be for the Sunday night tour.
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Trolley Package
Sunday - Thursday
One Night Stay
Breakfast for Two
Tickets for a ride on the Galena Trolley
$244.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through May 31, 2026
| | 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!
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Haunted Galena Conference
May 1-3, 2026
Join us May 1st - 3rd, 2026, in Galena, Illinois, one of the oldest and most haunted small towns in the Midwest, for our fifth annual Haunted Galena Conference!
The Haunted Galena Conference features speakers and workshops on hauntings, dark history, folklore, ghosts, psychic mediumship, and various aspects of the paranormal. There are also optional special after-hours events (additional registration required), including paranormal investigations with Spirit Society Paranormal, workshops, and tours.
info@hauntedgalenatourcompany.com
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Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure Radio Play
May 1 and 2
7:00-8:30 PM
Galena Center for the Arts
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson face off against their most cunning adversary yet - Professor Moriarty.
Packed with clever twists, disguises, and suspense, the play follows the famed detective duo as they unravel a web of deception that stretches from London drawing rooms to the cliffs of the English coast. Expect edge-of-your-seat intrigue, laugh-out-loud moments, and a showdown worthy of Holmes’ greatest foe.
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Hat & Honey Bar
DeSoto House Hotel
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: $80
Date: May 8, June 5, July 10, September 25, October 9, November 13 and Decemeber 4
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!
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Green Street Tavern Open Mic
May 12 and May 26
6:00-8:00 p.m.
We are thrilled to be hosting Robyn Davis, Theodore T. Williams and Lenny Wayne as they bring their Open Mic right here to the DeSoto House Hotel! Whether you're a local legend or a hidden poet, or just someone who enjoys a great martini and live talent, this is where you want to be!
Come for the music, and stay for the drinks.
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Goats and Floats
12:30-2:00 PM
May 6, 10, 20, 24 and 31
Join us for a unique outdoor adventure combining the best of nature, flavor, and fun! Begin the day with an exciting root beer tasting experience, where you’ll sample a variety of craft root beers, from Root Beer Revelry in Galena, each with its own distinct flavor profile. After savoring your favorites, we’ll take to the trails for a scenic hike through the forest—accompanied by friendly goats who will be your furry hiking companions, adding a bit of whimsy to the journey.
As you trek through the trees, breathe in the fresh forest air, and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature, you’ll get to sip on a refreshing root beer float, the perfect treat to cool you off. This is an adventure for all the senses—taste the bubbly sweetness, feel the tranquility of the woods, and connect with these charming goats as they explore alongside you.
Whether you're a root beer enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a fun and unusual outing, this outdoor experience promises to be one to remember!
*Private events are available. Please call (563) 663-6944 for details and availability.
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East Dubuque's Cruisin Thursdays
May 7, 14, 21 and 28
5:00-9:00 PM
Located On Sinsinawa Avenue in East Dubuque
East Dubuque invites you to enjoy Cruisin' Thursdays' all summer long, every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm.
The event is open to all years, makes, and models of vehicles. Enjoy the ambiance of closed streets and open containers while mingling with other car enthusiasts. In addition to the array of vehicles, live music will entertain attendees with a schedule featuring various bands and artists each week!
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Galena Main Street Sidewalk Sales
Galena Main Street
May 8-10, 2026
It's time to shake off the winter blues and welcome the warmth of spring with a shopping spree on Main Street! The merchants are clearing out their inventory, and you're the lucky winner!
Browse through the various sales taking place both on the street and inside the stores. Whether you're in the market for new clothes, home decor, or just looking for a great deal, you're sure to find something that catches your eye.
With so many options to choose from, you'll definitely work up an appetite. Luckily, Main Street is home to some of the best restaurants around. Take a break from your shopping spree and refuel with a delicious meal before hitting the shops again.
So, mark your calendars and head to Main Street for a day of amazing deals and delectable cuisine.
With spring in the air and bargains galore, you won't want to miss out on this exciting shopping event!
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Galena History Symposium
May 15, 16 and 17
From Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17, 2026, join us in the heart of Galena for the Galena History Symposium, hosted at the historic DeSoto House Hotel in downtown Galena, Illinois. Whether you’re a scholar, student, preservationist, or curious traveler, this gathering offers a deep dive into the rich, layered history of our region.
Times will vary depending on day and event - see website for more details!
What to expect:
- Papers, panel discussions, and performances covering topics such as the mound-builder cultures, Native nations’ land rights, the booming 19th-century lead mining trade, Galena’s role as a busy Mississippi River port, and the hometown story of Ulysses S. Grant and his ally Elihu Washburne.
- A chance to engage with professional historians, avocational researchers, and preservationists. An immersive experience for both academic and traveler audiences.
- Networking and exploration of Galena’s architectural legacy: the 19th-century commercial buildings, homes, and the historic fabric that draws visitors to our town year-round.
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Glow In the Dark Miniature Golf
May 9, 23 and 24
6:00-10:00 PM
Stop by Lil' General Miniature Golf for their Glow in the Dark event on Saturday, May 9th. Mom's golf free!
Experience the excitement of golfing under the stars as the course comes alive with luminescent features and enchanting illuminations. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend quality time with loved ones while enjoying a unique and memorable adventure.
With a glow-in-the-dark twist on traditional miniature golf, this event promises fun for all ages!
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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, biking 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.
| | 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
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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 by following us on Facebook and Instagram! | | |
DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates
make perfect gifts!
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Michael Steinhoff
General Manager
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230 South Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562
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