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Welcome to

The DeSoto Dispatch

September, 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 fall in Galena!


Sunday Brunch is offered every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

September Packages:

Midweek Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$259.00


Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through September 30, 2026

Midweek Breakfast Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$239.00


Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through September 30, 2026

Midweek Breakfast & Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$284.00


Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through September 30, 2026

Best Available Rate

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Starting at $139.00


Subject to availability

History Museum Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum

$259.00


Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through September 30, 2026

The Galena Ghost Walk Package

Available: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights

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.

$259.00


*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.


Trolley Package

Sunday - Thursday

One Night Stay

Breakfast for Two

Tickets for a ride on the Galena Trolley

$259.00


Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu


Subject to availability

Prices good through September 30, 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!

Upcoming Events:

"Murder and Mayhem In A Mining Town"

October 30, 2026

5:30 p.m.

Join the DeSoto House Hotel and The Haunted Galena Tour Company in the Grand Ballroom of the DeSoto House for an elegant dinner and an evening of 200 years of dark Galena history, eerie folklore, and true Galena ghost stories, with a special touch of music. Hear of infamous murders, tragedies and hauntings that have lingered throughout our darkest history.


Cash Bar will be available up until the performance starts.

$84.00 per person.

Tickets may be purchased on eventbrite MURDER AND MAYHEM In A Mining Town Tickets, Friday, October 30 • 5:30 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite

or by calling the Desoto House Hotel at 815-777-0090

General's Ball

November 14, 2026

Step back in time! Join us for the General's Ball!


Green Street Tavern Open Mic

September 1 and 15


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



Galena's Farmers Market

September 5, 12, 19 and 26

7:00 AM-12:00 PM

Purchase Home Grown produce, Fresh baked Goods and Crafts made by Local Participants. Located right behind the DeSoto House Hotel - enjoy breakfast before or after!


East Dubuque's Cruisin Thursdays

September 3, 10, 17 and 31

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!


Historical Society's 32nd Annual Cemetary Walk

September 12 & 13

1:00-4:30 p.m.

Join us for the 32nd Annual Galena Cemetery Walk and experience Galena’s history brought to life!

Outdoor Performances

September 12–13, 2026

1:00 PM–4:30 PM

Location: Greenwood Cemetery

Admission: $20 per person (ages 9 and up)

Tickets are available for purchase at the event. No reservations are required.

Each performance lasts approximately 75 minutes.


Hat & Honey Bar

DeSoto House Hotel

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Cost: $80

Date: September 25, October 9, November 13 and December 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!


19th Annual Galena Oktober Fest

October 3

11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.


Celebrate German heritage during this activity-filled festival. From famous Wiener Dog Races to Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Competition to New Glarus Alphorns softly playing to throwing on your lederhosen and dancing to some polka music. Bring the whole family, and head over to the Kinder Area where children can try their luck with The Great Pumpkin Lift and win free Potosi Root Beer. Grab some apple cider donuts and paint some pumpkins or play Big Jenga or Big Connect4 in the shade for a while.


This year, celebrity singer Wayne Messmer will sing the national anthem, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit, and a hot air balloon glow by Galena On The Fly will take place! 


Hosted by the Galena Lions Club, all proceeds from this event will benefit the community, serving those in need. Adults and teens are $10 while kids 12 and under are free!


Pre-registration is required for Wiener Dog Races and the Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Competition.


For more information visit https://galenalions.org/home

46th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival

October 31

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.


The largest, longest, and spookiest Parade and Festival in the Tri-State Area!


This extraordinary display features spectacular floats, marching bands, costumed participants, prizes, and treats for guys and 'ghouls' of all ages.


Winter Events Forecast:

Rooms are booking fast, so be sure to call 815.777.0090 ASAP! For more event details, visit our Facebook/Instagram or desotohouse.com and visitgalena.org/events


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, biking 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!

Keep more informed by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

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DeSoto House Hotel Gift Certificates

make perfect gifts!

Michael Steinhoff

General Manager

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230 South Main Street

Galena, IL 61036

815.777.0090 or 800.343.6562