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Welcome to
The DeSoto Dispatch
November, 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
$194.00
Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through November 30, 2023
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Midweek Breakfast Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$174.00
Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu
Subject to availability
Prices good through November 30, 2023
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Best Available Rate
One-night stay
Starting at $119.00
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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Scenic Art Loop's Monthly Art Drive
Friday, November 3, 2023 - Sunday, November 5, 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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Live Music + Bonfire + Goat Trek
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Saturday, November 11, 2023
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
(weather dependent)
Hoof It Goat Treks
616 S Devils Ladder Road
Galena, IL 61036
Star-filled skies, a roaring bonfire, gooey s’mores, live music, and goats! Life is good!
Join us on an evening trek as the sun sets and the light fades from the forest. Return from the trek to a roaring bonfire, s’more baskets, and live music.
Book now to ensure you are part of this experience.
Space is limited.
For more information, other events and to register click here.
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39th Annual Nouveau Parade & Celebration
Friday, November 17, 2023
11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Galena Cellars
111 N. Main St.
Galena, IL 61036
Galena Cellars celebrates the release of the 2023 Nouveau wine!
The parade of revelers will assemble at 2:30 PM for a trek around Galena’s Main Street in assorted modes of transportation and merriment from horse-drawn wagons to trollies as the 39th Annual Nouveau wine is delivered to Galena merchants who sport the Nouveau posters in their shop windows.
Join in or watch the procession.
“Le Beaujolias Nouveau est arrivé!”
Local restaurants and Galena businesses continue the celebration all weekend with live music, wine tastings, dinner specials and receptions.
Call 815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562 to make a reservation for the Nouveau Luncheon at the DeSoto House Hotel.
For more information click here.
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Saturday, November 18, 2023
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Galena ARC Gymnasium
(Lower Entrance)
11084 US Hwy 20 W.
Galena, IL 61036
The 2nd Annual Fall into Winter Craft Show features local crafters and artists, raffle drawing, bake sale, breakfast and lunch stand, and kids only shopping area.
All proceeds help The Workshop provide services to adults with disabilities in Jo Daviess County.
For more information click here.
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Sunday, November 19, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
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, November 19, 2023
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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 a 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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Santa's Arrival to Kick Off Christmas
Saturday, November 25, 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
Join us in welcoming Santa to town to kick off the holiday season here in Galena.
The fun begins at 5:00 PM with a fleet of Jeeps headed down Main Street to bring Mr. & Mrs. Claus to town.
Then follow the fleet to the Old Market House at 123 N Commerce Street to watch Santa light the town tree for the season.
From 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM kids can mingle with Santa, enjoy treats and activities and see many of the magical jeeps up close.
This is a free event and all are welcome.
The event goes on regardless of the weather.
For more information 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 S Bench St
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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Snowflakes and Sweets Stroll
Saturday, December 16, 2023
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Main Street
Galena, IL 61036
Take your time enjoying special sweet treats from our local bakeries, chocolatiers, and more while strolling down Galena's magical Main Street.
You will find the sweet treats sprinkled along Main Street in our unique collection of shops!
Your ticket will qualify you for a punch card that's good for 10 sweet treats which will be a mix (chosen by you) of cookies, candies, drinks and more.
Tickets are $30 if preordered and $35 on event day, if any tickets are left.
Our strolls always sell out 1-2 weeks prior so don't delay your purchase!
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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