from
The DeSoto House Hotel
"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"
Since 1855
|
|
Now is a great time to visit Galena and stay at the DeSoto House Hotel!
Come and enjoy the rich fall colors of this beautiful area.
~ Check out our midweek packages. ~
|
|
Midweek Dinner Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
$50.00 Dinner coupon
$219.00
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
Midweek Breakfast Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$199.00
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
Midweek Breakfast & Dinner Package
Sunday - Thursday
One-night stay
Breakfast for two
$50.00 Dinner coupon
$239.00
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
History Museum Package
Sunday - Thursday
Breakfast for two
Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum
$219.00
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
Trolley Package
Sunday - Thursday
Breakfast for two
Two tickets for the Galena Trolley
$219.00
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
Best Available Rate
One-night stay
Starting at $109.00
Subject to availability
Prices good through October 31, 2021
|
|
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, plan to dine with us.
|
|
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:
|
|
Galena Goat Yoga
Enjoy 45 min of relaxing yoga & 45 min of goat play at Silver Linings Farm, one of the original red brick stagecoach stops on the trail from Galena to Chicago.
They have everything you'll need to have an amazing experience.
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
The Spoon Carver Cottage
Located just steps from Galena's Main Street, The Spoon Carver Cottage is a full-time artist residence, artist studio & workshop, and venue for the Galena Spoon Company classes and events.
For more information about spoon carving classes, or to visit The Cottage (by appointment only), visit their website or call in advance.
Using only an axe, straight knife, hook knife, and all-natural food-safe oil and wax; Paul’s mission is to create simple, authentic hand-made, and beautiful functional art.
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
Long Hollow Canopy Tours
Enjoy approximately 2 1/2 hours of thrilling fun on this completely guided canopy tour!
- UTV Ride
- 6 Ziplines
- Rappel
- Sky Bridge
- Hike
- Quick Jump
Every tour is given an orientation on safety and braking before beginning on the first zip line.
Each guest wears a waist and shoulder harness with lanyards that are attached to steel cables at all times while up at height.
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
Galena River Outfitters
Galena River Outfitters is an outdoor sport and recreation company that offers equipment rentals and custom adventures.
They provide awesome paddle and bike adventure packages to explore the area via land or water, or you can explore on your own!
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
Hoof It Goat Treks
Experience the pure joy of frolicking goats while walking through native prairie and forest as the goats follow along and play.
The trek explores the wooded property and prairies that have been in our family for four generations. The goats follow us along the way and enjoy hand-fed treats. The hike lasts an hour and is 1.25 miles long. The trail is suitable for all ages and abilities.
All of our guides have an inherent knowledge of the land and the animals. We have grown up on this property, raised our families here, and are excited to share it with you.
Pre-registration is required.
|
|
The Galena River Trail offers 8.0 miles (one way) of scenic hiking and biking.
|
|
Enjoy scenic outlooks with views across three states at the Horseshoe Mound Preserve.
|
|
Enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River from Casper Bluff Land and Water Preserve.
|
|
Other great places to visit in addition to our local historic attractions and museums are:
|
Hosted by the Haunted Galena Tour Company
October 2, 2021 - December 30, 2021
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Saturdays only)
Are you looking for something to do after a day of shopping Galena’s Main Street, but it’s not yet time for dinner?
Join in on the Spirits and Spirits Tour where the "Bootlegger" guide will take you into three truly haunted Galena Establishments: The DeSoto Hotel, Galena Cellars Winery, and The Galena Brewing Company.
You will learn about the ghosts who haunt these fine establishments, other famous Galena ghosts, and a bit about the area’s haunted history!
It's the Spirits who haunt and the Spirits we drink, shaken (but never stirred) into a spooky and fun 90-minute tour.
THE BEST PART...your ticket price includes 3 specialty drinks...one at each of the haunted locations! It’s the perfect before dinner activity.
Reservations required.
|
Saturday, October 2, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Saturday, October 16, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
870 S Pilot Knob Rd
Galena, IL 61036
One of Jo Daviess County’s most cherished sites just got better.
The public is invited to join trained volunteer guides for an experiential tour of this magical place where nature’s treasurers meet with history’s secrets.
