Jo Daviess district, Illinois, United States

Places to visit near Galena

Galena is a town in Jo Daviess district, Illinois, United States, home to about 3,299 people. Within 50 km by road there are 177 places to visit — 66 forts & heritage, 21 museums, 14 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 23 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Lake Galena (9 km), Fritz Chapel (18 km) and Frentress Lake (20 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Galena on the map

Galena, Illinois
Galena, Jo Daviess district, Illinois, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Galena at a glance

Location
Jo Daviess district, Illinois, United States
Population
about 3,299
Coordinates
42.4167° N, 90.4290° W
Places within 50 km
177 (30 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums

Top places to visit near Galena

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Galena: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Galena

Things to see near Galena, by type

Forts & heritage near Galena

75 forts & heritage within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Old Firehouse (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Galena

28 museums within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Old Market House (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Galena

27 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Lake Galena (9 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Galena

27 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Sinsinawa Mound (19 km); the best-known is Charles Mound (23 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Churches near Galena

23 churches within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Saint Michaels Roman Catholic Church (1 km); the best-known is Fritz Chapel (18 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Galena

23 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Galena. The closest is Mines of Spain State Recreation Area (22 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Galena

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 78 km on the road.

  1. Start in Galena
  2. 1 km Old Firehouse · heritage site, Jo Daviess
  3. 20 km Frentress Lake · lake, Dubuque
  4. 26 km Fritz Chapel · church, Jackson
  5. 22 km Lake Galena · lake, Jackson
  6. 9 km Old Market House · museum, Jackson
  7. 0 km Back to Galena

Plan a longer trip from Galena — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Galena

No traveller has reported from around Galena yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Galena

    All places near Galena by distance

    Within 15 km of Galena

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Galena by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage6675Old Firehouse (1 km)
    Museums2128Old Market House (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1427Lake Galena (9 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2327Sinsinawa Mound (19 km)
    Churches1223Saint Michaels Roman Catholic Church (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1323Mines of Spain State Recreation Area (22 km)
    Parks69Big Mill Homestead (22 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves57Ninemile Island (15 km)
    Other attractions66Henry W. Miller House (5 km)
    Beaches & coast46Bellevue Beach (12 km)
    Caves26Crystal Lake Cave (20 km)
    Waterfalls45Thunder Bay Falls (8 km)
    Treks11Mississippi Palisades State Park Trails North (46 km)

    Galena: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Galena?

    Lake Galena (lake, about 9 km), Fritz Chapel (church, about 18 km), Frentress Lake (lake, about 20 km), Old Firehouse (heritage site, about 1 km), Old Market House (museum, about 1 km), Galena Historic District (heritage site, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Galena?

    177 places on Spotwander: 66 forts & heritage, 21 museums, 14 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 23 hill stations & viewpoints, 12 churches.

    Which is the nearest fort to Galena?

    Old Firehouse, about 1 km by road; Galena Historic District (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest museum to Galena?

    Old Market House, about 1 km by road; Dowling House (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Galena?

    Lake Galena, about 9 km by road; Frentress Lake (20 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Galena?

    Start in Galena, visit Old Firehouse, then Frentress Lake, then Fritz Chapel, then Lake Galena, then Old Market House, and drive back — about 78 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Galena?

    October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums.

    Towns near Galena

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Galena’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Galena on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.