Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The highlight of this region is the hilly northwest, where cottonwood trees, grazing
horses and scenic byways fill the pocket around Galena.
En route is Union, where the
Illinois Railway Museum
(
815-923-4000;
www.irm.org
;
Apr-Oct, hours vary)
sends trainspotters into fits
US 20 to Union Rd; adult $10-14, child $7-10;
of ecstasy with 200 acres of locomotives.
Galena
While it sometimes gets chided as a place for the 'newly wed and nearly dead,' thanks to
all the tourist-oriented B&Bs, fudge and antique shops, there's no denying little Galena's
beauty. It spreads across wooded hillsides near the Mississippi River, amid rolling, barn-
dotted farmland. Red-brick mansions in Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Queen Anne
styles fill the streets, left over from the town's heyday in the mid-1800s, when local lead
mines made it rich. Throw in cool kayak trips, horseback rides and winding backroad
drives, and you've got a lovely slowpoke getaway.
Sights & Activities
1857 train depot as you enter from the east, is a good place to start. Get a map, leave
your car in the lot ($5 per day) and explore on foot.
Elegant old Main St curves around the hillside and the historic heart of town. Among
Bouthillier St; adult/child $5/3; 9am-4:45pm Wed-Sun Apr-Oct, reduced hours Nov-Mar)
,
which was a gift from local Republicans to the victorious general at the Civil War's end.
Grant lived here until he became the country's 18th president.
Outdoors enthusiasts should head to
Fever River Outfitters
( 815-776-9425;
www.feverriveroutfitters.com
;
525 S Main St; 10am-5pm, closed Tue-Thu early Sep-late May)
,
which rents canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, bicycles and snowshoes. It also of-
fers guided tours, such as two-hour kayak trips ($45 per person, equipment included) on
the Mississippi River's backwaters. Or saddle up at
Shenandoah Riding Center
(
815-777-2373;
www.shenandoahridingcenter.com
; 200 N Brodrecht Rd; 1hr ride $45)
. It leads trail
rides through the valley for all levels of riders, including beginners. The stables are 8
miles east of town.
For a pretty drive mosey onto the
Stagecoach Trail
, a 26-mile ride on a narrow, twisty
road en route to Warren. Pick it up by taking Main St northeast through downtown; at the
