PLAY
Five hours north of St. Louis, Galena, Illinois, is known for its well-preserved buildings and history. Head to Ulysses S. Grant’s home, a state historic site that echoes back to the summer of 1865, when the Civil War hero returned home, where locals presented him with a furnished house on Bouthillier Street. You can visit the Italianate style building from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For outdoor adventure seekers, Chestnut Mountain Resort offers skiing and snowboarding, including slopes for various levels of expertise and freestyle terrain. For art lovers, check out West Street Sculpture Park, created by John Martinson, a Minnesota native who moved to Galena in 1979 to run the Galena Blacksmith Shop and Gallery. He later opened his own studio, filled with expressive artworks, including 40-foot towers and unique signs.
EAT
Whether you’re getting breakfast, brunch, or lunch, Otto’s is a solid option. The establishment was named after Otto Sallman, a man who lived upstairs during the 1900s and dreamed of turning the facility into a restaurant. Due to financial difficulties, he wasn’t able to open the establishment, but the café was opened in his honor in 2011. Otto’s offers many breakfast and sandwich options, as well coffee and cocktails. If you’re looking for a drink, Galena Brewery is a great choice to sample local beers, with a dozen taps, flagships, and seasonal brews, along with lots of snacks, soups, and sandwiches. For dinner, Fried Green Tomatoes serves soups, salads, steaks, seafood, and more. Grant’s father, Jesse R. Grant, originally owned part of the building.
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STAY
The Desoto House, a historic hotel with 55 Victorian style guest rooms, is known as the site where President Abraham Lincoln spoke from the building’s balcony on July 23, 1856, in support of presidential nominee John Fremont. The Inn at Felt Manor offers another chance to step back in time, with its 1850s architecture. It’s located just blocks from Galena’s historic Main Street and includes the Coach House, the Stable Studio, and the Manor. The Lamberson Guest House has been around since 1870 and offers four guest rooms, named after the original owner, David Harvey Lamberson, and his family. The house is located on Quality Hill, overlooking Main Street.
