Soar the Beautiful Skies Above Galena This Summer
Whether attending fun local events like the Great Galena Balloon Race or otherwise enjoying a Galena hot air balloon ride, soaring through the quiet skies is one of the best ways to appreciate the scenic beauty of northwestern Illinois. There are so many fantastic things to do in Galena, IL, and this summer is one of the best opportunities to enjoy many of them. Choose the luxury lodging at our Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast, and you’ll also be within easy walking distance to most of it.
Soaring through the skies on Galena hot air balloon rides is an activity gaining popularity over the years. In part, it’s because of events like the Great Galena Balloon Festival. But really, hot air ballooning has long been a beloved activity and one of the most peaceful, serene experiences a person can have. There’s just something magical about being gently blown across the sky on the gentlest of winds, with nothing but the sounds of silence (and each other) cloaking you in wonder.
Below, the rolling hills of Illinois’ Driftless Area will unfold before your eyes, leaving you in awe of this unusually scenic part of the relatively flat midwest. If all of this isn’t enough to climb onboard a Galena hot air balloon ride, perhaps the chance to celebrate a special occasion in such a unique way will be. Of course, all this fun and more can only be made better by staying at our luxurious #1-rated Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast.
We offer the most luxurious Galena lodging, with just six guest rooms, an endless array of amenities, a sensational wine and food experience, and unbeatable hospitality in one convenient location. Our Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast is the closest lodging to downtown Galena, allowing our guests to enjoy the best of this charming, historic city at their leisure. A stay at our Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast is the getaway you’ve been dreaming of. Book your room with us today!
When & How to Enjoy Galena Hot Air Balloon Rides
There are, perhaps, no places more beautiful for hot air ballooning in Illinois than beautiful Galena. Galena hot air balloon rides are a step above the rest, offering spectacular scenery and memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.
We highly recommend the experts at Galena on the Fly for local Galena hot air balloon rides. Not only does this competition have a spectacular reputation for safety and quality of experience, but they also boast one of the largest hot air balloons in the country. This novelty will surely etch this Galena hot air balloon ride in your memory forever!
If you choose to ride with Galena on the Fly, you’ll begin your journey at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, located on the outskirts of downtown Galena. Balloons are launched from one of several locations on the resort grounds, and from there, where your journey goes, only the wind knows. You can, however, expect to soar up to 3,000 feet in the air the beautiful landscapes of Jo Daviess County.
Most Galena hot air balloon rides only travel a short distance, typically around 5- 10 miles, but you’ll feel like you’ve been soaring for miles by the time you touch down. Galena hot air balloon rides take around an hour from start to finish, at which time you’ll enjoy a cheery champagne toast to celebrate all you’ve just seen and experienced.
Galena on the Fly offers hot air balloon rides seven days a week from May through October. On weekdays, only sunset rides are available, while on weekends, you can choose from either sunrise or sunset rides, with each option accommodating up to 14 passengers. You can also arrange private flights on weekdays, a great way to celebrate special occasions!
Great Galena Balloon Race
A popular annual event in Galena each June is the Great Galena Balloon Race. It’s a fantastic Galena hot air balloon festival. The Great Galena Balloon Race always takes place the third weekend in June, which means that in 2023, it will take place the weekend of June 16 – 18.
The event kicks off on Friday, June 16, with live music and a balloon race sponsored by our friends at Galena on the Fly. There’s also a planned nightglow that evening, which is a spectacular part of this fun weekend that you won’t want to miss.
There are more fun balloon races early in the morning on Saturday and Sunday, and you can expect a classic car show on Saturday night. Also on Saturday will be the Great Galena Art Show featuring various works from regional artists. If you still haven’t gotten enough hot air ballooning after this fun event, Galena on the Fly will also offer hot air ballooning rides at the 2023 National Balloon Classic, which will take place July 28 – August 5. This spectacular event will feature over 100 hot air balloons in nearby Iowa.
Sink into Luxury at our Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast
As you sink back to the ground after your Galena hot air balloon ride, we have no doubt you’ll feel exhilarated from your big sky adventure. Though there are plenty more things to do in downtown Galena for the remainder of the day, this is also the perfect opportunity to return to our luxury Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast for some pampering.
We work with local massage therapists to offer a touch of added indulgence for our guests in the form of an in-suite massage. We’ll need enough lead time to schedule this in advance, but it’s a great way to treat yourself to something special while you’re in Galena.
We’ll also ensure you have plenty to snack on while relaxing in the afternoon. We deliver a delicious assortment of house-made appetizers, freshly baked cookies, charcuterie, and more for you to enjoy at your leisure, along with your selection of wine or other beverages. It’s great to nibble on before dinner – and some guests even like to save some for a late-night snack! The tray will be delivered to your room and can be enjoyed in-suite or in any of our delightful common areas, including our beautiful back deck or peaceful courtyard patio.
Our afternoon wine & appetizer tray is one of our most popular amenities, but it’s certainly only one small part of staying at our Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast. We also wow our guests daily with a gourmet, multi-course breakfast, and our six guest rooms offer a singular experience not found at any other Galena lodging. If you’re ready to take to the skies this summer, it’s time to book your room at our #1-rated Galena Illinois Bed and Breakfast today!
