SAMPLE
SkipCo Travel You'll go where we send you.

Galena Long Weekend

A Sample SkipCo Fall Getaway - The Day Book Format

Dates Oct 16-18
Travelers Alex & Sam
Origin Naperville, IL
Duration 3 Days, 2 Nights

Your Three Days

Day 1
Friday, October 16
Arrival + Main Street

Drive in from Naperville, settle into Galena's gas-lit Main Street, and spend the evening at the town's marquee restaurant.

Morning drive via I-88 W + US-20 W
Main Street walk + Galena Cellars
Dinner: Fried Green Tomatoes
View Day 1
Day 2
Saturday, October 17
Sunrise Balloon + History

The full day. Sunrise at Horseshoe Mound, hot air balloon at Eagle Ridge, walking history tour, and a steakhouse that's been open since 1937.

Sunrise at Horseshoe Mound Preserve
Galena On The Fly balloon ($260/person)
Grant Home + Dowling House tour
Dinner: Log Cabin Steakhouse
View Day 2
Day 3
Sunday, October 18
River Trail + Departure

Breakfast at the local favorite, a walk along the Galena River Trail through restored bottomland forest, then home by 4 PM.

Breakfast: Otto's Place (open Fri-Sun)
Galena River Trail (Depot Park trailhead)
Final Main Street loop, depart by noon
View Day 3

Full Dining Guide

Where to Eat

Venue Meal Cuisine Price Tier Note
Fried Green Tomatoes Dinner Steaks & Seafood $$$ $40-70/person Marquee Galena dinner since 1993. Book 2-4 wks ahead. 213 N Main St.
Log Cabin Steakhouse Dinner Steakhouse & Greek $$$ $40-65/person Operating since 1937. 100+ wines. 201 N Main St. Book same time as Fri.
Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy Dinner Italian $$ $25-40/person Scratch pasta, reliable backup Saturday dinner. 201 S Main St.
Galena Cellars Tasting Room Lunch Wine & Small Plates $$ $15-25/person Three floors, seasonal plates, outdoor seating through October. 111 N Main St.
Otto's Place Breakfast American / Local $ Under $15/person The local go-to; short menu, scratch-made. Opens 8 AM Fri-Sun. 100 Bouthillier St.
DeSoto House - Green Street Tavern Breakfast American $$ $15-25/person Historic hotel dining room. Egg plates, pastries, central Main St location.
Gobbie's Sports Pub & Eatery Breakfast Lunch Pub Fare $ Under $15/person Chicago-style comfort food, large courtyard. Great casual midday option.

Priority Bookings

Reserve This Trip

Book Now

4-6 weeks ahead for fall weekends. Sunrise slot fills first. $260/person by credit card. Weather-dependent - no same-day booking. buyaballoonride.com

Book Now

2-4 weeks for fall Friday/Saturday nights. Walk-ins possible but not reliable. OpenTable or direct call 815-777-9938.

Book Soon

2-3 weeks for Saturday in peak foliage season. Closed Mon/Tue. OpenTable or logcabingalena.com.

Plan Ahead
Hotel / Inn

Galena fills on fall weekends. Narrow the property choice at intake and book with the balloon reservation. 4-6 weeks out.

What is SkipCo?