Hotel at a Glance: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Nestled amid Galena’s forested hillsides, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is an ideal jumping-off point for exploring the area’s many wineries. Lake Galena is a few steps from the resort, so in warmer months you can while away the afternoon fishing for walleye and largemouth bass or exploring the 20 miles of hiking and biking trails that surround the lake.

• Kick back: Standard courtyard rooms feature walkout patios or balconies, while main lodge rooms boast jetted tubs.
• Upscale dining: Veal pot roast and ahi tuna at Woodlands Restaurant & Lounge or pizzas topped with artisanal cheeses at Paisanos.
• Bamboo massages and Reiki therapy are among the indulgent treatments available at the on-site Stonedrift Spa.

Galena, Illinois: Quaint Mississippi River Town with Historic Main Street

Galena’s story starts in the mid-19th century, when it first boomed as a mining town and port city on the Mississippi River. Today, the quaint historic district—which Fodor’s says “epitomizes small-town America”—is filled with coffee shops, specialty boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants in 19th-century brick storefronts.

When you’re not shopping, have a drink—Galena is home to a bustling brewing and winemaking scene, with shops and pubs showcasing locally made tipples. History buffs will want to make a stop at Ulysses S. Grant’s home, where the 18th president and Civil War general lived after the war. Head across the river to enter Iowa and check out the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque.