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11-24-2008, 06:27 PM
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City Boy in The 'Burbs
Status:
"Can I Retire Yet?"
(set 2 days ago)
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Reston, VA ---> Pittsburgh, PA (Hopefully in 2010)
16,707 posts, read 14,455,497 times
Reputation: 5235
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The Galena Thread
I have now become somewhat of a junkie of Google Earth's Street View, and I just had the pleasure of "experiencing" the beauty of Galena in Jo Daviess County from the comfort of my home office as the snow flakes are falling outside here in Scranton, PA.  I did a search for threads pertinent to Galena on this forum and was shocked to see such little discussion about it. Can it truly be the best kept secret of Illinois?
Since there isn't much fanfare about Galena on this forum, am I to assume it's not a very popular town? That seems unusual to me, since Galena reminds me of a mirror image of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a community that is very popular with tourists from Greater New York City. One would assume that folks in ChicagoLand would head out in droves to Galena as well. 
Do any of you think Galena will see a "boom" if the Amtrak line between Dubuque and Chicago has a stop in Galena in 2009, making it attractive for folks in Chicago to head there for weekend getaways without the hassle of the long drive?
I'm sorry, but I've just absolutely fallen in love with this town from afar. I can't wait to vacation in Galena someday! It looks like a great place for one of my photo tours! 
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11-24-2008, 06:52 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Illinois
6 posts, read 5,759 times
Reputation: 10
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I used to live about 10 miles west of Galena, and I worked in Galena for about 3 years. It is an extremely nice little town! My husband like to get those books from National Geographic and Time Life that are like, "100 Places in the US to See Before You Die" (or books along those lines), and Galena has been mentioned in a few of them. Not too bad for a town of 2000-3000 people! It is a HUGE tourist town, which is basically what keeps it afloat. Mostly people from Chicago come over for, as you mentioned, a getaway weekend. I think that if Amtrack did make a stop there, it would boom for sure!
I thought I had some pictures that I could post on here too, but I guess I will have to sign onto my laptop and make another post to put them up! I took some pictures last year at Grant Park, the downtown area, and the Galena River.
Anyway, thanks for starting this thread, and I'll be back with pictures! (hopefully  ) |
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11-25-2008, 12:21 AM
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Take a stand for apathy!
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
15,924 posts, read 11,969,679 times
Reputation: 4425
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Galena is definitely not a "best kept secret." That place is verily crawling with tourists some 6 months out of the year. There are several resorts in the area and more than a few Chicago-area residents keep vacation homes out there.
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11-25-2008, 03:30 PM
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City Boy in The 'Burbs
Status:
"Can I Retire Yet?"
(set 2 days ago)
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Reston, VA ---> Pittsburgh, PA (Hopefully in 2010)
16,707 posts, read 14,455,497 times
Reputation: 5235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drover
Galena is definitely not a "best kept secret." That place is verily crawling with tourists some 6 months out of the year. There are several resorts in the area and more than a few Chicago-area residents keep vacation homes out there.
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It just looks so amazing from Google Earth street view. It reminds me a lot of Jim Thorpe, PA, as I said.  |
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11-25-2008, 06:23 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
276 posts, read 267,088 times
Reputation: 79
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It's a nice river bluff town, but what Drover typed is correct. It is not a "best kept secret" at all, and it is very touristy.
For my money there are many river towns that are just as pretty and far less overrun by suburbanites thinking they're roughing it in the country for a weekend. They may not have the number of little shops and amenities, but are just as gorgeous.
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11-25-2008, 06:55 PM
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Rangers FC supporter
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Chicagoland
16,940 posts, read 17,617,291 times
Reputation: 4741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScranBarre
It just looks so amazing from Google Earth street view. It reminds me a lot of Jim Thorpe, PA, as I said. |
Its waaaaay better in person.  |
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11-26-2008, 01:28 PM
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City Boy in The 'Burbs
Status:
"Can I Retire Yet?"
(set 2 days ago)
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Reston, VA ---> Pittsburgh, PA (Hopefully in 2010)
16,707 posts, read 14,455,497 times
Reputation: 5235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
Its waaaaay better in person. |
Invitation to visit Illinois? I don't even need one. I've wanted to take a month-long vacation exploring the Upper Midwest for as long as I can remember. Madison, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, Duluth, Chicago, Des Moines, and Detroit are all on my list. I'll add Galena as well. |
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11-26-2008, 08:22 PM
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Super-Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chicagoland
761 posts, read 734,287 times
Reputation: 115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScranBarre
Invitation to visit Illinois? I don't even need one. I've wanted to take a month-long vacation exploring the Upper Midwest for as long as I can remember. Madison, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, Duluth, Chicago, Des Moines, and Detroit are all on my list. I'll add Galena as well. |
That's a trip i'll do any day, minus Chicago, as i'm around here all the time. |
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11-26-2008, 09:15 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Columbia County, Wisconsin
3,499 posts, read 2,856,368 times
Reputation: 1215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScranBarre
Invitation to visit Illinois? I don't even need one. I've wanted to take a month-long vacation exploring the Upper Midwest for as long as I can remember. Madison, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, Duluth, Chicago, Des Moines, and Detroit are all on my list. I'll add Galena as well. |
That would be so cool!
I've never been to Galena either, plan on visiting sometime.
__________________
Moderator of these fine forums:
The Great States of Illinois, Chicago, Chicago Suburbs ,Vermont, Wisconsin, Madison, Milwaukee, Rural & Small Town Living
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11-26-2008, 10:57 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Land of Lincoln
2,523 posts, read 867,520 times
Reputation: 515
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We have always enjoyed Galena, we love the history and the beautiful of the town and its surrounding area. Friends own a beautiful second home in the Galena Territory and we visit often, it's a great place for golf.
There are some wonderful restaurants you'll need to try when you visit. One recommendation is Fried Green Tomatoes.
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