galena tips.5c

GETTING THERE: From Chicago, drive west on Interstate 90 to Rockford, Ill. Just east of Rockford, take U.S. Highway 20 West toward Freeport and Galena. Do not take Business 20. From Iowa, go east toward Dubuque, Iowa follow U.S. Highway 20.

LODGING: Accommodations range from the historic DeSoto House Hotel on Main Street to the relatively inexpensive roadside Grant Hills Motel, one mile east of downtown Galena on U.S. 20. Galena abounds in bed-and-breakfasts, country inns and guest houses. Whether you want a room with antique furnishings or cable TV, a fireplace or an outdoor bonfire, a flower garden or a fishing pond, rocking chairs on a wraparound porch or a billiard parlor all can be found in Galena. There also are area campgrounds, and resorts that offer golf and snow skiing. Reservations are recommended for weekends.

WHEN TO GO: Some merchants close shop more often during the winter. So, to enjoy the historic business district at its best, visit Galena in the spring, summer or fall. If you're a winter sports enthusiast, though, do check out the downhill and cross-country skiing.

DINING: For a small town, Galena offers a wide range of restaurants, from Fried Green Tomatoes' upscale Italian fare to the all-you-can-eat Friday night fish fry at Boone's Place. If you're not staying at a bed-and-breakfast, you can sample one by having tea or a light lunch at Bernadine's Tea Room at the Stillman Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in a 142-year-old mansion on a hilltop across from Ulysses S. Grant's home. Some restaurants in the historic business district close on Mondays.

INFORMATION: The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a visitors guide packed with information on lodging, restaurants, shops and other attractions. Call (800) 747-9377 or visit www.galena.org. For weekend and holiday lodging availability, call the bureau at (866) 442-3200 (also toll-free in the United States) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Some other useful phone numbers and Web sites: SAMPLER OF GALENA BED AND BREAKFASTS. (815) 777-1334.

WWW.GALENA-BNB.COM/SAMPLER.

GALENA-JO DAVIESS COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM. 815-777-9129. WWW.GALENAHISTORYMUSEUM.ORG.

ULYSSES S. GRANT HOME STATE HISTORIC SITE. (815) 777-3310.

WWW.GRANTHOME.COM

FESTIVAL OF QUILTS, GALENA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (815) 777-9050. WWW.GALENACHAMBER.COM/QUILTS.HTM

GALENA TROLLEY DEPOT. TOLL FREE: (877) GALENA1 OR (815) 777-1248. WWW.GALENATROLLEY.COM

BRILL'S TROLLEY TOURS. (815) 777-3121.

WWW.ILOHWY.COM/B/BRILLSTT.HTM

GALENA MAIN STREET WALKING TOUR. (815) 777-9129 OR (815) 777-9252. WWW.GALENAHISTORY.MUSEUM.ORG/TOURS.HTM

GALENA CELLARS MAIN STREET TASTING ROOM AND WINERY TOURS. (800) 397-WINE. WWW.GALENACELLARS.COM

VINEGAR HILL HISTORIC LEAD MINE & MUSEUM. (815) 777-0855. WWW.ILOHWY.COM/V/VINEGARH.HTM

DESOTO HOUSE HOTEL. (800) 343-6562. WW.DESOTOHOUSE.COM