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The Best of the Best in Galena

Drive the Scenic Art Loop Near Galena!

We often talk about the best things to do in Galena, Illinois, which includes things like shopping on Main Street in downtown Galena, touring historic properties like the U.S. Grant Home, enjoying Galena Hikes, biking the Galena River Trail, wine tasting and enjoying Galena wine tours, and so much more. Now you can add a new experience to your list: The Scenic Art Loop in Galena and surrounding areas. 

Art has long been a staple part of downtown Galena, with various art galleries and studios in town, not to mention fantastic venues like the Galena Center for the Arts. The Scenic Art Loop brings all of these fantastic art-based businesses in downtown Galena and in surrounding towns together and creates a fantastic experience for art lovers to enjoy while visiting our Galena Bed and Breakfast

However you choose to explore Galena’s picturesque town and surroundings, we’re here to serve as the ultimate home away from home. Our Galena Bed and Breakfast is the #1 choice for Galena Lodging. We’re just steps off Main Street, offering guests easy access to downtown Galena’s restaurants, shopping, and more. A stay at our Galena Bed and Breakfast goes far beyond having a convenient home base throughout your getaway, though. See what sets us apart from the rest, and book a room at our Galena Bed and Breakfast today! 

An artist getting ready to paint at a studio on the scenic art loop near our downtown Galena Bed and Breakfast

Explore the Scenic Art Loop in Galena

We’ve long supported the arts in Galena. From buying and displaying local art at our Galena Bed and Breakfast to serving on the Board at the Galena Center for the Arts, maintaining a rich and diverse culture of the arts is important to us – and to many of our guests! That’s one of the many reasons we’re excited to share things like the 113-mile self-guided Scenic Art Loop with our guests. 

The Scenic Art Loop takes you to notable art galleries in downtown Galena and beyond, in addition to studios you can tour. The Scenic Art Loop goes far beyond the visual arts, though. As you make your way along the Scenic Art Loop, you can also expect to stop in at local wineries, breweries, restaurants, and unique shops along the way. It’s also a new and fun way to experience the beautiful countryside surrounding us here in the Driftless Region of Illinois! 

The Scenic Art Loop is designed to be a truly immersive, fun, and memorable experience in the Galena Area – and that’s why it might just be one of our favorite things to do in Galena, Illinois! Here are a few local highlights in downtown Galena that are included on the Scenic Art Loop:

  1. Of all the art-related things to do in Galena, Illinois, one of our favorites is visiting the Galena Center for the Arts. There, you’ll find several art exhibits, hands-on workshops, art for sale, and more. 
  2. Of the many things to do in Galena, Illinois, few things are better than visiting our local galleries in downtown Galena. This includes stops like Outside the Lines Gallery, River Bend Gallery, and Hello Galena. There’s also the Eagle Ballroom Gallery at Eagle Ridge Resort, just outside downtown Galena. 
  3. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Galena, Illinois, don’t miss a show at PT Murphy Magic Theatre – a fun, immersive experience on the Scenic Art Loop!
  4. There are plenty of great places to grab a drink or bite to eat in downtown Galena. There are a few great stops on the Scenic Art Loop, including Blaum Bros Distilling, Galena Cellars, and Miss Kitty’s Grape Escape

Downtown Galena isn’t the only place to enjoy the Scenic Art Loop. Here are a few more great stops to enjoy just outside the Galena area.

  1. Take in a summer performance at the Timber Lake Playhouse, Illinois’s oldest continuously operating professional and resident summer stock theatre company. They have a fantastic lineup of shows lined up for the summer. 
  2. Before watching a performance at the Playhouse, stop into Zenga’s art gallery and studio, filled with various local art. 
  3. Visit Majestic Skyscape, an eclectic art gallery featuring fantastic handmade jewelry, blown glass, and so much more. 
  4. Stop in for a delicious wine tasting at local wineries, like Massbach Ridge Winery on the Scenic Art Loop. 
  5. If you’re looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat nearby on the Scenic Art Loop, head to Woodbine Bend Golf Course and Restaurant

This is just the beginning of what you can enjoy on the Scenic Art Loop. There’s so much more to explore on this fabulous self-guided adventure, easily one of the best things to do in Galena, Illinois! You should also consider joining vendors on the Scenic Art Loop for the monthly art drives on the first weekend of the month. 

Historic buildings in downtown Galena, where you'll find a number of art galleries on the Scenic Art Loop

The Best Galena Bed and Breakfast

While exploring the Scenic Art Drive and the many fantastic things to do in Galena, Illinois this summer, you’ll want a relaxing place to stay to balance your getaway. There’s no better place to stay than our Galena Bed and Breakfast. From our luxurious guest rooms with 800 square feet of indulgent space to our decadent three-course breakfast in the morning, the guest experience at our Galena Bed and Breakfast is truly second to none. 

From the moment you check in to our Galena Bed and Breakfast, we think you’ll feel the difference. We’ll give you a brief overview of our property and what you can expect throughout your stay before showing you to your guest room, where a chilled bottle of champagne and a custom box of chocolates await your arrival. From there, settle into the guest room, turn on your own custom music in our Bluetooth speakers, sink into one of our luxurious robes, unwind in our spa-like bathrooms, relax, and say, ahhh. We’re happy to arrange for in-room massages throughout your stay, too. 

As you wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee or tea in your in-room Keurig, then join us downstairs for one of the best breakfasts you’ve ever had. We’ll start with our fresh, locally-roasted coffee, tea, or juice, and then we’ll bring you the first course – usually some kind of fruit dish. This will be followed by a delicious freshly made pastry and a sumptuous main course. We rotate our menus frequently, and with the seasons, so the breakfast experience is also different here at our Galena Bed and Breakfast. 

Once you’ve ended your day on the Scenic Art Loop, return to our Galena Bed and Breakfast for a relaxed afternoon happy hour featuring our delicious wine & appetizer tray. This tray is filled with house-made appetizers, freshly baked cookies, and a selection of charcuterie from local favorite Galena River Wine & Cheese, and it’s delivered to your room each afternoon for you to enjoy as you please. Take it outside onto our back deck or patios, and let it carry you through the evening until you head to downtown Galena for dinner. 

If you’re ready to enjoy the endless hospitality of our Galena Bed and Breakfast, it’s time to book your room!

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