expedia
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Galena Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Historic City centre

By Drives & Detours
Free cancellation available
The previous price was S$13 and current price is S$10 per adult

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Walk through Galena, an unusually intact nineteenth-century town carved into a steep river valley, with a self-guided audio tour that plays automatically as you go. Starting city centre, you’ll follow a scenic route past brick shopfronts and terraced hillsides using an app with GPS playback.
Along the way, you will pass historic landmarks like the DeSoto House Hotel, the bustling Main Street, and the scenic Galena River waterfront. You will uncover how a booming 1820s lead-mining rush built this city, and how fading industry inadvertently preserved it as an outdoor museum of the Victorian Midwest.
Explore at your own pace—pause to browse Main Street's galleries, stop for a coffee, or admire the hillside views. The audio resumes whenever you're ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group.
This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime—it works offline and follows your location along the route.

Activity location

  • DeSoto House Hotel
    • 230 South Main Street
    • 61036, Galena, Illinois, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Galena Illinois Gates
    • 61036, Galena, Illinois, United States

Check availability

Galena Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Historic City centre in Multilingual

  • Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes2h 30m
    2h 30m
  • Opening hours: Fri 8:00-20:00
  • English
Price details
S$12.68
S$10.14 x 1 AdultS$10.14
Total
The previous price was S$12.68 and current price is S$10.14
20% off

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Flexible Usage (unlimited access)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Audio Guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    App and Tour Download
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Smartphone (bring your own)

Know before you book

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
  • GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
  • Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
  • Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time

Activity itinerary

Ulysses S. Grant Home (Pass by)

Step into the impeccably preserved post-Civil War residence gifted to the victorious general by the grateful citizens of Galena. Original mid-nineteenth-century furnishings and personal artefacts offer a fascinating, intimate glimpse into the daily life of the 18th US President.

DeSoto House Hotel

  • 5m
Immerse yourself in history at Illinois' oldest operating hotel, where legends like Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas once addressed the crowds from the balcony. The grand lobby and historic atmosphere elegantly transport visitors back to Galena's booming steamboat era.

South Main Street

  • 5m
Stroll along this iconic, gently curving thoroughfare lined with magnificently preserved 19th-century red-brick architecture. Today, these historic shopfronts house an eclectic mix of boutique shops, art galleries, and acclaimed eateries that capture the town's vibrant spirit.

Galena / Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum (Pass by)

Housed within a stunning 1858 Italianate mansion, this museum brings Galena’s multifaceted heritage to life through captivating regional artefacts. Discover the fascinating local evolution from a rugged lead-mining boomtown to a prosperous steamboat hub and home to Civil War heroes.

Dowling House (Pass by)

Explore Galena's oldest surviving structure, a sturdy limestone building constructed in 1826 that once served as the town's bustling trading post. Guided tours reveal primitive living quarters and authentic period merchandise, illustrating the rugged reality of early frontier life.

Belvedere Mansion & Gardens (Pass by)

Marvel at the lavish Victorian opulence of this 1857 Italianate estate, originally built for a prominent steamboat ambassador. With its lush, formal gardens and interiors adorned with ornate woodwork and period antiques, it stands as a testament to Galena's Gilded Age.

Grant Park

  • 5m
Cross the pedestrian bridge to enjoy peaceful walking paths, historic artillery displays, and a striking bronze statue of Ulysses S. Grant. This beautifully landscaped public space provides unparalleled, panoramic views of Historic Main Street and the winding Galena River.

Horseshoe Mound

  • 5m
Venture just outside the city centre core to hike scenic, well-maintained trails that lead to one of the most breathtaking vantage points in northern Illinois. From the summit, you can take in spectacular, sweeping vistas that stretch across the rolling landscapes of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Old Market House State Historic Site

  • 5m
Visit this beautifully restored 1845 Greek Revival building, which once served as the bustling civic and commercial heart of the booming lead-mining community. Today, it hosts rotating historical exhibits that shed light on the region's rich architectural and cultural legacy.

Washburne House State Historic Site (Pass by)

Discover the elegant Greek Revival home of Elihu Washburne, a prominent political figure who served as a trusted advisor to both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. The authentically furnished rooms provide unique insights into 19th-century political manoeuvring and upper-class domestic life.

The Old Blacksmith Shop (Pass by)

Step back in time to 1897 inside this authentic, fully equipped blacksmith shop, where the fires still burn and the anvils ring. Working smiths demonstrate traditional forging techniques, surrounded by a remarkable collection of original, century-old tools.

Illinois Central Railroad Depot c.1857

  • 5m
Admire the classic 1857 architecture of this historic train depot, a vital transport hub that once connected Galena to the rest of the expanding nation. Its presence is a quiet reminder of the pivotal shift from riverboat dominance to the golden age of the railway.

Turner Hall

  • 5m
Appreciate the enduring community spirit reflected in this 1874 gathering place, originally built by local German immigrants for gymnastics and cultural events. Its grand hall has hosted everything from early theatrical performances to modern community celebrations, retaining much of its historic charm.

High School Steps

  • 5m
Challenge yourself to a climb up this iconic, seemingly endless wooden staircase nestled into the steep bluffs overlooking the town. The ascent rewards visitors with a fantastic workout and unique, elevated perspectives of Galena's terraced residential areas.

St. Michael Catholic Church, Galena

  • 5m
Admire the architectural ingenuity of this 1863 Romanesque church, famously designed by the missionary priest Father Samuel Mazzuchelli entirely without interior pillars. Its soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass, and serene atmosphere make it a captivating stop for architecture and history enthusiasts alike.

Galena River Trail

  • 5m
Enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride along this scenic, crushed-limestone pathway that gracefully traces the route of former railway lines. The peaceful trail offers serene views of the Galena River, towering bluffs, and abundant local wildlife just steps from city centre.

Old Stockade-Cobblestone St

  • 5m
Wander down one of Galena's rare, preserved cobblestone streets to view the site of a fortified refuge used during the 1832 Black Hawk War. This unassuming location holds deep historical significance, representing the tense and turbulent early days of local settlement.

First Presbyterian Church

  • 5m
Erected in 1838, this modest yet historic structure is celebrated as the oldest continuously operating Protestant church building in the Old Northwest Territory. Its classic, simple architecture quietly echoes the faith and perseverance of Galena's earliest pioneers.

Jo Daviess County Courthouse

  • 5m
Take in the commanding presence of this 1839 courthouse, an architectural anchor of the community where local law and order were established during the mining boom. It remains a stately symbol of the region's enduring civic history and legal heritage.

Galena Illinois Gates

  • 5m
Witness an impressive feat of modern engineering designed to protect the historic city centre from the unpredictable swelling of the Galena River. These massive mechanical gates highlight the town's ongoing, delicate relationship with the waterway that originally put it on the map.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    DeSoto House Hotel
    • 230 South Main Street
    • 61036, Galena, Illinois, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Galena Illinois Gates
    • 61036, Galena, Illinois, United States

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Galena your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Galena

With so many things to do in Galena, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Galena. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Galena to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.