Casper Bluff commands some of the best views of the Mississippi River and its backwater sloughs and is home to many rare and wondrous birds, making it a popular spot for bird watching year-round.
A system of mowed trails takes visitors to part of the Aiken Mound group, a series of Native America mounds that were built in approximately 700-900 A.D. as part of the Effigy Mound culture and includes a rare, intact effigy mound in the shape of a Thunderbird.
Trails also wind through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna habitat.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to discover all that Casper Bluff has to offer.
Reservations required.
|
Saturday, October 2, 2021
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
256 S. Grebner Rd
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Visit Dittmar Farms & Orchard to see over 25 "back in the day" small engines. There will be an apple juice demonstration and an ice cream demonstration, along with hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin picking, donuts and more!
See website for more information.
|
Saturday, October 2, 2021
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Depot Park
91 Bouthillier St.
Galena, Il 61036
The 14th Annual Galena Oktoberfest will feature:
- The Ceremonial Tapping of the Keg
- Non-stop Live Music
- Famous Wiener Dog Races
- Polka Lessons and Dancing
- A Bean Bag Tournament
- The Beer Stein Endurance Contest
- A Bounce House and Pumpkin Decorating for kids
- GREAT FOOD AND BEER
Also, remember to bring any eyeglasses or sunglasses that you would like to donate as we will have our donation drop box on-site. No beer goggles please.
|
Saturday, October 9, 2021 - Sunday, October 10, 2021
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Grant Park
625 Park Avenue
Galena, Il 61036
Enjoy one of Galena's most popular events featuring more than 150 vendors selling a variety of high-quality, original handmade arts, crafts and fine arts.
In addition there are many delicious food and beverage vendors, and plenty of family fun!
|
Friday, October 15, 2021 - Sunday, October 17, 2021
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Elizabeth & Galena, Illinois
Asbury & Maquoketa, Iowa
Join us for our twentieth year of the Twenty Dirty Hands self-guided pottery tour.
The tour has expanded this year to include not only Elizabeth and Galena, Illinois but also Asbury and Maquoketa, Iowa.
The eight different locations will give you an opportunity to meet the artists, see their new work and add to your pottery collection!
Visit their website for a tour map.
|
Saturday, October 23, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Elizabeth City Cemetery
3465 S Apple River Rd.
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Before evening falls and the Fright at the Fort begins, join Fort staff on a guided walking tour through the Elizabeth City Cemetery.
You'll visit all the stones of those who helped to defend the Fort, as well as other notable figures including Civil War veterans, politicians, and more. Visitors will also learn how to "read" a headstone, decipher common iconography, how to safely "take a stone home," and basic techniques to headstone preservation.
Special note on parking - please park carefully along S. Apple River Road or on the paved roads in the cemetery! Avoid parking on the grass within the cemetery so you don't hit or drive on a grave!
See website for more information.
|
Saturday, October 23, 2021
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Apple River Fort State Historic Site
311 E. Myrtle St.
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Visit the Fort for an evening of spooky fun! How would you keep a witch out of your house? Cure a case of cholera?
Learn about 1830s mourning and funeral customs and find out why it matters which way the deceased is carried out of the house.
Meet the ghost of John Gray, and hear the story of his life—and death - on the Illinois frontier. Kids can make the popular 19th century optical illusion toy - the Thaumatrope - and hear a selection of spooky stories around the fire.
See website for more information.
|
Saturday, October 30, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Main Street
Galena, IL
This extraordinary display features spectacular floats, marching bands, costumed participants, prizes and treats for guys and 'ghouls' of all ages.
Take the kids to the Kids Fest and grab a bite to eat before the parade at the Food Festival
Limited edition T-shirts and 50/50 raffle tickets can be purchased and food vendors will be serving good eats.
Free shuttles will be provided from parking areas to Main Street.
|
Friday, November 19, 2021
2:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Galena Cellars
111 N. Main St.
Galena, IL 61036
Galena Cellars celebrates the release of the 2021 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 37th 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.
Free admission.
|
Take a break and stop by our Quiet Room on the lobby 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!
815.777.6812
Sales Department
|
|
Reserve your getaway now!
Make your reservations by calling
815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562.
|
|
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!
|
|
Michael Steinhoff
General Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|