Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. A passion for cocktail creation, international travel and decadent foodie experiences, enjoy Stephanie's romp through the Land of Lincoln. A circus performer, stuntwoman, professed travel buff and lover of Tom Waits, Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her favorite Chicago haunts with both adventurous locals and curious travelers.
What makes something quintessentially Midwest? I’m sure if we were to ask people on the street everyone would come up with a different answer: Midwesterners are actually just friendly with no hidden agenda; we have no qualms about dealing with snow and cold; we believe in the power of the cheese curd; we think summer would be incomplete without cornhole. But when it comes to finding a town that embodies everything that we love about the Midwest, we only have to go as far as northwest Illinois to find it.
Galena: Population 3,429. This idyllic town looks like it belongs smack dab on the front of a postcard. The picturesque farms, the rolling countryside, the winding roads, the golden cornfields and the charming Main Street; these things alone—at least, we think so—are enough to make you pull out the camera and hop in the car for a quick trip (or at least for the weekend).
Just like any good Midwest town, Galena has some pretty spectacular views. Whether you are a hiker or a history buff, this town has something for you to explore. Hike the rugged Casper Bluff (once the home of the Native American warrior Black Hawk), and be rewarded with glorious views of the Mississippi River while also taking your own solo tour of the 85 acres of lands containing burial mounds.
Ready to find out why Galena’s Main Street was named "Best Main Street in the Midwest" by Midwest Living magazine and America’s Best Main Streets by Fodor’s? Behind the doors of these 19-century brick storefronts is everything from one-of-a-kind antiques and art galleries to gourmet grocery stores and charming bookshops. If you want to do a weekend shopping excursion in the Midwest, Galena has it all!
A lot of people base their travels on food, and why shouldn’t you? While Galena might look like you’ve just stepped back in time, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find an eclectic array of foods to tantalize any taste buds. Head to Fried Green Tomatoes, a building once owned by Ulysses S. Grant’s father, and enjoy an Italian dinner with your sweetheart. Then have a fantastic locally sourced Sunday brunch at Otto’s Place (the number one restaurant in Galena, according to TripAdvisor) before heading out of town.
If you are looking for a charming place to stay you’ll certainly have your pick in Galena. Cozy up in the stately Desoto House Hotel, one of the oldest operating hotels in Illinois. If an intimate inn is more your style, The Steamboat House, the Cloran Mansion and Farmers Guest House are only some of the popular stays for travelers looking to rest their weary heads.
Want a view that’s guaranteed to cause jaws to drop? Then it’s time to take to the sky. Float up thousands of feet in a majestic hot air balloon as it glides smoothly across the air. A stunning sunrise or sunset flight over the beautiful Midwest countryside will be a memory you won’t soon forget.
Soak up some of the rich culture and history of this bucolic town by visiting the Dowling House, Galena’s oldest building, or connecting with the state’s fascinating past at the Galena Historical Society & US Grant Museum. Take a tour of Ulysses S. Grant’s home, where he returned after the Civil War. There is so much that Galena can tell you about this state’s rich history that you may have never learned in school.
There are so many great towns in the Prairie State just like Galena that remind you why “The Midwest is the Best.” Are there other Illinois towns that feel like the Midwest you know and love? If so, we would love to hear about it in the comments below.
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